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

[Beem02]

I need to fit a new tyres on the DR650 after using D606's for the Dusty and over summer.
Thinking of Mitas E-07 as they should suit long trip round SI for the BM rally, and a general mix of seal and gravel roads over winter.
Any recommendations on best fit for the rear tyre, 120/90-17 or 130/80-17?

[Transalper]

...Thinking of Mitas E-07 ...Any recommendations on best fit for the rear tyre, 120/90-17 or 130/80-17?

Strangely enough I'm using the 140/??-17 E07's now as I really like the look, feel and slightly better pattern of the wider ones but it's a real prick to get on, being over sized an all.

[NordieBoy]

The 130 is a nice neutral profile and works well. The 120 would speed up the handling but that may not be to your advantage.

A TKC 80 in 120 on the back of a KLR 685 made it handle like a 125 MX'er but it still had 200kg to deal with...

[chasio]

Shinko or Fullbore..
I have a fullbore front / shinko rear..
run them right to edge of the tread
with no sign of them letting go..

Slight dredge but it's time to put my hand in my pocket and get this sorted...

For the Freewind front, the Shinko 705/Full Bore M40's only seem to come in a 110/80-19.

Stock is 100/90-19 and I'm wondering if going wider is very clever, given I may cover some gravel on them. Should I be bothered? I guess if they come up 'narrow' the difference may be negligible and if so, the M40 at $129 is the one for me.

If over-size is not too bright, some options in the right size include a Trailwing TW101 at $145 or an E-08 at $175 delivered from LMS (Red Baron no longer stock them). The latter seems pricey.

Thanks for any advice on this.

[george formby]

Slight dredge but it's time to put my hand in my pocket and get this sorted...

For the Freewind front, the Shinko 705/Full Bore M40's only seem to come in a 110/80-19.

Stock is 100/90-19 and I'm wondering if going wider is very clever, given I may cover some gravel on them. Should I be bothered? I guess if they come up 'narrow' the difference may be negligible and if so, the M40 at $129 is the one for me.

If over-size is not too bright, some options in the right size include a Trailwing TW101 at $145 or an E-08 at $175 delivered from LMS (Red Baron no longer stock them). The latter seems pricey.

Thanks for any advice on this.

My TDM runs a 110/80-18 & it's tickety boo. Mind you, I ride like a nana.

[pete-blen]

Slight dredge but it's time to put my hand in my pocket and get this sorted...

For the Freewind front, the Shinko 705/Full Bore M40's only seem to come in a 110/80-19.

Stock is 100/90-19 and I'm wondering if going wider is very clever, given I may cover some gravel on them. Should I be bothered? I guess if they come up 'narrow' the difference may be negligible and if so, the M40 at $129 is the one for me.

If over-size is not too bright, some options in the right size include a Trailwing TW101 at $145 or an E-08 at $175 delivered from LMS (Red Baron no longer stock them). The latter seems pricey.

Thanks for any advice on this.

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...enda_k761.aspx

Kenda 761 come in 100/90/19 and only $95...

[chasio]

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...enda_k761.aspx

Kenda 761 come in 100/90/19 and only $95...

Crumbs, chief, that is cheap! I had assumed they weren't as good as the Shinko / Fullbores but if they are good on tarseal (esp. when wet, where I don't fully trust my E-07's under brakes), the right size and a 5 minute ride away that is looking like a steal. Thanks.

[Woodman]

The 130 is a nice neutral profile and works well. The 120 would speed up the handling but that may not be to your advantage.

A TKC 80 in 120 on the back of a KLR 685 made it handle like a 125 MX'er but it still had 200kg to deal with...

The other problem is the 120 tkc has a lower weight rating that does not suit a klr and a 100kg plus rider who thinks he is riding a 125 mxer.
Pretty sure now that is the reason the friggen thing melted.

[Frodo]

If over-size is not too bright, some options in the right size include a Trailwing TW101 at $145 or an E-08 at $175 delivered from LMS (Red Baron no longer stock them). The latter seems pricey.

Thanks for any advice on this.

E-08 (Mitas equivalent to Tourance): Very hard compound - near impossible to wear out, but very slippery on wet roads. Wouldn't buy another. Replaced it with an Anakee, much better. Now have a Bridgestone BW-502 as I'm doing mainly commuting. Quite a soft compound so grips better on wet roads than the Tourance I have on the front (although perhaps not as good as an Anakee) - wear rate seems okay so far...

[Beem02]

The 130 is a nice neutral profile and works well. The 120 would speed up the handling but that may not be to your advantage.

Have decided to go with the 120/90 E-07's as I suspect that size will work better in gravel. Fitted them to both DR650's (mine and son's), along with new front tyres to match. We're off round the South Island in a couple of weeks, via as many backroads as possible. I'll report back on how they go.

Cheers, Bruce

[NordieBoy]

Have decided to go with the 120/90 E-07's as I suspect that size will work better in gravel. Fitted them to both DR650's (mine and son's), along with new front tyres to match. We're off round the South Island in a couple of weeks, via as many backroads as possible. I'll report back on how they go.

Cheers, Bruce

Never tried the E07 in 120 but love the Shinko 705 in that size.
Around town, normal riding and you're using all the tyre. No chicken strips.
You're not paying for bits you're not using.

The E07 rear with a knobblish front is a hard combo to beat.

Apart from 705's front and rear, which I hear Josh Coppins uses on his DR650.

[dino3310]

have you brought shares in shinko tyres Nordie

[NordieBoy]

have you brought shares in shinko tyres Nordie

I'm aiming for sponsorship

[pete376403]

So if the diff between a 130/90 and a 120/90 is slightly better handling, what would a 110/90 be like?
(the 120s and 130s in the shed are a bit marginal for a wof, the 110 is brand new.) maybe I should just get the warrent then switch back to one of the others (Shinko705)

[Transalper]

So if the diff between a 130/90 and a 120/90 is slightly better handling...

Better handling in whos opinion, I'm loving the 140 E07 more than the 120 or 130 on the rear of both my bikes (DR650 and Transalp). Guess that's my opinion.