First tire change

[triman11427]

Red Cat, never needed a 1/2 in coupling for any aspect of my life up to this point, so no I don't know what it is. Snake bitten, I appreciate the picture. Above and beyond. Thanks. I hope I don't put the rear tire on the front when I attempt this very complicated procedure. I'm glad the first time I made toast there was a pictorial set of instructions that came with my toaster ::015::

 

[snakebitten]

Red Cat, never needed a 1/2 in coupling for any aspect of my life up to this point, so no I don't know what it is. Snake bitten, I appreciate the picture. Above and beyond. Thanks. I hope I don't put the rear tire on the front when I attempt this very complicated procedure. I'm glad the first time I made toast there was a pictorial set of instructions that came with my toaster ::015::

No worries. I had no idea what they were talking about the first time either. But mercifully, I never admitted it.

By the way, I didn't need one. Turns out I have a sparkplug socket that on one end (the ratchet attachment end) has the same 19mm shape. So I simply insert the 3/8 extension in it from the other end and use that. You have to remove any rubber sparkplug grommet, AND the ratchet attachment hole must be machined all the way through or the extension can't be inserted. (I have one that wasn't)

Shoulder of socket same exact dimension as a threaded rod coupler and fits perfectly inside the axles on the Super Tenere.

Rubber insert can be seen here.

This socket can't recieve the extension from this side because the whole is not machine "3/8 square" all the way through. You can see it is round from this end.

 

[triman11427]

Thanks Snakebitten. Once I decide on a tire I'm going to do this. The new Anakee 3 look very interesting. As do the Toruance NEXT. The problem is I'm not really able to read consistent reviews about each tire I'm interested in. Everyone seems to have a different opinion. Some threads say a certain tire vibrates and others disagree. I realize all tires are safe, it's their individual characteristics that are difficult to pin down.

 

[greg the pole]

triman11427.
Pick the tire that best suits your riding.
By the looks of it, you're after a 90/10 type tire.
so all the k60, mitas, shinko 705, kenda big block (garbage!), and TKC80 are out.
In the past I ran Bridgstone battleaxes and quite like them on the road, ok off road, even the stock ermmmm...michelins that come with the US bikes were ok.
No idea about the new metzelers, and other road tires, as i'm sticking to a 50/50 tire. next up for me mitas dakar's.

 

[snakebitten]

Ive spoken with my local dealer who will mount and balance for $45 per tire off the bike and $60 if I just ride her in with an appointment. Sounds in line with what I've read. Now all I have to do is decide on a tire. There's so much info out there I'm really having a hard time with this.
I ride 95% on road but I'm looking to add some easy off road stuff this summer. I commute and also do long stretches of highway. I've done a flash etc to make the bike as quick and smooth as possible so I'm not looking for a tire that vibes at highway speed. TR91, Anakee2, Tourance etc all seem to be in line with what might work but I'm concerned I'd be committing to a tire that won't perform to my needs. If I were doing the changes myself, I wouldn't be as concerned.

Just went back to see what you said about what you were looking for on tires.
The 2 comments that stick out are "smooth" and "looking to add some easy offroad".

The other comment you have made even earlier stated you do a lot of mountain biking.

The final ingredient of this mix of data points is the S10 itself. You bought it, and you have thrown some money at it. (Flash, for example)

Offroad, mountain biking, and the S10 Adventure bike itself all combine to create an image in my mind that calls for what I think is so incredible about this bike. It's an amazing machine at carrying you and all your "stuff" looooong distances. And then when you finally get to where the pavement ends, she happily can carry you to those amazing views and back woods or mountain spots.

However, it is NOT the same experience when you get to the off-pavement part of the adventure if you are on "smooooth" street tires. You can do it, but it's just not nearly as much fun.

I know what you mean by not wanting the vibration associated with true offroad lugs like the TKC's and similar tires. But if you can live with some minor tickling, the K60's are an amazing tire on this bike. (They smooth way out after just a few miles)

With the minor concession you make for onroad smoothness, you get a BIG boost for the offroad prowess. This Beast is so different when it can hook up offroad. So much fun!

And the bonus you get with the K60's is the amazing lifespan they give you. Quite frankly, the claims seem unbelievable. But it's true.

I'm not really sure why I think you should try them so strongly. I could be misreading your posts. And if you really don't have a strong urge to use this S10 to see where it can really take you, then I wouldn't go with them either. But an S10 is an amazing weapon for heavy hauling to see the world!

