► Tyre choices and emergency repairs

I was also surprised that my Battlewings were both shot at the same time (all be it on a 1200). Nearly always get 2 rears to every front.

FWIW, I've never had a rear last more than 4000 miles on the 1200 (Battlewings, D607, Avon Azaro/ST) and that's on marble smooth Englandshire roads ;)

Andres
 
Outtomunch said:
I was also surprised that my Battlewings were both shot at the same time (all be it on a 1200). Nearly always get 2 rears to every front............
Andres
Click to expand...

Same here on other bikes, always used to use that as a rough formula for planning tyre changing budget.

I aint that fussed if I don't get a lot out of my tyres, as Mav said I too will happily trade longevity for grip.
 
Schtum said:
At the risk of debunking the myth that all Englishmen are limp-wristed wimps.......:augie

Much depends on road surface. I've never had more than 4,700 miles out of a rear Tourance and a bit less out of a Dunlop D607 on my two 1200s. Our fine, abrasive and grippy road surfaces do a much better job of ensuring short tyre life than the slick road surfaces of Englandshire.
Click to expand...

Quite correct the further North ye go the worse the problem.:thumb2

Not much surface dressing in engerland
 
....hadn't considered the actual road surface being the culprit.

Would make sense, I'm hardly unleashing torque of Rocket 3 proportions.






But I try.:D
 
tyre pressure

what is the correct tyre pressure for tkc 80s when warm? :nenau

my front tyre feels soft yet its at the 'correct' pressure!

any answers?

thanks.
 
How long did your rubber last?

Off this summer on a lengthy overland trip which will necessitate tyre changes due to the distance to be covered.
Roads will be a mix of smoothish tarmac / graded gravel and probably a lot worse!

The question is really addressed to those of you who have already gone through your first pair of tyres on a 650/800GS -It would be really helpful for my planning to have some indication of the tyre life you've experienced (front & rear) of:

1. The stock Battlewings

2. Continental TKC 80's


Any and all feedback appreciated.
 
Thanks - Klanky some useful info! Anybody experience of TKC's on a 650/800GS? Seem to remember Tim Cullis posting a while back about running on TKC's all the time!

Keep the info coming fellas.
 
stock batle wings lasted about 10k for the rear and 7k on the front, now using tkc 80s for road and trail work and find them a good compromise, the front is hardly worn but the rear is about half way thru after 3k
 
good on you mate, sounds great!

my opinion is that neither of these is your best option for longevity. i clocked some 2500 miles on my battlewings last april when i got the 800. i then took off in july for a trip around europe. the battlewings wouldn't have managed it, so i put on some tourances (not EXP's i hasten to add). so far they've been the best wearing tyre, by a long stretch, but my least favourite - i think they are probably better suited to the 1200's. the battlewings are the best for pure tarmac and grippy as you like, but the front does wear; they are as good as useless off-road. TKC's are the best all-rounder. Contrary to what many think though, they are not an enduro tyre and the knobs are too big for serious off-road, but they are the best compromise. going on what you describe as your trip, i think tourances are your answer. if you're doing any more than 6-7000 in the heat of summer and you push on, you'll need to change on whatever you ride with on the 800, but that or under, the tourances will take you all the way...i'd suggest. my preference is to always ride TKC's, even though I've to change the rear more frequently, but they are cheaper tyres and worth every penny. hope this helps.


mystic said:
Off this summer on a lengthy overland trip which will necessitate tyre changes due to the distance to be covered.
Roads will be a mix of smoothish tarmac / graded gravel and probably a lot worse!

The question is really addressed to those of you who have already gone through your first pair of tyres on a 650/800GS -It would be really helpful for my planning to have some indication of the tyre life you've experienced (front & rear) of:

1. The stock Battlewings

2. Continental TKC 80's


Any and all feedback appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
mystic said:
Off this summer on a lengthy overland trip which will necessitate tyre changes due to the distance to be covered.
Roads will be a mix of smoothish tarmac / graded gravel and probably a lot worse!

The question is really addressed to those of you who have already gone through your first pair of tyres on a 650/800GS -It would be really helpful for my planning to have some indication of the tyre life you've experienced (front & rear) of:

1. The stock Battlewings

2. Continental TKC 80's


Any and all feedback appreciated.
Click to expand...

3,500 klm from a rear TKC. Front still going:D
 
Thanks for that Si.

The trip will be a mixture of decent tarmac / followed by probably crap tarmac with potholes, followed by mixture of graded gravel / mud and whatever! On the return leg finally back onto some reasonable black stuff!

