DR650 tyres, valve clearance

[Micheken]

Hi all,

I picked up my 2010 Suzuki DR650SE a few months ago and I've already put about 6000kms on it. I plan on doing another 10000 or so in the next few months. I'm a cheapskate and I'll run on these tyres until they're bald - so someone please let me know if I'm pushing it too far and they're ready for replacement:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2877164/Kiwibiker%20posted%20pics/tyres1.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2877164/Kiwibiker%20posted%20pics/tyres2.JPG

Would you guys suggest specific tyres to buy? I'm definitely doing a mix of on and off road, so the same type should suit me fine. I'll be in Wellington in a few days, so if there's a good place to go there and pick up the new tyres I can do that - even if I still have some KMs left on the current tyres.

Also, the bike has 42,000kms on it so far - probably time for a valve clearance adjustment, right? I don't have any tools/feelers for that, so maybe I should just have a mechanic take care of that sooner than later?

Thanks!!
Ryan

My original post and some cool pics from my travels so far: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/180914-Backpacking-NZ-on-a-bike-Genius-or-a-terrible-idea

[jafagsx250]

Check how old they are. There will be a 4 digit number on the side of the tire which tells you the week of the year and the year it was made. If it's more than a couple of years old then I'd replace them as they will be very hard. It doesn't look like there's cracks showing so they could be fine. Not sure how you measure tread height on knob tires but that's a quick Google anyway.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[Aslan]

Hello Ryan

like you, I have a DR - indeed I'm a great fan - love their simplicity

Here's a link to the DR650 wiki - http://dr650.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page - where you'll find much of the info you need

For budget conscious riders - Shinko have a strong following. Myself I currently run a Continental TKC80 on the front and a Mitas E07 on the rear. Mitas E07 are a tyre offering good longevity. Another front I've used and been pleased with is the Michelin MT21 'RallySport'.

I'm currently considering fitting a Heidenau Scout K60 to the front of my DR when the current TKC is finished.

Checking and as necessary adjusting valve clearance is not a complex job. My DR has done 43,000km and I've checked the clearances once - probably at sub 10000km and they were in spec so haven't checked them since.

Another good forum is DRRiders herehttp://drriders.com

Also check out adventure rider http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/the-dr650-thread.135295/ and adventure riding nz https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdventureRidinginNZ/
Cheers Oaters

[Rhys]

I would look at Shinko 805, TSS in lower Hutt had them at a good price

[pete-blen]

Seal / Gravel & anything hard pack .... Shinko 700



..

[Micheken]

Check how old they are. There will be a 4 digit number on the side of the tire which tells you the week of the year and the year it was made. If it's more than a couple of years old then I'd replace them as they will be very hard.

The codes are from 2013 and 2014. Since I'll be doing more off road riding down south I think it's best to just replace them at this point. I'll be in Wellington in a few days and I figured I'd have Cycletreads swap them for me.

[jafagsx250]

The codes are from 2013 and 2014. Since I'll be doing more off road riding down south I think it's best to just replace them at this point. I'll be in Wellington in a few days and I figured I'd have Cycletreads swap them for me.

Pretty sure that 3 and 2 year old tires are acceptably old.

It also depends on what brand the current one's are and what you will replace it with. If you plan on getting Ling long ditch finders then the current one's will be fine.

[Micheken]

I would look at Shinko 805, TSS in lower Hutt had them at a good price

Sweet thanks - I've inquired with Stewart over at TSS

[Micheken]

Hello Ryan

like you, I have a DR - indeed I'm a great fan - love their simplicity

Here's a link to the DR650 wiki - http://dr650.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page - where you'll find much of the info you need

For budget conscious riders - Shinko have a strong following. Myself I currently run a Continental TKC80 on the front and a Mitas E07 on the rear. Mitas E07 are a tyre offering good longevity. Another front I've used and been pleased with is the Michelin MT21 'RallySport'.

I'm currently considering fitting a Heidenau Scout K60 to the front of my DR when the current TKC is finished.

Checking and as necessary adjusting valve clearance is not a complex job. My DR has done 43,000km and I've checked the clearances once - probably at sub 10000km and they were in spec so haven't checked them since.

Another good forum is DRRiders herehttp://drriders.com

Also check out adventure rider http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/the-dr650-thread.135295/ and adventure riding nz https://www.facebook.com/groups/AdventureRidinginNZ/
Cheers Oaters


Thanks for this info!!