I have felt the tread on those tires and it is a very hard compound for a 50/50 tire. And yes the tire is also very thick and beefy. Very heavy as well. I have not weighed one on a scale but have pulled one off the rack at the motorcycle shop. I actually thought about getting a set for my Beta long before purchasing my Super Tenere. The E07 Dakar tires for Super Tenere's and GS's were gathering dust on the tire racks. The best selling tire at the time was the TK80. I went with the Kenda Big Block.
At the rally's I have attended, mountains, and desert, I have only seen a very few big bikes with the E07. And to be fair I have yet to see anyone with Michelin Wild's (my tire) on any adventure bike. Almost every single 50/50 tire I have ever seen mounted and ridden with my own eyes in person has been a TK80 or Kenda Big Block. The TK80 tires are almost like a gummy rubber and pretty darn light. Kenda Big Blocks are cheap and have a bit harder compound. With so many tires to choose from, a durometer would be a wise investment.
I'm not a fan of heavy tires on my bikes. There is always a sacrifice on what we as riders are willing to put up with. Heavy tires affect the handling in too many negative ways. The lighter the unsprung weight the better for me. I like the ability to quickly change lines and the lighter feel of less rolling weight. The negative will be less tire life for better handling.
Here is a cutaway view of the E07 Dakar with 14,500 miles next to a TKC70 with 7800 miles. No denying it's a super duper heavy duty tire.
And here is a front with 24,000 miles and counting....