Tire Thread...Let me be the first...

[Blue_eyes]

I spent most of my life living and riding in Oregon. I know a bit about riding in the wet too. ::015::

I appreciate your points, but can't help but wonder about that 33' of wet braking difference. I seriously doubt that number is hard and fast repeatable. Most riders don't do maximum wet braking very well. I suspect, even among the test riders, there was a significant variation on wet stopping distances. In other words, what the difference to you might be is unknown. Buying a tire based on just that may or may not prove out well.

I look forward to reading about your impressions on the TR91. Personally, I haven't had a lot of good experience with Dunlops in the States. Some of them grip well, but they don't last long enough to be worth my money. That said, I do ride thee or four times as many miles as you appear to, so longevity is a real factor for me with any tire. One reason why I'm running the Heidenau K60s now. At 4300 miles in the last month, they appear to be holding up well.

The test was conducted using BMW R1200 GS's which have ABS, so the results will have been constant and repeatable, all one needs to do is clamp on the brake!

Life is not long, I know of a driver in Holland that has had them replaced after 5500 km driving moutain passes. He is extremely pleased with them because they stick brilliantly wet and dry.

 

[EricV]

The test was conducted using BMW R1200 GS's which have ABS, so the results will have been constant and repeatable, all one needs to do is clamp on the brake!

Life is not long, I know of a driver in Holland that has had them replaced after 5500 km driving moutain passes. He is extremely pleased with them because they stick brilliantly wet and dry.

ABS is only a factor if maximum braking is applied to the point the tires begin to slip. We have no way of knowing if that was the case. A lot of riders won't brake as hard as they can in the wet, even with ABS equipped bikes. And the GS allows the ABS to be turned off...

I hope the TR91s work out well for you. Please do post up your impressions after you have some significant riding on them. Good info for everyone!

The PR3s offer some good wet traction as well. Just depends on what your needs are.

 

[Blue_eyes]

ABS is only a factor if maximum braking is applied to the point the tires begin to slip. We have no way of knowing if that was the case. A lot of riders won't brake as hard as they can in the wet, even with ABS equipped bikes. And the GS allows the ABS to be turned off...

I hope the TR91s work out well for you. Please do post up your impressions after you have some significant riding on them. Good info for everyone!

The PR3s offer some good wet traction as well. Just depends on what your needs are.

This test was originally conducted by Germans and published in a Dutch sister magazine that I am subscribed to. Knowing their (the Germans I mean) reputation for "Grundlichkeit" I have no doubt whatsoever that they did the tests properly.

 

[EricV]

Knowing their (the Germans I mean) reputation for "Grundlichkeit" I have no doubt whatsoever that they did the tests properly.

ROFLMAO!

Sure, just like they design their bikes thoroughly. Wonderful designs, not so much on follow through. You can prove anything with statistics, it just depends on how you manipulate the data. Like I said, please do give some feedback on the forum when you have some significant time on the tires. All tires feel great when new. Perhaps after 3k kms? Enough to see how they wear and if they feel the same when partially worn as when fresh?

The Heidenau K60s are really more of a 50/50 tire and I've been riding too much road on this set, but considering the 7k kms of use, mostly on pavement, I'm impressed with their wear and the traction feels as good now as when new, on pavement. Especially if I get another 7k kms or better out of them.

You very nicely stated the aspect of choice.

But my opinion is that you should choose the tire that gives you the most confidence, since most of us will never/seldom reach the limits of a decent tire, and a relaxed mind is what really matters when driving in not ideal conditions.

 

[bloke]

this is awesome ::013::

 

[Yamaguy55]

One point to ponder about tire mileage and performance: it matters little how many miles you get on a tire used on a 425 pound 55 HP bike compared to the same tire on a 600 pound 110 HP bike.
I only bring this up as I have had experience in the past on tire performance of tires that were outstanding in every way on one bike, only to be total crap with the same tire on a different,heavier bike. I have had this on more than one bike pair over the years.

Something to consider. Don't assume anything.

 

[YamaPA]

Just my feedback on Kenda Big Blocks. I have them currently on my KTM 950 Super Enduro. Never again. On the street, the bike handles scary bad....so bad that within the first 150 feet of new tire usage, I had to stop twice to make sure the front wheel was put on correctly.....it was. It just felt like the bike was going to fall to the ground when turning. Maybe is the bike/tire combo, but the Kenda BB on this bike suck for any kind of street usage. They work "OK" in the dirt...nothing fantastic....and like one poster said, the rear will be gone in short order...probably less than 800 miles total. The front seems to do better in terms of wear. However, each time I take the KTM out after it has been sitting for a bit, the Kenda BB scare the crap out of me as soon as I take the first turn....not matter how easy of a turn it is. I wouldnt run them again. They destroyed the wonderful handing of the KTM no doubt in my mind.

With respect to the Hedi K60s, a F800GS guy I ride with got 7,000 out of his rear...that's his personal best for a tire. Usually he is replacing a rear by 5,000.

My S10 will likely remain with Battlewings or Tourances. I dont see riding this bike in mud, or truly loose sand/silt, so no need for short lasting knobbies for me on this bike.

 

[Tremor38]

Just my feedback on Kenda Big Blocks. I have them currently on my KTM 950 Super Enduro. Never again. On the street, the bike handles scary bad....so bad that within the first 150 feet of new tire usage, I had to stop twice to make sure the front wheel was put on correctly.....it was. It just felt like the bike was going to fall to the ground when turning. Maybe is the bike/tire combo, but the Kenda BB on this bike suck for any kind of street usage. They work "OK" in the dirt...nothing fantastic....and like one poster said, the rear will be gone in short order...probably less than 800 miles total. The front seems to do better in terms of wear. However, each time I take the KTM out after it has been sitting for a bit, the Kenda BB scare the crap out of me as soon as I take the first turn....not matter how easy of a turn it is. I wouldnt run them again. They destroyed the wonderful handing of the KTM no doubt in my mind.

With respect to the Hedi K60s, a F800GS guy I ride with got 7,000 out of his rear...that's his personal best for a tire. Usually he is replacing a rear by 5,000.

My S10 will likely remain with Battlewings or Tourances. I dont see riding this bike in mud, or truly loose sand/silt, so no need for short lasting knobbies for me on this bike.

I doubt I'll ever fit knobbies, but the K60s will definitely be on the short list when it comes time for new tires.

 

[DevilAnce]

BUMP

 

[EricV]

BUMP

Not sure if it's been long enough for Blue eyes or Yamaguy55 to get to and put some wear on the TR91's yet.

The Heidenau K60's I put on now have 9k miles and have been very good wet or dry. I'm not a hooligan rider, more smooth and generally easy on tires. Definitely squared off and getting to the end of their life, but still going strong. A little vibey at 80mph, but not that noticeable at 65.

Another data point, Yamaguy55 made a good point about bike weight and power impacting tire life and handling. The wife's F650GS may have a spec of 425 lbs, but it hasn't weighed that little since the day she brought it home. It's set up for LD riding with full bags, fuel cell, and a ton of crap like crash bars, skid plate, extra lights, and on and on. It's probably closer to 550, if not more. Still not the cow the Tenere is, and less power.