Tires, Recommendations Anyone?

[keeponriding]

In July, I'm planning a 10 day trip from Louisville, KY to Rapid City, SD, then into WY to pick up the Continental Divide trails and ride down into CO.

So; 1k miles on freeway; 700 miles on two lane; 600 miles dirt/gravel/rural roads; 1,200 two lane/freeway miles home.

By the time I leave, I should be ready to replace my tires (I got the Metzler Tourance's). Should I....?

Stay on my current rubber until I get to NE and switch to knobbies (700 miles of pavement)?
Keep my current rubber and switch to knobbies just before I leave pavement for CD (Casper, WY)?
COntinue using dual-purpose rubber (Metzler or Battlewings....I've had very good experience with the Tourances on all terrains)?

Thoughts?

 

[colorider]

Lots of tire threads here, so much info all ready available of what people like/don't like. For starters, keep in mind that the Tourance EXP's that come on the SuperT are not the same tire as the older/original Tourance. AFAIK, no one has reported mileage that is as good as the original. Many here (and I'm leaning this way too) are going for the new Heidenau K60 tires as they seem to offer excellent all around mileage and performance.

Good luck!!

 

[RED CAT]

After lots of trial and error I find Anakee 2s the best all rounder unless there is much sand or mud. The H60 are better for that but tend to howl on highway a little.

 

[Leopard_125]

Shinko 705r,
I really like these and have had no issue to date,can drag toes on the street,and good traction in the dirt adn sand.
I have not used them in the rain yet(I live in the desert), nor have I done a
extended superslap run with these.

I will be getting more of these.

 

[Firefight911]

Heidenau K60.

The perfect tire for what you are doing.

My Tourance EXP rear was nearly done when I swapped them out at 5000 miles. The front was fine but the rear was already deteriorating in its handling significantly. I won't use them again.

I've run the Heidenau before on other bikes and they are the bee's knees! Long life, great road handling, fantastic 50/50 tire, etc. Give em a looksie!!

 

[Don in Lodi]

Lots of tire threads here, so much info all ready available of what people like/don't like. For starters, keep in mind that the Tourance EXP's that come on the SuperT are not the same tire as the older/original Tourance. AFAIK, no one has reported mileage that is as good as the original. Many here (and I'm leaning this way too) are going for the new Heidenau K60 tires as they seem to offer excellent all around mileage and performance.

Good luck!!

You know, my EXP rear still has measurable tread at 7500 miles. I've been expecting to just suddenly not have any tread left with all these low mile reports. I must just be a better rider than everybody else. ::26:: ::015::

 

[colorider]

You know, my EXP rear still has measurable tread at 7500 miles. I've been expecting to just suddenly not have any tread left with all these low mile reports. I must just be a better rider than everybody else. ::26:: ::015::

I guess so!!! That or you have LESS chip/seal in your area. That stuff really eats tires!!!

 

[keeponriding]

Frankly, I've been happy with my EXPs as well....at 5k, I still have a lot of tread left and the tires worked equally well on pavement and dirt and in rain.
Though, I'm thinking now of replacing them before my trip with Heidenaus.

 

[EricV]

Tires are always a funny thing. Very individual based and location dependent. Speed, right wrist and road conditions are the main factors. For the OP's intended 3500 mile ride, almost any dual-sport tire will do. The Shinkos and Heidenau K60s being better in the dirt/gravel section. Cost may be a factor there, but those tires are at opposite ends of the price spectrum.

I'm generally pretty easy on tires and got nearly 12k from the rear K60. Pulled it a little early for a 3600 mile trip to TX and tossed the EXPs back on, (they had one 725 mile ride on them before swap to K60s). By the time I got back from TX, the EXPs were looking pretty poor. The hill country roads probably had something to do with it, and perhaps the sustained 80 mph slab riding too, but temps were cool and some wet. I have maybe 6k on the EXPs and they suck right now. Cupped front, squared off rear with not much tread left. I have a new rear K60 and the half worn front one from before to go back on shortly.

Go with the more aggressive tires and you'll be a happy guy on the dirt/gravel stretch, and pay for it a little with some extra vibes on the high speed roads. Most of the time you won't notice the difference, IMHO.

 

[GoNotShow]

Heidenau K60.

The perfect tire for what you are doing.

My Tourance EXP rear was nearly done when I swapped them out at 5000 miles. The front was fine but the rear was already deteriorating in its handling significantly. I won't use them again.

I've run the Heidenau before on other bikes and they are the bee's knees! Long life, great road handling, fantastic 50/50 tire, etc. Give em a looksie!!

How does the road handling of the K60 compare to the stock EXP? Any squirm in the corners? My one worry about the K60 is that the bike won't perform as well on a nice, twisty road.

 

[Firefight911]

How does the road handling of the K60 compare to the stock EXP? Any squirm in the corners? My one worry about the K60 is that the bike won't perform as well on a nice, twisty road.

I have never had an issue getting as much lean angle as desired along any twisty ribbon of tarmac I've run them over the greater than 10,000 miles of use I've had with this tire. Yes, there is not the same level of feedback/feel as obtained from a more dedicated street tire but you will be very happy with the performance, IMO.

 

[~TABASCO~]

How does the road handling of the K60 compare to the stock EXP? Any squirm in the corners? My one worry about the K60 is that the bike won't perform as well on a nice, twisty road.

