Hi tigershel

Do you have any suggestions for good off rod tyres matching these specifications?

Front:120/70-17 radial
Rear: 160/60-17 radial

I have spotted these "Continental TKC 80 Twinduro" but have had no previous experience with them.

Thanks

Scott

Scott, the sticker is the rear. The TKCs seem to be available in 150 and 170 rear sizes, I'd probably go with the 150/70.
They are usually the goto tire for the GS Adventure crowd for dirt tires, and not terribly bad on the pavement.
Continental also has a few more paved road oriented tires.

It all depends where you ride. I've done thousands of dirt road miles on standard road tires on sport tourers like the VFR, ZX12R and the old GTR1000. But once you get into loose gravel, mud or sand, something like the TKCs are obviously much better.

If you will be doing long trips into more 3rd world countries where you will need to replace tires, you will need to plan ahead to get tires of the right size, regardless of brand or type.

That's one of the reasons I like the smaller 250 dualsports and so on, you can find the standard 21/18" tires just about anywhere I've traveled.

Another plus for the CRF250L is that Honda seems to be selling it into a lot of markets, even in the 3rd world. It's even been introduced to the Philippines, where their previous wide distribution dualsport was the decades old X200R.

Sent from my Android chinaphone, please excuse the spelling

Either that, or you leave home with new tyres, and carry an extra set with you, and hope that´ll get you far enough, where you can find suitable tyres again. Doing some research should point you to a tyre, that´ll have long enough mileage (.....in fact the mileage of some new tyres, like 15-25 k kms from a rear, might mean that you don´t even have to think about carrying spares any more).

So, is carrying spare tyres needed in the first place, is another good question, and that depends on many things, but at least it is possible on most bikes. I´ve personally carried a whole set for about 30 thousand kms, while travelling two-up.

I suppose this depends on the type and size of the tyre you wish to ride on. Carrying a spare set around the sorts of distances you described I would imagine is not ideal, but if you were not convinced you could get any more rubber en route, then your choice is made for you. Travelling two up will of course decrease the mileage you are likely to get out of (A rear at least) a set of rubber, so that would be a consideration. I suppose in an ideal world, having a "Full test", i.e. riding fully loaded on your chosen rubber until they require changing will give you vital info about tyre wear and life span. I accept however this is an unlikely proposition for most though.

This is how we carried our spare set (the pic is from Iran on the way to India actually, that´s why my GF is covering her hair):



We added home-made parts to the bike´s crashbars to ´hook´ the tyres on. I had lots of doubts about it first, and even after the first test rides, but in the end it actually worked really fine for us. There was NOT many extra centimeters of space available, though, both tyres were resting against my knees in riding position (actually that was comfortable – and I got so used to it, that when we rode without the spare tyres, it felt very strange!). And the front wheel of the bike could touch the spare tyres, if tilted to the extreme left or right. It will depend on the bike model, if you´re able to carry them on the sides or not. If I was not able to carry tyres like this, when traveling two-up, then I probably would not have carried them at all.

In fact we saw another V-Strom in eastern parts of Turkey, but the next one after that we probably saw in Australia, over 20.000 kms later. With this setup, I never had to look up for tyres anywhere after leaving Greece, but it appeared to me, that for these wheel sizes (same as most big GS´s for example) tyres were not widely available. Maybe you could find something in the big cities, but I was glad, that I did not have to search as when on a bike, I´ll preferably stay as far from the big cities of Asia as I can!! I´m sure somebody has a different view on this.

BTW, on this trip, we got about 16000 kms out of each set of Michelin Anakee I´s. I was positively surprised about that, as the bike was very heavily loaded, and most of the time the temperatures were also +30C and up on the daytime. Front and back were finished at roughly the same time. We used a maybe 10% higher pressures compared to the recommendation.

(sorry, this went a bit off-topic!)

