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

**clint640** · 9th July 2012, 13:24

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

Have tried Kenda K760 and currently have Dunlop D606, both have worn very rapidly!

Can't desire what to try next? Looking at Pirelli M21, Michellin T63, Mitas E09 or maybe a D605...

Any advise greatly accepted.....

Do you want the bad news or the bad news?

I've run all those on the rear (with the exception of the more roady D605 which I wouldn't put in the same class) The D606 lasted the best & seemed to give good traction offroad, no scary moments onroad. Pity they don't normally import the 130/18" ones for the 640.

Woodman, interesting comments, you reckon the MT21 is long lasting? I like the fronts but have trashed a rear in less kms than a TKC80. I find EO-9 & T-63 pretty similar to each other, dead right on the poor side grip, both ends, the fronts are pretty average compared with D606 or MT21 really, they are both longer lasting than the MT21 or TKC80.

Cheers
Clint

**Oscar** · 9th July 2012, 14:10

Originally Posted by clint640

Do you want the bad news or the bad news?

I've run all those on the rear (with the exception of the more roady D605 which I wouldn't put in the same class) The D606 lasted the best & seemed to give good traction offroad, no scary moments onroad. Pity they don't normally import the 130/18" ones for the 640.

Woodman, interesting comments, you reckon the MT21 is long lasting? I like the fronts but have trashed a rear in less kms than a TKC80. I find EO-9 & T-63 pretty similar to each other, dead right on the poor side grip, both ends, the fronts are pretty average compared with D606 or MT21 really, they are both longer lasting than the MT21 or TKC80.

Cheers
Clint

I trashed an MT21 on the back of a 950SE in less than 700km's...

**cooneyr** · 9th July 2012, 17:37

Originally Posted by Oscar

I trashed an MT21 on the back of a 950SE in less than 700km's...

You win - took me 1500km of gentle riding on the 950 Adv to do it. About 500km into the three day 1500km trip I was become a bit worried I would need new rubber to get home.

**Oscar** · 9th July 2012, 20:16

Originally Posted by cooneyr

You win - took me 1500km of gentle riding on the 950 Adv to do it. About 500km into the three day 1500km trip I was become a bit worried I would need new rubber to get home.

It was a press bike - they have magical qualities..damn thing used five rear tyres in 3,500kms.

**Woodman** · 9th July 2012, 21:10

On the E09s and T63s I ran 22-25psi-ish whereaes on the mt21 i ran 30ish.

Am convinced that weight is just as bigger influence on tyre wear than lots of horsepower or an overactive right wrist.

Oscar, 700kms to wear out an Mt21, man that musta been a fun 700kms

**Oscar** · 10th July 2012, 09:37

Originally Posted by Woodman

Oscar, 700kms to wear out an Mt21, man that musta been a fun 700kms

Apparently they don't like sustained 120-130km/h runs, with bursts up to 190...

...and to be fair, it wasn't actually that fucked, but it had to go back with the standard tyres on it.

**Padmei** · 10th July 2012, 16:58

Originally Posted by Woodman

On the E09s and T63s I ran 22-25psi-ish whereaes on the mt21 i ran 30ish.

Am convinced that weight is just as bigger influence on tyre wear than lots of horsepower or an overactive right wrist.

Oscar, 700kms to wear out an Mt21, man that musta been a fun 700kms

I don't rate the MT21s any good for big bikes unless you only want them for a few days ie dusty butt or something.
i also agree with the weight of the bikes rooting the tyres quicker - especially if you like braking hard & quickly. I don't like the way my 606s have the cracks around te knobs however as was mentioned somewhere, they never break off.

I've got a BT90 or something to try on the front of Schmit as I ride that more road & gravel rather than hardcore (& want to have a few trackdays on Schmidt) so it'll be interesting to see how that goes.

