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

**warewolf** · 17th June 2008, 21:07

Originally Posted by Motu

T63
...
But it has a very stiff carcase,I used a tyre machine to fit it....and wouldn't want to fit one by hand.It has to have the stiffest sidewall of any tyre I've ever used.

The Desert will be worse.

Is that what you want on those already difficult DR650 rims, R?

**Transalper** · 17th June 2008, 22:00

Originally Posted by warewolf

....

Transalper, chime in here: haven't you run the T63 against the MT21? Someone here has, IIRC. ....

I have compared the Mitas E09 to D606, as to say in my opnion the D606 gives a bit more dirt grip but is not as good on seal and doesn't last as long as the E09.
I had a couple of MT21 experiences, but they came with the bikes and both were already well worn but I understood them to be the equvilent to the D606 although the front MT21 pattern may make some front ends wobble in a minor way on hard ground (at least we think that was the reason).

**cooneyr** · 17th June 2008, 22:44

Originally Posted by warewolf

.....Is that what you want on those already difficult DR650 rims, R?

no worries - NOT. Yes that will be a challenge

Cheers R

**NordieBoy** · 18th June 2008, 07:51

Originally Posted by warewolf

The Desert will be worse.

Is that what you want on those already difficult DR650 rims, R?

As opposed to the 640A where you just bend the rim out of the way

**warewolf** · 18th June 2008, 14:13

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

As opposed to the 640A where you just bend the rim out of the way

Pretty much! Rears seem to be OK, it's the fronts that give the most grief.

**snoop** · 23rd June 2008, 12:18

A newbie here with an o7 dr650se up in jaffa land. there is probably an answer to this somewhere... but looking at getting rid of the Trailwings and queation if a 130/80 tkc80 will fit on the rear? and do I need rim locks? i will be doing 50/50 commute and trail/gravel?

**Oscar** · 23rd June 2008, 13:05

Originally Posted by snoop

A newbie here with an o7 dr650se up in jaffa land. there is probably an answer to this somewhere... but looking at getting rid of the Trailwings and queation if a 130/80 tkc80 will fit on the rear? and do I need rim locks? i will be doing 50/50 commute and trail/gravel?

The TKC would be great for the DR.
You wouldn't need rim locks unless you were gonna use very low tyre pressures (and if you were, you should be using a proper knobblie).

**cooneyr** · 23rd June 2008, 14:27

Originally Posted by snoop

A newbie here with an o7 dr650se up in jaffa land. there is probably an answer to this somewhere... but looking at getting rid of the Trailwings and queation if a 130/80 tkc80 will fit on the rear? and do I need rim locks? i will be doing 50/50 commute and trail/gravel?

Assuming the TKC80 130 is the same as other 130's (D606 or MT21) they will fit fine. I've had the D606 and MT21's on my DR650. Before I got rim locks I managed to make the MT21 slip a little on the rim running about 18 psi when riding along a gravel road with bits of bed rock when it was raining. I think the wheel was spinning on the gravel then suddenly gripped on the rock which caused it. If you keep the pressures up 22+ you should have no worries - the DR650 rear rim is a basted for hanging onto beads (pain when tyre changing).

Cheers R

**Gizzit** · 23rd June 2008, 22:08

Has anyone got a recommendation for tires for road use for my DR650SE ? I want to use some tires suitable for 90 - 95% road use, with the balance on metal roads.
I think Pirelli does a 95/5% tire, that is supposedly good on wet and dry seal. I find my use is pretty much sealed road, with some exploration down metal roads. I tend to take it easy on the metal, so really need a set of street tires for the riding I'm doing at the moment. I want to stay with the standard wheel size for the DR, but maybe even use a fatter profile tire ? I'm unsure about the viability of that on standard rims, or any road holding benefit ?
Thanks for any ideas,
Grant.

**clint640** · 24th June 2008, 11:49

I'd try a Pirelli MT90AT. They're about the cheapest roadish adv tyre you'll find for a 21" front, I've used a rear that went well. The slightly knobbier MT70 is good too, but the rears don't last nearly as long.

For 95/5 tar/gravel I'd probably run an MT70 front & an MT90 rear. The MT70 front was really good on wet or dry tar & lasted well, while still being ok in the gravel, so I don't really see the point of going more 'roady' unless you're really really pushing it on the seal. On the back it's worth having something less aggressive however as you'll get twice the life out of an MT90 compared with an MT70.

