Here we go. Best tires

[engineerk9]

It's still on there. Incredible, really. I thought they would be gone by now. As I said before I very likely still have another 500-700 miles left on them. but I did reverse them to wear the blocks the other way after my last post. I have a new set waiting in the wings for installation.

I've now fitted the Mefo 99 to the rear tyre, great 450klm ride on Saturday, what an impressive tyre
Now for the front replacement

 

[kiwiape]

1. Original front Enduro 3 took off after 500ks..to sketchy on gravel, great road tyre.
2. Dunlop D606 front ok on gravel and road, very good off road, don''t use the front brake otherwise it wears angle knobs and keep pressure up, got 7000ks, from first and 10,000ks second (learnt not to use less front brake!).
3. Dunlop D605 front.. OMG what a tyre!!, bike is locked in on gravel, rock solid on road....high recommend this tyre for our bikes. So far off road ability seems very good even on slipper clay...maybe the best all round tyre yet....??!!
4. TKC 80 rear..what a POS. Its the most expensive, worst wearing, least amount of grip tyre I've owned, would not recommend.
5. Dunlop D606 rear. On road = solid, off road/gravel has epic grip compared to everything I've tried. Milage good 6000ks
6. Enduro 3 rear, excellent on road, grip on gravel average, mileage average 4000ks

My bike is 18500ks old and I have chewed out two fronts (just started my third) and four rear tyres. I now need a new rear now and not sure what to get....I'm wanting a little more road than D606 in a 17"....I really wish Dunlop would make a D605 5.1" 17"....anybody at Dunlop listening ...??

 

[engineerk9]

1. Original front Enduro 3 took off after 500ks..to sketchy on gravel, great road tyre.
2. Dunlop D606 front ok on gravel and road, very good off road, don''t use the front brake otherwise it wears angle knobs and keep pressure up, got 7000ks, from first and 10,000ks second (learnt not to use less front brake!).
3. Dunlop D605 front.. OMG what a tyre!!, bike is locked in on gravel, rock solid on road....high recommend this tyre for our bikes. So far off road ability seems very good even on slipper clay...maybe the best all round tyre yet....??!!
4. TKC 80 rear..what a POS. Its the most expensive, worst wearing, least amount of grip tyre I've owned, would not recommend.
5. Dunlop D606 rear. On road = solid, off road/gravel has epic grip compared to everything I've tried. Milage good 6000ks
6. Enduro 3 rear, excellent on road, grip on gravel average, mileage average 4000ks

My bike is 18500ks old and I have chewed out two fronts (just started my third) and four rear tyres. I now need a new rear now and not sure what to get....I'm wanting a little more road than D606 in a 17"....I really wish Dunlop would make a D605 5.1" 17"....anybody at Dunlop listening ...??

I can't complain about the K60 I've just changed for the Mefo 99 (K60 18inch doesn't have that central strip)
People rave over the Mitas E-7 for a rear tyre - my Mefo was virtually a gift
The Karoo 3 on the front gave amazing grip on dry tarmac, but hopeless on wet gravel
After much hoo-ha have just fitted a Mitas E-10 on the front, let's see how it goes after a couple 1,000klms

 

[engineerk9]

My OEM Sahara rear lasted 8400 miles with a 70/30 street-dirt mix. I decided to replace with the Heidenau K60 Scout 140/80-18. As you can see below, this size does not have the center rib like other 150 and 130 widths so I expect it will hook-up better off-road... we'll see. Based on many other user reviews, its a very good all-arounder for the type of riding we typically encounter here in the dry Arizona heat.

BTW... I also bought the Mitas e07 front but haven't mounted it yet... my Sahara is good for at least another 1000mi or so. I'll post it when I make that swap.

View attachment 55717

I couldn't get the original Sahara off the front, too many "nip" punctures & wash-outs on any sort of dirt

 

[kiwiape]

Shinko E700 5.1 x 17 on @18,800km, lest c how she goes....


17 August 2105
240k's later and the Shinko is well scrubbed. Seems good on road and good off road and gravel. Chicken strips are gone, which surprised me considering it has a large profile and I can still lean further. The only problem will be a high wear rate, which is showing already....I'm picking 3000k's maybe 4000k's at best. The blocks feel quite soft. Tread height to started with was 10mm. If the pic below does funky things to your eyes, your not alone, think my phone got a bit muddled.

 

[engineerk9]

Shinko E700 5.1 x 17 on @18,800km, lest c how she goes....
View attachment 58511

I don't think Shinko make an 18inch

 

[Baddrapp]

I was lucky and I was able to get a Goldentyre 216 AA fat tire for the front. I just got back from an 1850 mile trip to Moab Utah. This tire is awsome. It stuck everywhere and did fantastic on the highway. So far best tire for the front.

I did ballance the tire with the HF tire ballancer. I used the brass spoke weights.

The tire was so good. Out of Flagstaff we got in the valcanic sand. The front stuck and never washed out. In Moab it was alot of rock, staircases and some fantastic single track. People say it is great in the ruts. It is true. I could climb out of ruts, switch lines like a pro. Well maybe an old guy cruising along. The friend I rode with noticed the difference. He is picking one up in the next couple of weeks, hopefully.

