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

**Padmei** · 21st January 2009, 06:36

I fitted a new Mitas E09 to gonzo last nite.

Isn't the sight of a fresh new tyre & shiny rim beautiful

Here's hoping I get better mileage than the MT21.

**talbertnz** · 21st January 2009, 07:13

How much are they for a set??
Let us know how you find them on the road esp hard cornering.

**warewolf** · 21st January 2009, 08:54

Originally Posted by Motu

I used a tyre machine to fit my T63,and it was a tough fit.Definatly the stiffest carcase I've ever seen.Maybe it had sat under a roof in summer and hardened up.

You might be spot on there. I've just re-fitted a half-used T63 rear, which has been stored correctly in a cool, dark place, and it seems to have gone stiff. Lifting the bead to insert the tube, and getting my hands in to insert the valve stem both were very difficult. Doable, but I can see why you'd rate the carcass as stiff. It doesn't seem to stop the tyre flexing as it would in use though.

And as follow-up on the BF Goodrich Crossengo I had been 'finishing up' on the 640A. The tyre developed a couple of 10-15mm splits in the outer casing on the tread surface (ie not sidewall). One of these was rough on the inside and rubbed through the tube. It's an ex-cross-country race tyre so it's had a hard life, still got maybe 50% tread depth remaining, but it's had it. Was good while it lasted, even in the worn state I used it on the 640A. It used about 1/3 tread depth in 800km.

**Padmei** · 21st January 2009, 15:58

Originally Posted by talbertnz

How much are they for a set??
Let us know how you find them on the road esp hard cornering.

I only put 1 on the rear as the MT21 on the front is excellent & holding up well. The rear cost $140 + $16 freiht to Nelson thru LMS imports.

As far as a report on them I think there re other more experienced riders on here that could do a better comparison.

**XF650** · 21st January 2009, 18:13

Originally Posted by talbertnz

How much are they for a set??
Let us know how you find them on the road esp hard cornering.

Pic link shows scuffing of side knobs of 19" EO9, on Freewind front after a good blat through the Catlins Highway. 17" EO9 rear side knobs were the same. Great gravel tyres too.
I'm amazed at the lean angles I can achieve with these tyres, hard cornering on dry seal. Haven't been game to push them like that in the wet though!!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...8&d=1222085716

**timg** · 21st January 2009, 21:45

Originally Posted by XF650

Pic link shows scuffing of side knobs of 19" EO9, on Freewind front after a good blat through the Catlins Highway. 17" EO9 rear side knobs were the same. Great gravel tyres too.
I'm amazed at the lean angles I can achieve with these tyres, hard cornering on dry seal. Haven't been game to push them like that in the wet though!!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...8&d=1222085716

Skite

**iceclimber** · 26th January 2009, 12:31

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

For good general purpose and value for money I'd go Pirelli MT21 on the front and a 130 width Shinko SR244 on the back.
In 8000 odd km when the back is shot then go to a Mitas E07 in a 130 width on the rear.

Hi Nordie, ( and to all you other knowledgable guys on tyres )

I need some help with tyre choice for my 2005 1200GS. I am still new to NZ, have lived in Welly for 8 months & I do approx 90% road & 10% gravel.
Currently I have a worn set of road tyres (Pirelli MT90's) but I would like to fit better tyres for the gravel, but would still like to travel quick on the road.

I have found all the posts re: the need for the front to be the more chunkier of the two for directional stability on gravel and the need for the rear to be less so for traction on the tarmac. But all comments seam to relate to lighter bikes, more off-road style bikes.
So for the 1200GS, it seams that I need to put a TCK80 on the front and then either of the following on the rear ...... MetasE07, Pirelli MT70, ShinkoR244. I'm pretty sure on the choice for the front But i'v no idea for the rear tyre.

Price is important to me ....... km's not quite so important.

look forward to your suggestions.

thanks, Steve

**cooneyr** · 26th January 2009, 15:21

Originally Posted by iceclimber

....So for the 1200GS, it seams that I need to put a TCK80 on the front and then either of the following on the rear ...... MetasE07, Pirelli MT70, ShinkoR244. ....

