Tire time?

[oldbear]

I'm rapidly approaching the point where new rubber's gonna have to be installed (a good thing, means I'm getting to ride ). Anyway wanted some opinions on rubber. I'm checking out the Metzler and the Pirelli Scorpions. I've have good luck with the scorpions on my old GS and my Tiger so I think that's where I'll wind up. I'm a road rider with the occasional gravel or fire road thrown in. No hard care off road stuff on this bike (too heavy for an old man in the tough stuff). Anyway, what have y'all had good luck with. I want good road handling and decent tire mileage. What say you group?

 

[Steve_h80]

The truth is they are all good these days, so pick the pattern you like best

 

[Bryn]

I'm going for Mitas E07's in the next week or so. they get good reports for pavement and off road ...99% of mine is going to be the black stuff...but being vain I like the look of the E07 8)

 

[Checkswrecks]

While the Mitas E-07 seems to be the current favorite and will do all that you ask, you sound like the guy the OEM Battlewings and Tourances were designed for.

 

[yoyo]

I'm going for Mitas E07's in the next week or so. they get good reports for pavement and off road ...99% of mine is going to be the black stuff...but being vain I like the look of the E07 8)

I'm with you on that one, for the best look TKC80's but 99% on road they won't last long!

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

 

[AwesomeUsername]

I'm fairly certain that my next set of shoes is going to be the Heidenau K60 scouts. Even though I ride like 99% on the pavement, the mileage life of the tires and the offroad performance makes it number one on my list.

 

[barts]

I'm running Michelin Anakee 3s - almost all commuting on SF Bay Area freeways, but also offers very acceptable traction on dirt roads.

- Bart

 

[tomatocity]

Bridgestone Battlax A40 is a very good tire.

 

[Bryn]

While the Mitas E-07 seems to be the current favorite and will do all that you ask, you sound like the guy the OEM Battlewings and Tourances were designed for.

You are absolutely correct... but the rufty tufty look does suit the bike

 

[yamabob]

I had Continental TKC70's and liked them a lot, but the front tire cupped really bad and I replaced it with a Pirelli scorpion. The scorpion has been just fine paired with the rear TKC 70. I just did some gravel roads and the scorpion did fine, but I've never had knobbies on it so I can't compare it to that. If you're doing mostly roads, then the Pirelli's would probably be ok.

 

[SilverBullet]

I had Continental TKC70's and liked them a lot, but the front tire cupped really bad and I replaced it with a Pirelli scorpion. The scorpion has been just fine paired with the rear TKC 70. I just did some gravel roads and the scorpion did fine, but I've never had knobbies on it so I can't compare it to that. If you're doing mostly roads, then the Pirelli's would probably be ok.

How many miles do you have on your Pirelli? I've been using the Pirelli Scorpion Rally front tire on my dual sport bike for years and very happy with them, probably have went thru about 3-4 tires. So I tried one on my Tenere and was very disappointed. Worst wearing front tire I've used so far. Started cupping at 2k miles and was completely thrashed when I removed it at 4.1K miles.

_

 

[EricV]

How many miles do you have on your Pirelli? I've been using the Pirelli Scorpion Rally front tire on my dual sport bike for years and very happy with them, probably have went thru about 3-4 tires. So I tried one on my Tenere and was very disappointed. Worst wearing front tire I've used so far. Started cupping at 2k miles and was completely thrashed when I removed it at 4.1K miles.

What tire pressure were you running? Some tires are certainly worse than others for our heavy bike, but cupping is largely a combo of low pressure and braking into turns.

 

[SilverBullet]

What tire pressure were you running? Some tires are certainly worse than others for our heavy bike, but cupping is largely a combo of low pressure and braking into turns.

34-36 psi. I never air down for the dirt either, need all the rim protection I can get. Got dings on both front and rear rims even at that pressure. But attribute that mostly to the ridiculously soft sidewalls of the Shinko 804 & 805's. I see people air down for 20 miles of dirt and then do 500 miles of pavement after without airing back up. I keep it simple and with our tire size and profile the advantage of airing down is minimal anyway.

Been using Mitas Dakar tires ever since and no more rim dings or cupping either.

This front tire has 17,368 miles on it. Center wear bar/connecting strip not even flush yet. Near perfect even wear.




