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

[NordieBoy]

Brand new Shinko SR244 after going to wanganui via Napier-Taihape rd then forgotten highway to bach near turangi. I don't think it appreciated supermotard style over the gentle annie, it was already looking ripped up when i got to taihape. Tried to treat it a bit nicer for rest of trip Plenty grippy, unsure of lifespan though...

If they made the MT21 out of the 244 compound, I think it'd be better than both.

Can't stand the 244 or MT21 rears. The 244 compound is too soft for the knob size and the MT21 too hard.
Both end up sliding all over the place. Especially on hard pack with loose stuff on top...

[Motu]

Fitted some Dunlop K180's yesterday, 120/90 x 18 both ends, pretty cheap at $124 and they would be on the race compound end of things. They aren't as good as the K70's in gravel, the K70 has more rubber on the road, but the K180 would do better in more off road conditions. They aren't going to move anywhere on seal, but cold damp roads might be a different matter with this compound, and wear rate will be something to keep an eye on too. DOT and tubed.

[pete-blen]

If they made the MT21 out of the 244 compound, I think it'd be better than both.

Can't stand the 244 or MT21 rears. The 244 compound is too soft for the knob size and the MT21 too hard.
Both end up sliding all over the place. Especially on hard pack with loose stuff on top...

I just put a Shinko 700 on the rear of the XT660.. seems to stick well on gravel & seal... Has about the
same compound as the 705 but a more aggressive patten...

[Woodman]

Done about 700kms on my shinko 244 rear and I hate the friggen thing so far. Can't wait for it to wear out. Will have to spin it up a lot on the db.

I like mt21 front and rears Nordie,

[NordieBoy]

Done about 700kms on my shinko 244 rear and I hate the friggen thing so far. Can't wait for it to wear out. Will have to spin it up a lot on the db.

Ahem... Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3, 4... Is this thing on?

Right, here goes...

TOLD YOU SO!

I like mt21 front and rears Nordie,

But you also like rear wheel steering, which matches up with the MT21 rear nicely.

[george formby]

Fitted some Dunlop K180's yesterday, 120/90 x 18 both ends, pretty cheap at $124 and they would be on the race compound end of things. They aren't as good as the K70's in gravel, the K70 has more rubber on the road, but the K180 would do better in more off road conditions. They aren't going to move anywhere on seal, but cold damp roads might be a different matter with this compound, and wear rate will be something to keep an eye on too. DOT and tubed.

That looks fun! A hint of flat tracker... Noice.

[dino3310]

Done about 700kms on my shinko 244 rear and I hate the friggen thing so far. Can't wait for it to wear out. Will have to spin it up a lot on the db.

I like mt21 front and rears Nordie,

shit im having a good run on mine, im enjoying the predictable slide into corners under brakes... seal & gravel

[dino3310]

Fitted some Dunlop K180's yesterday,

tires aside, i saw your bike a few years ago and still think it should be embeded in the wall of cool

[bart]

Done about 700kms on my shinko 244 rear and I hate the friggen thing so far. Can't wait for it to wear out. Will have to spin it up a lot on the db.

I like mt21 front and rears Nordie,

What width are you running?

I run Kenda K270's which are similar (probably the same). Wide ones (510) are downright dangerous, but I find the narrower version (460) quite acceptable. I think the soft side treads distort a lot when leaning over, causing all sorts of weird slippy action on the seal. Stupidly slippy in the wet. The narrower tyre seems a lot more planted though, and I'd even buy another one.

Someone on here recently said "Wide for show, narrow for go". Oh, that's right....it was me.

[10bikekid]

Dual sport tires are a mystery and ultimately it seems a world of compromise (poetry for the day)

Anyway, My observations

Run Pirelli MT90"s on KTM (950ADV) find they are great on the road very good on the metal (at 20-25psi) and pure stink on the sand or wet offroad

Run Kenda trackmaster K700's on DR (750BIG) find they are stink on the road (though I can live with that as lean off the bike to keep tire upright) Ok on the metal (IMHO not as good as the MT90's) and exceptional in the sand and wet offroad (for a dual sport)

At the momment I cant find anything better than these to suit my purpose for what each bike is intended as DR often gets ridden up to Murawia dunes (Via road metal and beach) and if I didnt run this tire I wouldn't get get through my Adv loop

If I try on the MT90 shod KTM I get half way up the first hill and have to dig it out and go back
But the KTM is an absolute weapon on the metal and the road

What I do find strange though is that the MT90 is better on the metal than the K700 and am guessing its the transition onto the side knobs when leaning over and the high profile 130/90/17 case flex ? It would be nice to be able to still do my Dune loop on the DR with a better metal and road tire but I cant see that happening

Its a weird dual sport world indeed

[dino3310]

my last tire on the BIG was a E-09, loved it

[10bikekid]

Well looking at this thread you might be right as just the compromise I'm looking for xept they are a pain to try and get in Auckland

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=614147

[dino3310]

Theres a small write up on the Karro T in kiwirider this month, the writer has been trying it out on his dl1000 vee strom, he's happy with it.
but yeah i found the e09 on the BIG worked well for me, but like most knobs they let go on the wet seal, but fantasic in the dry

would the E-07 work on the orange bus

[10bikekid]

Theres a small write up on the Karro T in kiwirider this month, the writer has been trying it out on his dl1000 vee strom, he's happy with it.
but yeah i found the e09 on the BIG worked well for me, but like most knobs they let go on the wet seal, but fantasic in the dry

would the E-07 work on the orange bus

I Chickened out and went with a new Kenda 760 trackmaster for the DR (just couldn't bear to give up all that sand grip)

Is the E-07 rated for the 200+kph sand runs the orange bus gets called up to do from time to time


PS, Am doing a Gravel run from Kumue with the Northern Gravel riders this Sat if your up for it (might post on other thread to)

[dino3310]

I Chickened out and went with a new Kenda 760 trackmaster for the DR (just couldn't bear to give up all that sand grip)

Is the E-07 rated for the 200+kph sand runs the orange bus gets called up to do from time to time


PS, Am doing a Gravel run from Kumue with the Northern Gravel riders this Sat if your up for it (might post on other thread to)

naa mate, low on the pingers for a while till the CC gets back in the black.
plus i wont pay for rides.
not sure if the e07 are made that big but i wouldn't think them to be any good on the soft stuff