Those options seem like a pretty good starting point to me. I'd personally go for the TKC and Mitas E07 given the type of riding you do.

Cheers R

**clint640** · 27th January 2009, 10:41

Originally Posted by cooneyr

Those options seem like a pretty good starting point to me. I'd personally go for the TKC and Mitas E07 given the type of riding you do.

Cheers R

x2, I've run MT70 Pirelli's on the 640 with good results, but the EO7s do everything as well, are cheaper & seem to be lasting lots better. I think an MT70 would disappear pretty quick on the back of a 1200GS.

Cheers
Clint

**iceclimber** · 27th January 2009, 12:13

Many thanks guys for the advice,

will now look around for decent prices for the TKC & Mitas E07

However, with the BMW i am a bit reluctant to go anywhere ? would prefer somewhere that knows a bit about BM's ? what do you think ?
Steve

**cooneyr** · 27th January 2009, 12:23

Originally Posted by iceclimber

Many thanks guys for the advice,

will now look around for decent prices for the TKC & Mitas E07

However, with the BMW i am a bit reluctant to go anywhere ? would prefer somewhere that knows a bit about BM's ? what do you think ?
Steve

Learn how to change a tyre yourself???

Bloody handy to be able to do it out in the wops.

You wont have much choice with suppliers of the Mitas tyres, dealers are few and far between. Only one place here in Chch that sells them. A motormower guy in Palmy North imports them and can be contacted directly - LMS Imports. E07 page is here

Cheers R

**Woodman** · 31st January 2009, 07:28

oops.

Just realised that I ordered a 140/80/17 E09 for my klr. It was my fault but does anyone know if these are too wide to fit on a killer. It looks close but it is hard to tell until it is fitted up.
Might give it a try this weekend if my shoulder feels better, and if it doesn't fit you will all benefit from my cockup and also there may be a cheapish rear mitas for someone who wants this size.

**Woodman** · 31st January 2009, 20:02

Fitted front and rear e09s today. haven't ridden yet but I must say they are the easiest tyres I have ever fitted, almost like bicycle tyres( slight exagerration).
Will post after ride tomorrow if they are better than the trailwings.

**Padmei** · 1st February 2009, 19:14

Id be interested to hear how the front e09 goes as I went for a good couple of weekends riding around Port Underwood (picton way) to try out the E09 on the back.

Ive got a MT21 on the front which is due to be replaced as the middle medial knobs have been worn to quite a cool pyramid causing a weird vibration when stopping slowly. This is not too good on the gravel though...

I've found the E09 on the back to be a lot better on the big looseish rock stuff on the Maungatapu than the MT21. The MT seemed to throw up lots & rip chunks off. My riding has prob mellowed now though. On normal gravel roads I've found it OK - not good not bad, however on corrugated gravel it sways worse than a drunk sailor at a local dance.

**Woodman** · 1st February 2009, 19:56

Originally Posted by Padmei

Id be interested to hear how the front e09 goes as I went for a good couple of weekends riding around Port Underwood (picton way) to try out the E09 on the back.

Ive got a MT21 on the front which is due to be replaced as the middle medial knobs have been worn to quite a cool pyramid causing a weird vibration when stopping slowly. This is not too good on the gravel though...

I've found the E09 on the back to be a lot better on the big looseish rock stuff on the Maungatapu than the MT21. The MT seemed to throw up lots & rip chunks off. My riding has prob mellowed now though. On normal gravel roads I've found it OK - not good not bad, however on corrugated gravel it sways worse than a drunk sailor at a local dance.

pretty impressed with the e09's really. The rear does move around a bit on gravel and has a tendency to make the rear come out when cornering with a few revs on, mind you it seems controllable and I had a blast today on the road to pelorous with those cambered corners.

The front is ok too but can slip a bit on gravel when lean angles get high, but again not uncontrollably and a few times both wheels had a bit of a skid.

So yeah they get my recommendation, but time will tell too.