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

[george formby]

I'm a chef & never, in 35 years, have I tasted scenery worth the effort of putting me face in it. And the bad taste lingers a long time.
Mind you, the scenery smells nice so I still try to get my head close to it. Came home with a bit of Ti tree jammed between me visor & hemlet the other day.

[JATZ]

I narroweddown my options (Shinko 700 to close to stock)

Karoo 3, real grovy, not much side grip off road, like Gold to buy

Karoo 2, Front looks about right rear to chunky

TKC80, front maybe to chunky knobs a bit shallow

Michelin T63 Hmm low cost shallow knobs ?

Dunlop 605, these could be the ones

605 on the front of the GS, EO7 on the rear, works for me
TKC seemed to go o.k.
EO-10 was a complete shocker, lasted about 100 k's

[10bikekid]

605 on the front of the GS, EO7 on the rear, works for me
TKC seemed to go o.k.
EO-10 was a complete shocker, lasted about 100 k's

Sounds close, your not gonna say Shinko then

[RMOTO]

I'm thinking the XR is not a good example as would probably get traction from the rims, woodman hasn't install confidence in the Shinko's for normal bikes, KLR probably needs Dunlops

What do you think Josh 605's ?

I happily sacrifice longevity and go for more aggressive tyres so when I encounter serious off road conditions all loaded up with gear, I have the tyre for the job and I get where I need to go.

The Dunlop 605 is a nice medium/soft compound for general tarmac and gravel touring but does not get the mileage from a tyre that comes up so short in off road terrain; especially muddy/rutty/greasy/loose terrain.
http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/dunl...rear/review-2/

I always enjoy trying new tyres and frequently try new ones but I always have a few proven tyres in the shed ready to fit to the bike depending on riding conditions. Among many good tyres, these are frequent fitters:

http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/mitas-c-02-rear/
http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/mitas-c-16-rear/
http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/mitas-e-09-rear/

As for a front, this is a seldom mentioned tyre that performs very well

http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/mitas-xt-644-front/

Very personal topic this tyre thing, a lot of focus is on tread pattern which of course is valid but riding the bike running fully loaded @ 16psi in tough off road conditions brings quality of the casings into play and if they can endure the load plus continual abuse and case flexing.

[NordieBoy]

I happily sacrifice longevity and go for more aggressive tyres so when I encounter serious off road conditions all loaded up with gear, I have the tyre for the job and I get where I need to go.

Same here.

[bigboy]

?? Please . . . and a clutch handle?

[_Shrek_]

?? Please . . . and a clutch handle?

catch up with Linton at Dirt Action they're in Saxton st he'll sort ya out

[R650R]

Just put a Pirelli Scorpion MT90 AT 90/90/21 on the front of DR, very impressed.
Tons of grip on tarmac (touched peg down on road in third gear-whats that noise ) and slightly better than the Trailwing on gravel, surprisingly as the tread blocks are a little closer together.
Very happy for just over $100 major brand name tyre.

[10bikekid]

Just put a Pirelli Scorpion MT90 AT 90/90/21 on the front of DR, very impressed.
Tons of grip on tarmac (touched peg down on road in third gear-whats that noise ) and slightly better than the Trailwing on gravel, surprisingly as the tread blocks are a little closer together.
Very happy for just over $100 major brand name tyre.

Agreed, awesome tire for what you described

[10bikekid]

I happily sacrifice longevity and go for more aggressive tyres so when I encounter serious off road conditions all loaded up with gear, I have the tyre for the job and I get where I need to go.

The Dunlop 605 is a nice medium/soft compound for general tarmac and gravel touring but does not get the mileage from a tyre that comes up so short in off road terrain; especially muddy/rutty/greasy/loose terrain.
http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/dunl...rear/review-2/

I always enjoy trying new tyres and frequently try new ones but I always have a few proven tyres in the shed ready to fit to the bike depending on riding conditions. Among many good tyres, these are frequent fitters:

http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/mitas-c-02-rear/
http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/mitas-c-16-rear/
http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/mitas-e-09-rear/

As for a front, this is a seldom mentioned tyre that performs very well

http://www.remotemoto.com/tyres/mitas-xt-644-front/

Very personal topic this tyre thing, a lot of focus is on tread pattern which of course is valid but riding the bike running fully loaded @ 16psi in tough off road conditions brings quality of the casings into play and if they can endure the load plus continual abuse and case flexing.

Same here.

Thanks guys but as I say no Mitas Tyre shop in Auckland, think this is what I'm going settle on after a possible South Island Trip

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ort-front-tire

[george formby]

Just put a Pirelli Scorpion MT90 AT 90/90/21 on the front of DR, very impressed.
Tons of grip on tarmac (touched peg down on road in third gear-whats that noise ) and slightly better than the Trailwing on gravel, surprisingly as the tread blocks are a little closer together.
Very happy for just over $100 major brand name tyre.

Most excellent. I was feeling a bit lonely in my faith of this tire. I ran 34psi as the norm but got down to 18psi on gravel. The lower pressure on the loose made a big improvement but turn on the tar went gluey. Hugely impressed on wet tar, too.

[10bikekid]

Most excellent. I was feeling a bit lonely in my faith of this tire. I ran 34psi as the norm but got down to 18psi on gravel. The lower pressure on the loose made a big improvement but turn on the tar went gluey. Hugely impressed on wet tar, too.

I wont run anything else on the KTM and their gravel performance is well above their appearance, I run 34-37 on the road 22-25 on the gravel (Bike about 240kg loaded)

[Hobbyhorse]

Thanks guys but as I say no Mitas Tyre shop in Auckland, think this is what I'm going settle on after a possible South Island Trip

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ort-front-tire

I thought I saw Mitas tyres in Techmoto in Kingsland ....

[10bikekid]

I thought I saw Mitas tyres in Techmoto in Kingsland ....

Ta for the heads up
Apparently so, you have to go to IMS web site then give Phill (owner of Techmoto I presume) the tire specs by email, he will reply with a quote and can fit them and balance them but not while you wait, hmm, not your just drop into cycle treads deal (though he said he used to work for them) but still better than nothing for us don't get our hands dirty on a tire lever type

http://www.techmoto.co.nz/

http://www.lmsimports.co.nz/products.php?cat=2

[R650R]

Good to hear others good results with the Pirelli, latest model was actually designed as OEM fitment for KTM690.

Meant to mention yesterday that usually you can feel a full tank (20L) on the front end but with the Pirelli it was a very consistant good feeling from full tank to half tank ride.