Im just wondering wether any of you guys and girls have had experience with the Continental TKC 80s. I have just put a set on my Terra as the Saharas were struggling in the bush but Im shocked at the change in feel. My bike now seem to "fall" into the corners on road and is not as stable at speed. I did read about the squidginess of these tyres in corners and I was expecting a difference but not quite this much. Can I trust these tyres in corners on the road ? I would really appreciate any feedback from people who have done a bit of time on them to help me find the limit - without hitting the tarmac. I can't wait to try them in the forest though. Also, if you like your decals be very careful with the pressure washer. My side decals and the front Husqvarna symbol blew straight off (and I wasn't being heavy handed either !). I've replaced the front one only and it was $45.00 !! I just about fell over and had I known that I probably wouldn't have worried about it. I'll be washing them by hand from now on.
Check inflation and give them a few miles. I have a TKC80 on the front of my Strada and love it. As for the pressure washer, you might skip it. I stopped pressure washing cars and bikes a long time ago after getting tired of accidental damage like you describe above. I hope the TKC gets better.
I've had TKC's on my other bike (Tiger), and trusted them completely when leaned over in the turns. Play with the air pressures a bit - I'd say 36psi rear. maybe 32psi front.
Hey Aaron, I've ran TKC's on another big bike and they take a bit to wear in. What you gain off-road vs. the little you loose on tarmac is well worth it IMHO. I blew the badge off of my bike right away too whilst pressure washing. Glued it back on and it's still there. But $45! I crashed and broke stuff awhile back and got two new black lower rad shrouds and two badges all for under $50.
I just checked on KTM-parts.com and you can buy a whole new front fender for $19.67 and a similar decal (not the front one..couldn't find it) for $5.58. ??? Maybe the new front fender has a decal on it? $40 for shipping and tax? I doubt it since a decal can be mailed in an envelope. 8539412 3D LOGO HUSQVARNA $5.58 $5.58 8000H5008 UPPER FRONT FENDER $19.76 $19.76
Generally the plastics dont include the decals...and it is often true that the plastic is cheaper than the stickers...
Thanks all, I really appreciate the feedback. I did ask the shop wether they had to replace the entire fender as I couldn't quite believe the price either, but nope it was just for the decal. I will play with the tyre pressures as you say and I also guess there is the wearing in period to consider too. I will let you know how I go. For sure Next, that is the way of the future for me too
I've run TKC80s on my F800GS for years. It's a heavier bike than the Terra, but they work great for me and are stable at 90+mph. If you have issues at speed... have you had the tire balanced? This is necessary for speeds over about 50mph. I can spank sport bikes in the twisties on TKC80s, so as far as how well they can handle the turns on pavement... that should speak for it self. I'm not spanking the top A riders on the fastest bikes and definitely not in more open and smoother pavement areas, but in tight stuff, especially if the pavement is less than stellar, I own them. On TKCs. With a more street oriented tire, I'd do even better. In dirt, the TKCs are so so as is any mixed use tires. The TKCs last pretty well, though, which is nice. I've noticed the rear has a tendency to step out sideways easily in dirt, particularly on hardpack with that light salting of loose stuff on top. I'd expect it just to spin, but it will JUMP sideways if you're not careful when pulling away from a stop. It could be a characteristic of the combo of the F800GS and that tire, but I figured I'd mention it. What type of use do you expect on your Terra? Mostly street? 50/50? Mostly dirt? Much commuting? How fast are you on the pavement? On the dirt? Dunlop 606s are widely considered a very good dual sport tire. They're more dirt friendly than TKCs and wear much faster, but they're not as good on pavement, either. I have never pressure washed anything and I never will. I don't want to risk the damage to parts and risk messing up electrical connections. I just use a hose with a sprayer nozzle. A soft brush helps, too.
Thanks mnb, the tires were balanced at the shop so Im assuming that this is just to a large part me adjusting to the feel of the tyres as well as the wearing in period. The Dunlop 606 look really good. I am much more familiar with off road riding but where I live now I have to ride on road to get to the trails. I am also finding myself really enjoying the road aspect too. So much so that last weekend I didn't even touch the loose stuff and instead spent the whole ride on twisty tarmac My road bike mates think they are converting me but I still love the challenge of a bit of rough stuff - especially after the rain. So I really need a tyre that can cope with both. The stock Saharas were nice on road but just dangerous off road when confronted with slippery or soft terrain - hence the TKCs. My dream bike is the f800gs and I have some mighty trips planned into the Red Interior once I get one which will be in the next year or so. The Terra for me has been a great bike to make the transition from dirt only to an adventure type machine. Its the heaviest bike I've ever owned and I know that for and ADV bike its actually pretty light so that in itself is taking a bit of adjusting. Thanks again for your reply its good to be able to hear from someone who has used the tyres for a longer time.
Well I've just got back from my first decent ride with the TKC's both on road and in the forest where it was wet, slick clay for a large percentage of the time and I thought maybe I'd write a review for someone else thinking the same thing re tyres. I have to say that now I am used to the very different feel of them when compared to the Saharas I love them. You guys were right and the tyres are getting better as they wear in. Despite the fact that they are still in the wearing in period I found the grip on road was much better than I first thought and was surprised at the lean they will cope with. There is still that falling into the corner feeling but Im getting used to it and they are a bit looser under hard breaking too. I haven't tried them in the rain but since all it has done is rain over the last few weeks Im sure it wont be long before I get to experience that too. Off road they were a revelation when compared to the Saharas. The Saharas gave me many a scare as the ground went from firm to slick - particularly downhill. The TKCs on the other hand are confidence inspiring and provide excellent grip. Not as good as the pure dirt tires I have used in the past but not alot less for what they are. I did find that once you loose traction on gravel or hard pack corners that the tyre did sort of "jump" mnb as you said; a little unexpected but not too serious and I was accelerating pretty hard. Overall I think they are an excellent tyre and I would definitely use them again. If I was going on a mostly road trip I would probably go for something more road orientated but for my day to day stuff I do now these are ideal.
It takes about 100 miles for tires to break into what they should really feel like. That and the proper air pressure and they should be a little more confident.
I was wondering how long it would take. I did about 130ks (80 Miles) yesterday, about 40 of which were on dirt trails so I guess I have a bit longer to go. Thanks for the info, its much appreciated.
Hi Nev, you'd be right. Im in your neighbourhood (Doreen) and I have been exploring Mt Robertson State Forest and Mt Disappointment area. I haven't been over to Toolangi yet (bike's only just had its 1000k service) but Im planning some longer rides now. I have found some great tracks up to Kinglake and am really enjoying the area. Happy to go for a ride sometime if you're keen.