This rear tire has 10,929 miles on it. Toasted for the dirt already but I'll burn off another 1,000+ pavement miles before replacing it.



_

 

[Zepfan]

Mitas Scout and Heidenau K60 scouts very similar.
Looks like they get about the same mileage.
I stay with K60's run about 12k/mi to slicks. The tire is really thick and you can ride well past center balding.
I pay $194. for rears.

 

[HeliMark]

I'm fairly certain that my next set of shoes is going to be the Heidenau K60 scouts. Even though I ride like 99% on the pavement, the mileage life of the tires and the offroad performance makes it number one on my list.

I am sure you have read this before, but when I had the K60's on my bike, I really did not like them in the rain. They were not enjoyable for me, especially watching the TCS light. Both have great off road traction, but I think the E-07 is not as "buzy" on road. I have not had them in the rain yet, but reports are they are a lot better than the K60's. And from reports here, milage is pretty close to what the K60 does.

Mark

 

[oldbear]

Well the Mitas certainly have the right "look"....I'd be concerned though about (1)tread life on pavement and (2) traction on pavement, especially on WET pavement. To me performance will trump looks every time. Again, given road and mild trail work, I think I need about a 90%/10% biased tire. I can't find the old Pirelli's I ran on my GS several years ago. They were rated at 90/10 and wore like iron, albeit on a significantly lighter bike (F650 GS Dakar). The tourance looks like a decent choice, as does the battlewing... I hope to get at least 8-10k miles out of whatever I go with.

 

[jmcgilroy]

I'm currently stuck in Hinton, Alberta during a trip fron California to Yellowknife and back. My Metzler Tourance Exp's rear tire is down to the cord after 7100 miles. Stranded in a town with no shops, rain, hail. I'll see about renting a car tomorrow to drive the wheel into Edmonton (3 hours each way). Battlewings on my previous Vstrom DL1000 lasted over 10,000 miles so I won't be buying another Metzler.

 

[SilverBullet]

I'm currently stuck in Hinton, Alberta during a trip fron California to Yellowknife and back. My Metzler Tourance Exp's rear tire is down to the cord after 7100 miles. Stranded in a town with no shops, rain, hail. I'll see about renting a car tomorrow to drive the wheel into Edmonton (3 hours each way). Battlewings on my previous Vstrom DL1000 lasted over 10,000 miles so I won't be buying another Metzler.

If it would stop raining I would be tempted to gingerly ride the bike the 300 km to Edmonton instead of a rental car. Cords showing doesn't mean it will self destruct instantly. Keep your speed down and easy acceleration and braking. but if roads wet and/or raining then forget it, not safe

_

 

[jmcgilroy]

so far 2 people gave me the same advice and a dealer in Edson (48 miles) might be an option. Should be clear and dry in the morning. keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[EricV]

I'm currently stuck in Hinton, Alberta during a trip fron California to Yellowknife and back. My Metzler Tourance Exp's rear tire is down to the cord after 7100 miles. Stranded in a town with no shops, rain, hail. I'll see about renting a car tomorrow to drive the wheel into Edmonton (3 hours each way). Battlewings on my previous Vstrom DL1000 lasted over 10,000 miles so I won't be buying another Metzler.

Not sure why you don't think there are any moto shops in Hinton. This is mostly ATV, but he does moto too and may have a tire that fits, or can get it quicker than your drive of 600kms.

Rocky Performance Machines, Inc.
125 Veats Ave, Hinton, AB T7V 1S8, Canada
Phone:+1 780-740-3154
Hours:
Sunday Closed
Monday 9AM–6PM
Tuesday 9AM–6PM
Wednesday 9AM–6PM
Thursday 9AM–6PM
Friday 9AM–6PM
Saturday Closed

Borne Auto Service comes up under Motorcycle service and repair as well. Might be worth a call.
105 Veats Avenue
Hinton, AB (Alberta) T7V1S8 (780) 865-7098


Then there is this place about 53 miles, one hour away: (they sell Suzuki and brag about their huge tire selection. A heck of a lot closer than Edmonton.
http://www.northsidemotorsports.ca/
NORTHSIDE MOTORSPORTS
5118 4th Ave
Edson, AB T7E1T6
Phone: 780-723-6558
Fax: 780-723-6501

Hope that helps. Make some calls on Monday and good luck.