I'm just glad I'm not afflicted with a rare disease.
It appears to be closer to an epidemic.
It appears to be closer to an epidemic.
Karoo 3
- Thread starter Mzee
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Dirt_Dad
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Hi, my name is Dirt_Dad and I'm a tire slut.thfraser said:
Hi Dirt_Dad
I once installed a set if tires at the beginning of June, and they were gone before the end of July. (absolutely true)
praise be
tell it brother
Hi, my name is Snakebitten.
I also am a tire slut.
It's gotten so bad that I often purchase my "next" tire the same day I mount a new one.
I even have new unused tires that I bought 4 tires ago.
I pretend to be looking for a tire that lasts longer. But I lie. The truth is, I have a stack of used tires that I can't throw away because I took them off early when they were lasting TOO long. I make up excuses. I must change tires.
I need help.
I also am a tire slut.
It's gotten so bad that I often purchase my "next" tire the same day I mount a new one.
I even have new unused tires that I bought 4 tires ago.
I pretend to be looking for a tire that lasts longer. But I lie. The truth is, I have a stack of used tires that I can't throw away because I took them off early when they were lasting TOO long. I make up excuses. I must change tires.
I need help.
Dirt_Dad
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Hi, Snakebitten.snakebitten said:
You're among friends. We don't judge you. We understand you.
tell it brother
liguorien
New Member
) ) )
Dirt_Dad
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My wife was kind enough to drive to the dealership and pickup my new K3s and new Dunlop 606s for the WR. She placed both sets of tires right in front of where I park my car in the garage. As I was pulling in I started to laugh. At a distance I could not tell which was the nasty pure dirt tire, and which was my new adventure tire. I actually wasn't positive until I got out and walked to the front of the car. This K3 has a hell of a foot print.
I'm looking forward to putting them on. Unfortunately due to work schedule that's going to be a while. Oh the anticipation.
I'm looking forward to putting them on. Unfortunately due to work schedule that's going to be a while. Oh the anticipation.
I kinda miss my TC blinky on pavement.
They must be pretty sticky because it takes a bigger handful to get a dash blip.
Sad to admit that my best laid plans of wearing these out off-road has turned into a 98% paved road test so far. Been commuting daily.
I like em so far. But it's a lot easier to please me on asphalt\concrete. Especially with a bike that has TC\ABS. Hard to get in over my head.
I need a vacation.
They must be pretty sticky because it takes a bigger handful to get a dash blip.
Sad to admit that my best laid plans of wearing these out off-road has turned into a 98% paved road test so far. Been commuting daily.
I like em so far. But it's a lot easier to please me on asphalt\concrete. Especially with a bike that has TC\ABS. Hard to get in over my head.
I need a vacation.
Ramseybella
Well-Known Member
Snake,snakebitten said:I kinda miss my TC blinky on pavement.
They must be pretty sticky because it takes a bigger handful to get a dash blip.
Sad to admit that my best laid plans of wearing these out off-road has turned into a 98% paved road test so far. Been commuting daily.
I like em so far. But it's a lot easier to please me on asphalt\concrete. Especially with a bike that has TC\ABS. Hard to get in over my head.
I need a vacation.
What sort of mileage you think you can get on pavement with these?
Really good question.
You are kind of new around here so it might be likely you haven't discovered my tire fetish yet.
I think the Super Tenere should actually COME with K60 scouts.
It would be a declaration to the whole world that of all the Big ADV bikes, THIS is the REAL dirty one. (KTM, not excluded, of course)
Having said that, for me, i even want MORE off-road prowess than the K60.
But alas, the only tires that have more teeth than the K60, are tires that this big pig will consume quicker than the time it takes to get to the next oil change interval.
Thus my obnoxious chant of "I want a DIRT tire that lasts 4000 miles. (Oil change interval) Seriously, with cost factor completely out of the equation.
Well, it's too early to tell. But I am slowly becoming optimistic about this Karro3.
I'm near 2000 on them and there is, what appears to be, enough tread left to make it.
However, some tires change their wear rate as they........well, wear. So, I don't know.
