Why it's a stupid decision to run street tires in the dirt

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ballisticexchris

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Here is a very interesting article that is based on hard facts and experience (very similar to my own) instead of opinions and assumptions. I actually took his riding class last year and really learned a lot. Jimmy explains it way better than I can.

https://jimmylewisoffroad.com/2012/12/03/999/
 

Sierra1

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Even me, who is a pavement princess, knows that nobbies are for the sand, and not much else. Yes, I know, you CAN ride them on the street, but I'm a firm believer in "the right tool for the job".
 
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ballisticexchris

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Are E07 Dakar knobbies?
They are considered a street tire. Lots of guys have tried but they will not save you in the sand and they don't have enough side knobs to get safe traction in the dirt. Very unsafe tire for anything more than a hard packed fire road or rough pavement.

These are true street/dirt touring tire that will get you through almost any situation you come across. The only drawback is the noise and they don't last as long as a substandard tire such as an E07.
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I'm fortunate enough to not be a lazy slug who whines about having to change a tire. I have all the tools and capability to change out a tire while traveling. Super Tenere tire changes are easier than a bicycle. I was amazed how easy they are. No rim locks, UHD tubes, dealing with lubing a mousse and clamping vice grips, etc. Easy off easy on!!
 

eemsreno

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They are considered a street tire. Lots of guys have tried but they will not save you in the sand and they don't have enough side knobs to get safe traction in the dirt. Very unsafe tire for anything more than a hard packed fire road or rough pavement.
EO7's Are not knobbies , is true, but Chris is way off of his assessment of them.
They are great tires off road in all the conditions that you may come across while traveling on your Tenere.
I would chose them any time over a true knobby while traveling long distance.
Not once in my off road adventures have they felt unsafe, or failed to get me through bad conditions.
2016 Zion Rally 432.JPG

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And they have been through miles and miles of deep sand.
2016 Zion Rally 433.JPG
 
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Cycledude

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In 2016 rode my 2013 Tenere to Prudehoe bay using stock Bridgestone Battlewings, it rained from Coldfoot all the way up there and yes we had to keep our speed down but we made it just fine.
the next Alaska Trip was in 2018 on a set of Mitas E07 Dakar’s which in my opinion was a much better choice for when the riding gets a little more difficult, but we never had any difficult riding on that trip.
 

Mak10

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And there you have it folks. True advice from someone who actually has experience off road on the Super Tenere. Hundreds of thousands of miles on all kinds of conditions. On the exact bike we ride. The Super Tenere.

Thanks Steve for all you contribute to the forum.
 

Mak10

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I change my own tires, and while it’s not the hardest tire I’ve ever changed. It’s no bicycle tire. I’ve changed plenty of those too.

Chris, how about posting a tutorial on how it’s done. Teach all us lazy slugs.

I’m all up for learning.
 
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ballisticexchris

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EO7's Are not knobbies , is true, but Chris is way off of his assessment of them.
They are great tires off road in all the conditions that you may come across while traveling on your Tenere.
I would chose them any time over a true knobby while traveling long distance.
Not once in my off road adventures have they felt unsafe, or failed to get me through bad conditions. And they have been through miles and miles of deep sand
And there you have it folks. True advice from someone who actually has experience off road on the Super Tenere. Hundreds of thousands of miles on all kinds of conditions. On the exact bike we ride. The Super Tenere.

Thanks Steve for all you contribute to the forum.
All I see are pictures with the bike upright and one with it stuck in sand. How about the ones of the front end washing out and spitting you off the bike. I see in the mud picture that the tire is clogged with mud. No thank you. And I too have experience with the Super Tenere off road. Miles in the saddle mean nothing if proper technique is not being used.

Showing how good a subpar tire works in extreme conditions is the same as a base jumper saying how safe it is to jump off a cliff. The facts speak for themselves. There is no safer tire made for off highway use than an open block knobby.

If you take notice, first it was the K60 for a few years. Then the E07 became the internet craze. In the off road world trials tires were all the rage. All three of those tires turned out to have far more drawbacks than advantages in the dirt.



I change my own tires, and while it’s not the hardest tire I’ve ever changed. It’s no bicycle tire. I’ve changed plenty of those too.

Chris, how about posting a tutorial on how it’s done. Teach all us lazy slugs.

I’m all up for learning.
Simply have a set of these on your bike:
FA02F24D-EE8B-421C-AC41-F9DA6B2CF587.jpeg
It will break the hardest of beads. Then its just normal mounting. Without a tube or mousse to deal with these tubeless tires are very simple.
No need to show you how. There are a bunch of different ways to change a tire.
 

Bokerfork

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Damn I love a good tire thread. And believe me, this is a doozy.

Chris, you're absolutely right. There is nothing better off road than a full on knobby. No argument here. And if the S10 were an off road bike that is all I would use. Trouble is, I have to get to the "off road". I'm blessed where I live that the off road starts about a mile from my house. Or 10 miles. Or 100 miles. You get the idea. So, while you are factually correct, the real world demands a compromise. I'm still riding on the stock Battle Wings and they scare the hell out of me off road. But I respect their limitations and ride within them. When it comes time to change(soon) I'll probably go with something akin to the E07 simply because they are a great compromise and really an ADV bike is nothing but a compromise. A very capable fun compromise.
 

eemsreno

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All I see are pictures with the bike upright and one with it stuck in sand. How about the ones of the front end washing out and spitting you off the bike. I see in the mud picture that the tire is clogged with mud.

Showing how good a subpar tire works in extreme conditions
You have things turned around.
I was showing how a great tire works in subpar conditions
Don't you think that tires plug up with the mud as you come to a stop to take the picture?
I have never had the front wash out and spit me off the bike. I only drop mine when stopped or I would get hurt. [to old to crash]
I dug the rear tire into the sand just to get the picture. [can't put down a side stand in sand]
 

eemsreno

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Chris I am not in the least bit disagreeing that knobbies are the next best thing to chocolate. [or is that coffee]
I have grown up on knobbies, and I can't wait till my knobbies hit the dirt again this spring.
I started riding and racing motocross as a kid and haven't lost the desire yet. I get on a track every chance I get.
And I know the advantage to new sharp knobs.
Come on spring!
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bigbob

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Chris I am not in the least bit disagreeing that knobbies are the next best thing to chocolate. [or is that coffee]
I have grown up on knobbies, and I can't wait till my knobbies hit the dirt again this spring.
I started riding and racing motocross as a kid and haven't lost the desire yet. I get on a track every chance I get.
And I know the advantage to new sharp knobs.
Come on spring!
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Steve how old were you in the 20’ of air picture?
 
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