Karoo 3

[Dirt_Dad]

Wow! Didn't get the wheel spin I was expecting. Instead the front end lifted. A nice dirt bike wheelie was easy.

This tire BITES. Like a knobby. This might be addicting.

You would make an excellent tire salesman. The thing I've always disliked about the K60 is it only spins when you hit the throttle. I think you just sold me a Karoo 3. I like the sounds of this result. ::012::

 

[NittanyXT]

Jon, what would you do with a tire that hooks up? You like slingin' gravel too much! ;D

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Jon, what would you do with a tire that hooks up? You like slingin' gravel too much! ;D

I'll tell you, Jon...I love the idea that I could lift the front wheel over whatever is in the way. It's true I'm very happy power sliding, but if I could hit the throttle to lift the front it could dramatically improve my enjoyment of off pavement riding. I'm not talking full up in the air, more just a few inches to bridge a big divot in the path. The K60 can't do it. The Anakee II can't do it. Snake has me getting a little excited about the possibilities of this tire.

 

[Ironhand]

How are you guys lifting the tire with the TC on? It seems like whenever I get even a hover, the TC steps in and down she goes.

 

[ADVFireFighter]

How are you guys lifting the tire with the TC on? It seems like whenever I get even a hover, the TC steps in and down she goes.

Wheelie=too much traction, no wheel spin. Not a traction slipping issue !

 

[Dirt_Dad]

How are you guys lifting the tire with the TC on? It seems like whenever I get even a hover, the TC steps in and down she goes.

I agree, the TC system is a nanny ready to put your front wheel back on the ground. I use mine as: TCS1 - rain and wet roads; TCS2 - ordinary pavement riding (the most common type); TCS off - fun pavement and all dirt. I gave up on all TC when off pavement. Just too restrictive. Glad I have the option of TC, very glad I can turn it off.

 

[Ironhand]

Wheelie=too much traction, no wheel spin. Not a traction slipping issue !

That's the thing...as soon as the front tire comes up, it slows in comparison to the rear wheel and the TC steps in. It's just looking at the speed differential. It doesn't know the difference between a wheelie and the rear tire spinning.

 

[snakebitten]

Just posted recently on G-spot:

Just returned from running 5,000+ miles up through BC, the Yukon, NWT and AK, including running up the Dempster, TOTW Highway, down to Telegraph Creek, and other assorted off road routes on a fully loaded GSA. Rode for three days straight in the rain in BC, lots of mud, wet gravel, and the ever present construction on the Dempster. I say without reservation say that the Karoo 3's handled everything I threw at them. No issues what so ever. Ran them as low as 22/25 on the Dempster, and as high as 32/35 on the interstate. In terms of wear the front is still in great shape. The rear is probably 70% gone. I could easily ride the rear another 1,000 miles for sure off road, and probably another 2,000 if I'm just commuting. Planning to leave it on for the rest of the summer and see how much more I get out of it, but it won't be a clear test since now I'll just be commuting on an empty bike instead of riding fully loaded.

VO

Now I realize I shouldn't bank on this mileage for myself. But very encouraging.
4000, 4000, just 4000......i chant. Lol

Hey dirt dad, I stand by my words that this fairly new Karoo3 can get enough bite to yank the wheel off the ground. But I caution that unlike a small dirt bike, this beast is flat out flying by the time you have it light, so you would have to be riding ahead of yourself compared to a trail bike.

Second, it's heavy coming down too.

Regardless, it's a heck of a tire off-road.

As for the question about "wheelies" with TCS.
TCS2 allows for fairly aggressive rpm difference between front\rear.
And, of course TCSoff is off.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Hey dirt dad, I stand by my words that this fairly new Karoo3 can get enough bite to yank the wheel off the ground. But I caution that unlike a small dirt bike, this beast is flat out flying by the time you have it light, so you would have to be riding ahead of yourself compared to a trail bike.

Second, it's heavy coming down too.

Regardless, it's a heck of a tire off-road.

I really think you have me sold on this one. I'm not looking for full up in the air wheelies, where yes, I tend to slam those down harder than I like on the S10. I just really want the ability to lift it a few inches to bridge what ever pot hole in my way that is currently forcing me to slow down.

If you're still happy and thinking this tire is holding up for you than I may just order a set...tomorrow. Yes, a set. I've fallen out of love ceased to be satisfied with the grip of the front K60. In fact, except for exceptional tire life, I'm over the whole K60 as an off pavement tire. After flirting with some others I may go back to it, but not because of it's off pavement prowess.

 

[snakebitten]

I was just goofing out on my drive to see how "casual" I could lift the front.
It's crazy easy.

Gotta be rolling just a bit, standing, and then just lean-back with a tug on the bars and a roll of throttle. She comes right up.

If you roll on too much fuel, she just overruns the bite. So there is a sweet spot.

Maybe when the wife gets home I'll get her to shoot a short video.

