Tire swap or not?

[Topgear]

I've got a little over 8,000 miles on the original Battlewings and they look to have at least 1,000 more in them. They've been decent so far and I've even felt fairly confident with them on gravel. I'm leaving on a 6,500+ mile trip in about a month and I know they don't have that much tread left, so I'm due to replace. This trip will mostly be a pavement trip. I will be taking the Moki Dugway and I may meet up with another DS rider out in Oregon for a couple of days for some off-pavement fun, but even that will probably be pretty tame. My question is, do I replace the Battlewings with K60's, since I've been leaning that way anyway, or do I replace with Battlewings, since they are proven on mileage and about $115 cheaper for the pair. I know either will work, but what would you do I this situation? Thanks for the input!

 

[Checkswrecks]

People on this forum are nuts for the K60, but either should do fine. The benefit to the Battlewings is that they are less expense up front. The K60s generally last longer and are a bit better off pavement, but they can buzz a little and get slippery on wet streets when older. I've got almost 18,000 on a set of K60s and one forum member has gone to nearly 30,000, so the K60s actually cost less per mile.

 

[mcbrien]

If I was happy with my current tire I wouldn't switch brands just before a long trip .
I have been on K60's for about 8000 miles and like them but they don't inspire confidence
on wet pavement . Road trip = road tires Try the k60's when you get back .

 

[echo_four_romeo]

I agree with mcbrien. If happy with the current setup, don't change it before a long trip. I made that mistake on another bike and I will never do it again.

 

[Ollie]

My bike also came with the Battlewings and I got similar mileage out of them, even after beating the hell out of them on the CDR last summer. They're not K60 tough, but they're a competent, do most things tire. I figured I'd put another set of them on when the time came, but then the Anakee 3 came out and I thought I'd give those a try instead. I can't comment on mileage from them, as I only have 1k on them, but they transformed the way my bike handles. The Battlewings made my bike always want to go straight at any speed. The A3's, on the other hand, allow me to make the bike do what I want it to do, without a lot of fuss. Turn in is effortless and they don't fight me the way the Battlwings did. After riding the A3's for a while I remembered a comment from a review of the Tenere's handling that said "the barge goes straight." I wonder what they would have said if the bike had a set of these on it. YMMV, and I'm still looking for someone else to post up similar praise for the A3's, but I've not seen it yet.

 

[snakebitten]

K60's are the bomb on this bike. With TC and ABS yo0u can get away with their pavement shortcomings. (without TC and ABS, I'm just not sure I would run them. I wouldn't trust ME. )

Having said that, if I was NOT going off road, then there would be no reason to run a tire like that. If I was a pavement hound, I would get me the stickiest gumballs that would last 4000 miles or more and go rail this thing on the road.

But I would probably have a different bike altogether! Don't need a 19" front wheel for the dragon. Or the Bash plate. Or the .........

 

[coastie]

I just finished a 2400+ trip and it was all pavement and 3 days of it was riding on the twisties with sport bikes and I had no problems with the k60's. But that is pretty subjective, because my abs light flashed at me for three day while I flogged the snot out of the tenere. If that will bug you, or the slight vibrations as you decelerate, or the slower pace you will have to take in the rain, then go with street tires. They are great on the freeway, I had no issues there. Remember they are not street tires and they are not knobbies. You will get the best and worst of both worlds.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Tallgears]

+1 on K60's. For the look!

Its not about how your bike handles its about how your bike *Looks*!



--

All jokes aside, the K60's are great for high milage rides and I think you'll be impressed with how much street performance they have.

I just got another set put on.. For the LOOK!!!

 

[Ollie]

K60's are the bomb on this bike. With TC and ABS yo0u can get away with their pavement shortcomings. (without TC and ABS, I'm just not sure I would run them. I wouldn't trust ME. )

Having said that, if I was NOT going off road, then there would be no reason to run a tire like that. If I was a pavement hound, I would get me the stickiest gumballs that would last 4000 miles or more and go rail this thing on the road.

But I would probably have a different bike altogether! Don't need a 19" front wheel for the dragon. Or the Bash plate. Or the .........

Funny you should mention it...just there last weekend.



Want to get back there soon and explore more of this stuff. I didn't realize there was so much of it in and around the park.

 

[barkingllizard]

I can't comment on mileage from them, as I only have 1k on them, but they transformed the way my bike handles. The Battlewings made my bike always want to go straight at any speed. The A3's, on the other hand, allow me to make the bike do what I want it to do, without a lot of fuss. Turn in is effortless and they don't fight me .

I did not like the Battlewings at all, switched to Avon Distanzia for two sets and now am running A3s.
Only have 1000 kms on them, 97 % blacktop, but they have improved handling and are working well in all conditions, rainy season here.....
As always, stick with your comfort zone.

 

[cb0802]

I hated the stock tires, and love the K60s. The stock tires never felt very secure to me. I've got about 2k miles on my K60s to include a 900mile weekend trip. I love them, and don't plan on going back, but there are a few disadvantages.
They do vibrate. I really liked the smooth ride before, but that was about it.
They do make noise. Unless you're the first to solve the windsheild issue, the road noise shouldn't be a problem.
They do make you do stuff off road you wouldn't have considered on the stock tire. I feel more confident all around, on every surface, and in every weather condition. But that's just me.

 

[tubebender]

I'm with some of the other posters - go with what you know. That way you can concentrate on the important things - like enjoying your trip! Have fun ::001::

 

[tkad]

if the front is still ok (as they often last for 2 rears) just swap the rear and go on your trip. if you plan a lot of mixed riding that includes gravel...k60's, no question imho. noise and vibes from the k60's do not bother me at all and I find barely worth mentioning except between 20-25 mph, and I quite like that sound, it's like the tires are whispering to me to go get the 10 all dirty and muddy...have some fun.

 

[Topgear]

Thanks for all the input, guys! I decided to go ahead with the K60's as I'll have a little bit of time to get used to them before the trip.