Tyre choice for adventure riding? (Mixing road and off-road)

**Howie** · 3rd May 2009, 22:54

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

do these different brands of road nobby tires have speed rateings on them.

Hi Joe, Here's a copy of some info I found on the net of what all the letters and numbers on the side of your tyre mean.

Motorcycle Tyre Ratings

Tyre identification numbers provide the following information”
Tyre width (in inches or mm)
The ratio: height / width
The registered maximum speed
The rim diameter
The tyre load

Example
200/50 ZR17 M/C (75W) TL
200 = tyre width in mm
/50 = ratio of height to width
Z = Speed rating (see table below)
R = radial construction
17 = rim diameter in inches
TL =tubeless
(75W) = load index (see table below)
M/C = Motorcycle tyre

Tyre Speed Ratings:
Speed Symbol:
km/h (mph)
J 100 (62)
K 110 (68)
L 120 (75)
M 130 (81)
N 140 (87)
P 150 (93)
Q 160 (99)
R 170 (106)
S 180 (112)
T 190 (118)
U 200 (124)
H 210 (130)
V 240 (149)
Z >240 (>150)
W 270 (168)
Y 300 (186)

Tyre Load Index:

Load Index: Load in KG:
62- 265
63- 272
64- 280
65- 290
66- 300
67- 307
68- 315
69- 325
70- 335
71- 345
72- 355
73- 365
74- 375
75- 387
76- 400
77- 412
78- 425
70- 437
80- 450
81- 462
82- 475
83- 487
84- 500
85- 515
86- 530
87- 545
88- 560
89- 580
90- 600

Directional Arrows:

Where a tyre has a directional arrow moulded on it, the tyre must be fitted so that the relevant front or rear arrow follows the direction of rotation. Tyre wear will be affected, or the type itself can be damaged.

Cheers

Paul

**warewolf** · 4th May 2009, 09:40

Originally Posted by junkmanjoe

do these different brands of road nobby tires have speed rateings on them.

Usually, even if they aren't road legal.

**warewolf** · 4th May 2009, 09:46

Originally Posted by Woodman

it was impossible to put the tube in and get the valve thru the ole.

Fit tyre first side. Flip rim over, hook fitted bead at valve hole with tyre lever and lift over rim. Put rim back down on that side, so it holds the lever in place. Now you can fit the valve real easy because the bead is being held well clear. Insert valve, lift rim remove tyre lever, continue.

Standard procedure, unless the tyre happens to be really floppy and piss easy to get the valve stem inserted... not often.

**Woodman** · 4th May 2009, 21:32

Originally Posted by warewolf

Fit tyre first side. Flip rim over, hook fitted bead at valve hole with tyre lever and lift over rim. Put rim back down on that side, so it holds the lever in place. Now you can fit the valve real easy because the bead is being held well clear. Insert valve, lift rim remove tyre lever, continue.

Standard procedure, unless the tyre happens to be really floppy and piss easy to get the valve stem inserted... not often.

i musta always had floppy tyres cos what you describe is what i did.
The good thing is the change was done with only stuff carried in me toolkit, except mtb pump.

**Woodman** · 10th May 2009, 22:14

Went for a hoon to try out my new rear michelin t63 today, prior tyre was a Mitas e09.

The michy does not have the same tendency as the e09 to slide on gravel and seems to have better control. It has better low speed grip too and has better side grip on off camber tracks, which is an area the mitas was not strong. Strange thing was though, it seemed to wander on straight tar sections which is odd

So far it performs better, but time will tell.

**Box'a'bits** · 10th May 2009, 22:40

Originally Posted by Woodman

Went for a hoon to try out my new rear michelin t63 today, prior tyre was a Mitas e09.

The michy does not have the same tendency as the e09 to slide on gravel. Strange thing was though, it seemed to wander on straight tar sections which is odd.

That was also noted by others on the advrider.com site

**Woodman** · 11th May 2009, 07:23

Originally Posted by BMWRSNUT

That was also noted by others on the advrider.com site

As far as the wondering thing goes , am glad others have noticed it then as I was really startin to worry that something was loose.

**NordieBoy** · 11th May 2009, 07:45

Originally Posted by Woodman

As far as the wondering thing goes , am glad others have noticed it then as I was really startin to worry that something was loose.

Things don't get loose on your bike.
They're either fine or impact damaged

**Padmei** · 11th May 2009, 07:46

What kind of price were they?

**Woodman** · 11th May 2009, 08:03

Originally Posted by Padmei

What kind of price were they?

About the same as an e09 nomally I think, but I got this one at a real good price, not sure what the retail is. I will see what I can do for ya on friday when i get back from Blenheim.

**warewolf** · 11th May 2009, 11:30

Originally Posted by Woodman

Went for a hoon to try out my new rear michelin t63 today, prior tyre was a Mitas e09.

The michy does not have the same tendency as the e09 to slide on gravel and seems to have better control. It has better low speed grip too and has better side grip on off camber tracks, which is an area the mitas was not strong. Strange thing was though, it seemed to wander on straight tar sections which is odd

Good to hear the comparison. I've never noticed the wandering on the tar when it is smooth. Possibly the better side/off-camber grip means the tyre will track tarmac "ruts" more strongly.

Originally Posted by BMWRSNUT

That was also noted by others on the advrider.com site

Got a link? Google can't find it for me.

Originally Posted by Padmei

What kind of price were they?

12 months ago the T-63 was $135 vs $167 for the E-09.

**junkmanjoe** · 11th May 2009, 18:51

one set E-07's for sale.
$180.00 o.n.o
pm if interested.

JMJ

**Box'a'bits** · 11th May 2009, 22:25

Originally Posted by warewolf

Good to hear the comparison. I've never noticed the wandering on the tar when it is smooth. Possibly the better side/off-camber grip means the tyre will track tarmac "ruts" more strongly.

Got a link? Google can't find it for me.

12 months ago the T-63 was $135 vs $167 for the E-09.

Here's a link to the last T63 discussion (in which you took a part!). http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454804. I can't find the discussion on the wandering in the two tyre threads I've just reviewed. Perhaps I have misread a statement.

... BUT - there are multiple tyre threads on the site (everyone has an opinion

) so perhaps not. I did quite a bit of reading prior to buying the last set of tyres, but didn't keep track of the threads, just the gist of what some said.....At the time I was looking for consensus, rather the inidvidual opinion.

**warewolf** · 11th May 2009, 23:16

It was the wandering part I couldn't find, nor recall either, and I've read ~~a few~~ too many tyre threads meself.

Went for a strop up to the Maungatapu Saddle tonight, looked really greasy with the recent rains (on top of roadworks in places) and the well-worn T-63 at 22psi worked a treat! Was finding surprising amounts of grip, even in the clay. I don't think I've quite run it that low before, probably only 25psi and I don't recall it being so good. I was expecting it to seem crap after running (ruining?) the Competition III enduro tyre.