Tires That Fit - The List

[Cycledude]

Ok. So I'm due for a set of rubber. The existing Mitas E07 that came on my bike have about 7k miles. They aren't totally done, but the front is getting the uneven wear, the rear is to the "wear bars" and the tires are just getting aged and due for replacement so I can take off on multi day trips with no worry.

I'm looking at either another set of E07, or the E09, or the E10.

The 10 has some appeal. It looks nice and chunky, but also like it has considerable contact area.

My riding is like 80%+ slab, but I don't want an 80/20 tire because i want to be able to handle sand and dirt for my upcoming adventures. Basically, I want a tire that is much better than 20% capable on fire roads, dirt trails, and sand. The E07 seem good, but the front seems to not have a lot of meat on it.

That said, I also want confidence and, more importantly, good traction while turning deep into the corners on the twisties. I'm not talking knee dragging, but significant lean and pushing 2x the yellow signs.

Which should I buy? Thanks!

It’s disappointing to hear that your Mitas is nearly shot with only 7,000 miles, do you consider yourself hard on tires ? I’ve seen folks claim the Mitas is good for 10,000+ miles and because of that was seriously considering buying a set for our trip to Inuvik this summer.

 

[bruinTENEREguy]

It’s disappointing to hear that your Mitas is nearly shot with only 7,000 miles, do you consider yourself hard on tires ? I’ve seen folks claim the Mitas is good for 10,000+ miles and because of that was seriously considering buying a set for our trip to Inuvik this summer.

To be honest, they might have 3k left in them. The rear is getting down to the part in the middle that I've seen people groove with a dremel to get more dirt handling out of the tire in the last stretch.

The front has the corner exit patter going on, where the trailing edge is significantly worn while the leading edge still has quite a bit of meat. I just don't think it's really in ideal shape for my next anticipated journey, which will likely be either Baja or the Nevada Backcountry Discovery Route.

And, yes, I am kind of hard on tires. That said, I myself have only put about 2400 miles on these tires.

Lastly, I think the manufacture date was 2012, which is another reason I'm looking to go ahead and do them.

After all my research, it seems they are still the way to go, considering others' experience with wear etc. Some folks are saying the Shinko 804/805 are good for anywhere from 1500-6k. I have a feeling that tires on my bike would be on the low end of that range.



Edit: My hope in making my last post was that someone could suggest a tire that handles a little better on the slab without sacrificing off road capabilities and wear. The E07 is just a touch squirrely for me. Maybe a newer set will feel better. Looks like they are on sale some places. I'm game to give another go.

 

[EricV]

Another tire not on the list on page 9 - Pirelli Angel GT Available in the standard sizes. Expected wear judging by the Sport Touring riders is over 10k miles. I just mounted up a pair, so we will see. These are dedicated street rubber. Good in the wet and the dry.

@The Mountain - Have you ridden in India before? If not, you're in for a wake up call. It's ... interesting. Better in the South by Mumbai, scarier in the North around Delhi. Upgrade the horn. Install some Mitas EO7 Dakars and in a couple of years get what you can locally. Why do you care about mounting something here that is available there too? You get what you can when you need it and roll on. Regardless of what you choose, it will probably be a special order item when you're in India just for the sizes. No shop is going to stock big bike sizes when all their business is scooters and 125s. And if they did have a pair, who knows how old they would be!

Try to stay alive. It's more challenging there.

 

[RaginTxn]

Another one to add to the list are the "new" Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs. Just ordered my set - we'll see...

 

[iClint]

Another tire not on the list on page 9 - Pirelli Angel GT Available in the standard sizes. Expected wear judging by the Sport Touring riders is over 10k miles. I just mounted up a pair, so we will see. These are dedicated street rubber. Good in the wet and the dry.

@The Mountain - Have you ridden in India before? If not, you're in for a wake up call. It's ... interesting. Better in the South by Mumbai, scarier in the North around Delhi. Upgrade the horn. Install some Mitas EO7 Dakars and in a couple of years get what you can locally. Why do you care about mounting something here that is available there too? You get what you can when you need it and roll on. Regardless of what you choose, it will probably be a special order item when you're in India just for the sizes. No shop is going to stock big bike sizes when all their business is scooters and 125s. And if they did have a pair, who knows how old they would be!

Try to stay alive. It's more challenging there.

I won't fault the Angels I love them in fact, but from my experience 5-6,000 km's maximum of weekend sport touring on my old VFR1200F similar weight to the S10 more power and torque though. the only way I could see getting any more milage out of them would be a lot of very sedate commuting.

 

[treybrad]

I won't fault the Angels I love them in fact, but from my experience 5-6,000 km's maximum of weekend sport touring on my old VFR1200F similar weight to the S10 more power and torque though. the only way I could see getting any more milage out of them would be a lot of very sedate commuting.

I really enjoyed the stick of the Angel GT as well, but it definitely won't win any longevity awards in my experience either. I burned through one in 6,850 miles on an NC700X (160/60/17 -- lighter and much less powerful). The lack of tread down the middle stressed me out -- I might have gotten another 500-1,000 miles on it if I really tried, but I just couldn't tell. For reference, I was getting 10-12k miles out of PR4 (15k out of a PR3) on that bike.

