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

[Trials Rider]

My last one was not dot approved but this one has ( DOT XE 29 N337 0213 ) does this mean its DOT approved ? Also has rotation arrow ( made in Brazil ) and does not say.........NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE

DOT does not automatically mean road legal, it is an organisation with many approval numbers which relate to speed, load etc.

You would need to get the numbers and see what they actually stand for.

[Trials Rider]

For my DR650 I'm looking at getting a new rear tyre of the standard size - 120/90/17.
A Shinko 744 is around $100
A Heidenau K60 is $140 + $15 shipping = $155
A Mitas E07 is ?

Anyone know what sort of price the Mitas is?
I'm a bit undecided on which of those 3 to buy.
At least they are cheaper than a new rear for the ST.

Depends on what you want out of a tyre, I had an E07, good on the road and last well, but not good off road, no side holding and braking down hill is scary.

I run the Mitas E09 140/17 rear on my DR650, block pattern is very predictable both accelerating and braking, and good side holding, I really like it, noisy on road but that doesn't bother me.

Just another option and if you are doing a bit more off road I would definitely recommend it

[MarkH]

The Shinko E700 is the best cheapy tyre for DR's, its just as grippy as the 744 or the golden boy of same and the blocks wont split or break like they do on the others.
I stay away from those expensive 'higher mileage' flash tyres as lot of stuff on net says its from being harder compound and not as good on wet cold tarmac. I've had the Shinkos cranked over in the wet and awesome for such cheap tyre.

For the front you want Pirelli scorpion MT90 AT.

BTW on the rear 130/80/17 and 4.60x17 is damn close enough the same size as the 120 you mention, there's nothing in it.

Thanks for the suggestion, might pop in to the local Suzuki dealer and ask if they would like to get in an E700 460x17 tyre for me.

Now, why the Pirelli front tyre? Why not a Shinko E700? Currently the Mitas E07 is looking OK so there is no hurry to replace that one but it would be good to know why certain tyres might be a better choice.

[pete-blen]

Thanks for the suggestion, might pop in to the local Suzuki dealer and ask if they would like to get in an E700 460x17 tyre for me.

Now, why the Pirelli front tyre? Why not a Shinko E700? Currently the Mitas E07 is looking OK so there is no hurry to replace that one but it would be good to know why certain tyres might be a better choice.

I have been useing Shinko 700 front /rear for a couple years now on the XT660R...
As far as I'm concerned theres not a better tyre of this type/prise range
on the market... On to my 3rd set & there will be a 4th set after these are done.
Done 2 DB1k on them..

[MarkH]

I have been useing Shinko 700 front /rear for a couple years now on the XT660R...
As far as I'm concerned theres not a better tyre of this type/prise range
on the market... On to my 3rd set & there will be a 4th set after these are done.
Done 2 DB1k on them..

Sounds like a ringing endorsement!

I went for a ride today and on the gravel my trailwing was pretty squirrelly, I don't think I'll do much other than sealed roads until I replace that tyre. It doesn't have a whole lot of tread left anyway.

[Woodman]

Sounds like a ringing endorsement!

I went for a ride today and on the gravel my trailwing was pretty squirrelly, I don't think I'll do much other than sealed roads until I replace that tyre. It doesn't have a whole lot of tread left anyway.

I second Petes endorsment. They should be worth more.

[NordieBoy]

I went for a ride today and on the gravel my trailwing was pretty squirrelly, I don't think I'll do much other than sealed roads until I replace that tyre. It doesn't have a whole lot of tread left anyway.

Seated or standing?
What pressure?

[MarkH]

Seated or standing?
What pressure?

I was seated with plenty of weight on the back wheel, not sure on the pressure so I guess I should check that.
The obvious thing to me is that the rear tyre doesn't have a whole lot of tread in the middle which makes little difference on a dry sealed road but provides very little bite on gravel or dirt.

At this point it would probably be safe to just assume I don't know what I'm doing, I got fuck all experience with off road riding and only limited gravel experience.
Once I get a nice new tyre that guys here assure me is a good one then I'll know anything not working right is completely down to me.

[Woodman]

I was seated with plenty of weight on the back wheel, not sure on the pressure so I guess I should check that.
The obvious thing to me is that the rear tyre doesn't have a whole lot of tread in the middle which makes little difference on a dry sealed road but provides very little bite on gravel or dirt.

At this point it would probably be safe to just assume I don't know what I'm doing, I got fuck all experience with off road riding and only limited gravel experience.
Once I get a nice new tyre that guys here assure me is a good one then I'll know anything not working right is completely down to me.

The rear is going to move around on gravel. Get used to it. Don't sit on the back of the seat and learn to ride standing. Set pressures somewhere between 20 and 25psi.

My 2 cents

[CrazyFrog]

Do you think this one would squirrel around in the gravel?
Day 1 on Dakar Rally, Helder Rodrigues Metzeler Karoo Extreme after 350km.



Hmmm, I guess those mousse's got a bit hot.

[Muzz67]

350k of burnouts?

[oneblackflag]

Got a MT 21 on the rear of the WRR today to match the front; impressed so far seems really stable on the seal lent over as far as my old Shinko 700. Ridiculously wide 130 as thats all that was available and I couldn't wait for an order.

[oneblackflag]

Do you think this one would squirrel around in the gravel?
Day 1 on Dakar Rally, Helder Rodrigues Metzeler Karoo Extreme after 350km.

[IMG]

Hmmm, I guess those mousse's got a bit hot.

Nice straight line contact patch

[XF650]

Nordie would still use that

[NordieBoy]

Nordie would still use that

And then when it was really worn, Padmei would get some use out of it.