Well it's not really a technical discussion, and not really a modification, so I thought I would just place this here.
The last two Karoo dot approved rear knobbies only lasted 3000>3500kms (front shagged after about 5000kms) on the big S10 so I decided that its about time someone evaluated and reported on the easily available 140/80/17 rear + 100/90/19 front tire combo.
I have always lusted after the 150/17 Heidenau's but as we all know, they are not available and dont appear to be coming our way soon.
I live in the rural outskirts forest area of Perth so, while my bike see's a lot of dirt/gravel, I also do a goodly percentage of my travel via blacktop.
I decided long ago that the Heidenau/Mefo pattern was the best for my style of riding but have only had access to the smaller sizes listed.
The Karro's desperately needed replacement so I thought, why not bite the bullet and try the 140 rear... At the same time it occured to me that I always felt the front wheel of the S10 slightly floaty on dirt so it might actually benefit from a smaller section front tire as well, hence the 100/90/19 (supplied ex stock by Mike from Motorradgarage) as opposed to the std 110/80/19.
The long and short of it is, while I have only done 350 kms with these tires fitted, they feel great.
The 100/90/19 Mefo Explorer front is an extremely loud tire on blacktop but does seem to offer really good bite with perhaps a feeling of less float when turning in corners on the dirt. The noise seems to have settled down to about 50% of its original level so hopefully a few more kms will knock the sqweel out of it.
The Heidenau 140/80 rear just seems perfect...
Both tires in combination on the road/highway/street offer an extremely comfortable ride (compared to knobbies) and absolutely feel more confidence inspiring in the corners.
You can see from the pics that it has not been pushed to any wild lean angles but each ride see's them scrubbed a little more and the cornering feel is getting better each time.
You listen to other people who will comment (perhaps speculate) on smaller tires "tipping in quicker" or offering "less lean angle"... I call bullshit and can confidently say that this combo offers a better, more neutral, and more body position reactive feel than the original Battle wing tires supplied on the bike as delivered.
I should mention that both the Heidenau and Mefo in the sizes shown are tubeless and actually recommend the rim sizes of the S10.
Anyway, some pics on the bike and the report will probably continue as the tires are put through their paces.
Greg.
The last two Karoo dot approved rear knobbies only lasted 3000>3500kms (front shagged after about 5000kms) on the big S10 so I decided that its about time someone evaluated and reported on the easily available 140/80/17 rear + 100/90/19 front tire combo.
I have always lusted after the 150/17 Heidenau's but as we all know, they are not available and dont appear to be coming our way soon.
I live in the rural outskirts forest area of Perth so, while my bike see's a lot of dirt/gravel, I also do a goodly percentage of my travel via blacktop.
I decided long ago that the Heidenau/Mefo pattern was the best for my style of riding but have only had access to the smaller sizes listed.
The Karro's desperately needed replacement so I thought, why not bite the bullet and try the 140 rear... At the same time it occured to me that I always felt the front wheel of the S10 slightly floaty on dirt so it might actually benefit from a smaller section front tire as well, hence the 100/90/19 (supplied ex stock by Mike from Motorradgarage) as opposed to the std 110/80/19.
The long and short of it is, while I have only done 350 kms with these tires fitted, they feel great.
The 100/90/19 Mefo Explorer front is an extremely loud tire on blacktop but does seem to offer really good bite with perhaps a feeling of less float when turning in corners on the dirt. The noise seems to have settled down to about 50% of its original level so hopefully a few more kms will knock the sqweel out of it.
The Heidenau 140/80 rear just seems perfect...
Both tires in combination on the road/highway/street offer an extremely comfortable ride (compared to knobbies) and absolutely feel more confidence inspiring in the corners.
You can see from the pics that it has not been pushed to any wild lean angles but each ride see's them scrubbed a little more and the cornering feel is getting better each time.
You listen to other people who will comment (perhaps speculate) on smaller tires "tipping in quicker" or offering "less lean angle"... I call bullshit and can confidently say that this combo offers a better, more neutral, and more body position reactive feel than the original Battle wing tires supplied on the bike as delivered.
I should mention that both the Heidenau and Mefo in the sizes shown are tubeless and actually recommend the rim sizes of the S10.
Anyway, some pics on the bike and the report will probably continue as the tires are put through their paces.
Greg.
