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

[k14]

Just making sure that I am thinking straight. Going to get some nobblies for my DRZ400. It seems as though a M21 front is a pretty good bet for the front. But for rear it seems the E09, T63 and D606 are all pretty much of a muchness?? So I guess it will just come down to price? Probably going to do the DB1000 so that is the type of riding the tyre needs to be aimed at.

Am I thinking along the right lines here??

[_Shrek_]

But for rear it seems the E09, T63 and D606 are all pretty much of a muchness?? So I guess it will just come down to price? Probably going to do the DB1000 so that is the type of riding the tyre needs to be aimed at.

Am I thinking along the right lines here??

[NordieBoy]

Just rode with the race knobblies from last weekend...

Hardpack, papa clay, dirt, gravel, shale...

12r/14f psi.

I have more consistency and predictability from the Shinko 705's in the same conditions and the trials rear just blows it away.

I even bogged and stopped going up Hurricane Hill!

I think climbing out of the Gun Club Valley up to the base of Mt Everest would be Nelson's version of Cnut Hill. Possible, not dangerous but a right bugger...

[ADVGD]

But for rear it seems the E09, T63 and D606 are all pretty much of a muchness??

I'd choose an E09 over a D606 any day, the D606 is a good general all-rounder tyre but I find in the gnarly greasy muddy stuff they don't perform anywhere near as well as the E09

[warewolf]

I'd choose an E09 over a D606 any day, the D606 is a good general all-rounder tyre but I find in the gnarly greasy muddy stuff they don't perform anywhere near as well as the E09

Why? They're knobblier than the E-09 so should have more bight.

Sure you're not getting confused with the D605?

[ADVGD]

Why? They're knobblier than the E-09 so should have more bight.

Sure you're not getting confused with the D605?

Bugger me, that's two posts in the last two days I've cocked up due to mind blanks and misreading You're right mate, I was thinking 605's not the 606's, ignore my misguided waffle!

Its the 605 that I find has a close pattern that fills quickly and is hard to shed, the inside edge has very little bite in the greasy muddy stuff, climbing out of a deep rut or sidling steep greasy gradients is a bit of a slip'n'dance type scenario.

[pete-blen]

Bugger me, that's two posts in the last two days I've cocked up due to mind blanks and misreading You're right mate, I was thinking 605's not the 606's, ignore my misguided waffle!

Its the 605 that I find has a close pattern that fills quickly and is hard to shed, the inside edge has very little bite in the greasy muddy stuff, climbing out of a deep rut or sidling steep greasy gradients is a bit of a slip'n'dance type scenario.

I have 605s..you are right..mud or soft wet dirt they are hopeless..
On anything ealse they are great... they have a soft compound
great on anything hardish....

[Rosie]

Just making sure that I am thinking straight. Going to get some nobblies for my DRZ400. It seems as though a M21 front is a pretty good bet for the front. But for rear it seems the E09, T63 and D606 are all pretty much of a muchness?? So I guess it will just come down to price? Probably going to do the DB1000 so that is the type of riding the tyre needs to be aimed at.

Am I thinking along the right lines here??

I've never tried an E-09 (not sure if they even make them in my size), but do I like the D606 more than the T63, it seems to be wearing a lot better than the T63 did, and the T63 had a habit of disappearing sideways when its slippery, which the D606 hasn't been doing yet. The D606 is almost twice the price of the T63, but, so far, it might almost be twice as good*

*on a WRR, being ridden by Rosie. YMMV.

[NordieBoy]

I have 605s..you are right..mud or soft wet dirt they are hopeless..
On anything ealse they are great... they have a soft compound
great on anything hardish....

Snow?

[Underground]

D606 comes in 130 90 17 as opposed to my usual 130 80
From what I understand it will give about 30mm increase in dia... am I on the right track here? or is there more to it than that?
D606 and T63 are the same price and about $15 cheaper than E09 at the mo so am tossing up between them with an MT21 front for the Dommie.

[pete-blen]

Snow?

Hopeless in snow....
Think I picked the bike up 4 times....
But who's counting...

[dino3310]

TKC 18" http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=414491867

[warewolf]

D606 comes in 130 90 17 as opposed to my usual 130 80
From what I understand it will give about 30mm increase in dia... am I on the right track here? or is there more to it than that?

Yep, 130/90 is a BIG tyre. You may get tight on the swingarm and/or under-tail clearance if it's 15mm taller.

A variation of 10mm in tread depth from new to worn is a similar gearing change to about 2-3T at the rear sprocket, 7-ish percent or something IIRC. So your 13mm (theoretically) difference is going to gear the bike up nearly 10% which will be very noticeable. It'll also lift the seat about half that.

[Eddieb]

Well I went with the 606, I don't enjoy changing tyres and fronts last forever for me. The 606 seems to be a proven tyre on the DR so I'll see how it goes.

Well after Saturday and Sunday's riding I'm happy with the D606 on the front, that will be staying there. Good grip on the gravel, it's worn in to about 2mm from the outside edge of the knobs from the seal and no traction issues in the thick gluggy mud we did on Sunday.

[Underground]

Yep, 130/90 is a BIG tyre. You may get tight on the swingarm and/or under-tail clearance if it's 15mm taller.

A variation of 10mm in tread depth from new to worn is a similar gearing change to about 2-3T at the rear sprocket, 7-ish percent or something IIRC. So your 13mm (theoretically) difference is going to gear the bike up nearly 10% which will be very noticeable. It'll also lift the seat about half that.

Hmm, might go with the T63 then, dont really want to be much taller or that much higher geared either .
I've got a one tooth smaller front to gear down for gnarlier rides and I wouldnt have that option with a taller tyre.