If you do want to see for yourself, spoon some K60's on. Put 1000 miles on them. If you don't want them, I'll buy them from you full price.

Kind of a dare, ain't it? I'm only daring you to go adventure on your adventure bike.

 

[triman11427]

Just went back to see what you said about what you were looking for on tires.
The 2 comments that stick out are "smooth" and "looking to add some easy offroad".

The other comment you have made even earlier stated you do a lot of mountain biking.

The final ingredient of this mix of data points is the S10 itself. You bought it, and you have thrown some money at it. (Flash, for example)

Offroad, mountain biking, and the S10 Adventure bike itself all combine to create an image in my mind that calls for what I think is so incredible about this bike. It's an amazing machine at carrying you and all your "stuff" looooong distances. And then when you finally get to where the pavement ends, she happily can carry you to those amazing views and back woods or mountain spots.

However, it is NOT the same experience when you get to the off-pavement part of the adventure if you are on "smooooth" street tires. You can do it, but it's just not nearly as much fun.

I know what you mean by not wanting the vibration associated with true offroad lugs like the TKC's and similar tires. But if you can live with some minor tickling, the K60's are an amazing tire on this bike. (They smooth way out after just a few miles)

With the minor concession you make for onroad smoothness, you get a BIG boost for the offroad prowess. This Beast is so different when it can hook up offroad. So much fun!

And the bonus you get with the K60's is the amazing lifespan they give you. Quite frankly, the claims seem unbelievable. But it's true.

I'm not really sure why I think you should try them so strongly. I could be misreading your posts. And if you really don't have a strong urge to use this S10 to see where it can really take you, then I wouldn't go with them either. But an S10 is an amazing weapon for heavy hauling to see the world!

If you do want to see for yourself, spoon some K60's on. Put 1000 miles on them. If you don't want them, I'll buy them from you full price.

Kind of a dare, ain't it? I'm only daring you to go adventure on your adventure bike.

I love a challenge! I bought the bike because I saw the potential of everything you noted. That being said there are not too many of my riding friends who have experience off road. Although I've been mountain biking for 20 years, throwing around a 25lbs bike vs a 575lbs beast is quite different. Something I'd feel much better doing with experienced riders. This May there's a ride in PA put on by Altriders. I'm hoping to try that. The other issue is being able to get to an off road area and get back in a single day. Getting away for multiple days can be difficult.
Jaxon is a big fan of the K60's and has been really instrumental in his advice. I commute to NYC and use the bike for long distance touring. Athough I realize a knobbies benefits I think I wouldn't be calling on them nearly as often (at this point) as a tire that has great on road properties with the potential for some light off road use. Last year I got caught in some major "frog choakers" so wet weather traction is a must.
As far as your dare, let's see what tires comes out this spring and if the K60 comes out on top, I'll take you up on your challenge. ::003::

 

[snakebitten]

I love a challenge! I bought the bike because I saw the potential of everything you noted. That being said there are not too many of my riding friends who have experience off road. Although I've been mountain biking for 20 years, throwing around a 25lbs bike vs a 575lbs beast is quite different. Something I'd feel much better doing with experienced riders. This May there's a ride in PA put on by Altriders. I'm hoping to try that. The other issue is being able to get to an off road area and get back in a single day. Getting away for multiple days can be difficult.
Jaxon is a big fan of the K60's and has been really instrumental in his advice. I commute to NYC and use the bike for long distance touring. Athough I realize a knobbies benefits I think I wouldn't be calling on them nearly as often (at this point) as a tire that has great on road properties with the potential for some light off road use. Last year I got caught in some major "frog choakers" so wet weather traction is a must.
As far as your dare, let's see what tires comes out this spring and if the K60 comes out on top, I'll take you up on your challenge. ::003::

Fair enough!
I commute everyday in the Galveston\Houston area. I ride in all weather. Rain or shine. I admit I can make the little yellow light blink when being aggressive, but the TC and ABS were made for these K60's. Just an amazing bike!

Enjoy.

 

[BadKarmaPa]

Just did my first tire change on Big T this weekend. Also the first time I've ever pulled the rear wheel of a shaft drive and my first ABS bike. Easiest tire change ever. I was amazed. This was the 3rd time I've mount the very stiff walled Heidenau K60's on a bike and I expected a fight. They went right on with no difficulty. The ST's rims have a small bead lock and a large center trough. Easy peasy. Just be sure the ABS hubs lock into the stops on re-assembly.