... or maybe this... it just came snow.... hehehehe http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/v...m/IMG_8685.jpg

help needed -TKC 80
 

just scanning the internet for some Conti TKC80's.
But confused by T and S rating, one a lot cheaper for 10KMPH less.
Also how can I be sure they are for tubed tyres (that is the Tenere right?)
any advice welcomed, thanks.

yea there is a good bit of difference but with the more speed you have to think what type of bike is it going to be on, there is a big difference between the weight of say a GS1200 and that of a Tenere/XTR.

As for the tubes/tubeless i dont think there is a difference. Try mandp.co.uk thats where i got got a set for a good price.+fast deliverly

new TCK80's
 

Just changed my Tourances for some TKC80s as the rear ended up with a nice split across the tread from some enthusiastic riding on sharp flint (learned my lesson there then!) I'm assured by those in the know that the TKC's are the ones to go for but have to say that during my first few miles on tarmac they feel weird.

I'm sure I'll get used to them and they are bound to be better off-road than the Tourances but for now it's like learning to ride all over again. I have to push much harder on the bars to get the bike to turn and then it suddenly drops into the corner unlike the Tourances that had a very neutral feel.

Anyway, I'll update any impressions I have once I've had a chance to give them a blast down the odd green lane. Off to Le Mans in April too and there will plenty of off-roading on the way!!

cheers:039:

The TKC's can feel a bit square the first few miles but it settles with time. They will never feel as neutral and grippy as the tourances on the tarmac though, but you forgive the flaws as soon as you hit the dirt. =)

For whatever it's worth, I could provide my feedback from on-road experience as I have yet to take the TKC80 to offroad environment.

I confirm what Molgan has said, the tires are a bit square, the drop from leaning the bike is quite dramatic, as if you would feel you would go under. However, after a few tens of km, they are great. In fact, I feel they have more grips onroad than the Tourance for some strange reasons, though the braking power seems to go down somewhat, so easy on the throttle IMHO.

Make sure your tyre pressure are up fully as after i got my tyres changed found them to be at 28psi, which is too low for me.

I'd actually go the other way too perhaps?

I've been running the TKCs at 30psi recently as I've been almost always on tarmac, and they seem fine (I'd say any more than that is too much), but have been very happy with them at 25psi - particularly in mixed conditions.

As others have suggested, if this is Lairy's first set of knobblies, then they will feel different to ride on, but they soon bed in very nicely and are surpisingly grippy - I was riding round the outside of the Harley boys (not that hard, admittedly x) on Deal's Gap last weekend, and that was on a squared off rear with 5000 miles on it!

TKCs rock!

xxx

ps. As for tube vs tubless, I believe for the rear is only the 150/70 that is specifically tubeless (although you can always run a tube in it as others have said), however, I recall they do produce both types of 21 inch front - tubeless tyres tend to have a slightly different bead as the rim shape is different (to help seal properly) - as others have said, if you're running tubes anyway, it doesn't matter - it's only if you had tubeless rims (and running them tubeless) you should specify the correct version of the tyre.

I think I have this tire at the rear; TKC80 130/80 -17 TT 65S M/C. It's tubed and also cheaper then the TL.

(I say "think" since the bike is still stored away in a basement waiting for spring so I can't check atm)

Just had a look at mine and it seems they do make a tubeless version in 130/80 17 afterall (as that's what was just fitted)...

The 130/80 is the widest TKC they recommend for the Tenere rim, but I was thinking, if you fitted the rear wheel from an XTX (ie wider rim), then perhaps you could go big with the 150/70 on the back? Hmmmmm... I like fat tyres!

xxx