I suspect this is working far easier on this fresh Karoo than once it is 1/2, or more, gone. (I say fresh, but I'm coming up on 1800 miles, I think)

Over on the G-spot, the lifespan is all over the place. But mostly, it looks like it's getting better life than the knobbys. One cat killed a set really fast. It shed an early pale on what folks could expect. Since then, a few fellas are reporting a much different outcome. I'm skeptically optimistic?

Regardless of lifespan, I LOVE how the tire feels and performs. Not quite as sticky and "teethy" as the Big Block, but not much behind.

Wave a wand at the Big Block and make it last longer, I would have a STACK of them on the porch. Right next to a nomar.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I was just goofing out on my drive to see how "casual" I could lift the front.
It's crazy easy.

Gotta be rolling just a bit, standing, and then just lean-back with a tug on the bars and a roll of throttle. She comes right up.

If you roll on too much fuel, she just overruns the bite. So there is a sweet spot.

Sold !!

I'm holding you personally responsible for my decision. (if only life worked that way)

 

[HoebSTer]

And here is one person's useage on a 5000k mile trip.

" Originally Posted by VincitOmnia
Just returned from running 5,000+ miles up through BC, the Yukon, NWT and AK, including running up the Dempster, TOTW Highway, down to Telegraph Creek, and other assorted off road routes on a fully loaded GSA. Rode for three days straight in the rain in BC, lots of mud, wet gravel, and the ever present construction on the Dempster. I say without reservation say that the Karoo 3's handled everything I threw at them. No issues what so ever. Ran them as low as 22/25 on the Dempster, and as high as 32/35 on the interstate. In terms of wear the front is still in great shape. The rear is probably 70% gone. I could easily ride the rear another 1,000 miles for sure off road, and probably another 2,000 if I'm just commuting. Planning to leave it on for the rest of the summer and see how much more I get out of it, but it won't be a clear test since now I'll just be commuting on an empty bike instead of riding fully loaded.

VO "

Sounds good to me so far.

 

[Ramseybella]

Just looked these bad boys up on Motorcycle Super Store since I have 18"x21" wheels total came out to $176.98 a set!! ::012::

 

[Ironhand]

I have now had a chance to rack up a few miles on my new K3s. The first thing I did was take the big girl out on a 4 mile 2-track loop I used to practice run on my WR450 that I ran enduros/hare scrambles with. It's a mixture of smooth mowed field and worn down to the roots and rocks woods trail. These things are just awesome. Part of the woods trail is a fairly long steep climb. She did it with absolutely no issue. When I ran through the field area, she dug a nice 50' long, 6" deep trench (TC off, of course). On the dirt roads, they feel about the same as the EXPs. Maybe a little less sure footed on the packed surfaces and a definitely more bite where the gravel is loose. No surprises on pavement - a little "vibey" and noisier, but plenty of grip.

 

[snakebitten]

I bragged on the "bite" so much I thought I should try a couple of other surface types to compare.

On black dirt and turf, it can't get enough bite to lift.
On gravel (loose), obviously it can't get enough bite to lift.
And nothing short of paddles would get bite in sandy soil.

I call my long drive\road "dirt". And technically it is. It's made up of 10 years of laying down crushed concrete every 6 months or so. Less often in drought. More often if it rains a lot and gets torn up.

So in all fairness, my enthusiasm might be misleading. Not many off road conditions match my hard packed seasoned road. Big Bend does. And I will try these there someday.

But even there the technique used to conquer the trek is less "motocross" and more "dodge the boulder". Similar to Colorado mountain passes.

Regardless, these K3's propel the Beast with appropriate composure. And if you actually use a little less throttle, they hook up really nice.

Somewhere in between the K60 and a Big Block. If you know what I mean.

Really nice on tarmac though. I'm getting used to them. They blinky a lot less than any other off-road worthy tire I've tried.

 

[Mzee]

Could not find these tyres in my area so I ended up intalling the mitas.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Snake sold me on trying these. Placed me order this week.

 

[snakebitten]

Snake sold me on trying these. Placed me order this week.

Oh my, The pressure!

You'll love em. Especially when they are fresh. They carry the Big Bike as good or better than any tire can.

I'm barely starting to believe I can sqeeeeeze 4000 out of them.
However, that last 1000 will be less of a dirt tire and more of a tarmac tire. Know what I mean?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Oh my, The pressure!

You'll love em. Especially when they are fresh. They carry the Big Bike as good or better than any tire can.

I'm barely starting to believe I can sqeeeeeze 4000 out of them.
However, that last 1000 will be less of a dirt tire and more of a tarmac tire. Know what I mean?

I'll get to put some road miles on them. Not sure when they'll arrive, and I have a ride out to Columbus Ohio at the end of the month. That will probably put around 1500 pavement miles on them. Of course I could always put the original Battlewings back on for that trip. No way my K60 is going to last for that long. That would be close to 4 months on a K60...not possible. Just depends on how much of a workout I want to give my tire changer.

Oh my god...I am a tire slut. :'(

 

[thfraser]

With this forum we could start a tire slut support group 101. I would love to attend and hear the horror stories.