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

[cooneyr]

All tyres have gone up quite a bit in price over the last year or so. The D606 130/80-17 use to be about $140 so $194 is a fair step up. Front D606 is now about 140 from 110 where as I the last I heard the T63 front was still about $100. I'm going to try a T63 front next just cause I havent and they are cheaper.

[umopom]

Just heard that the Dunlop D908RR is going to be available in NZ in May - don't have a price yet but they look good and the reviews are positive on most aspects.
Cheers
JC

[junkmanjoe]

All tyres have gone up quite a bit in price over the last year or so. The D606 130/80-17 use to be about $140 so $194 is a fair step up. Front D606 is now about 140 from 110 where as I the last I heard the T63 front was still about $100. I'm going to try a T63 front next just cause I havent and they are cheaper.

im useing the T63 90/90/21 on the front, has around 4,000kms on it and its wearing very well, i was a bit worried about extra weight on it from the heaver bike, it took me around top of south island, no trouble, its gripy and handles the corners good.
im using the Michelin desert on the back, 140/80/18, i find this tire a bit weird in the corners some times, feels like its a bit flat... but its tight.. is wearing very well, and sticks to the seal, not had any moments as of yet....

i dont think ill buy another desert, just feels a bit weird some times..
Im still hoping the mitas E-10 comes here, but the E-09 dakar as got good ratings for heaver bikes....

JMJ

[.chris]

Just heard that the Dunlop D908RR is going to be available in NZ in May - don't have a price yet but they look good and the reviews are positive on most aspects.
Cheers
JC

Can you keep us updated on the price when you find out please, the more 140/80 18 options the better.

[Rosie]

The Vee Rubber VRM147 front, and Michelin T63 rear, combo that I put on for the CCA is doing well.
The Vee Rubber was a plan B, because there were no T63 fronts in the country, but it goes reasonably well on and off road, and isn't wearing too quickly. It vibes a bit more than the TW301 I normally run, but that is expected with a knobblier tyre. And they are cheap - $92 fitted
Since I do less technical riding over winter, I'm about to swap them for a set of Pirelli MT40's that I got cheap from the bike wrecker. I've run the back before and liked it, so we'll see how the front goes (for $40 a tyre, I'm not too concerned if the front is no good).

[warewolf]

Just heard that the Dunlop D908RR is going to be available in NZ in May - don't have a price yet but they look good and the reviews are positive on most aspects.

There's only two bad points usually raised: the stiff bead and the stiff price. The stiff bead is said to be so bad there are doubts they are field repairable ie can't get them off with normal tyre levers. The stiff price is offset by their long life, but really only offer the same $/km as several other comparable options.

They were tested in NZ 4 years ago. It's quite possible they are now considered old enough (5+ years) for the R&D costs to have been recouped, allowing the price to be reduced and thus saleable in NZ?!

[NordieBoy]

Tried the Shinko E705's up Sharlands Creek today.
18psi front and rear.
I've been running them at 26 front and rear for the road with no temperature issues.

Went to the northern and southernmost corners and points in-between.

So far I really like them

Gravel, hardpack, shale, rocks, loose dirt, they seem to be able to do it all.
Got up and down all the usual places and even got down (slowly) the shaley hill Padmei hasn't got up yet.

I think 20psi front would still be sweet and keep the tyre profile a little better as it feels a little heavy in the steering.
Also wonder how different the 130 rear would feel.

$104 for a front and $114 for a rear.
Value for money for a general purpose tyre - I don't think you can do better

[Fluffy Cat]

Aren't the 908's made for the larder type trail bikes like the 990 adv. The Scorpion's also have stiffer side-walls think they have to for 1, extra lard and 2, higher speed rating. The Scorps are impossible to get off in the field and hard work in the workshop.

[cooneyr]

Aren't the 908's made for the larder type trail bikes like the 990 adv. The Scorpion's also have stiffer side-walls think they have to for 1, extra lard and 2, higher speed rating. The Scorps are impossible to get off in the field and hard work in the workshop.

Yep but I still want to try the 908RR. The KTM's ADV's have a lip between where the bead sits and the dish the same as the DR650's. Both are a right PITA to break the beads on but the type of tyre only contributes a little bit. THe Adv's are a peice of cake to break the bead if you use the side stand while the bike is on the centre stand. Video of how to here. I should really use a strap next time though!!!

Cheers R

[bart]

Just been scrubbing in a Mitas E-09 rear. Did about 750km on the weekend. Awesome on the seal, but.....I found it shit on the gravel. Can't quite understand why. Perhaps it has too much grip, as I've been running a bald Trailwing lookalike over the summer, and have got used to massive fishtails. I found it was pushing the front a lot, and I was regularly loosing the front . I was running high pressures for the road.

Weird. I hope it improves once it wears.

I take it all back. The E-09, now quarter worn, is behaving much better. Now the knobs have rounded off, it's much more predictable. I almost like it now.

[warewolf]

The Scorpion's

The Scorpion what's??? Pirelli label almost all their tyres "scorpion" these days: car, bike, 4wd, on-road, off-road, yada yada yada. You need to be more specific. I'm running quite a few different Scorpions and none have the problem you describe.

[Fluffy Cat]

You would know if you had a 990 adv lard bike

[warewolf]

None of the scorpions in similar size & construction to the tube-type crossply D908RR are a problem. Not sure they are designed for the twins; they're not available in the OEM size, speed rating or construction!!

The tubeless radial scorpions to suit the 9x0 are always gonna be a mutha to fit cfm. a tube-type crossply. Just the nature of the construction really. But anecdotally I've heard the D908RR is such a bitch to fit it may as well be a tubeless radial.

[cooneyr]

.....But anecdotally I've heard the D908RR is such a bitch to fit it may as well be a tubeless radial.

Sounds like a challange. Another reason to try them when I have the opportunity/funds.

[junkmanjoe]

Heidenau K60 Adventure 140/80-18

any you bigger bike dudes tried this brand.
I have been talking to my IMS imports man in palmerston north, the E-10 is dew in later this year, his first shipment is arriving soon but only in the 17inch......BUGGER..

so was wondering about trying this brand out your thoughts..



JMJ