Michelin TT66 or Continental TKC80?

**Fuzzy Duck** · #1 18 Jan 2003

Simple questions - which should I go for - for a 1989 R100 GS?

At the moment I've got Continental Enduro Pro's on - but want something for the BIG Trip.

Please let me know your thoughts/experiences - and this might be a daft question but should you balance the spoked wheels that appear on the GS? I guess not - but I never thought to ask anyone when I fitted mine, and there weren't any weights on the wheels when I got the bike.

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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

**Sean Kelly** · #2 19 Jan 2003

Hi Fuzzy

How you doing?

Well, I haven't tried the Contis, but have now run two sets of T66s on my R80GS and have been really pleased. I just changed the last set in Bangkok after 12000 miles from UK and there was still tread left on them. I couldn't get a replacement T66 rear in BKK, only a front, so now have a Bridgestone Trail Wing rear instead.

IMHO T66s grip well enough for RTW stuff mostly on tarmac, but if you're seriously off roading maybe something different would be better.

Only complaint is that they can start to delaminate and my mate's rear was coming apart at the seams. Also saw similar on an 1150GS. Maybe it's an age thing? Still did 12000 miles though.

Cheers

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Sean

**merlin** · #3 21 Jan 2003

HI Fuzzy,
i balance the front wheel,
with your wheels use stick on balance weights from car accessory shop ~£1 for a strip
merlin

**Grant Johnson** · #4 22 Jan 2003

ALL wheels used over 30mph should be balanced - better wear characteristics, smoother, etc etc.

Most places that install tires can do it dynamically for you. MAY need a BMW shop to do a G/S, but I've usually been able to get it done most anywhere in the first world.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**ChrisK** · #5 6 Feb 2003

TKC 80's handle well in gravel, light mud, sand and most other surfaces, however used at low pressure on soft sand with rocks they get cut easily and then you are stuffed as I was in Ethiopia when my rear cut opened up to a 3inch hole. Front TKC80 fell apart on Moyale/Isiolo road which is lots of sharp rocks, however a German guy had tubless TKC80's, (mine were tube type) and his are still OK, my R80 is monolever, his R100 is Paralever so maybe its down to better suspension as mine is standard front, bottoming and topping out a lot now and hagon rear which is ferked big time and now sports a car damper riding piggy back, should last to CT as its more or less tar all the way from dear ole Nairobi