Karoo vs TKC80

[Devil]

Looking at picking up some knobblier tyres to swap on for the dirtier rides (will change them myself) instead of my Tourance EXP's.

Bike is R1200GS Adv, which tyre above is the best value for performance?
For long tarmac trips and commuting it'll have the tourances on.

Can anyone get any cheap deals? is there another tyre I shoudl consider? Bear in mind I've got the road tyre already...

Sizes are 110/80 R 19 and 150/70 R 17

[Eddieb]

Looking at picking up some knobblier tyres to swap on for the dirtier rides (will change them myself) instead of my Tourance EXP's.

Bike is R1200GS Adv, which tyre above is the best value for performance?
For long tarmac trips and commuting it'll have the tourances on.

Can anyone get any cheap deals? is there another tyre I shoudl consider? Bear in mind I've got the road tyre already...

Sizes are 110/80 R 19 and 150/70 R 17

Never tried the Karoo but just to be difficult I would take Mitas E-09's over the TKC.

Half the price with heaps better mileage. Maybe not quite as grippy at 10/10's but if you don't push the bike to it's limits on the road and ride it like a sports bike it's not going to be a problem.

[Devil]

Never tried the Karoo but just to be difficult I would take Mitas E-09's over the TKC.

Half the price with heaps better mileage. Maybe not quite as grippy at 10/10's but if you don't push the bike to it's limits on the road and ride it like a sports bike it's not going to be a problem.

Who sells them? If there are suitable for the dirty stuff and reasonably priced i'd definately consider.

[Eddieb]

No idea about dealers your way but the importer will sell direct. Last time I bought a rear for my PD it was $140 I think from memory. It's got maybe 1000km left after 6000km. The best I got from a rear TKC was 5000km.

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

I run them on the rear of both my GS's and have run TKC's in the past, The E-09's will take me anywhere the TKC's would, and anywhere the other reprobates in this forum go on their DR/KLR/Africa Twins's etc, including rivers, bogs that submerge the cylinders, steep loose inclines etc.

[Devil]

No idea about dealers your way but the importer will sell direct. Last time I bought a rear for my PD it was $140 I think from memory. It's got maybe 1000km left after 6000km. The best I got from a rear TKC was 5000km.

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

I run them on the rear of both my GS's and have run TKC's in the past, The E-09's will take me anywhere the TKC's would, and anywhere the other reprobates in this forum go on their DR/KLR/Africa Twins's etc, including rivers, bogs that submerge the cylinders, steep loose inclines etc.

Hrm, none of them are in my size...
Is it safe to put on 140/80 17 and 100/90 19?

[dmc]

You can fit a 140 on the back ok, BMW say you can go 10+/-.
I would put a TKC on the front tho, I ran the E09 on my Africa and they were good but I wouldn't run the E09 on the front of a big bike anymore as I found they don't grip as well as the TKC and can get a little sketchy when pushed, the TKC front will last ages and stick great for a knobbie so I would fully recommend sticking to the TKC on the front, on the back I'd say you will be fine with the E09 and they are meant to be coming in a 150/18 soon so they might have a 150 for the BMW coming too.

[Devil]

Good advice. Cheers. Definately like to have a planted front, dont mind the rear being a little less.

[cooneyr]

I 2nd trying a E09 rear. Had one on the back of the Super Tenere and it is lasting well and is a good price I had the 140/80-17.

.....they are meant to be coming in a 150/18 soon...

You been talking to Linton too. I'm waiting for one as well. Currently running a 140/80-18 E07 on the Adv S but would prefer a E09.

Cheers R

[warewolf]

Bike is R1200GS Adv, which tyre above is the best value for performance?

Funny phrasing... best value, or best performer?

The Karoo will have more off-road grip, but they won't last as long. If they are cheaper than the the $TKC$ then they could be better value, too.

[Racing Dave]

My last rear TKC80 lasted two days.

Well, only one really - brand spankers for this year's Dusty Butt ride, and was marginally legal after that. I finished it off with a trip to the bottom of the SI and back, by which time it was smooth in the middle.

Expensive for the life they give, but the grip is OK. I'm keeping the TKC80 on the front, as others have said the wear there is acceptable, but I'll be trying someting else on the rear for proper outings.

As a temporary measure I've fitted up a Tourance, and I like that fine on the seal, but not on anything with any slipperiness involved. You'd be a mug to think it's an adventure tyre.

[Eddieb]

The TKC's I've had on the front have given good performance but tended to wear more unevenly that other tyres I've run. The rear of the blocks wore at a much faster rate than other tyres, to the extent the front half of the block still had say 40% wear left, while the rear half was illegal.

[nallac]

[QUOTE=Racing Dave;1129302845]My last rear TKC80 lasted two days.QUOTE]


Yeah, but your idea of a day ride RD is a minimum of 1000+ks,isn't it.

[Devil]

My last rear TKC80 lasted two days.

Well, only one really - brand spankers for this year's Dusty Butt ride, and was marginally legal after that. I finished it off with a trip to the bottom of the SI and back, by which time it was smooth in the middle.

Expensive for the life they give, but the grip is OK. I'm keeping the TKC80 on the front, as others have said the wear there is acceptable, but I'll be trying someting else on the rear for proper outings.

Good to know, i'm an absolute noob to adv riding so i'm fairly timid on the throttle in the loose stuff. I'll probably get a few more miles than you

I've tracked down a good value TKC front, just waiting to hear about an E09 rear.

[Cary]

I've tracked down a good value TKC front

Where from & how much? I got quoted $600 a set.....

[Devil]

Where from & how much? I got quoted $600 a set.....

Not telling till i've got my hands on it!
But it's $250, rear is $310.

Just heard from sales guy at Forbes and Davies. They're bringing in the Karoo T from september. Should wear a little better.