What is certain is that we will need three tyre changes. Intend to ride out on new road tyres through Europe and into Russia - then at some point dependant upon the tyre wear and road conditions, change to TKC's (which will be carried on the bike).

What I'm after is advice based on experience on

1. The best wearing road tyres for the first leg of the trip / kind of mileage that can be expected.

2. Some indication as to the road life of a set of TKC's on a loaded 800GS over some less than smooth conditions.

(soon as we get back into Europe it'll be a new set of road tyres for the final leg back to the UK)

You mention in your post you put Tourances on - I'm assuming on a 800GS - wasn't aware they made Tourances to fit the 800's wheel sizes - please tell me more! (Rode on them on my 1150GS and was happy with their life span and riding qualities).

I know this is a bit like asking how long is a bit of string! :nenau






backsijohnston said:
good on you mate, sounds great!

my opinion is that neither of these is your best option for longevity. i clocked some 2500 miles on my battlewings last april when i got the 800. i then took off in july for a trip around europe. the battlewings wouldn't have managed it, so i put on some tourances (not EXP's i hasten to add). so far they've been the best wearing tyre, by a long stretch, but my least favourite - i think they are probably better suited to the 1200's. the battlewings are the best for pure tarmac and grippy as you like, but the front does wear; they are as good as useless off-road. TKC's are the best all-rounder. Contrary to what many think though, they are not an enduro tyre and the knobs are too big for serious off-road, but they are the best compromise. going on what you describe as your trip, i think tourances are your answer. if you're doing any more than 6-7000 in the heat of summer and you push on, you'll need to change on whatever you ride with on the 800, but that or under, the tourances will take you all the way...i'd suggest. my preference is to always ride TKC's, even though I've to change the rear more frequently, but they are cheaper tyres and worth every penny. hope this helps.
Click to expand...
 
mystic said:
Thanks for that Si.

The trip will be a mixture of decent tarmac / followed by probably crap tarmac with potholes, followed by mixture of graded gravel / mud and whatever! On the return leg finally back onto some reasonable black stuff!

What is certain is that we will need three tyre changes. Intend to ride out on new road tyres through Europe and into Russia - then at some point dependant upon the tyre wear and road conditions, change to TKC's (which will be carried on the bike).

What I'm after is advice based on experience on

1. The best wearing road tyres for the first leg of the trip / kind of mileage that can be expected.

2. Some indication as to the road life of a set of TKC's on a loaded 800GS over some less than smooth conditions.

(soon as we get back into Europe it'll be a new set of road tyres for the final leg back to the UK)

You mention in your post you put Tourances on - I'm assuming on a 800GS - wasn't aware they made Tourances to fit the 800's wheel sizes - please tell me more! (Rode on them on my 1150GS and was happy with their life span and riding qualities).

I know this is a bit like asking how long is a bit of string! :nenau
Click to expand...


I know your looking for suggestions 'based on experience' but I don't have an 800gs. But I have done quite a few miles on TKC's on my 1200gs.

Last September My other half and myself covered 2700 miles around the Alps, she on a 650gs (single) and me on the 1200. I rode on TKC's fitted new for the ride. Jill had Pirellis fitted, though I can't remember which ones except that they were road tyres (the bike was sold on shortly after our return).
Both bike where fully loaded with all the kit, plus those extras necessary for ones comfort. The tent weighed 10Kg :augie and both bikes had large alli panniers and 42ltr top boxes.

Upon our return there was no significant ware to either set of tyres. Both bikes performed very well with the exception of the TKC's when riding on the cobbled hairpins of some of the passes. they gave the impression of riding on flat tyres, but with no loss of grip.

The 1200 has now done 9000 miles on the same set of TKC's and there is still 3mm left on the rear. I have been getting 14000 front and 11000 from the rear with the TKC's and comfortably touch my toes on the corners. As for the 650 I'm still in contact with the current owner and have not heard mention of new tyres as yet, and he is commuting two up about 40 miles daily.
With our experiences I would have thought that you would actually need only two sets of tyres to get you there and back. I would be confident of getting about 7000 miles from the rear TKC whilst fully loaded.

Tourances where mentioned by Sijohnstone. Though as he mentioned not the EXP's as they are too soft. If your going to be riding on tar and gravel these will do you well with excellent mileage and road handling. They do come in 90/90/21 to fit the older R100gs's and also the HP2, so therefore should fit the 800 nicely.

Though it's not directly 800gs experience, I hope this gives you some idea as to what you can expect on your travels.

Good luck with it all.

Val.
 
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