Thank CJ for your reply. Unfortunately, I do not have so much offroad option here (a lot of single and double tracks are forbidden, here), so I have to face the 60% of my mileage on street. Also, I like to take the bike everytime I can, also to go to my office (30 Km far, on road), and I don't want to stop now caused by wet and cold roads. I'm looking on the web for Kenda 270, it's a little bit difficult to find here..I'll try, otherwise I'll go on Sahara 3 and give my opinion.
What size of rim lock should i get for my 610TE with a 140/80/18 rear tyre?So many options in the net...
If you're going to ride pavement much and want it easily balanced - try MotionPro's lightweight rim locks. They weigh about half what a standard rim lock weighs and makes it much easier to balance the rear. The LiteLocs are available in 1.60/1.40 and 2.15 rim sizes, for virtually all common dirt motorcycles out there today. Retailing at less than $20 per lock, they are a bargain investment to better performance and longer tire and tube life. Check them out at http://www.motionpro.com or head down to your local dealer. http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/category/rim_locks/
This one, Motion Pro Lite Loc for 2.15" rim width http://www.bikebandit.com/motion-pr...ith-aluminum-nut-and-beveled-washer?b=2766832 Lighter and stronger than standard rim locks and the nut and beveled washer that are visible on outside of rim is a nice and clean look. Nothing else comes close. Hope you can find these in the EU.
Mounted up a new Karoo (not the (t) traveler)and took it out for a ride yesterday. Performed well, much better in the loose stuff than the Karoo T that was stock. Did well on the road too, don't know how long it will last, but at $78 it wasn't too much of a gamble.
For anybody needing tires www.bikebandit.com has a good deal going on until the 28th. Buy $99 in tires and you get free Motion pro tire irons plus free shipping. http://www.bikebandit.com/motion-pro-assorted-tire-iron?b=25546 And if you're an AMA member you get 10% off anything you order. So I ordered a front Pirelli Scorpion Rally for $57 and rear Michelin T63 for $54. Complete set of new rubber shipped to my door for $111 with free tire irons to boot. Other selection of tires at good prices also, rear 140/80-18; Dunlop 606 $81, Pirelli MT21 $68 Edit - today only Nov-28, now everybody gets 20% off everything. And above free shipping and tire iron offer is still valid. I'm stocking up and ordering more tires, T63 is now $48 and Scorpion Rally only $50 each. At the speed I'm racking up miles they'll only sit for a few months anyway. Doubt if you'll ever find a deal this sweet again. _
Got 1200 miles out of both the 606 (right) and MT-21 (left). The 606 has a slightly better bite and handles softer terrain slightly better. Pirelli is predictable and better priced. The cracking and chunking on the Pirelli is due to some very rocky terrain. Not unexpected and probably would be the same with the Dunlop.
Funny, in a worn out state the MT21 actually looks more aggressive, a more open tread spacing. The square edges of the 606 must bite better. A 606 has much taller knobs than the T63. My T63's are getting rounded off pretty quickly. Both of these tire's knobs have stayed pretty squared off - what pressure do you run on the hiway?
Hmmm...that's what I've been doing with the T63's. But I can tell a few hundred miles of pavement and they're gonna be toast.
+1 on these. I was able to balance my wheel and tire with weights on the inside of the rim, then a few layers of duct tape and cut out for the stem and lock:
I'm using the LiteLoc rim locks as well. I was surprised when balancing the with these. No weight needed up from, and only 1.5 oz. in the rear.
Last May i went about 20 miles on the White Rim Trail in Moab on a 606 that went flat from a brand new 16 penny nail that went thru and thru (i must have picked it up in town). Anyways, the outer puncture sealed up with the slime i was already running. The inner puncture would take about 2 miles to leak the air out. i would go about another mile on a totally flat tire. If you have ever been on this trail you know it is hardly a typical dirt road. I would stop every three miles, air up to 50lbs and ride like heck back towards town. After six cycles i made it to asphalt and the Colorado river. There was a boat/picnic area and we stopped for the shade and patched the tube while one of our buddies jammed to Moab to get a inner tube in case we couldn't fix it. Point is, when we decided to do the air up and ride like hell plan, everyone and myself, figured the tire would spin on the rim and this is why we sent a guy to town to get an inner tube. Maybe the 606 fit tighter on the rim? I have had this same result on my KLR. Oh notice the river all the way up to where we were!
The WRT has a lot of places perfect for pinch flats. This last year's record snowmelt has had water levels on the Green and Colorado at incredible heights. I rode it twice this year, between closures where the Green flooded Hardscrabble Bottom and Potato Bottom, and the section just below the newly repaired Mineral Bottom switchbacks. That's a loooong ride, and a horrible one to get a flat and not have a spare tube!
Yeah we got as far as Potato bottom the river was receding, but the road was still closed, next day we came around the other way past the potash mine. 70 miles in and 70 back. My profile pic is at the top of Hog Back where we ate lunch. I discovered the puncture on the way back, thankfully only about 20 miles from the potash mine and asphalt. That's why we decided to limp it to the shade. Compared to other tires i have had the pleasure of getting flats on, the 606 was the most impressive. Must be the stiff sidewalls. It was in the 90s that day and the tire was almost to hot to touch from all the flexing. Great experience though! I cant wait to go back next May!
I had a local shop put on the T63 over the weekend. I had them do it because I've never balanced a wheel before. I also went with the Motion Pro wheel lock, good recommendation. I do notice that when I go over 60 mph I get a slight wobble/ shimmy from the rear of the bike. I used to feel a bit of wobble from the Karoo front tire when on the grooved highway which I was used to. This wobble from the rear end is more pronounced and has a greater effect on the over all control of the bike. You think this occurs because it is not balanced right? Or is this somewhat normal with a 130 sized tire?
My wobble is gone. If they lined up the rear wheel with the hash marks on the swingarm it could be out of alignment. They don't agree with a tape measure from swingarm pivot to axle. I've had mine to 80 several times since the tire swap and I just get some hunting back and forth from the front end. Nothing from the rear (except a pretty good knob howl at 40-45). I don't think it has anything to do with the tire. I've got about 600 miles on mine now and it still looks like the photo above. But I still think 1200 miles it gonna be doing good, doubt it will go any further.
How much balance weights did the shop add to your rim? and what location did they add it? The Motion Pro rim lock is 2.4 ounces. I didn't balance mine but only guesstimated by adding 2 ounces of weight opposite the rim lock and it turned out perfect, not wobble whatsoever up to 96mph. My T63 is going on tomorrow so I'll post back later in the week my findings.