I do know this: even if 4000 is doable, I also have to accept the last 1\4 of this tires usable life will coincide with diminished off-road capabilities. After all, that center tread block, which I LOVE, will have less bark on it.
As soon as it's dead though, I'm gonna make another run at the New & improved Kenda Big Block.
Doubt it will make the 4000. But a magazine review suggested it might!
I LOVE that tire. It has dirt magnets in it. It STICKS. and although I said $ is out of the equation, they almost give that tire away.
Might buy my own tire machine and a STACK of them.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
You are kind of new around here so it might be likely you haven't discovered my tire fetish yet.
I think the Super Tenere should actually COME with K60 scouts.
It would be a declaration to the whole world that of all the Big ADV bikes, THIS is the REAL dirty one. (KTM, not excluded, of course)
Having said that, for me, i even want MORE off-road prowess than the K60.
But alas, the only tires that have more teeth than the K60, are tires that this big pig will consume quicker than the time it takes to get to the next oil change interval.
Thus my obnoxious chant of "I want a DIRT tire that lasts 4000 miles. (Oil change interval) Seriously, with cost factor completely out of the equation.
Well, it's too early to tell. But I am slowly becoming optimistic about this Karro3.
I'm near 2000 on them and there is, what appears to be, enough tread left to make it.
However, some tires change their wear rate as they........well, wear. So, I don't know.
I do know this: even if 4000 is doable, I also have to accept the last 1\4 of this tires usable life will coincide with diminished off-road capabilities. After all, that center tread block, which I LOVE, will have less bark on it.
As soon as it's dead though, I'm gonna make another run at the New & improved Kenda Big Block.
Doubt it will make the 4000. But a magazine review suggested it might!
I LOVE that tire. It has dirt magnets in it. It STICKS. and although I said $ is out of the equation, they almost give that tire away.
Might buy my own tire machine and a STACK of them.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
You need a tire machine! but thats a good thing
I do. I do. I already paid for one changing tires on this 1 bike.True Grip said:
I have no good explanation for the procrastination.
Oh wait! Yes, I do have an excuse. I want to go in 1\2 with my V-strom riding brother. But he won't buy until he needs tires. Guess what I talked him into last winter? Yea, K60's.
I hate that tire for lasting so long! Lol
And my brother won't punch it!
He drives it like it's a diesel. Even comes to a complete stop at traffic stops.
Arrrrghhhh
I've had mine on now for 2k miles or so and I LOVE EM...
The only thing I can compare em to was the stockers... and they SUCKED in dirt. These are EPIC in dirt...
The only thing I can compare em to was the stockers... and they SUCKED in dirt. These are EPIC in dirt...
Mzee
Active Member
I have finally seen the karoos in flesh but still running the mitas.
gmtech
Active Member
well any new pics ? ::006::
Not riding near as many miles since I mounted a set. Bummer too.
On top of that, other than my daily jaunt down a short dirt road, I'm all tarmac on these too.
Loving them though. Ridden in some nasty rains and they are winning my confidence over. Especially the front. Although I have had a bunch of different rear tires, I have been on a K60 front most of 31,000. This Karoo is not one bit quieter, but it sticks just as good. I do think it is a bit more "flighty" at high speeds than the K60. Probably for the same reasons it turns in easier. It feels like a rounder profile maybe?
Jury still out on rear mileage lifespan. But it still looks like 4000 miles is reachable. That would beat the other dirt tires I've tried. (K60 excluded, obviously) And I am not nursing this thing at all. Driving like a hooligan in urban warfare.
On top of that, other than my daily jaunt down a short dirt road, I'm all tarmac on these too.
Loving them though. Ridden in some nasty rains and they are winning my confidence over. Especially the front. Although I have had a bunch of different rear tires, I have been on a K60 front most of 31,000. This Karoo is not one bit quieter, but it sticks just as good. I do think it is a bit more "flighty" at high speeds than the K60. Probably for the same reasons it turns in easier. It feels like a rounder profile maybe?
Jury still out on rear mileage lifespan. But it still looks like 4000 miles is reachable. That would beat the other dirt tires I've tried. (K60 excluded, obviously) And I am not nursing this thing at all. Driving like a hooligan in urban warfare.
