► Tyre choices and emergency repairs

[twisticles]

Hmm the K60 has been around a few months.

If you prefer a Tourance copy (instead of a TKC80 copy) try the K76.

http://f800gsrider.blogspot.com/2009/02/wheel-specs-rim-front-2.html

 

[WoodWorks]

f you prefer a Tourance copy (instead of a TKC80 copy) try the K76.

You think the K60 looks like a TKC-80?

To me it splits the difference between a Tourance (road bias) and a TKC-80 (off-road bias). A true 50/50 tire.

David

 

[twisticles]

You think the K60 looks like a TKC-80?

To me it splits the difference between a Tourance (road bias) and a TKC-80 (off-road bias). A true 50/50 tire.

David

Well you know what I mean - a less dirt-orientated tyre. I go out with the local MX club here, and they laugh at my "road orientated" TKC80s. Horses for courses, innit?

Whether its a true 50-50 tyre is still a subject for discussion - some people like the longevity of the Heidenaus, other people find that they are scary in the wet because they don't stick. That's always the trade-off isn't it?

I can't speak from personal experience of the Heidenaus, Singapore is limited in its tyre choice

 

[everywherevirtually]

other people find that they are scary in the wet because they don't stick.

What scarier than the TKC-80's in the wet?

 

[The Other PaulG]

This may be a contentious view (because I know there are lots of TKC fans here) but in my experience I've always found TKCs to perform better than you'd think on the road, and not as well as you'd hope off road (certainly in mud, where they clog extremely easily and become pretty slick).



Having said that, there's no doubt that a well prepared GS with TKCs certainy looks the business..!

Paul G

 

[The White Rabbit]

What scarier than the TKC-80's in the wet?

I didn't really think they were a problem on tarmac at all

 

[sijohnston]

I agree. i don't like tourances at all. they last a while, but they're not a great tyre on the 800 (imho). neither are the TKC's terribly good off-road; a proper enduro tyre will serve you much better. i have found the tkc's to be the favoured for general riding, but will try these heidenau's next.

This may be a contentious view (because I know there are lots of TKC fans here) but in my experience I've always found TKCs to perform better than you'd think on the road, and not as well as you'd hope off road (certainly in mud, where they clog extremely easily and become pretty slick).



Having said that, there's no doubt that a well prepared GS with TKCs certainy looks the business..!

Paul G

 

[everywherevirtually]

I didn't really think they were a problem on tarmac at all

They are good on tarmac but I've had a few moments in the wet where they have seriously stepped out.

 

[maddaddy]

What do you expect?

They are good on tarmac but I've had a few moments in the wet where they have seriously stepped out.

Tell me about a tire that doesn't.

Some are better than other on given conditions, but you best know your equipment. If you are not adjusting your riding to the conditions you are doomed to fail. Even with the best type of tire for said conditions.

Unless you are on a closed track with pampered asphalt you are exposed to the "X" factor.

 

[Diamaduk]

New tyres

Fitted a new set of anakees this weekend, did it at home using 13" levers, bit of a bugger to get the front tyre off and on again, the rear was loads easier once the bead was broken.
£146.00 delivered from these good folks http://www.moto-tyres.co.uk/

 

[ChrisK]

Seems a lot of hard work and a bit costly. Just had a set of 020's fitted to my GSA for £120 at Kingston tyres. Rode bike in had breakfast in cafe next door and rode out 40 mins later. Job's a good un

 

[Diamaduk]

Seems a lot of hard work and a bit costly. Just had a set of 020's fitted to my GSA for £120 at Kingston tyres. Rode bike in had breakfast in cafe next door and rode out 40 mins later. Job's a good un

It was hard work, what I really wanted was to see if I could do it, I carry all necessary tools in the tool tube to complete the task and I now know I can do a roadside repair. £146 was the best online price I could find for the Anakees.

I know it would have been easier to roll in and roll out with new treads but less satisfying from my pov..


Jimmy

 

[sijohnston]

i'd be interested in hearing how you get on with the anakees. i fitted another set of tkc's last week and have since done around 1000 miles, and won't be able to hold out as they're already getting low. i hate tourances even though they last for an age, so anakees or the heidenau's might be next on the list.

 

[ninjasquaddie]

Seems a lot of hard work and a bit costly. Just had a set of 020's fitted to my GSA for £120 at Kingston tyres. Rode bike in had breakfast in cafe next door and rode out 40 mins later. Job's a good un

That's a good price. I got a replacement set of Battlewings fitted by FWR at the Oval for 197 quid fitted.....

 

[Diamaduk]

i'd be interested in hearing how you get on with the anakees. i fitted another set of tkc's last week and have since done around 1000 miles, and won't be able to hold out as they're already getting low. i hate tourances even though they last for an age, so anakees or the heidenau's might be next on the list.

I got about 7k from the front Battlewing with about 1k left on the rear, Like every other tyre the Anakee has mixed reviews, I like the more aggressive looking tread pattern but will be more concerned with road holding and mileage..

Jimmy

 

[BM_donator]

My Dunlop D607F's are looking good after 1500 miles - a lot better than the Battlewings which died at 4000 miles

 

[sijohnston]

That's a good price. I got a replacement set of Battlewings fitted by FWR at the Oval for 197 quid fitted.....

even with all the bad rep battlewings seemed to get on the early 800's, i have to say that i was very impressed by them. they step out less than tourances in the rain, and in the dry they are so so sticky. but as the stickiness is directly related to softness, they went down very fast. will took a look at the dunlops too. ta.

 

[twisticles]

I must admit that on the road I did like the battlewings. Smallest chicken strips of my life, although I did spend a lot of time hooning it when the bike was new. I don't seem to achieve the same leans on the TKC80, but I don't know if that is psychological coz of the knobbles. I don't think I ride slower on them...

 

[sijohnston]

i can get the same lean on the tkc's as i can on the battlewings, it's just not as comfortable. my new wunderlich side-stand extender has been ground down after a trip back from achill island yesterday. 2 more weekends like that and my tkc's will last about 3 trips out! send me a few SGD's twisticles will ya, for a summer tyre budget?

I must admit that on the road I did like the battlewings. Smallest chicken strips of my life, although I did spend a lot of time hooning it when the bike was new. I don't seem to achieve the same leans on the TKC80, but I don't know if that is psychological coz of the knobbles. I don't think I ride slower on them...

 

[richie]

i'd be interested in hearing how you get on with the anakees. i fitted another set of tkc's last week and have since done around 1000 miles, and won't be able to hold out as they're already getting low. i hate tourances even though they last for an age, so anakees or the heidenau's might be next on the list.

Some people don't like Anakees. Myself I thought they were brilliant and gave quicker steering than the Tourance.

Rode transalp yesterday with those Heidaneu tyres, no problems whatsoever and cheap as chips. Maybe a good compromise between TKC and the more road biased Anakee/Tourance...