Hi tigershel

This is quite interesting. I wasn't aware that the CRF250L was selling in such markets. The reason I perhaps discounted this bike was for four reasons as follows:

1. (And I may have misunderstood this so please correct me if so) It only has a 250cc engine, so it would be hard work (Physically) for both me and the machine to complete such a long trip.

2. I have not ridden one myself, but I have heard that they are not particularly comfortable. Can this be overcome?

3. There doesn't appear to be much space to carry equipment and supplies.

4. Although the mpg is very good 85-90mpg, it only has a 7.7L tank which will give only a 150 mile tank range. An issue when petrol stations become sparse.

All that as it is, I have heard they are relatively easy to work on and extremely reliable? And as you say, if this is selling into many markets worldwide, parts should not be an issue.

Plenty of stories out there of folks who are riding Honda Cub style bikes and 125s around the world, let alone 'big' the bikes like a 250...
I've toured 2-up around parts of SE Asia on my Yamaha 125 and a Chinese 200, and would have no hesitation RTWing either bike solo.

The space and load capacity consumed by a 50kg passenger should be more than enough for the usual spares, tools, additional clothing, camping equipment and so on, when added to the 60 liters of luggage I was already carrying (tank and Ortlieb saddlebags). My passenger also carried a small backpack.

When going on a smaller bike, it's counterproductive to load it up too much. The biggest joy of small bike touring is the ease with which you can go almost anywhere. Pack as light as you can, and you will retain most of that.

I see folks posting here about how a small bike won't make it in the mountains: they should see how much stuff the locals here haul into some pretty rugged territory on 125 to 155 cc bikes. It's more a matter of getting the gearing and tuning right, and being prepared to ride within the bike's limits.

In general, the question of big enough depends on where and how you ride.
In lots of SE Asia and many other 3rd world countries, a 250 is as big as you want, and much bigger than the locals ride.
I've started asking the opposite question: is it small enough? Some of the best trips I've been on in the last 2 years have been to areas where anything much bigger than the 200 would have been very difficult or impossible to go.

Folks take rented Enfield 350s and 500s up into the Himalayas all the time : I'd much prefer to use the CRF.

Most of the traffic in the 3rd world moves along at 40 to 50 mph, going much faster raises the risk level a lot.


2. Comfort: bit of an issue, but there is a good aftermarket developing and a custom saddle should be a first step. If you are iron-butting 1000 mile days, it's the wrong bike, though.
On my previous dualsport, I had a custom saddle, heated grips, handguards, electric vest outlet and a windshield, and that made all the difference.
I find the dualsport riding position to be the most comfortable for me, others may disagree.

3. Load: see above, but you should have no problem fitting saddlebags, a decent-sized duffel and more. There is a CRF250L thread over on Advrider, along with 250 touring and minimalist touring threads that should give you plenty of ideas.
I'd consider adding some bracing to the subframe and so on, but that is something done to many of the most popular RTW bikes.

4. Range: I'm pretty sure there are already aftermarket tanks available, probably around 4 gallons. My Husky TE610 was about the same physical size and weight (but much taller), and I had a 5 gallon tank on that.
Maybe I should persuade you to ride something like my YBR125G : that comes stock with 12 liters which takes it easily 400km. The stock saddle isn't too bad and long enough for 3 people, we've loaded the stock rack with 40kg of clothing, and it's gone everywhere. River crossings, rocky single track, mud over the axles, steep climbs in the mountains and more. Just about all of that 2 up...

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Hi Scott (great name!), i own a CB500X having done around 7500kms on it so far. I've researched the nobbly tyres option and there is very little for the size wheels that the 500X runs. For matching dual sport tyres front and back, the only brand/model i have found are the Pirelli Mt60's.

As mentioned, there is now a mod for spoked rims; ADVrider - View Single Post - Rally-Raid Products Honda CB500X

Cheers,

Scott.

Pics of my bike;



Mods done;

- Touring windscreen
- Adjustable levers
- Handguards
- Spongey grips
- centre stand
- Airhawk seat cushion
- Wolfman tank bang and dry duffel
- 12v/5v power supply
- Two Brothers Sports Exhaust

I agree with Gary's assessment and have made a few mods for comfort. The buffeting can get to be a bit much, plus the seat becomes rock hard after a few hours of riding.

