Tyre tips

**Fuzzy Duck** · #1 6 Oct 2003

Hi folks

I'm on my way to Morocco and beyond on a heavily loaded R100 GS, weighing 440 Kgs (me included) so we are very heavy. I currently have a Michelin Sirac on the back and a Metz Sahara on the front, but was thinking of switching to Michelin Deserts for the soft sand...

But I'm not sure that there's much point as the bike is so heavy - and the Sirac is proving to be a very good compromise and hard wearing...

Any suggestions? I'm tempted to stick with the Sirac as it seems so reliable... but could easily carry a set of Deserts on the back (a few extra kgs won't make much difference!!)

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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

**Grant Johnson** · #2 7 Oct 2003

I wouldn't bother with the extra tires - because a few extra kilos DOES make a difference.

With that weight you'll find that soft sand is impossible anyway, so the Siracs will be fine.

I would strongly recommend losing a bunch of that weight. Your numbers are higher than my fully-loaded two-up rig with 40 litres fuel (minus passenger).

You've got too much stuff!

Number one email I get from travellers after a few months on the road: "I/we just sent back another box of stuff we THOUGHT we absolutely had to have."

KISS principle!

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Grant Johnson

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

**simmo** · #3 10 Oct 2003

Good tip Grant..wish I had been more choosey myself. I am now down to 3 tshirts and two pairs of trousers! The rest of the weight is tools spares and moto gear. As for the Sirac I got good mileage from my pair, one month in Australia going to work and they were changed in Kyrgystan. Rear still had a whisker of tread over the centre but suffered a puncture so I figured it was time to loose some of the weight I was carrying and change tyres. Front was 2/3 gone. They are not so flash in mud though! but that shouldnt be a surprise.

**Fuzzy Duck** · #4 15 Oct 2003

OK Grant, I hear what you are saying - of course you are right, the weight has bent my sidestand...

I will try to get rid of some of the weight (maybe go on a diet)

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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)