► Tyre choices and emergency repairs

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Quite a few references to TK's on here. Best thing is to use the search facility, it will probably answer most of your queries straight away. If not, let us know.

ps TK's are tubed.

Mine ain't.

1200, mind.

 

[Mad Cow]

800GS's have to be fitted with tubes as they use conventional spoked wheels.

1200's have alloys so run tubeless.

1200 GSA's have spoked wheels but with the spokes mating to the outside of the rim (i.e. outside the tyre bead) hence they are able to run tubeless too.

TKC's will be a lot less able on the tarmac but heck it depends on your riding.

My CCM 604 Dual Sport has both 21"/18" trail wheels and 17" supermoto wheels.

The trailies are shod with Pirelli MT21 rallycross and are fairly sketchy on tarmac, mind you they are not great in mud either so care needs to be taken at all times.

The SM wheels are shod with Pirelli Diablos and stick like the preverbial to a blanket

Funnily enough I have done most of my greenlaning on the SM wheels this summer, only having fitted the trail wheels once.

 

[Klanky]

Mine ain't.

1200, mind.

I were waiting for that.......

 

[chrisjk]

TKC's will be a lot less able on the tarmac but heck it depends on your riding.

Like most folk who've commented here and on other forums, I find this untrue. TKC 80s are pretty darn good on the road, wet or dry. They have a better rep than MT21s for road use.

Some mag did a test around a track and found them only a couple of secs per lap slower than road tyres - there's a reference somewhere on this site.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

Like most folk who've commented here and on other forums, I find this untrue. TKC 80s are pretty darn good on the road, wet or dry. They have a better rep than MT21s for road use.

Some mag did a test around a track and found them only a couple of secs per lap slower than road tyres - there's a reference somewhere on this site.

+1

I run on TKCs all the time. They feel a bit odd on the road at first, but soon feel fine.

 

[Klanky]

+another.

I don't hang about and the tyres are fine. Expext to eat your way though them pretty quickly if you give them some stick on the road. they're good enough for me in the wet, too.

Oh, but don't ever, EVER try to go across a wet cattle grid in anything less than a perfectly straight and upright line on TK's. Leaning and going on the gas is not a good idea. Having both ends let go is not an experience I am keen to recreate.......

 

[Blobby]

+another.

Oh, but don't ever, EVER try to go across a wet cattle grid in anything less than a perfectly straight and upright line on TK's. Leaning and going on the gas is not a good idea. Having both ends let go is not an experience I am keen to recreate.......

IMHO this applies to all bike tyres. Even my 4x4 will slide sideways on a wet cattle grid if approach at an angle.

 

[Blobby]

Some mag did a test around a track and found them only a couple of secs per lap slower than road tyres - there's a reference somewhere on this site.

The Ref is here:

I've just googled Trial Assists and came up with nothing - do you have a manufacturer or a proper name for the tyre?

I've just put 200km on my TKC80's and I think they're going to be ok, but I'm still reluctant to take too much p1ss out of them in the wet.

Bike did an interesting comparison last year. They tested 'big trail bike' tyres at Bruntingthorpe on an R1200GS..... the times were interesting to say the least! From fast to slow they were:

Avon Storm/Azaro combination: 11:17:75
BT020 1:17:85
Metzeler Roadtec M6 1:18:05
Michelin Pilot Road: 1:18:75
Conti Road Attack: 1:18:54
Conti TKC80: 1:18:75

The 020's were given the best overall rating in terms of feedback and overall performance, but the TKC80's were only a second behind... yes, just 1 second!! The tester did comment that the rear was spinning in all but 6th gear and the front was 'pushing' a lot (what exactly does that mean?) but to be only a second behind a proper road tyre like the 020 is staggering! He must have the bike control skills of a god, but it just shows what the good ol' Twinduro can do...


Greg

 

[Klanky]

IMHO this applies to all bike tyres. Even my 4x4 will slide sideways on a wet cattle grid if approach at an angle.

Ideed, but this cattle grid is one I've done before loads of times in the wet on different tyres, so I approached it as i would normally.....let's just say familiarity breeds contempt.....numb fecker that I am.

 

[Mad Cow]

OK I'll rephrase my earlier answer and say that although TKC's won't be as able on the tarmac, clearly the difference is very small

However they do feel a bit weird if you are used to road biased rubber

And yes they are a hell of of a lot more able than MT21s

And the argument about 4x4s is no different, I used to run a V8 Discovery on BF Goodrich Mud Terrains. Everyone (who usually hadn't experienced them) would say, "you have to be careful with those in the wet". Absolute rubbish, I could push it just as hard as when it ran Pirelli Scorpions.

Mind you it is pretty hard to fall off a Discovery

 

[Blobby]

And the argument about 4x4s is no different, I used to run a V8 Discovery on BF Goodrich Mud Terrains. Everyone (who usually hadn't experienced them) would say, "you have to be careful with those in the wet". Absolute rubbish, I could push it just as hard as when it ran Pirelli Scorpions.

Mind you it is pretty hard to fall off a Discovery

There's no argument Mad Cow, just an observation that cattle grids are damn slippy when wet regardless of the tyres you use.

 

[Dave Ett]

Have you considered the Heidenau K60? Cheaper than a TKC and slightly less chunky, but still good off road...

 

[Gs-ell]

tkc 80 for a gs800??

now then

am looking at getting some tyres for greenlaning and road riding, reckon i'll be doing a fair bit of greenlaning but will also be going out with missus on the back still.

will the tkc80's do me justice??

ta

 

[norseman56]

My dealer in Norway says he can`t get the TKC 80 150 rear (not in stock). He can deliver 140 rear for my 1150 GSA and says these are even better than 150 on gravel... Anyone tried this?

 

[NYUK]

now then

will the tkc80's do me justice??

If you look at most of the other threads most people seem to favour them which is what I went for. Haven't used them 'off road yet' as only picked up the bike today. I surprised how nice they feel on road though.

 

[sijohnston]

Heidi's

i have migrated from TKC's to the Heidenau's. Having been out on them all weekend and done some off-road, they are every bit as good as TKC's but cheaper, and hopefully will get nearly twice the wear. They are good and sticky on tarmac, and did every bit as well as TKC's off road. I have yet to try them in the wet, but so far, so very good.

 

[Timolgra]

Be careful riding fast twisty roads with Heidenaus, I've followed a good rider who was using them and they caused him to run wide on several occasions.

 

[Gs-ell]

after reading no end of info on tyres,i ordered some tkc's this morning, can't wait to get em muddy!!!

 

[Blobby]

Conti Trail Attacks

Loving mine probably the best tyre I've had on the bike so far wet and dry. Yet to try on loose surfaces though

I had Trail Attacks fitted last week and I can see why you love them. Really nice grippy road tires that inspire great confidence and seem to offer significantly greater lean angles than the Battle Wings that I had on before. These TA's chicken strips will take more effort (courage ) to wear off right to the edges compared to the Battle Wings....but I'm working on it

 

[sijohnston]

thanks Tim, i'll bear that in mind. however, i punished them on the north coast road of n.Ireland over the weekend, and they seemed predictable enough. your veteran wisdom will not be ignored though Great ride report with Mongolia btw - brilliant!

Be careful riding fast twisty roads with Heidenaus, I've followed a good rider who was using them and they caused him to run wide on several occasions.