HP2 tyres

Wreford Miles · Feb 7, 2013

I want to do some road miles and offroad and I'm looking for recomendations.

I want some front end grip so a Michelin Desert on the front would not do it for me.

I've run MT21's on both the Airhead and the XC and found them good on and off road

I'm currently thinking TKC's

I'm told that keeping the rear narrow (140) helps with the bike offroad but I could get the TKC in a 150

I'm currently thinking TKC's with a 140 on the back

what's your view?

Cheers

Wreford

Wreford Miles · Feb 7, 2013

Maybe a Michelin Desert on the back and an MT21 on the front is the way to go...

Blue Sweeper · Feb 7, 2013

The TKC's are the ones I've used mostly, but only with a 140/80 R 17 tyre on the rear and 90/90 R 21 front. I did the entire length of the Portugal trails North to South last year and they performed well apart from the deep sandy ones. TKC's are fine on dry trails but deep mud is a chore as is deep soft sand.

As you probably know, TKC's are just great on dry tarmac, but interesting in the wet.

I've also had the originally fitted Metzeler Karoo tyres but the rear wears down real quick, far faster than the Conti TKC's. I got less than 2000 miles out of the rear, so never fitted another one.

If you're wanting to have a go at trails in the UK during winter, think about something else

rudiemoto · Feb 7, 2013

tkc did every thing in marocco
mud ,sand, road ,
so tkc for me

SkyGod · Feb 7, 2013

TKC or Karoo front, Michelin Desert Rear. :thumb2

Wreford Miles · Feb 7, 2013

What about one of these on the back http://www.zenoverland.com/tyres_tubes/mefo_s_explorer.html

rocky burns · Feb 7, 2013

Wreford Miles said:
What about one of these on the back http://www.zenoverland.com/tyres_tubes/mefo_s_explorer.html

Looks like the heidiendau tread or what ever they are called....

louisdut · Feb 7, 2013

Just my thoughts

TKC's good if its dry, waste of time in the smallest bit of wet mud

I use two setups only (but you do need an 18” rear)

Riding that’s more off road than tarmac Michelin Deserts front and rear

Riding that’s more tarmac than off road MT21 front Dunlop 908 rear

Louis

Mav · Feb 7, 2013

louisdut said:
Just my thoughts

TKC's good if its dry, waste of time in the smallest bit of wet mud

I use two setups only (but you do need an 18” rear)

Riding that’s more off road than tarmac Michelin Deserts front and rear

Riding that’s more tarmac than off road MT21 front Dunlop 908 rear

Louis

I'm with Louis - Deserts are surprisingly good on the road, considering how good they are off-road. But no longer available on a 17" rim. T63 is a pretty similar mould tho :thumb2

Wreford Miles · Feb 7, 2013

So how about a desert (rather than a 908) on the back and an MT21 on the front?

louisdut · Feb 7, 2013

Wreford Miles said:
So how about a desert (rather than a 908) on the back and an MT21 on the front?

Think that would work well

The MT21 does seems to wear funny, think it's when bracking hard on a heavy bike :nenau

Was only talking about this to someone at the weekend and he truns his round every 800 miles on his Tenere, I don't bother

louis

dopra · Feb 10, 2013

Michelin Desert on rear, front excellent D952, really, better than MT21 or Motoz Desert.

michaelmy · Feb 20, 2013

Good thread and very timely!
Anyone tried any Mitas tyres as Gwyn has a very smart hp2
Just getting mine fettled.
it is still on unused original tyres
Holan racks to go on for protection and a wilbers

Greg Masters · Feb 20, 2013

I think Michelin Deserts are made with a high mahogany content!

Might be OK on the rear but I've only ever used on the front - and never again!

michaelmy · Feb 20, 2013

I had deserts on my 990 and never again, too dangerous on wet Tarmac - they live up to their name!

Mav · Feb 20, 2013

Greg Masters said:
I think Michelin Deserts are made with a high mahogany content!

Might be OK on the rear but I've only ever used on the front - and never again!

Why not on the front? I found them to be pretty good... although they do cup pretty fast.

Wreford Miles · Feb 20, 2013

I have a desert on the front of both the Airhead and XC matched to a Mefo Stone Master on the rear. It's a good combo but not one Id recommend for lots of road work.

I've ridden the Airhead on the motorway in pouring rain and its not fun - in the dry you have a nice 80 MPH weave to keep you company.

I've gone for TKC in the HP2 as I want to do some road miles and may use it for the Lands End Trial

michaelmy · Feb 21, 2013

Going for d606 front and co2 rear to start with and will test it at next blue light day on the 2 or 3 march as I don't think karoos will do!

Mike54 · Feb 21, 2013

desert rear is not for me in anything but....desert. they are skittish as hell on loose surfaces when cornering at speed, no grip at all.

louisdut · Feb 21, 2013

Mike54 said:
desert rear is not for me in anything but....desert. they are skittish as hell on loose surfaces when cornering at speed, no grip at all.

What tyre do you suggest then Mike ? remember we are talking about a Hp2 and not an enduro bike

Wreford Miles said:
I want to do some road miles and offroad and I'm looking for recomendations.

Also this thread is about a tyre that can stand some road miles too

Look forwards to your suggestions ( hope there better than your suspension ones, you were offering the 690 owners

)

Louis

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