I have washed out the front in gravel regardless of what tyre I've had on & each time it gives me the shits. if they developed a front tyre that had a traction control function on it i'd buy it

**Box'a'bits** · 10th July 2012, 20:58

Hate to disagree with Padmei, but:

1. I like the front MT21. When they start to wear, spin them round & get some more wear. Probably good for 6-7.5k+ kms, not bad from an $84 tyre (on special at Cycletreads), always dependent on when you call a tyre dead. Wear is generally because of braking. They do let go under v.hard braking, but I've never had a loss of traction when heeled over on seal. Cost vs wear they are great compared to say a Dunlop 606 front at $175.

I hated the rear MT21s. They evaporated, & didn't give any noticeable side benefits of actual grip in gravel.

2. Last 2 sets of E09's rears have provided 6k+ kms of riding pleasure. I didn't have any traction issues. Happy with them but their price has increased (last one was $180, now $200+?). They don't feel that great for the 1st few hundred kms (need to wear a little).

3. I am just about to swap on a T63 - I only used to get circa 3.5k kms from them on the 640a. I liked them on that. Gus (R100GS) seems softer on tyres, so we'll see how we go. Koko reported 5k kms from his last set. $159 (on special at Cycletreads).

I won't use a T63 front & haven't (& probably won't) tried the E09 front

Gus wears front 90/90 21", & 130/70 17" rear shoes & is probably a svelte 220 kgs (ish).

**NordieBoy** · 10th July 2012, 22:20

Originally Posted by Box'a'bits

Hate to disagree with Padmei, but:

This is the front MT21 Padmei turned up at the laidback x-country with...

**warewolf** · 10th July 2012, 22:51

I definitely rate the T63 over the MT21 (rears). T63 lasts longer, is cheaper, and grips for further through it's life. Not as much ultimate side grip as the MT21 but slides smoother and more predictably. The MT21 just gets shredded by rocky terrain, but the T63 doesn't.

Originally Posted by Padmei

I don't like the way my 606s have the cracks around te knobs however as was mentioned somewhere, they never break off.

What width rim? The 640's 2.15" front can break 75% of the side knobs in as little as 100km of trail riding, yet running the 1.6" rim didn't break any in 3-4 hours of racing. Seems to me that the 90/90 tyres are not designed for such a phat rim.

**warewolf** · 10th July 2012, 23:16

Originally Posted by MXNUT

On Nordie`s recommendation i ordered at Shinko 244 tyre yesterday

Will be interested to see how it goes. $98 delivered to my local dealer.

For a 140/80/18 tyre it was $80 cheaper than the next cheapest option.

Are you sure about that size? That's the size for the 640Adv and AFAIK they don't make them - can't find any online, so maybe it is very new? I've had to use the next size down, 5.10-18 (130/80-18 equivalent).

http://www.shinkotire.co.kr/english/...ode=AA00050045

**dino3310** · 11th July 2012, 10:38

wow cycletreads daily special today is a goodie
K760 http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...px?oneday=true

AC10 http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...px?oneday=true

**TangoCharlie** · 11th July 2012, 18:06

Just back from 150km trip up the South side of the Waimak to Sheffield and back down the North side, nearly all on shingle roads and rocky tracks. D606 is now a write off after only 1300km as the knobs are 80% worn and several have split and large parts broken off! Just too much power with low gearing on modified DR650.... Will try a T63

**MXNUT** · 11th July 2012, 19:50

Originally Posted by TangoCharlie

Just back from 150km trip up the South side of the Waimak to Sheffield and back down the North side, nearly all on shingle roads and rocky tracks. D606 is now a write off after only 1300km as the knobs are 80% worn and several have split and large parts broken off! Just too much power with low gearing on modified DR650.... Will try a T63

Used a T63 on this years Dusty Butt on a DR650. Was brand new in wellington on the way down.Worn away and ripped open after 1400 kms.

Didnt manage to finish the Dusty becaue of it ( came up 20 kms short ) and i thought i was taking it easy on the throttle on the sunday.

Have used them on the DRZ in the past also and have never got any more than 1500 kms.