Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Honda Tech
Honda Tech Honda Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Honda riders only.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Jan 2002
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Central Portugal
Posts: 315
Tyres for an A.T.

My wife and I are travelling two up on an A.T. from London to Sydney through Europe and Asia. The route will take us on good, bad, and gravel roads and mud, both wet and dry. Can anyone recommend what tyres to use. .......Bob

[This message has been edited by mcdarbyfeast (edited 16 January 2002).]
__________________
\"Bon Chance\"
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Jan 2002
mmaarten's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Thailand at the moment
Posts: 593
Hai,

Be aware. The AT only has tubed tires. Tubeless can not be mounted on "spoked" wheels.
I am also thinking about the choice of tires for my AT. (same journey) I want them to last long and be alround (dirt and road).
Anyone sugestions?

Maarten
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Jan 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Yackandandah, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 7
I suggest using Michelin T66. We are also planning to do London to Aus this year and after some research these tyres seem to be the best option.
When are you planning to leave and what route are you going to take?
Regards
G
__________________
Keep the rubber side down!

Gary
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Feb 2009
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Metzeler Sahara 3's are good if you can still get them.

TKC80's but pretty crap and scary on the road at times.

All depends on the ratio of tarman/gravel etc
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Feb 2009
Xander's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Back Down Under (WA)
Posts: 562
I love the TKC80s,, I think they stick better then most other tyres on the road or the gravel. They are even okay in the mud (well up to the bash plate anyway.).
We are going Midlands to Aus route starting sometime this summer (via Africa and south america) and I plan on using the TKC for it. The only down side is that you really only get about 5-8000 miles out of them. I am changing my rear wheel to be 18" (from 17") and that makes them cheap too, and easier to find.

IMHO they are the best dual sports tyre ever!
__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Feb 2009
LTGTR's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Jomtien,Thailand
Posts: 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmaarten View Post
Hai,

Be aware. The AT only has tubed tires. Tubeless can not be mounted on "spoked" wheels.
I am also thinking about the choice of tires for my AT. (same journey) I want them to last long and be alround (dirt and road).
Anyone sugestions?

Maarten
Completely wrong!Have you ever heard of a BMW GS?
__________________
I spent most of my money on fast cars,fast women and liquor.The rest I squandered.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Slovenia
Posts: 43
Quote:
Originally Posted by LTGTR View Post
Completely wrong!Have you ever heard of a BMW GS?
If you are suggesting that you need to buy a GS to have tubeless tyres on spoked wheels, I need to inform you that other bikes have that too. for examlple the 25 years old Honda XL600 have them...

To be back on topic, I had on the AT for offroading the TKC, the Karoo and Mitas E09. They are all tyres for the same purpose and they look more or less the same. My choice between those three are the Mitas, because they are the most high milleage, they are cheap, and good off road. They are maybe the worst on tarmac, but they are good enough for traveling speeds on tarmac, no problem there. All of this tyres are bad on wet.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Feb 2009
Sime66's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wild West (of Crete)
Posts: 283
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xander View Post
I love the TKC80s,, I think they stick better then most other tyres on the road or the gravel. They are even okay in the mud (well up to the bash plate anyway.).
I've got TKC80's on and I really like 'em. They seem great on the road (compared to Mich Deserts - oh dear - or Metzeler Saharas) and very good on gravel. Sand - haven't had any here yet. Mud - who knows? I just fall off in the mud. I'd definitely get 'em again (although I don't think you can get them in South America...?)
__________________
Simon

London-Cape Town 2004-06
Buenos Aires-Vancouver 2008-10:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/fitzpatrick
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dreaming of travelling and riding bikes in general..
Posts: 445
Tkc

The TKC are pretty good. My riding companion managed to touch down a metal mule pannier attached to his overloaded AT on one of the great sweeping tarmac corners in Gabon using TKCs.

We both rode from UK to Cameroon, fully loaded, one-up before changing the rear TKC (about 10,000miles). People get upset because they square off so quickly but after that initial wear they settle down and last for ages. Good at taking hits from glass bottles, nails, thorns etc without tearing too.

TKCs come in a larger block pattern for bigger bikes (AT) and smaller block for lighter bikes.
__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 25 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sussex, UK
Posts: 80
+1 on the TKCs.

(I was the guy with the pannier...).

Great tyre, one rear from UK to Cameroon, another from Cameroon to South Africa. Genius.
__________________
brighton2expeditions
'02 Africa Twin (sold), GSX-R 1000 K5 (sold), '97 TL1000S, '08 DRZ400 SM/S, '92 CRM250
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 27 Feb 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Lille
Posts: 19
Hello guys,

I am going to buy a set of TKC tyres for my Africa Twin.

I've heard that tubeless & tubetype will fit... Is that true or not ?

Many thanks,

Fabien
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 27 Feb 2009
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,656
Im not sure if you can tubeless TKC's...

Rule is this:

You can use inner tubes in a tubeless tyre quite safely. This is common practice in Supermoto and other racing situations. So pretty much, if you have rims designed to have inner tubes (most spoked although not BMW), you can use any tyre you want as long as it fits.

You strictly CAN NOT use a "tube only" tyre on a rim designed for tubeless unless you really enjoy hospital food.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 27 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Dreaming of travelling and riding bikes in general..
Posts: 445
Tkc 80

Quite right - if it needs tubes, give it tubes. (TT = tubed tyres, TL = tubeless)

Front:

90/90S21BWTL
110/80BQ19BW / TL
Rear:
130/80S17BW / TL
150/70B17BW / TL
3.50S18 BW / TT
120/90S18 BW / TT
140/80B18 BW / TT
150/70B18 BW / TL
__________________
Find out details of my 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike:
www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 27 Feb 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by fabienlegall View Post
Hello guys,

I am going to buy a set of TKC tyres for my Africa Twin.

I've heard that tubeless & tubetype will fit... Is that true or not ?

Many thanks,

Fabien
Yes it's true I'm running a tubeless rear tyre on my Africa Twin with a tube.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 28 Feb 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Lille
Posts: 19
Thanks for the replies guys

It's good to know that I can bouy both: either tubes or tubeless
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:46.