 

[danketchpel]

I don't think Shinko make an 18inch

Yes, they make a 130x80-18 which is what I'm running on my Terra. You can see photo of it on my bike in post #81

I really like these tires for the conditions I ride in. I can get between 4-5k Miles from a rear and my current front has about 6,500 miles and looks barely worn. It's not wearing funky either. For the price they are excellent, even disregarding price they are very good IMO unless you ride very soft/sloppy/greasy stuff all the time. I live in SoCal where rain has forgotten how to fall so I ride mostly dry hard pack crap.....

 

[Cpan]

Changed OEM Tyres to Tkc 80s front and rear 10000km. Done 200km now but still feels like I'm going to get into a big tank slapper any moment
Tried different psi front rear, took windshield off . No difference . Those Sahara sure were good on the black compared to these, Any tips?. Maybe they need scrubbing in some more

 

[sussurf]

My EO7f/K60r combo feels much like the Saharas., but not quite as good.

 

[DandyDisco]

Changed OEM Tyres to Tkc 80s front and rear 10000km. Done 200km now but still feels like I'm going to get into a big tank slapper any moment
Tried different psi front rear, took windshield off . No difference . Those Sahara sure were good on the black compared to these, Any tips?. Maybe they need scrubbing in some more

This subject is very hard to nail. The geometry of a bike is such that by its nature it's always wanting to self align.
Sit a rider on top and you add a variable.
So over 2 years I've tried 4 types of tyres on strada rims to try and experience this affect.
On one occasion, with a new rally cross front tyre, doing over 140km I did get a weaver affect. Stopped and dropped the pressure down to 24psi. That solved that for the next 10000k and could do 170km. So next step was to try terra rims.
Well! I had ac10 tyres installed. The knobs on those tyres are so soft. So you say. Now I do get a weaver overtaking trucks doing over 120, but it's like something you could get use to like wind or loose gravel. Just don't fight it. Doing twisties is now a chore. But oh what a feeling when doing dirt. 2000ks later and you can't beat them for the off road stuff. So I just put up with them until I get there. But I've still got the strada rims for touring.

 

[NLfireblade]

I'm searching for new tires for this summer because the TKC 80's are causing a huge wobble over 120 km/hr. It's really not safe. I've tried different pressures and shock settings. I'm wondering if anyone knows if it's the front, rear or both that cause this. Maybe I just need to replace one? These tires are awesome off road of course, but most of my riding is on road. Also, what is the widest tire you can put on the rear?

Thanks!

 

[drzcharlie]

NL,

I had the same problem with a Heidenau and then the TKC80 on the rear. The back end wobbled something fierce from 30mph to about 50mph. Both tires were balanced carefully. My next rear was a Kenda Big Block problem solved. I am on my second one now. i'm not saying it will be the same for you but they are cheap enough to try it without much regret.

 

[Baddrapp]

So for the best front for me has been the Golentyre 216aa. It does great on the highway and awsome in the dirt.

 

[engineerk9]

So for the best front for me has been the Golentyre 216aa. It does great on the highway and awsome in the dirt.

Just purchased Motoz Tractionator 90/90-21 Adventure Front Tyre - to replace the Mitas E-10 prior to my Cameron Corner ride in July - still 3-5,000 klms left in Mitas tyre - the Mefo 99 rear tyre is showing no signs of wear

 

[NLfireblade]

Ok, thanks. It's probably the rear that is causing the issue then. I've been looking and I think I'm going to try the Shinko 705's and just replace the both of them, front and rear. They look great for the street and don't look like they'll have the wobble issue(fingers crossed), and you can't beat the price. Great reviews too. They come in a 170 rear.. anyone know if it will fit or do I have to stick with the 150? How about the front? Will it fit the 130?

Thanks!

Btw, I'm going to try a 17 tooth sprocket as well. Riding with guys on the bigger bikes means cruising at higher speeds on the highway and I don't want the bike over revving. If I could keep the speed down a bit then I wouldn't need the tires or the sprockets... doesn't look like that's gonna be an option lol.

 

[Cpan]

I put Shinko 705s front and rear after trying different combos.
I think these are the ones , apart from the stock tires which I found great on the Tarmac
When I'm passing cars or just speeding I sit back a little and the bikes ultra stable.
After riding my triumph thunderbird this bike seems a bit flighty or squirrelly now
Just the nature of the beast I suppose
Still a great bike tho

 

[engineerk9]

I put Shinko 705s front and rear after trying different combos.
I think these are the ones , apart from the stock tires which I found great on the Tarmac
When I'm passing cars or just speeding I sit back a little and the bikes ultra stable.
After riding my triumph thunderbird this bike seems a bit flighty or squirrelly now
Just the nature of the beast I suppose
Still a great bike tho

My new Motoz Adventure tyre to replace the Mitas E-10

 

[drzcharlie]

Meaty tire. Any feedback as to wearability?

 

[engineerk9]

I put Shinko 705s front and rear after trying different combos.
I think these are the ones , apart from the stock tires which I found great on the Tarmac
When I'm passing cars or just speeding I sit back a little and the bikes ultra stable.
After riding my triumph thunderbird this bike seems a bit flighty or squirrelly now
Just the nature of the beast I suppose
Still a great bike tho

I use Tubeless (with HD tuces) because of the additional wall stiffness, Motoz recommend 33psi for most conditions - "belts & braces"
It's a new tyre on the market designed for Australian desert or tropical rain forest conditions, 100% natural rubber