Tyre compromise
 

I'm embarking on a trip around Australia in April, 2/3 of it tar, the other 1/3 on some very remote dirt sections. The first 4,000 will mostly be on tarmac, therefore I may only be left with 9,000 to worry about for a more dirt orientated tyre. All up about 13,000K's. I like the thought of running Michelin Desserts for the "dessert section" but don't know how they will wear "on road".

What is the general life of a dessert if used on road?

Should I be thinking of a different tyre like the MT21 or similar and what is their life like?

Thanks in advance.

I'll let others comment on tire life for specific tires, but I'd suggest running anything, your old tires, street tires or whatever for the first 4000 then switching to good knobbies for the off-road section.

You can carry the knobbies with you on tarmac easily, then mount them, and either dump the street tires or perhaps mail them to the end of the dirt, and switch back.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

What type of bike ???

Greg Africa Twin
Sydney

I'll be on an XTZ660.

Africa Twin, very interesting. You don't live / work around North Sydney do you - I've seen one a couple of times around there and I always have a look

Hi,

not me in nth Sydney but I know the guy.

Deserts are great in the dirt and they wear very well , I usually get 8,000km from a rear. Bear in mind my AT andme weigh a lot more than an XTZ660. The fronts are TERRIBLE on the tar, I usually use a Metzeler Karoo on the front as its just about as good as a desert on the dirt and much more pleasant on the tar. Another option might be Continental TKC80's, a half knobby, a lot better than universals on the dirt but still great on the tar.

For other big offroad tourers in Oz and lots of info check out
http://www.users.bigpond.com/rto/ozhome.htm
Greg

I've heard the downside to the desserts is they are a bugger to get off and on to fix a puncture (although your unlikely to get one). that feedback came from a bike shop who reckons even the tyre machine struggles with putting it on.

Any experience ?

With the Continentials, do they have a good reputation for being puncture resistant.

Cheers

Hi,

I traveled in Africa a couple of times and have fitted Deserts 'on the road' about 6 or 7 times. No problem. In my opinion they are not worse then any other tyre. The rear is actually more easy because 18/140 is bigger and gives you more workingspace for you hands inside then the ussual tyres on a XT500 or 600.
Change tyres after a hot day inthe sun and the tire is like chewinggum, do if after a freezing night and every tire will be difficult.
The real pain are the tyre clamps in the rim. Because with Deserts you dont really have to go very soft, you could descide to leave them out, at least on the front.
Practice at home, use decent tyre things tools (dont know the name in english)and lots of shampoo on the rim when you put the tyre on.

Peter

I agree with Peter - after a bit of practice, I have found the Desert, especially the rear, the easiest DS tyre to fit. No punctures either in about 3 months of riding. Fit HD tubes.

I use Conti Twinduro TKC80s at home - excellent. Don't know about the puncture resistance, a small (about 1cm) nail went right through rear and the tube. Unfortunately it didn't deflate as I had the tube filled with sealant from Ipone. Re: lubricant avoid using detergants containing salt, your rims will rot.