R80Gs tyre choice
 

I am looking for new tyres for my r80 gs basic. I was thinking of the TKC80 but not sure about road use particularly in the wet. I did like the look of the Bridgestone trailwing but there are a couple of different options regarding tread pattern. Does anyone have any views on this ?
Mark

Avon still make small batches of Gripsters in the right sizes for your bike. They handle pretty well on road and gravel and last quite well. If you want a more road orientated tyre Avon Distanzias are not a bad choice.

I have TKC 80 on my R100GS. They last about 9000 (road) miles (15000km) and I don't see any problem on the wet.

Me too. I wanted to try the newer Karoo 3 for one set but changed my mind after a friend of mine changed his after only 5500 km on his F700GS...

Sticking with my TKC for now !

A couple of years ago I changed from Karoos to Heidenau K60s on my 89 100GS. I was so impressed with them I even considered selling the winter wheels with the Tourance tyres on them

I find that the TKC 80s only last about 5000 miles on my R100GS and they are not very confidence inspiring in the wet especially once more than about half worn. I'm going to try the Heidenau K60s next time.

I went for the TKC80 s in the end as I couldn't get hold of any Heidenau tyres. So far so good.

I've heard that TKC80's wear out fast on pavement. Is this true?

That's all subjective. On a R80GS they should last about 6k-7k km on the back and about double on the front.

They are the best tire I found in this category, so I'm OK with that.

The alternatives are the Michelin T-63 if you want the same type of tire, and the Metz Karoo 3 if you want a road tire.

I've had a couple of TKC80s disintegrate at low mileage, so switched to Avon Gripster, which are great.

Also, the TKC80s were constantly losing pressure.

Question: How much Off Road is intended? If riding 80% tarmac, I'd go with another tire, like a Distanzia, Gripster or Tourance.

But if doing 50/50 Off Road vs. Tarmac, IMO, the TKC80 is not a bad choice. They handle very well on pavement and, IMO, are a decent "knobby" tire off road. I would use caution whist hard braking into downhill, slippery bends. Don't push them too hard till you learn their limit. (as with any tire)

The other question, where are you? Do you positively need MAX life out of your tires? Or can buy a tire any time? If you need Max life ... then the Heidenau, Mefo, or Mitas tires all will out last the TKC80 ... but NONE are even close to as good off road. I've used the Mefo.

The front TKC's feel quite good on tarmac but show a funny wear pattern as they age. The rear just plain wear out fast if ridden fast and hard on Tarmac.
I never run a matched set, usually different front than rear ... as wear rates are so different. At present, running a Shinko 244 rear, TKC80 front. All good in all terrain.
bier