KTM 990
Michelin T63 or Metzeler karoo front. Both are good
Mitas E-07 rear. Good tyre life but not the best for mud and sand. The KTM eats mud and sand knobblies as a snack, so the E07 is a good compromise. I get about 7000-8000 km from a rear tyre. The standard KTM scorpions are just terrible in mud and sand.


BMW1200
TKC 80 both. Good tyre life if you keep them hard on tar, slightly over the recommended value. I inflate the rear up to 2.9-3 bar.
I tried the Mitas E-10 on the rear but it was horrible and unstable on tar. I also didn't get any more life than the TKC.

Michelin T63's Fr + Rr on a DR650, got about 8,000 kms out of the rear, but its done, maybe another 1500 kms left in the front, they have been pretty good on asphalt too, not quite as planted as a TKC 80 front on pavement, similar performance on dirt, but a lot cheaper.

The TKC80 and D606's are both quite expensive now in Canada compared to the T63's

Timo, have you used TKC 80/T63/D606 fronts ? how does the IRC TR8 compare?

Ive used MT21's on a KTM Adventure and Yamaha TTR250, they were pretty good, but wear quickly and found them squirrely on wet (British diesel covered) pavement


Im spooning on some new T63's today, but might give the TR8 a go next up front

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Gipper,

No, I have not tried the TKC 80, the D606 or the T63's. The T63's were out of stock 2 years ago when I left for the CDR trip. From what I have heard about the TKC 80 it is a good tire - for many the go-to tire for any sort of dirt shenanigans on a larger ADV bike. However, I've always been put off by the price/ mileage prospects. From what I gather talking with people, I think the TR-8 offers very similar performance with maybe a bit better longevity, and it is 1/2 the price. As I am fairly convinced that running a more closed in rear is the way to go, my main concern is finding at front that will last as long as a good 50/50 rear (so 10-12k Km's) cuts through sand and gravel to give some grip in corners, doesn't howl on the hwy, and doesn't scare me on wet pavement.

I'd like to try the D606 - although friends have reported that the front cups and wears quickly, and the rear wears out pretty fast as well. Guys coming from pure dirt bikes seem to really like this tire, but it is expensive as you point out.

I heard that the T63's are not as good as they once were? not sure if that is true - some change of manufacturing. I like the look of the tread pattern, although I still feel that the rear is to open a knobby for loaded traveling bikes.

At any rate - no such thing as a perfect tire setup, just choices that have trade off's. My main point was to introduce the TR-8 as it seems to be an obscure and perhaps overlooked option that has worked well for me at a very good price.

I think the same way. Knobs on the front, durability on the back. Can get hairy on wet roads though, depending what you run.

Eyeing up Mitas for the next ride, but will look at TR8.

__________________
Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

I'm curious about the Mitas 07 front as an option. It has a very similar 'chevron' pattern to the Heidineau K60 and the Metzler enduro 3. However, the 07 pattern has a steeper angle to the radius of the tire, and so looks like it might provide more side bite in gravel or sand, which is my main complaint about the others. Anyone have comments about this?

Just adding to the thread for reference :

Front - 22,200 km
Rear - 29,500 km

Both tyres changed when below legal limit in UK, so got my moneys worth !

Riding style is hard cornering but gentle acceleration & braking. Mixture of paved roads, some rough (Thailand !). Bike usually two-up.

The dual compound gives a great life and fantastic grip IMHO.

__________________

Chaparral Motorsports in the USA did a test of 25 Adventure tires for 2020 recently:


Important to note that they were using an Africa Twin and KTM 1190, and using them in an "average adventure rider" style. NOT focused on long trips.

And of course it's THEIR opinion, so take as you wish.

My personal favourite Michelin Anakees did very well!

Results at 23:44
or here:

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Just to help the info..

Last trip to Djanet & Tam - XT600 3AJ MT21 both ends, rear sidewall construction weak, loads of punctures, and damaged sidewalls. Swapped to desert rear, with some cutting to make fit, no more probs (but too late by then anyhow) Front MT 21 fine.
Neil

Am now approaching 8,000kms on a pair of Deserts with a little wear but nothing to worry about.

Have been running 10/14 psi off road and 32/36 on-road with no probs at all. Even less in sand.

I have 4mm Bridgestone inner tubes and slime, but I haven't had any problems (except for an errant bolt cutting the rear tread a few times on full compression).

Before that, Avon Distanzia. Good grip in town but a little too soft.

Deserts are ace.

TKC80 Twinduros were unbeatable all-round on my 3AJ - I will get a pair in Istanbul for the Pig.

Bought a Pirelli Riga Gomme Enduro Pro rear in Douz, Tn for under 20 quid, totally new. It says "5 ply Rallye" on the sidewall and has a similar tread to Karoo / Desert... anyone any idea??

Cheers.
LM (Cairo)

__________________
=-=-= ON THE EDGE! =-=-=
My XR650L Pan-Med Expedition Site!

R80GS

Metzeler Sahara 9.000 km
fair compromise tarmac & gravel

TW47/48 9.000km
cheaper, but less grip on wet tarmac and gravel

Heidenau 7.000
similar to Sahara but much cheaper. Good bet if no deep sand. Quite soft. My favourite.

Tourance 12.000
perfect on tarmac. Quite expensive

TKC80 still busy, no mileage experience
stiff sides allow low pressure on sand, good grip.

Hans

__________________
Only when we pause to wonder
do we go beyond the limits of our little lives.
(Rod McKuen)

TKC80, 7000 miles rear, still running the front. Good on tarmac, soft sand, and surprisingly in the wet.

Just changed tyres Mitas E07 on 650GS and Dakar after 13000km on roads in Oz. There was plenty left on them. We rode 95% on sealed roads but I think they will handle gravel roads OK. They were recommended by the tyre dealer in preference to Tourance which I had asked for. He had both makes in the shop so it made no difference to him.

__________________
“… all that is required for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing ...”.

TKC80 on BMW F650 Dakar.

Did 4700km mostly on tarmac in Morroco.
Looks like they have another 1000-1300 km left.

They felt a bit stiff to handle. I read that you have to get used to the curve-handling as the sides are a bit stiff. I never got fully used to it. Felt a bit uncomfortably.

Tested them in sand (in Merzouga). Dont have much to compare with, but I wished I had more traction when I was there.

My conclusion:
Probably great for dirt and gravel, but since I did mainly tarmac I dont think it was not the rigth tire for me. I also think it wears a bit to fast.....
Next trip (North & West Africa)I,ll try Michelin Sirac as I do mostly tarmac. Hope they dont wear as fast.

This is also a good link for tyre-opinions:
http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/TireOpinionsFAQ.htm

[This message has been edited by Dizzie (edited 03 August 2004).]

__________________
Dizzie

round, black (although white wall looks fetching) and rubbery. correct size helps.
hth
ChrisB

__________________

TBS.com

That was the best advice !
and I mean it !
My tyres, I enjoy them when in good shape, but when old, I tend to avoid the mud.

Matt