Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
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 2 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: York
Posts: 23
France Spain Africa tyre choice please

Advice would help please, we are organising a 3 week trip from uk through spain and into North Africa and return through France, after reading some of the other threads with excellent advice I wondererd if anybody could give me some idea of the best tyres for road and some off road use, we will be using transalps and maybe a gs's
Some of us have rather more experience of off road than others but any advice would be helpfull

Thanks everyone
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 4 Feb 2009
Wildman's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Garden of England
Posts: 478
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian Robinson View Post
Advice would help please, we are organising a 3 week trip from uk through spain and into North Africa and return through France, after reading some of the other threads with excellent advice I wondererd if anybody could give me some idea of the best tyres for road and some off road use, we will be using transalps and maybe a gs's
Some of us have rather more experience of off road than others but any advice would be helpfull

Thanks everyone
Hi Ian

Not personal advice but passing on advice that I've been given for a 5500 mile trip similar to yours, i.e. mostly on-road but some off-road. The advice is to use a Metzeler Tourance on the rear and a Continental TKC80 on the front of my 800GS. Apparently it provides a good balance between on and off-road performance and grip versus durability.
__________________
Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 4 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Sheffield, UK
Posts: 37
Hi Ian,
Don't know if this is an option for you, or whether you think it necessary for your planned route, but I did a trip very similar to what you are describing a month or two ago.
I took some Michelin Deserts (massive overkill, but suprisingly cheap) down to the south of Spain with me, then changed out of the tired old pair of road tyres I had on the bike, left these hidden in a tree near Algeciras, then returned to them on the way back.
I was using a light bike, lightly loaded. Two up, or big GS and I'd guess that the tyres have to be that bit tougher to last on Morocco's rocky terrain.

To be honest, the Deserts were a bit sketchy on wet road, but I was never really pushing it as the roads are frequently covered in mud, gravel etc.

I never got any punctures, which I think justified changing the tyres in Spain, as not having to change a tube mid-piste would be time consuming and annoying.

Basically what I'm saying is that for a small amount more effort, i.e. changing tyres in spain, you can have a very comfortable ride south and good off road control when you are in Morocco. Best of both worlds.

just another option to add to the pile!

p.s. Re-reading the original post, are you looking at a circular route i.e. Spain to Morocco, then direct from Morocco to France? If so ignore the above post as it requires you to collect the tyres on the way back... duh.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Feb 2009
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
I would have used Michelin T63 or Pirelli MT21. They work well on the road and excellent offroad.
They don’t fit all the different GSes.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Feb 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: York
Posts: 23
Tyre choice

Thanks everyone for those words of advice I will have a look at the choices

Cheers
Ian
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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
tyre choice for 89 Tenere - West Africa to SA edorr808 Yamaha Tech 4 8 Oct 2007 19:22
Tyre choice andyb43 Equipping the Overland Vehicle 11 24 Aug 2006 09:20
Tyre Choice Robbie Honda Tech 0 8 Nov 2005 21:58
Tyre choice for Africa...? jim Route Planning 3 11 Jan 2004 22:26
tyre choice for east coast of africa stephane sub-Saharan Africa 8 5 Dec 2003 23:38

 
 

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 13:17.