tyre wearing fast!

[davebetty]

I put some tkc 80s on my bike specifically for marocco. They had to endure the 1000km run down from santander and we, ve done another 2000 on piste an road, but ive only got about 7mm of tread left on the middle. A bit worried I am going to be down to canvas.

I will be doing at least another 2000km in marocco and will also need to get back to santander.

I was told to expect 6-8000 kms out of a rear but I.m not sure I.m goint to get 4500. Is this usual. Ive been running them a couple of psi below recommended.

Also, does anyone know of any tyre shops that actiually stock, or could be contacted before hand to get me in a 130/80/17 tubed tkc80 or maybe a heidi scout. I still need a piste tyre. I an curently in Tafroute.

many thanks

Dave

[mollydog]

Hey Dave,
I hope you can find another tire ... I'd get whatever fits just to get you home!

I've only used two sets of TKC's, one on a XR650L on a Baja trip and another on my current DR650. Both 130/17. On the XR650L in Baja we rode fast on pavement. (dirt too!) That rear tire was toasted at around 3500 kms. (2200 mi.) But that was running 70 to 80 mph on paved roads and spinning up the rear through rocks off road. Not good. Can't remember pressures, but probably too low.

On my DR650 I took it easier on paved roads, ran about 25 PSI, kept speeds 60 to 65 mph max. Off road, less aggressive riding too. That tire lasted almost 3500 miles (5600 kms). But was totally worn flat at that point.
(paved roads kill them!)

So I guess keeping speeds down and running a bit more pressure (on road) might help extend life? Dunno.

I remember that the TKC rear tire wear kind of slowed down towards the end of the tire's life. So, with luck, maybe you'll make it? Seems the rear just stops wearing at about the 75% point ... or at least wear slows a bit.

My front TKC's have lasted really well! Both riding on and off road. Great tire! Rear TKC I no longer use ... because of cost and that a cheap 50/50 Korean tire lasts nearly as long and works OK on and off road. (Kenda 270, Duro, Shinko 244) (cost around $65 here ... TKC over $100 usd)

I'm sure the Maroc' experts here will jump in and guide you to finding a new tire. Good luck, ride safe!

[markharf]

You were told wrongly.

TKC rears typically last me 3000 miles/5000 km. Under inflated, probably less; in certain conditions or use (heavily loaded, spinning on rocks, high speeds on hot asphalt, or running on abrasive road surfaces) definitely less. And while the apparent wear does seem to lessen as the end approaches, blowouts are distressingly common with all tires during their final 10 or 20%. You might think about that when tempted to squeeze a last thousand k out of your tires.

I still like the TKC up front--they're a nice rubber compound and the tread is a good on/off-road compromise. For rears, I've gone to other brands unless highly motivated on a short trip.

Best sources of information here on the HUBB: Tim Cullis and/or Morocco Offroad Motorcycle Tours - Bikershome Tours Morocco.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

[davebetty]

Ok, thanks for putting me right.

I guess now I want to find somwhere which either stocks or can get me, within a week a tyre. Any suggestions? I will be going to marrakesh, ourzazate, fez, those are the big cities. I know zagora is a good bet, but I dont want to go back unless I have to!

I'd ideally want a tkc80 or a k60 scout.


cheers dave

[John933]

As I know Dick shit about your tyre. I'm going to keep an eye on this thread. As the limit on my road bike is 1.5. To me you've got quite a bit of tread left.


John933

[davebetty]

Not if I had 20mm two weeks ago.

[Chris Scott]

I agree with John933: 7mm is plenty - your wear is normal and it will slow down. I don't use them anymore but on a 660 Tenere got nearly 7000km off the rear TKC in Mk (run tubeless and kept at road pressure for the whole trip). Sold the bike at that point with about 5mm left.
High speeds and low pressures will increase heat and so wear: pump them up to normal and let the knobs do the work while they last.

Besides the other recommendations mentioned, you'll find plenty of used and maybe new tyres in your size at Loc2Roues, a bike rental outfit in Marrakech. Don't expect the new tyres to be cheaper than Europe.
Get to this point and ride down into the underground garage until you get to the workshop.
The actual office is up on the first floor.

Good luck.

[markharf]

Chris knows better than I, so I'll happily defer in his direction.

The differing experiences with this tire make me wonder, not for the first time, whether there are different rubber formulations in use--maybe North American vs. European? This suggests I use more caution when proclaiming "truth."

[Grant Johnson]

As Chris mentioned, low pressure and high speed can accelerate wear - HUGELY. Running low pressure on the highway will HALVE or worse your tire life, and on a big bike low pressure off-road will also reduce the life.

The only reason to reduce pressure is if you're having traction issues, (sand/mud) or riding loose rocky terrain where soft tires improve the ridability a lot, so if possible bump the pressure to road levels. Rule of thumb - under 40 mph / 60kph, soft is no significant issue. DO check the cold - hot pressure rise; if more than about 10%, you're running too much weight for the low pressure, so bump the pressure.

[dommiek]

7mm of tread on a TKC80 should see you getting atleast another 2,000 miles so you shouldn't worry too much. Just be aware that as the tyre wears the chance of getting a puncture increases; but saying that I've not had one with tkc's and HD tubes.
Like others have said, maybe increase tyres to road pressures, heat is your enemy so keep speed down too.

I made a trip to Maroc in '05/'06 on a honda dominater, solo with luggage, TKC's and HD tubes. The rear tyre lasted 5,000 miles, probably 1,000m off road, running pressures 25psi front/30psi rear.

Something I have taken to doing now is Lubricating my tubes with Michelin Bib mousse Lubricant. It's designed to be used with mousses. The lube reduces the friction between tyre and tube/mouse, thereby reducing heat and increasing life.

[davebetty]

Thanks all for your insight. Have been at standard pressure for past week but wear is still going on pretty fast.

Its not a worry now though as ive cut short my trip by a week after a bit of a crunch last week whilst looking for cave paintings. Ive buggered my ankle so can't go off road, indeed navigating a busily marketed street it not easy!

should have just enough tyre to get me through spain to the ferry at Santander. I'm below 5mm now, but of course the contact patch will grow as they square off, so wear should slow a bit.

Thanks again, and go easy!