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

[Kevnz]

Same pattern as the IRC GP1 and Kenda 270.
Worked well on the Dusty Butt and I got 8000 odd km out of a rear and 18000km so far out of a front.

I paid bugger all and have had bugger all problems.
You get what you pay for.

Sounds like they are a genuine bargin, will put them on my list

[Tony W]

I fitted an eo9 on my r80gs for last weekends ttttt. After getting some miles on it it feels ok, had no problems with grip although i was taking easy on the wet tarmac. The only down side is it must be a slightly lower profile than the tkc80 as my speed at 100kmh was 5kmh lower ie; speedo reading 100, gps saying 95. This is a pain as the r80 is already geared low. Ok for adv riding, no good for long distance

Just whack another tooth on the front sprocket!


Also on the subject of TKC 80's, I have never used these tyres.
Why are they so expensive (about $300 ) ?
Everyone says they wear out quickly.

My cynicism suggests they are merely a fashion accessory.

Can any TKC 80 owners quantify their choices. (more sizes perhaps?)
I have used Michelin T63 Tyres about 1/3 the price. They were fine.
On paper the Mitas E09 represents good value.

[NordieBoy]

Just whack another tooth on the front sprocket!

Or go up 3 on the rear but then you'd need to lengthen the driveshaft a link.

We're on fire today

[NordieBoy]

Also on the subject of TKC 80's, I have never used these tyres.
Why are they so expensive (about $300 ) ?
Everyone says they wear out quickly.

My cynicism suggests they are merely a fashion accessory.

Can any TKC 80 owners quantify their choices. (more sizes perhaps?)
I have used Michelin T63 Tyres about 1/3 the price. They were fine.
On paper the Mitas E09 represents good value.

They just work.

But as I'm cheap I'm not going to be getting any more.
The 150x70x17 for the Nordie rear was $300

The T63 does look very E-09'ish.



It may be a bit of "you get what you pay for" mentality.

[Phreaky Phil]

Just whack another tooth on the front sprocket!


Also on the subject of TKC 80's, I have never used these tyres.
Why are they so expensive (about $300 ) ?
Everyone says they wear out quickly.

My cynicism suggests they are merely a fashion accessory.

Can any TKC 80 owners quantify their choices. (more sizes perhaps?)
I have used Michelin T63 Tyres about 1/3 the price. They were fine.
On paper the Mitas E09 represents good value.

Be nice if it was that easy, i've only got 1 chain on my bike & whackin another tooth on that wont help. LOL

[Tony W]

It may be a bit of "you get what you pay for" mentality.

If you mean that if something is priced expensively, people
will think it is better, even though it's not, I agree with you.

( I also admit to having a major hang-up regarding Arai )

[NordieBoy]

If you mean that if something is priced expensively, people
will think it is better, even though it's not, I agree with you.

I like my $25 dealer price front Shinko SR244.

[MXNUT]

Also on the subject of TKC 80's, I have never used these tyres. Why are they so expensive (about $300 ) ?
I have used Michelin T63 Tyres about 1/3 the price. They were fine.

I have just fitted a Michelin T63 to the rear of my DRZ. So far have only done just under 1000 kms but with very little wear.
Previous tyres i have been using have been over half worn by 1000 kms.

Like you Tony, i refuse to pay $300 for a tyre. Michelin was $115.00 from cycletreads and so far i am very happy with on/off road performance and wear.

[Phreaky Phil]

I have just fitted a Michelin T63 to the rear of my DRZ. So far have only done just under 1000 kms but with very little wear.
Previous tyres i have been using have been over half worn by 1000 kms.

Like you Tony, i refuse to pay $300 for a tyre. Michelin was $115.00 from cycletreads and so far i am very happy with on/off road performance and wear.

Thats a good price for the Michelin. I paid $140 for the Mitas E09 and they are the same tyre as the T63 with a different badge

[NordieBoy]

Thats a good price for the Michelin. I paid $140 for the Mitas E09 and they are the same tyre as the T63 with a different badge

Close. The E-09 has a symmetrical pattern whereas the T63 is asymmetric.

[Phreaky Phil]

Close. The E-09 has a symmetrical pattern whereas the T63 is asymmetric.

Jeez, your right. Bloody close tho !

[warewolf]

Jeez, your right. Bloody close tho !

And the side knobs aren't quite the same. Close enough that at first glance the E-09 appears the same as the T63. I wonder if the changes are as much as the legal boffins suggested in order to avoid copyright infringement?

That doesn't worry the SE Asians, quite a few tyres I've seen are all-but identical in tread pattern to known European models. Rubber compound and carcass construction can be VERY different though.

[timg]

Also on the subject of TKC 80's, I have never used these tyres.
Why are they so expensive (about $300 ) ?
Everyone says they wear out quickly.

My cynicism suggests they are merely a fashion accessory.

Can any TKC 80 owners quantify their choices.

$360 a set fitted & balanced on my Transalp and easily the best tyres I've had on it for my riding/use. The previous tyres were OEM Trail Wings which were good on seal but hopeless on gravel, espc once a bit worn. Good on the 'rider development days I did tho . Twitchy in the wet & lasted just 4800km. Mitas E07 good allround tyre but very noisey and vibrated badly despite being balanced twice. Very square profile in 130/80/17. Rear is very loose in gravel when the tread wears down to the central rib. They lasted around 14k km. The TKC is my tyre of choice at the moment. They've done 4000km and look likely to go at least that again on the rear and the front shows barely any wear, but I do have an E09 rear in the rafters to try next. Cheers.

[Howie]

Also on the subject of TKC 80's, I have never used these tyres.
Why are they so expensive (about $300 ) ?
Everyone says they wear out quickly.

My cynicism suggests they are merely a fashion accessory.

Can any TKC 80 owners quantify their choices. (more sizes perhaps?)
I have used Michelin T63 Tyres about 1/3 the price. They were fine.
On paper the Mitas E09 represents good value.

I have run TKC80's on my KLR for the last 9000km, probably at about a 40% gravel/4wd track, 60% seal, Found them to be a good tyre all round,but only got about 4500km out of each rear, and the front is pretty near needing replacing at just over 9000km, Just fitted a IRC GP-110 on the rear, it seems to be ok on seal, and doesn't quite have the grip and drive of the TKC on gravel/dirt, but I expected that with tread pattern. I got quoted $270 as the RRP for the 130/70 17 rear TKC, which makes it fairly expensive. One thing I didn't check on that price was if it was the tubeless rear or the tube type which is a bit cheaper if they have them in stock.

[NordieBoy]

Just fitted a IRC GP-110 on the rear, it seems to be ok on seal, and doesn't quite have the grip and drive of the TKC on gravel/dirt, but I expected that with tread pattern.

How do you find the GP110 when leaned over a bit?