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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



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  #1  
Old 18 Jun 2010
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London / Limerick
Posts: 22
Tyre recommendation: Continental TKC80. BMW R1100GS.

I couldn't find an appropriate thread so I'll just open this to give a recommendation on the Conti tyres we used.
Everyone will have different experiences but for anyone wondering about using these tyres, this was our experience.

We used 1 set of Continental TKC80s (19" front, 17" rear) for our complete trip with no problems.

We travelled 13120kms (8280 mls) from Limerick, Ireland to Accra, Ghana on one set of tyres.
Myself and my girlfriend travelled on one loaded 1996 BMW R1100GS.
The bike was weighed at around 340kg before flying it back.
We left Ireland in January with 8 degC and frost still hanging around and 5 weeks later we were in Mauri with temperatures in the mid 30's and rising.
We crossed France and Spain by autoroute at a crusing speed of 110kph and once we crossed into Africa we cruised at between 60kph and 80kph.

The tyres were great and wore at an even, predictable rate.
The gave confidence in rougher conditions but I was still very happy cornering at autoroute speeds.
We tackled rough piste without any problems - they slide around a bit but not bad for what is in effect a compromise tyre.

Before we left, I was worried about the wear rates - I had heard horror stories of people seeing tyre canvas after 3000kms but if the tyres are properly inflated and are used sensibly these are a tough tyre.

The tyre pressure stayed at a constant 35psi and I first needed to top up after about 8000kms.

Since we returned, I've left these tyres on and have just completed a 1600km (1000ml) round trip to LeMans and the thread depth is still legal. Just.

Funnily enough, the first puncture we got was on the A406 around London after we'd flown back!

I recommend these and would definitely use them again.

PS. I don't work for Continental!!!
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  #2  
Old 18 Jun 2010
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Sounds perfectly reasonable Gilles - exactly what I would expect.
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  #3  
Old 19 Jun 2010
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: in our 15th year on the road-only half way- now in Panama
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TCK 80's

we cant agree more.
We have used Conti TKC80's for our entire time - 7 years on the road.
never had any issues. ride with them everywhere in every kind of weather on any kind of terrain.
they are great. and Nope! we are not sponsored by them! ...but I'd like to be :-)
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