Tires - need advice

[cosmic]

I know this thread was discussed and rediscussed, but it's a bit particular. Maybe not... Sorry to all if that's the case.

Anyways...

I'm planning to do some offroading this autumn and winter. Since I bought the WR, my snowflake was spared. I've got to tell you that I miss her on those long day trips, where tarmac and gravel are both included. Kind of trips you do in the states. Therfore I am ready to pull the trigger on some 50/50 tires, and keep the current A2 for the spring/summer two up rides.
My only experience is with the KarooT, and it was a solid off road performer. Even on the tarmac was good enough to scratch the pegs, but the rear one was gone in less than 2000mls. I guess is because of my WOT no TC dirt riding style. I can't help it.
This kind of road is no issue. BW, A2.. Are all good Imo for fire roads.

This one on the other hand is completely different story. Earth, grass and rocks are very slippery combination. Add car tracks on top of it and you're down before you know it.

There are plenty of roads like this... From roman times, Napoleon times... (like this one)

... And they are all slippery.

I was all about Haidis, but that central strip is pushing me away. I don't mind it on the gravel, but primary track are those old slippery historical roads, and if it's wet and uphill... That's the end of it.

Than i was sold on K3's, but Dirt Dad pointed out some weakness of this good looking tires. No side grip!


What should I do? I'm not rich enough to buy Karoos every 1500mls.

TKC maybe?? They're expensive... Will they last 5000mls?

Do you have any experience with Mitas maybe? They are quite popular dirt tires on the old continent. There are few options there. E09 for example... Normal or Dakar.

My first trip is in mid October. 250mls of tarmac, than 300 mls offroad and 250 back, and that's just the first one.


Damn tires...



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[samps]

I recently found myself in a situation where I had to buy 'the available tyre', a Conti TKC 80.

What surprised me most was that, even though I had it fitted in the middle of nowhere, it was cheaper than the Mitas E07 I had planned on mounting a thousand kilometers further down the highway.

It performs well, has good grip when cornering on bitumen and only a slight 'rumble' at very low speed on smooth surface.

I have now put about 3,000km on it and the difference between center and edge blocks is somewhere between 10% and 20%, predicting that I will get the usual 15k km out of it...

cheers
Samps

 

[cosmic]

You can get 9000mls out of TKC?? You're way too easy on the throttle.

Did somebody from the board ever used Mitas 09??
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[terrysig]

One I;ve not heard to much about on the forum is the dunlop tr91. Work has me on the tarmac way too much for the knobby tires and the K60s felt to skiddish on the tarmac (against popular opinion i guess). I've got 4K on the rear of the tr91 and 2K on the front. Fantastic on the tarmac with what seems like will be 8K wear on the rear. Air down to 25/25 psi and they have been great in all but the deepest mud. Front tries to wash out on real slick stuff but most tires except harder knobbies will do the same.

I ride off road on my true dirtbike very often so have a pretty good feel for how the tr91s are doing in comparison.

YMMV - cheers

 

[snakebitten]

Pretty sure Dirt Dad will let me get away with this............

While I have put almost 3000 miles on a set of Karoo 3's, AND almost all of that on tarmac, I do ride a bit of dirt every day.
Also, I have no reason to think that dirt dad is not accurate when he states the K60's are better on side bite.

Having said all that, there is one influence on his perception that is possibly a factor, to some degree. That killer new dirt toy he has.
I assure you the Tenere will feel far different off road after you jump off that WR! I am only imagining (I dont have one) that the first few minutes of getting back on the Beast would require some adjustment in throttle behavior, if you know what I mean.

From wringing its little neck and having full nobbies, to 100 HP and 50\50's.

My only real point is the K3's will haul you around on those knurly roads pretty good. They aren't like riding on ice. lol

Having said all that though, I'm the guy that would run Big Blocks on my epic off-road adventures. Or any of the other nobbies.
Those pics you posted are dreamy.

 

[Mark R.]

I agree that the Keidenau K-60's are kind of loose on dirt, especially with traction control turned off. I also got 6000 miles on the rear K-60, because I steer the bike with the throttle sometimes, and the knobs were shagged. I am going with the Mitas Dakars next time. Looks like we ride in similar terrain, with a similar mix of highway and off road. There is no perfect tire, only compromises. That being said, it is important to get the tire that most closely fits your needs. Also, the harder you ride with the throttle, the shorter the tire life.

I looked up pics of the Karoo 3, because of the previous post by Snakebitten, and those look similar to the Mitas Tires in overall design. Pretty bad-ass looking tire you might also want to consider.

 

[cosmic]

Thanks guys for the good input.
I called yesterday the Mitas importer for Croatia... They don't have anything in 2
150-17, nor 140. Unbelievable... They say nobody buys them. Wtf!?
So i guess I'm left with few solutions only...
K60, K3, TKC. I will check the prices and post it here.

If I take down the pressure on K60 for those slippery conditions, are they going to bite any better?? What is the ideal for s10/k60 combo when grip is needed?



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