Dirt_Dad
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I've had them laying around for about a month, and my schedule finally gave me an opportunity to install the Karoo 3 today.
First thing I noticed was how light weight they were compared to the spent K60 I had just removed. The Karoo is no where near as sturdy as the K60. It does make me wonder about their toughness.
Once installed they have a nice look on the bike. Time to ride. Although I knew I'd be off pavement, uncharacteristically I still left TCS2 on, just to back me up until I knew this foreign tire. Afterall, I've been using a K60 for my most recent 19.5K miles, I don't know exactly what to expect from this one.
Initial 3 miles was on the pavement. I notice they do not howl like the K60. Much quieter. Also no rumble at any speed, just smooth rolling. As I crossed from the pavement to the dirt road I thought to myself, "welcome to your new home, boys." This first dirt road is an uphill with a 70 degree turn to the right at the top. I do it several times a week, very familiar to me. I usually do that turn with a small powerslide. Now with the Karoo 3s I lean the bike over for the turn and grab some throttle. The bike unexpectedly swings fast and way wide under the usual throttle input. Wow, didn't expect that one.
Next up, a 45 degree right hander. Same thing, the bike swings really wide and in a hurry. Interesting. Now some straight road ahead. On the throttle the bike hooks up much better now. Still easy to over throttle the traction, but hookup is noticeably better than the K60 in a straight line.
Over the next 60 miles (50%dirt 50% pavement), I come to realize these tires have nothing to offer in a dirt turn. I had to become far more judicious with my throttle when not riding in a straight line. Breaking these loose in even the slightest turn happens quickly, and they don't ever seem to catch until you let off on the gas in a big way.
How much of this is due to it just being a new tire...? Don't know, but my first impression is pretty negative. I don't want to feel like I'm on ice in a turn. So far, this tire is confidence zapping for me. I even debated taking the next dirt road because it was not enjoyable. I took it because muscle memory just turned the bars as I got to the road.
The K60 had horrible straight line traction for me, but it gripped nicely in the corners. We'll see if I get used to this one, but at the moment, I don't see this as a good option for my roads and style.
By the way, here's the type of road I'm on. They are pretty limited traction in the best of circumstances, but as of this morning, they just got a lot more slippery with both the front and rear tire.
First thing I noticed was how light weight they were compared to the spent K60 I had just removed. The Karoo is no where near as sturdy as the K60. It does make me wonder about their toughness.
Once installed they have a nice look on the bike. Time to ride. Although I knew I'd be off pavement, uncharacteristically I still left TCS2 on, just to back me up until I knew this foreign tire. Afterall, I've been using a K60 for my most recent 19.5K miles, I don't know exactly what to expect from this one.
Initial 3 miles was on the pavement. I notice they do not howl like the K60. Much quieter. Also no rumble at any speed, just smooth rolling. As I crossed from the pavement to the dirt road I thought to myself, "welcome to your new home, boys." This first dirt road is an uphill with a 70 degree turn to the right at the top. I do it several times a week, very familiar to me. I usually do that turn with a small powerslide. Now with the Karoo 3s I lean the bike over for the turn and grab some throttle. The bike unexpectedly swings fast and way wide under the usual throttle input. Wow, didn't expect that one.
Next up, a 45 degree right hander. Same thing, the bike swings really wide and in a hurry. Interesting. Now some straight road ahead. On the throttle the bike hooks up much better now. Still easy to over throttle the traction, but hookup is noticeably better than the K60 in a straight line.
Over the next 60 miles (50%dirt 50% pavement), I come to realize these tires have nothing to offer in a dirt turn. I had to become far more judicious with my throttle when not riding in a straight line. Breaking these loose in even the slightest turn happens quickly, and they don't ever seem to catch until you let off on the gas in a big way.
How much of this is due to it just being a new tire...? Don't know, but my first impression is pretty negative. I don't want to feel like I'm on ice in a turn. So far, this tire is confidence zapping for me. I even debated taking the next dirt road because it was not enjoyable. I took it because muscle memory just turned the bars as I got to the road.