If you want a full road tyre the Bridgestone BT-45 is available in 21" & are good value, I use a set on the track & they go alright.

Cheers
Clint

**OV Lander** · 24th June 2008, 15:40

Have been looking at tyre options to replace my now tired Pirelli MT90 S/T, have been looking at the TKC and the MT90 A/T.

Very different tyres, but here's my logic:

Would love to do more learning off road, and to be honest the S/T is just too dody on a 200kg machine in the sloppy mud (Surprised?), so was looking to the TKC's - But, they seem expensive for a relatively short mileage tyre, particularly given that most of my riding is on-road at present.

So, looking for alterantives. Very pleased with the wear, grip and general comfort of the Pirelli, but what about something more aggressive? the MT90 A/T perhaps?

Am seriously looking at the A/T tyre, as I am not sure that I really need anything as knobbly as the MT21, or confident that I'd be happy with them on-road either.

SO, FINALLY, here's the question:
Teh Pirelli A/T is not available in the 13/80 R17 currently fitted on the back of the BM. So, how would ride, fell, grip corner lean over etc be affected if I changed tyre size the Pirelli A/T in a 120/90 R17?

- 8mm greater diameter and 10mm but how would this affect the machine ro the ride?

Grateful in advance - cheers.

**Transalper** · 24th June 2008, 16:24

Originally Posted by OV Lander

.....Would love to do more learning off road, and to be honest the S/T is just too dody on a 200kg machine in the sloppy mud........
Am seriously looking at the A/T tyre, as I am not sure that I really need anything as knobbly as the MT21, or confident that I'd be happy with them on-road either......

You'd probably be better off forgetting about the mud then.
Just remember which forum this is. It's the 'compromise' forum. IMO the TKC probably offers your best compromise for high performance street with some mud capability. All else swings further one way or other. I'm a fan of D606/MT21 for when the talk turns to mud but yes you loose some street performance. Get use to it.
I suspect the A/T tyre will be fine until the dirt gets wet.

**dutchman49** · 24th June 2008, 17:10

Originally Posted by Gizzit

Has anyone got a recommendation for tires for road use for my DR650SE ? I want to use some tires suitable for 90 - 95% road use, with the balance on metal roads.
I think Pirelli does a 95/5% tire, that is supposedly good on wet and dry seal. I find my use is pretty much sealed road, with some exploration down metal roads. I tend to take it easy on the metal, so really need a set of street tires for the riding I'm doing at the moment. I want to stay with the standard wheel size for the DR, but maybe even use a fatter profile tire ? I'm unsure about the viability of that on standard rims, or any road holding benefit ?
Thanks for any ideas,
Grant.

I have tried all my DR650. Had a 130 TKC and fits fine. 2500ks and stuffed. Great all round including mud and some Rimutaka fanging. If I was a rich bastard I would only use TKCs, but at way over 300 bucks for a set. No can do.

Have now settled on IRC 110s. Can get 4000ks easy and 210 bucks for a set. Great on gravel, seal, but obviously no good for mud. Really anything should do on gravel, just do your steering with the rear wheel, rear brake and the throttle.

**tri boy** · 24th June 2008, 17:30

2500km only from a TKC 130

What pressures were you running?
I did a 5500km trip to the sth isld on a fat Scrambler loaded, 50/50 seal n gravel at 30-36psi and it was 1/2 worn.
Took it off to put a E-09 on for the CCA, but gunna slip it back on for clints MMMM ride.

**Gizzit** · 24th June 2008, 17:58

Originally Posted by clint640

I'd try a Pirelli MT90AT. They're about the cheapest roadish adv tyre you'll find for a 21" front, I've used a rear that went well. The slightly knobbier MT70 is good too, but the rears don't last nearly as long.

For 95/5 tar/gravel I'd probably run an MT70 front & an MT90 rear. The MT70 front was really good on wet or dry tar & lasted well, while still being ok in the gravel, so I don't really see the point of going more 'roady' unless you're really really pushing it on the seal. On the back it's worth having something less aggressive however as you'll get twice the life out of an MT90 compared with an MT70.

If you want a full road tyre the Bridgestone BT-45 is available in 21" & are good value, I use a set on the track & they go alright.
Cheers
Clint

Thanks for that info. I'll check those Pirelli and Bridgestone's out. Maybe I should have bought a Versys after all !!! lol