Just my $.02.... I can drag my feet and have touched the pegs with K60's..... I have drug my feet in corners with it pouring down rain as well... Ive taken Mt. roads as well and I can ride as hard as I want... (people on this forum have seen me do it ) Are they as sticky as a 'road' tire ? No.. But I have ridden mine as hard as I can, and have dove deep into corners, Etc and I have had NO issue with them 'letting go' or sliding out with the "knobby tires".... I run 38 / 40psi loaded or unloaded... That's my experience so far.

 

[~TABASCO~]

I have never had an issue getting as much lean angle as desired along any twisty ribbon of tarmac I've run them over the greater than 10,000 miles of use I've had with this tire. Yes, there is not the same level of feedback/feel as obtained from a more dedicated street tire but you will be very happy with the performance, IMO.

X2 I agree....

 

[tenerejack]

Gent's, glad I saw this string tonight. Good feedback on the K60's. I've been giving my streets hell on the gravel roads. K60 appear to be street worthy. My experience is stay away from the true nobby if you're going to be on asphalt 50% of the time. Hell I used to travel w/ nobbys on the street 100% but that was a lighter enduro and back n forth to work only. I do worry about the added noise but the payoff will be the confidence on the logging roads and trails. Thanks for the inputs! ::025::

 

[EricV]

I have done some serious, triple digit, back road two lane flogging with the K60s and they did well and never slipped out. Like Tabasco said, perhaps not ideal, or up to a nice set of ST or full sport tires, but not going to limit you unless you're pushing so hard on the street that you need a Class A card and a wake up call.

Up to about 70 mph, no real difference in the K60s and other tires. Over that I notice a bit more vibes in the mirrors. At low speed you get the typical knobbie noise, but ear plugs are a good thing at highway speeds, eh? Hearing loss is permanent. And comes on slowly. The low speed noise just gives you wood. > And makes you want to detour thru the gravel and two/single track in the 'hood, just for fun and because you can. :-\

 

[dcc46]

As someone who prefers fast twisty roads to dirt ( or the sugar sand that is Florida's idea of dirt) I have been happy with the stock battlewings performance. 6600 miles on them and I'm replacing them today with another set of battlewings.
Front

Rear

New Shoes

 

[Mellow]

With this bike being a dual sport. You are not going to find a tire that is as good on the road as a street tire yet handle great in the dirt as well.

You have to decide what type of riding you're going to do and get tires that will address most of those situations.

If you are mainly a street rider, then the BattleWings/Tourance EXP/Conti Trail Attacks will be great on the street and adequate in the dirt but it won't take much to overwhelm them in deep dirt/sand/mud.

If you are planning a ride that is going to be some very tough off road stuff then the K60 or TKCs will be on your list knowing that you are going to loose some street performance that you might be used to with the previous mentioned tires.

There is no perfect solution for street AND dirt.

The Tourance EXPs handled like street tires for me, I felt like I was on my ST1300. Yet, when I put the Anakee2s on I felt a definite transition between the tread pattern when leaning in a turn and it was just enough of a doubt that it would mess up my line and make me ride with less predictable feedback. I've gotten used to them w/6k miles on them now but I have a set of Battlewings I'll try next. I'm more of a street rider w/occasional farm roads so the 90/10 tires will be enough for me most of the time unless I have a special trip planned like the TAT or CDR.

With all that being said, YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY... LOL

 

[fbiebesh]

With this bike being a dual sport. You are not going to find a tire that is as good on the road as a street tire yet handle great in the dirt as well.

You have to decide what type of riding you're going to do and get tires that will address most of those situations.

If you are mainly a street rider, then the BattleWings/Tourance EXP/Conti Trail Attacks will be great on the street and adequate in the dirt but it won't take much to overwhelm them in deep dirt/sand/mud.

If you are planning a ride that is going to be some very tough off road stuff then the K60 or TKCs will be on your list knowing that you are going to loose some street performance that you might be used to with the previous mentioned tires.

There is no perfect solution for street AND dirt.

The Tourance EXPs handled like street tires for me, I felt like I was on my ST1300. Yet, when I put the Anakee2s on I felt a definite transition between the tread pattern when leaning in a turn and it was just enough of a doubt that it would mess up my line and make me ride with less predictable feedback. I've gotten used to them w/6k miles on them now but I have a set of Battlewings I'll try next. I'm more of a street rider w/occasional farm roads so the 90/10 tires will be enough for me most of the time unless I have a special trip planned like the TAT or CDR.

With all that being said, YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY... LOL

Nicely said, and I appreciate the feedback.

 

[spklbuk]

Aren't Battlewings considered an 80/20 tire?

I've got good service out of the OEM set and considering trip plans for the summer I will be mounting another set. K60s will be the 3rd set.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

My first Tenere was delivered with Battlewings. I thought they did a reasonably competent job on dirt roads. Not great, but better than expected. I replaced the rear with an Anakee II. Made me feel slightly better on more slippery dirt roads, but nothing dramatic. Never got to try with the Anakee II front before my wife took the bike away from me. The Raven Tenere was delivered with Tourance EXPs. Have not had a lot of experience with them yet, but I did notice my attempts at a power slide (TCS2) allowed the bike to kick out noticeably farther than my first Tenere ever did. That makes me a little suspicious of the Tourance and I'm not sure they will stay on the bike for long.