XT660X adventure front tyre choice

[marks]

Hi

I am getting back into riding after an absence of 25 yrs or so. I have just brought an 05 xt660x and want to try a bit of adventure riding. I know I should have really brought an xt660r but this was at the right price so here I am...

I am unable to find any 17" front tire's with an aggressive off road tread. The existing front tire is a 120/70r 17" Pirelli Phantom on a 3.5" rim. Basically I want traction on gravel and wet grass, minor mud/slush etc.

I know I could put a back tire on the front but this would be a last resort.

I have read all the sticky tire thread but couldn't see any solutions there.

All suggestions appreciated

cheers

Mark

[CBobR]

Pirelli MT60?
http://www.pirellityre.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?categoria=/catalog/moto/on_off_road/enduro_street&vehicleType=MOTO&product_id=2044&uri=/pirellityre/en_IT/browser/xml/catalog/moto/MOTO_MV_MT60_ONOFF.xml

Not super knobbly, but according to the Ulysses people on advrider.com it's about as good as a 17inch front gets. Wet grass is always a challenge.

[marks]

Thanks for that. I was hoping for something a bit more 'adhesive' but this will still be a big improvement on the phantom. I have sent the info to my 'tire guy' to see if he can track one down.

Would the MT 21 be a good choice for the aft end? (existing is a 160/60 17 phantom on a 4.25" rim) - the biggest MT 21 I can find is a 130/90-17M/C 68P on Pirellis web site.

I was thinking of changing the 15 tooth front sprocket to a 14 tooth to make it a bit happier at slow speeds and hopefully this would more than compensate for the bigger circumference of a dirt orientated back tire?

thanks for answering

Mark

[CBobR]

Like you say, failing all else you could put a proper rear knobby on the front (or get a set of xt660r wheels (suspension?) spare?).

I'm not a tyre expert, so don't believe the following:
According to this chart, a 130/90 is too narrow for your 4.25 rim
http://www.dropbears.com/u/utilities/tyrerim.htm
You can get a Continental TKC80 in 140s and 150s though, pretty knobby.

But, even though it's not on Pirelli's website, this guy says he has a MT60 in 160/60/17 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4479077&postcount=12

Going down to 14 front sprocket will lower your gearing by about 7%, so even with a 130/90, 140/70, 140/80 or 150/70, your overall gearing will still be lower than stock despite all those tyres being taller than 160/60.

Have a bit of a look at your clearances before going to a different sized tyre though, easy to fit a too big tyre and rub stuff.
Any dirt biker here that can check the above, not 100% at 1am.

[marks]

Hi

If I have to start changing rims I think I would be better trading up to a XT660R as there are a heap of differences to deal with - different forks, front guards, front brake etc etc. As it is - if my wife sees how much money is leaking into this thing she will tear me a new assoil.

It turns out my tyre guy has gone ahead and ordered me some new tyres already (he is putting the same combination on his bike). I'm getting a Pirelli Scorpion MT 90 A/T on the front and a Mitas E09 on the back - D'oh - forgot to ask what size!.

Hopefully they and the 14T sprocket will arrive tomorrow and be fitted over the weekend. That way I can get a few miles on them before hopefully heading off to the Canvastown-Marlborough Adventure ride the following weekend.

Seeing Buell's being used off road makes me feel a bit more positive about having a bash with my 660 with its fat rims etc.

Thanks for the trouble you have gone to finding out all these bits of info.

cheers

Mark

[Transalper]

...before hopefully heading off to the Canvastown-Marlborough Adventure ride the following weekend....
What's that cost to enter?

[marks]

I believe its $295 - which I thought was quite a lot (add in ferry tickets etc and if becomes an expensive weekend) - but then I have no idea what goes into running something like this.

[NordieBoy]

But, even though it's not on Pirelli's website, this guy says he has a MT60 in 160/60/17 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=4479077&postcount=12

Standard on Gilera Nordwests and KTM LC4 Motards.

[marks]

The Canvastown entry fee is $275 NOT $295. The guy I was going with and I have chickened out because including the ferry costs it was going to be a $500-$600 weekend - So we are going to go over the Wairarapa and play instead.

Also I have put the tyres and sprocket on and am happy with the result.

The sprocket makes the bike much happier at 'pottering speeds' - a really positive improvement.

The E09 is noisy on the tarmac but that can't be avoided. The Scorpion MT90 on the front seems a good compromise but doesn't like mud much (as expected). I had to raise the lower front guard by 40mm to gain clearance and unfortunately the fat front wheel looks like it belongs on an old harley.

I took it for a little ride up the Mangatukutuku valley on Sunday and the bike feels quite capable in light trail riding conditions. Very comfortable to stand on the pegs. Stable on dirt roads - will try and take it into some mucky conditions later in the week and see how it goes with the tyres down to 15psi or so.

So far so good.