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#Post#: 3043--------------------------------------------------
The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: Bartlioni Date: August 14, 2015, 12:23 pm
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I had an experience yesterday morning that confirmed a suspicion
of mine about my dual sport tires, and I thought it would be
worth bringing up to you guys. I ride mostly on the street.
But when I go off-road I want respectable performance. When I
got my 690 last year I researched it and locked in on the
timeless K-60 scout tires. And I'm firmly convinced this is the
way to go for my purposes. So here's some information about
this tire design that actually dates back to WW2.
The K-60 is currently made by at least two manufactures and they
look basically identical. Heidenau makes two different rear
tire versions: A cheesy looking 70/30 (street) tire and a true
50/50 dual-sport tire. The latter is the tire set I went with,
and I went with Heidenau for two reasons. (1) Heidenau has
established an almost cult following over the quality of their
tires. (2) The Heidenau version was rated for 12000 miles while
the Mefo version is rated for 9000 miles. It was a win-win or
so I thought. But let me explain something that will put what I
have to say about these tires in context.
I run a 16-tooth front sprocket instead of a 15-tooth. That
means I top out at 115mph while you 15t guys get about 105mph.
But you can climb up on sh-tuff and laugh at me bogging down in
the mud with the crud. That's how it is. Going 16t is
basically tossing first gear and adding a new 6th gear that's
particularly sweet when you hit 80mph or so. I digress.
So yesterday morning, as I merged over onto the highway leading
to work, I had a slow vehicle just in front of me. I moved over
to the left lane and did what I always do in these situations.
I level the bike in the new lane, and then I put the hammer down
which means go varoom in KTM talk. Always level the bike in
case the front starts coming up when you hit it. Engine was all
to happy to comply, but at about 58mph when I engaged the warp
drive, the rear tire slipped nearly a quarter-spin. Now I had
previously reported on this site that it had only happened once
in cold weather, but this is new and different. It was high
humidity and there probably was a slight amount of dew on the
road. But I now question the wisdom of my selection and here's
why:
The Mefo K-60 may only be rated for 9k miles, but that means its
using a softer compound that probably would not have slipped on
this bike under these conditions. Okay, I see it now. I ducked
up. I have to have instantaneous acceleration without
compromise. Its just the kind of guy I am. I was looking for
one of those spooky surreal experiences that only you guys can
understand where in a matter of mili-seconds all the cars around
you disappear into the rearview. You know, a standard warp
jump. I gotta have it every time on a dime man. But this
wonderful Heidenau tire that would be perfect for any 650
hiccups on the supreme 690. 'New Tire Inbound on your pod
Bartlioni!'
I'm sure you understand,
#Post#: 3047--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: Philip Pino Date: August 15, 2015, 4:25 pm
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Its interesting to find out the Mefo Explorer and the Heideneau
Scout are the "same" tire made to different specs. I was trying
to decide on the Mefo or Heideneau but went in a different
direction and chose the Mitas E07 Dakar at both ends. The
slightly more aggressive tread pattern is what got me. I've
ridden in a monsoonal down pour in Utah and had no issues with
traction, even with the map setting on #2. But I was also
riding on the cautious side. In the dry I can engage warp drive
without any slip with all map settings.
#Post#: 3057--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: Colorado Rider Date: August 17, 2015, 6:25 pm
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Sometimes it just happens no matter what tire you have. Some
rain, a smooth surface, etc. Once a car had spilt some
antifreeze, I didn't see it and I hit it and went sideways. I
found myself doing 'dirt maneuvers' on asphalt. Thank goodness
for the instinctive dirt reflexes, or I would have dumped it.
Every tire is going to have some drawback.
#Post#: 3078--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: renogeorge Date: August 19, 2015, 7:00 pm
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I am a 990 guy, lurking over here and seriously considering a
690. Hope you don't mind my comments on this.
I put 10,000 miles on a 150/18 Heidenau K60. Most of that was
on an Alaska trip and much of that was on wet, wetter and
raining like hell road. I never had a wiggle or slip out of
that tire. I don't ride it like a sport bike usually but like
to play in the twisties when the opportunity is there. Finally
took that tire off because I was sick of looking at it. That,
and the 150 has a really flat profile that you beging to feel
when turning and getting the tire to roll up on the side. In
addition, I never considered the tire to be much of an
improvement in the dirt over stock Pirelli Scorps. The 150 has
a tread pattern which, as it wears, leaves a continuous strip
down the center, not helping dirt performance when combined with
ultra hard rubber and flat profile.
Put a Mefo on to replace the Heidenau. Somewhat better in the
dirt. Same flat profile. Much softer rubber. Doubt I will get
6k miles out of it. Probably try the Mitas next as the tread
pattern is a little more aggressive.
Continental TKCs for the front. They tend to cup a little from
braking and need to be flipped at 3k or so. I have total
confidence in them on the street and they meet my needs for less
than extreme dirt riding.
FWIW
#Post#: 3195--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: renogeorge Date: September 29, 2015, 10:03 pm
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Picked up a 2012 690 and just mounted a Mitas 07 on the rear,
with Tubliss insert. I'll try to remember to report back when I
have meaningful mileage and experience. Gonna go with the TKC
80 front after the MT21 wears out
FWIW
#Post#: 3205--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: Rockitboy Date: October 10, 2015, 10:39 am
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The Metzeler Karoo 3 is also a great choice. I have run thru 3
sets of these & they are not bad in the dirt & fair on the road.
They wear fast though. I have been getting about 3500 miles on
the rears & I think I'm pretty close to 10k miles on the front
but it could use a fresh one. My latest tire is the Metzeler
Sahara 3. I put on the rear about 2k miles ago & like it on the
road but of course it's not the greatest in the dirt. Still
running that Karoo 3 up front. At 2k miles the Sahara shows very
little wear. I imagine this will be close to a 10k mile tire.
#Post#: 3206--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: truck11 Date: October 13, 2015, 10:14 am
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How are you saying that 3,500 & 10,000 miles of use is 'wearing
fast'? I'm lucky if I get 500 miles out of a set of rear tires.
I'm less than 1500 miles and already on my second front and 4th
or 5th rear.
:-)
#Post#: 3207--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: Rockitboy Date: October 13, 2015, 11:31 am
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Sounds like your running a pure MX tire..? Not many folks
riding the 690 want to change tires that often!
#Post#: 3208--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: truck11 Date: October 13, 2015, 12:03 pm
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Stock tire, then a DOT knobby, then a dirt knobby (that was
crap!). So far longest lasting knobby is the Motoz Tractionator
Enduro IT.
Hate changing tires.
#Post#: 3222--------------------------------------------------
The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
By: rednipj Date: October 19, 2015, 5:57 am
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I also went with the tractionator. Most of our riding is in
sugarsand. I get to try it out this Friday.
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