TK80 Discontinued

[muppet8mycat]

I’ve just been told that the Continental TK80 has been discontinued.

Any options on the best / better equivalent to the old TK80?

I’m looking for a Dual tire but more off-road than on road.

[mollydog]

I think you are talking about the Continental TKC80 ... not TK80 ... yes?
What bike do you need tires for?

I'd be surprised if Conti discontinue the TKC80, one of their best sellers.
Maybe they plan to replace it with a BETTER, upgraded, but similar tire?
TKC80 is 20 plus year old design ... could use an upgrade. Of course, price will go UP also!

I have no idea about the EU situation but the TKC80 is still for sale here in USA at all tire outlets, far as I know.
http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tube...otorcycle-tire

If what you say is true, then I would quickly search round and find sellers that still have these tires in stock ... and buy a set (or two sets!)

Alternatives:
Michelin T63 (good, less expensive than TKC, not as long lasting as TKC)
Dunlop D606 (not made in large rear tire sizes, 650cc bikes or smaller only)
Pirelli MT21 (also limited sizes for rear tire)

Kenda Big Block
Shinko (forgot name, similar to Kenda Big Block)

[kentfallen]

Don't laugh ..... put these shoes on my Bonnie -

Dual Sport Motorcycle Tires - Heidenau Tires

HEIDENAU K60

£125 for front and rear delivered by these guys in 3 days -

Heidenau tyre: All Heidenau motorbike tyres sold on Pneus Online

Can't speak too highly about them. Made in Germany by the worlds best engineers.

It's a true 50/50 tyre - much the same as the TKC80. It's turned my Bonneville into a Steve McQueen special and holds the roads just fine.

Reifen.Heidenau, a German tyre manufacturing company is located in the city of Heidenau. Over 50 years of experience in this field, the company has gained a lot of technical knowledge and tactics in tyre manufacturing. With the team of technical experts, Heidenau focuses on quality products which are specially known as "Larva in Germany". As a tyre manufacturer, the company specializes in manufacturing tyres for motorcycles, passenger cars and light trucks. Along with moulding quality tyres, Reifen.Heidenau is also very particular about the quality of service provided to its customers. The company itself has installed service stations through which it helps customers in choosing the best from its entire collection range. By enforcing excellent quality control, Heidenau has secured a place for itself in the minds of its customers.

A very well respected tyre on the continent.

[davebetty]

The K60s come in a number of versions, the Scout is the one I have heard lots about as a 50/50 tyre. Although not quite as blocky as the TKC80s so maybe at a slight disadvantage to the TKC80s on the really rough stuff they have a fantasitc wear rate compared to just about any other tyres of this type.

the Heidies will do 10 000 miles on a rear with no problems

[muppet8mycat]

THANKS all for the info.


2 dealers have now confirmed that continental are discontinuing the TKC80 BUT the 17' , so I am out of luck. However will go for the heidenaus. So all good.

[Kyler]

Conti has come out with a TKC70 tire. Perhaps they plan on replacing the KKC70 with that.

[mollydog]

Yea, I've seen this new tire in the mags. I think Conti are nuts! That new TKC70 is a road tire, 80/20 at best.

It will compete with Tourance, Distanzia, Anakee and Pirelli Scorpion. No need for another player in that segment ... it's well covered with the Shinko E705 being the current leader. (cheap and good!)

I find it hard to believe Conti would give up their 20 year long dominance the TKC80 has enjoyed. Still the best ... especially the front tire!

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by kentfallen

Can't speak too highly about them. Made in Germany by the worlds best engineers.

Heidenau are a TINY company. The best German engineers work for Pirelli ... who own Metzeler ... 20 times the size of
Heidenau who are probably 20 years behind in engineering by comparison.
Heidenau can't afford the best engineers.

Originally Posted by kentfallen

It's a true 50/50 tyre - much the same as the TKC80. It's turned my Bonneville into a Steve McQueen special and holds the roads just fine.

The TKC80 is not a 50/50 tire ... more like a 80/20 favoring Off Road. It's knobs are double the size and depth of the K60, which will not compare well to the TKC in say, Deep Sand conditions. The Heidenau will outlast the TKC but will no way out perform it off road. It's also a bad rep if pushing on wet, slick paved roads ... so DO use caution riding the K60 until you're sure of it's limits.
(especially the front)

[Geldof]

Another thumbs up for the Heidenau K60 Scouts here. Used them last year on a trip
from UK to Mongolia on an XT660Z. I tried the TKC80's and the K60's offroad in
Wales prior to my trip and found them similar offroad. However on tarmac I much
preferred the K60 Scouts and found them far grippier on wet tarmac than the TKC80's.
I went through two sets of K60's on my XT, and then did 11,000 miles on the AT with
a set. At 11,000 miles the back tyre had squared off, front was still fine. I've now got
a set of TKC70's on the AT, they squirm a bit on the straight on tarmac, but seem to
have excellent grip on wet tarmac. Offroad they are ok. None of these tyres including
the TKC80 are going to be great offroad in mud etc

[Chris Scott]

I find it hard to believe Conti would give up their 20 year long dominance the TKC80 has enjoyed.

Me too unless it's some new EU directive about knobbly-ish tyres on the road.
The TKC70 launched with much fanfare last year doesn't come close, and IMO the prefix is just capitalising on the 80's reputation.

No doubt the new radial 70 will way outlast an 80 and suit GS12s and the like, but it's just another road tyre with adventure looks, like the ones mentioned.

In my experience a K60 on a F650 twin BMW (or similar Mitas 07 on an XCo) both fall ideally between the two Contis: they'll outlast a TKC80, work great on the road, wet or dry, but are less sure footed on the dirt. In other words: great, real world, 'gravel road' overlanding tyres.

[Chris of Japan]

Why would Conti put out a press release praising the 30 year history of this tire just to discontinue it two months later?
All-Rounder for Riding on Asphalt and Across Country

[Chris Scott]

Perhaps only discontinued in the OP's Switz?

[Tim Cullis]

I saw a similar thread elsewhere a while back, it turned out one particular tyre size had been discontinued and TBH I'm not even sure that was true.

Conti's website still stresses the benefits of the tyre and the fact it's OEM fitment for BMW and KTM. I've covered way over 250,000 miles on TKC80s, very happy both off and on tarmac.

[Squire]

Both TKC-80 and TKC-70 are currently available in Switzerland in 150/70-18, 14/80-18, 90/90-21. Both are great tires for the use they have been designed for. Nothing like knowing your needs and matching with the right model.

I hesitated 10 days ago between the 2 TKCs and opted for the TKC-70 after burning a set of TKC-80 in the Pyrenees in less than 4000km last April. Been trying them extensively and the verdict is: I'm very impressed with these new Conti's. No off-road knobby but wow, serious competitor to the Heideneau K60 in that segment of the market. Front looks and feels like Metz Sahara 3 and Pirelli Scorpion 90 but more durable, and just as grippy in curves. The rear sticks.

I love the K60 Scout on my 690R for all-round use but I did give myself some cold sweat a few times on wet tarmac, not that good off-road but it's fine as I knew what I was getting: Tough, grippy enough and super long lasting rubbers. Ideal for gravel road indeed which makes them great for overland travel as mentioned above.

[reggie3cl]

Mitas E-09 and E-10s are similar to TKC80s and cheap. I got 15000km out of the rear 07 on my 1100GS and plenty left yet. OK, 07s are more road orientated than the 09s and 10s, but it was a great tyre at the price.