The K60 had horrible straight line traction for me, but it gripped nicely in the corners. We'll see if I get used to this one, but at the moment, I don't see this as a good option for my roads and style.
By the way, here's the type of road I'm on. They are pretty limited traction in the best of circumstances, but as of this morning, they just got a lot more slippery with both the front and rear tire.
tomatocity
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Good Tire Report. Are the Karoo 3's a radial tire? And the K60's a bias ply tire? If so they should hookup differently. My K60's rode straight and solid on gravel roads. But if they knew sand was with 100 miles they would not corner well on dirt roads. If I was a 50/50 asphalt/gravel rider I would have K60's all the time. Good traction, tough, predictable, and inexpensive. As a 90/10 asphalt/dirt rider I want something more roady but will work off-road. Isn't happening for me.
Ramseybella
Well-Known Member
My rear K60 is wearing fast I don't know why air pressure is as it should be nice tire on road and dirt but just going to Moab and back took off some rubber.
They do like it when you steer with the throttle. I ran a 50 mile loop of mixed gravel and two track with a few sections of mud and a steep climb littered with "clankers" today. Love these tires!Dirt_Dad said:I've had them laying around for about a month, and my schedule finally gave me an opportunity to install the Karoo 3 today.
First thing I noticed was how light weight they were compared to the spent K60 I had just removed. The Karoo is no where near as sturdy as the K60. It does make me wonder about their toughness.
Once installed they have a nice look on the bike. Time to ride. Although I knew I'd be off pavement, uncharacteristically I still left TCS2 on, just to back me up until I knew this foreign tire. Afterall, I've been using a K60 for my most recent 19.5K miles, I don't know exactly what to expect from this one.
Initial 3 miles was on the pavement. I notice they do not howl like the K60. Much quieter. Also no rumble at any speed, just smooth rolling. As I crossed from the pavement to the dirt road I thought to myself, "welcome to your new home, boys." This first dirt road is an uphill with a 70 degree turn to the right at the top. I do it several times a week, very familiar to me. I usually do that turn with a small powerslide. Now with the Karoo 3s I lean the bike over for the turn and grab some throttle. The bike unexpectedly swings fast and way wide under the usual throttle input. Wow, didn't expect that one.
Next up, a 45 degree right hander. Same thing, the bike swings really wide and in a hurry. Interesting. Now some straight road ahead. On the throttle the bike hooks up much better now. Still easy to over throttle the traction, but hookup is noticeably better than the K60 in a straight line.
Over the next 60 miles (50%dirt 50% pavement), I come to realize these tires have nothing to offer in a dirt turn. I had to become far more judicious with my throttle when not riding in a straight line. Breaking these loose in even the slightest turn happens quickly, and they don't ever seem to catch until you let off on the gas in a big way.
How much of this is due to it just being a new tire...? Don't know, but my first impression is pretty negative. I don't want to feel like I'm on ice in a turn. So far, this tire is confidence zapping for me. I even debated taking the next dirt road because it was not enjoyable. I took it because muscle memory just turned the bars as I got to the road.
The K60 had horrible straight line traction for me, but it gripped nicely in the corners. We'll see if I get used to this one, but at the moment, I don't see this as a good option for my roads and style.
By the way, here's the type of road I'm on. They are pretty limited traction in the best of circumstances, but as of this morning, they just got a lot more slippery with both the front and rear tire.
I've raved about how well these hook up on my daily jaunt down a short dirt rode.
But it's true that it is 90% upright. And only the entrance curve isn't.
I never really paid attention to if it hooked up well in that short curve. But it might be because I purposely power slide at that spot.
Interesting.
Really sucks that I'm burning this set down doing 98% tarmac.
Just goes to show my little review earlier is just part of the whole story. If I ever get these things out on a real off-road ADV weekend, I might be less enthusiastic.
But it's true that it is 90% upright. And only the entrance curve isn't.
I never really paid attention to if it hooked up well in that short curve. But it might be because I purposely power slide at that spot.
Interesting.
Really sucks that I'm burning this set down doing 98% tarmac.
Just goes to show my little review earlier is just part of the whole story. If I ever get these things out on a real off-road ADV weekend, I might be less enthusiastic.