That's a cool looking bike!
Must say, in the top pic things look out of balance with that huge
Wolfman Dry bag on there. Bit out of scale to rest of bike, IMHO.

If you keep the bike and do more touring, perhaps try a set of small to medium sized side panniers? Could allow you to go with a smaller, more in scale dry bag up top. Just a thought.

Might give a more balanced look, and better weight distribution as well with side panniers. (weight low and forward is best)

There are just a few knobby tires out now for 17" rims. I believe both Continental (TKC80) and Kenda (Big Block) may be making such tires in larger 17" sizes now? Check it out. Not cheap but I thing you may find something. TKC's are EXCELLENT and last pretty well too! Kenda's suck.
(just the Big Block, not ALL Kenda's)

BTW, a Pirelli MT60 is NOT a knobby tire, not even a 50/50. What the MT60 really is, is a Race Wet. (for wet roadracing) Good tire but not much good in anything more severe than a simple dirt road, great on wet paved roads. They wear out quick with heavy bike. (I've run a couple of them)

One thing to be aware of ... if you ever ride in serious Mud ... your front mud guard (Fender in Yankee speak) can CLOG up with mud and slow or stop wheel rotation. This happened on my former V-Strom. Had to REMOVE the fender (a major PITA), strap onto bike and get mud in my face for a few hours.

Thanks. The only reason I haven't gone the panniers route is that I haven't decided whether I'm keeping the bike long term. Most of the things I've bought (tank bag, dry bag) can go onto my next bike, or have been cheap enough to not bother me.

As for the Tyres, "nobbly" was the wrong term to use; I meant there are very few dual sport tyres for those size wheels. Last time I checked it was the Mt60's. The TKC80's had no such option (but it's good news if that's changed) Kenda Big Block's are overkill for this bike IMO as the bike is not a serious offroader, and having offroad tyres on it is a waste of time since you'll mostly be on the road!

Right. But some riders may go off road, no?
Neither the TKC80 nor Kenda Big Block would be considered "aggressive" in the Knobby tire universe. Both are compromise tires but really do work quite well on both surfaces. Surprisingly GOOD on pavement!

If a rider tours off the beaten path he may find not all roads are paved. With occasional dirt roads, both the above tires are nice to have, especially at the front.

Lots of riders use the "Mullet" method, which is a front knobby, and rear 50/50 like a Mitas, Kenda, Shinko, Heidenau or Mefo. All good and some made in your size for that bike. A good 50/50 rear tire will last a lot longer than a knobby and still do well ON or OFF road, save in mud. Front tires last quite long, even a TKC.

Biggest problem with that beauty of yours is that when it hits the ground it won't be pretty anymore, plastic bits are expensive .... and those Rads may be damaged. If not going off road ... then no worries.

I never said riders wouldn't go offroad. I take mine offroad all the time, and that's with the stock tyres.

The point is, since its not a true dual sport bike and doesn't have the clearance to ride over rocks and driedup riverbeds, I would be aiming for a DS tyre that is more road biased. Why waste money on a 50/50 tyre when the bike is more road biased and is limited in its offroad capabilities? It doesn't have long-travel suspension, or spoked wheels. We've got 17" cast wheels front and back.

TKC80's and Kenda Big Blocks may not be aggressive nobby tyres when compared to everything else out there, but most of the extreme nobby stuff won't fit our bike! In terms of what fits our bike, the big blocks are as "extreme" as I've seen.

The Cb500X owners I've spoken to, and I include myself here, do maybe 10% - 20% offroading at best, and thats generally fire trails. I wouldnt be fitting Big Blocks to a bike that can't handle too much rough stuff as you comprimise the road handling, and that's where these bikes will mostly be. (plus you need to modify the 500X to actually fit the big blocks)


Yes, but at a trade off in road performance and handling.