That said, tires are so dependent on rider weight, riding style, speed, heat, pressure, etc, etc, etc.... who knows!

trey

 

[RaginTxn]

Another one to add to the list are the "new" Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs. Just ordered my set - we'll see...

Got both tires in - got the rear mounted and back today - should get the front tomorrow morning. I'm just made I forgot to get angled valves

 

[richarddacat]

I would be interest in some real world experience with Conti's TKC70's

60/40 use, don't care to get any more dirtier.

 

[RonH]

There are mentions of the TKC70 here and other forums extensively. I believe I can pretty much say most guys are happy with the rear, but the front not happy. The front wears fast and cups. I might run the rear again, but doubt it.. Would never run the front again.

 

[rickmick]

I have not seen the Avon Trailrider mentioned here. I switched from K60 to Trailrider for a trip from Vancouver island to Utah and have put 13k Km on them. Great highway tire and handled well 2 up on some of the tamer unpaved roads in Utah/Nevada/California. The rear is at about 1/8 tread depth and while the rear did flat spot I was able to ride that out after our return. Front wore very evenly and could go another season if needed. I would definitely buy these tires again - we are going to the Yukon/Alaska in June so I may buy a set of more offroad capable tires for that trip.

 

[EricV]

That's not horrible for the Avon Trailrider. They were not available in the US the last time I looked, but some of the UK riders were getting less mileage from them.

When you have a moment rickmick, fill out your location on your profile. I suspect you're Canadian from your post. B.C.? I've always enjoyed riding on the island and up thru BC on my way to Hyder and other places. Spent 40+ years in Oregon, so your area was part of my local riding area. The last 8 was in Utah, so I know that part of the US well too.

 

[steve68steve]

Another tire I've seen is the Kenda big block paver, K678.

It's a 100% street tire for big ADV bikes.

They'll be my next tires.

 

[GSequoia]

Anybody ever mount up a Perelli MT21 rear? A buddy of mine has one that he'll give me. I need aggressive tires for an upcoming Death Valley trip. I'm not terribly concerned about highway manners as my OEM Battlewings will go back on afterward.

 

[Fastring]

Mich road commander II in 160/70 for rear fit.

 

[ballisticexchris]

Anybody ever mount up a Perelli MT21 rear? A buddy of mine has one that he'll give me. I need aggressive tires for an upcoming Death Valley trip. I'm not terribly concerned about highway manners as my OEM Battlewings will go back on afterward.

I would not recommend that tire for DV. The tread and sidewalls are not durable enough for the rocks you will encounter. Any cheap "Big Block" style tire will work better for that terrain.

 

[GSequoia]

I would not recommend that tire for DV. The tread and sidewalls are not durable enough for the rocks you will encounter. Any cheap "Big Block" style tire will work better for that terrain.

Because the bike's kinda a pig?

I'm a veteran Noob and know the terrain well but do admit that the DR350 and KLR650 before it are a *lot* lighter. I've rocked D606s there on those.

 

[Mak10]

I mounted a set of the Kenda Big blocks and am pleased with the on road feel. I’ve put about 250 miles on them so far all on road.

I noticed a bit of road noise riding two up last night at 50 mph. Not loud at all. I’m wondering how long they will last mileage wise. The front hasn’t wore the whiskers off in those 250 miles.

For sub $200 for a set shipped to my door from Rocky Mountain so far I’m pleased.

 

[ballisticexchris]

Because the bike's kinda a pig?

I'm a veteran Noob and know the terrain well but do admit that the DR350 and KLR650 before it are a *lot* lighter. I've rocked D606s there on those.

I ran a set of the MT21's on my Beta a few years back. The front got a flat and I could not ride it out without putting a new tube in it. I normally can just zip tie the tire to the rim and ride. The MT21 has very thin sidewalls. The 606 tires are really good for dual sports and very beefy sidewalls.

I mounted a set of the Kenda Big blocks and am pleased with the on road feel. I’ve put about 250 miles on them so far all on road.

I noticed a bit of road noise riding two up last night at 50 mph. Not loud at all. I’m wondering how long they will last mileage wise. The front hasn’t wore the whiskers off in those 250 miles.

For sub $200 for a set shipped to my door from Rocky Mountain so far I’m pleased.

You just can't beat bang for the buck on the Kenda Big Blocks. I have used those the last few years on my Beta's spare wheel set. I have done one sub 500 mile mixed off road/pavement and one 850 mile all pavement tour of Death valley with these tires. I can't say enough good about them. I'm not sure how long they will last on the Super Tenere but I got over 2000 miles out of my 1st set on my Beta.

I'm still on my OEM street tires. I've yet to take this beast off the hwy. I have a set of Anakee Wilds I'm mounting hopefully in the next few months.

 

[Pdrhound]

So i read the whole post and there is little mention on sizes. Anyone run a 140/80-17 on the rear? Tidge skinnier, same height.

 

[EricV]

You could, but why? The 150 is easy to find in a wide variety of flavors.

Some tires benefit from being run on a wider rim than the manufacturer specs. GPS Tractionators for my wife's GSA run better with the 150 than with the 170 the Fatherland specs, for example. But Yamaha did a good job of spec'ing the rim width and tire for the Super Ten.

Note that the 140/80 will actually sit shorter since you are spreading the tire out wider on the rim than a 150/70. May work out about a wash, just sidewalls spread more.