what's an alternative front to go with a K60 rear?

[dcstrom]

After trying numerous different tires on the S10 over it's 84,000-mile life, I've pretty much settled on the Heidenau K60 rear. Very tough tire, good mileage (I can depend on it to get 12,000 miles - not bad on a fully loaded bike), good (enough) on road, good (enough) off it. That's about all I can expect of a tire for my kind of riding.

The front K60 is a different story. It's not BAD but I get a lot less mileage from it, which is inconvenient, not to mention it gets expensive over time and miles. I'd really like it if I could just change the front and rear at the same time (this is all done on the road remember - I don't live anywhere so don't have the luxury of stockpiling tires and fitting at my leisure). The other thing is, every one I've had loses a little air, so I have to top up every few days.

I'm planning the route through Iran/Pakistan/India now - tires are hard to get and expensive if you can find them, so looks like Turkey is where I change the front and start carrying a rear for a while. I'll order the tires and have them delivered to somewhere in Turkey.

So I'm looking for a tire that's roughly equivalent to the K60 front, but will give me better mileage. I know a TKC80 won't a Pirelli Scorpion Rally won't - both those are more dirt-oriented than I need anyway. Thinking about Mitas E-07 Dakar or Mefo Explorer. Anyone had experience with either? Especially interested in what kind of life you got out of them...

Mitas E-07 Dakar

Mefo Explorer

 

[dcstrom]

I'm looking at online suppliers in Turkey - no Heidenau that I can find so far but there are these Sava - made in Slovenia. Front looks good, is a good price ($69) but I doubt it will do the kind of mileage I need. I don't know anyone who's used them - any Euro guys here that can help me out?

 

[klunsford]

Might look at the Shinko E705 R. I get good mileage out of the front 10k-12k and about 6-8k out of the rear. Not quite as aggressive, but I like them.

 

[dcstrom]

Yeah I used them all the time on my DL1000 and liked them. Tried them on the Super Tenere and, after a day caning them on forest roads, the rear started to come apart. I concluded they didn't like the extra weight and power of the S10. Might be ok if you treat them gently.

The front would be ok but I'm not sure it's a good match for the K60 rear.

Might look at the Shinko E705 R. I get good mileage out of the front 10k-12k and about 6-8k out of the rear. Not quite as aggressive, but I like them.

 

[Maxified]

The front K60 lasted me about twice as long as the rear. Must be that topcase I have loaded up keeping the front light

The Mefo looks like it might have a compatible tread pattern to go with the K60 but I have no experience with them.

I am envious of your world travels, stay safe out there.

 

[dcstrom]

The front K60 lasted me about twice as long as the rear.

Look at where you live though A lot of my riding tends to be on mountain roads, and I still try to play racer a bit, even though I'm fully loaded. That stresses the front tire a lot, and the K60 is done by about 8,000 miles.

 

[klunsford]

Yeah I used them all the time on my DL1000 and liked them. Tried them on the Super Tenere and, after a day caning them on forest roads, the rear started to come apart. I concluded they didn't like the extra weight and power of the S10. Might be ok if you treat them gently.

The front would be ok but I'm not sure it's a good match for the K60 rear.

You probably had the old bias Shinko. The R or radial hasn't had those problems that the bias ply did...

 

[MrTwisty]

I run the Shinko R's now and run them hard with no issues, but I only get about 3500 miles out of a rear and about 5000 miles on the front.

In contrast, I got 8000 miles out of the K60 rear in 10,000 on the K60 front.

After several sets of Shinko's and Hidenau's as I prefer the Shinko's. The Shinko's are slightly better on pavement and the Hidenau's are slightly better on dirt.

YMMV

 

[Hungry Tiger]

Been running K60 rear, Shinko 705 front. They work well together. Shinko doesn't vibrate or make noise. Been doing mostly pavement. Keep minimum 35 psig in the front; otherwise, the front tread blocks get wedgy in sustained 80-85 mph driving.

 

[HoebSTer]

Trevor, if the Mitas E-07 rear has been known for 16k miles, then the front should get you almost 20k miles. Are they available in Central Europe where you are? Good luck with your find.

Jeff

 

[dcstrom]

Nope, it was a radial version... it got a lot of small tears in it (can't find the pics right now) with some that went all the way through the carcass. This was riding dirt roads in TC2 and really hammering it. I'd ridden the 1000 V-Strom on the same roads on Shinkos only 2 weeks before - I got a flat but that was because a sharp stone worked its way into the tire. This was different, and I wonder if it was because there was LESS wheelspin on the Tenere (because of traction contol) that put more stress on the tire?

You probably had the old bias Shinko. The R or radial hasn't had those problems that the bias ply did...

 

[dcstrom]

Jeff, if I knew I could get 16,000 miles out of a Mitas, I'd have one straight away... but I've seen reports of a lot less. I guess I have to see more reports and see what the average is. I KNOW I will get 12,000 out of the K60 rear, with a bit to spare. Have you tried the Mitas?

Trevor, if the Mitas E-07 rear has been known for 16k miles, then the front should get you almost 20k miles. Are they available in Central Europe where you are? Good luck with your find.

Jeff

 

[Dirt_Dad]

... if I knew I could get 16,000 miles out of a Mitas, I'd have one straight away... but I've seen reports of a lot less.

Trevor, I'll let you know as soon as possible. Just ordered a rear E07 Dakar last night. Should have an answer to you later in the spring time.

Interesting that you go through K60 fronts so quickly. You know how I chew through tires and I got nearly 20K out of a K60 front. Never had any tire last as long...ever.

Happy New Year. I do hope 2015 treats you well.

 

[dcstrom]

Yeah interesting Jon - maybe you're harder on the gas (and rear tires) and I'm harder on the brakes, deeper into a turn? (so harder on the front).

Trevor, I'll let you know as soon as possible. Just ordered a rear E07 Dakar last night. Should have an answer to you later in the spring time.

Interesting that you go through K60 fronts so quickly. You know how I chew through tires and I got nearly 20K out of a K60 front. Never had any tire last as long...ever.

Happy New Year. I do hope 2015 treats you well.

 

[Wistrick]

I was talking to Rusty B who ran the IBR and his favorite combo was K60 rear and TCK-80 front, he stated that he hated the K^) front for whatever reason...

 

[racer]

I don't know what you're doing to wear out a front before the rear K60. I have 11000 miles on my front K60 and it still looks good, and would look better had I not ridden a couple thousand miles with it at 26 pounds. It has started to cup a little on both sides of the center tread. Nothing too bad, you really have to look to see it. I may change out the front during Bike Week if the tire guy down there has a good deal on tires.