► Tyre choices and emergency repairs

[Ross Dean]

Agreed

Hadn't thought about swapping mine for the winter though. The question then is for what as the Battlewings weren't the most confidence-insiring in the wet

these were fine in the wet but i don't remember what they are and i left them at the dealers to be stored until the next change

 

[Bury_Dave]

Thanks.

Any tyre spotters / anoraks in da house ?

 

[Jonnie Boy]

Pirelli Scorpion Trail's

 

[Greggers]

I managed to blag a handful of 75mmx45mm patches from my local fitter, as well as about 50cc of their special sauce - um glue.. The patches I had fail last month were from Halfrauds and TBH I hadn't got a clue how old the glue was (which was probably my downfall). The Pro grade patches are big and they are clever. They're thick in the middle, but have a very thin feathered edge which helps prevent lifting as it stretches with the tube as it inflates.

Regarding a spare tube, I'd always carry (I've learned my lesson the hard way) at the least a spare front tube. It might have a greater diameter, but that doesn't seem to matter much, I guess as it stretches in lateral expansion, the longitudinal slack is taken up ... anyways along some will say you can stretch a rear onto a front rim, but with our 17 / 21 combination it's going to be pretty much impossible, but you can stuff a 21 easily into a 17 tyre.

If you do have to patch a tyre and don;t have a reserve, I'd suggest keeping the pressures on the higher side to reduce the amount the tyre flexes - its the flexing that generates heat in the tyre and it's the heat that will cause the repair to degenerate and lift.

Don't talk to me about Slime....

G

 

[v8legend]

For road use, the Conti Trail Attack is the best. I've tried three different sets on mine.

The original Battlewings. Not bad, but not great either. They seem to grip ok, just don't really give you any confidence.

Conti Trail Attacks. Hard to see how they could be bettered for road use. Brilliant wet or dry.

Pirelli Scorpion Trail. Almost as good as the Conti's.

I can't really give you any feedback for off road use. I've never done anything more than hard forest tracks, and very dry green (brown) lanes.

 

[solidstate100]

Thanks.

Any tyre spotters / anoraks in da house ?

Pirelli Scorpion Trails. I have them and think they are great.

 

[Jonnie Boy]

Be loads easier if there was an option for spoked wheels as the 1200's have. with the spokes to the outer edge of the rim, allowing the use of tubeless tyres.

Is there a reason they use std spoked style ?? Cost, strength?

 

[divelandy]

Wow, at £8 for a replacement tube, repair seems pointless. Probably good to practice fixing a puncture, in case i end up somewhere, where i have multiple punctures...

 

[Greggers]

Been there, done that ... just don't forget to pack the right sockets for the axle nuts ... DAMHIKT ...

 

[Blobby]

For road use, the Conti Trail Attack is the best. I've tried three different sets on mine.

The original Battlewings. Not bad, but not great either. They seem to grip ok, just don't really give you any confidence.

Conti Trail Attacks. Hard to see how they could be bettered for road use. Brilliant wet or dry.

Pirelli Scorpion Trail. Almost as good as the Conti's.

I can't really give you any feedback for off road use. I've never done anything more than hard forest tracks, and very dry green (brown) lanes.

+1 Conti Trail Attacks are excellent road and dry track tyres. Pants in mud but then they're not designed for muddy lanes.

 

[Johnnymac]

tyre choice?

Hi ALL,
original tyres on mine not got much left after 7000m. Came with Pirelli Scorpion Trail from new, but only a couple of mm left. So, what's the views of the assembled? Metzelers? Michelins? These tyres have been ok, but do most mileage on road, so really looking for maximum road grip.
Been quoted £350 from dealers for a pair of Metz. Eek.

 

[Alpha]

i use conti trail attacks right now as they are a bit of a mix, i used road attacks on my last bike and like the feel/feedback

 

[outrunner]

Been quoted £350 from dealers for a pair of Metz. Eek.

Strikes me as being just a wee bit pricey mate, I would look around some more for a better deal. I prefer Michelin Anakee 2 myself and the last pair I got were £205 fitted to my Tiger. Once the Battlewings on my F650GS are done it will be Anakees that are going on, good in the wet and good mileage as well.



Andy.

 

[Blobby]

Conti Trail Attacks are the way to go on road in my view if you want max grip. On my second set now. Great tyres in dry & wet. Pants in mud but they're not designed for that.

 

[Rob J]

Hi ALL,

Been quoted £350 from dealers for a pair of Metz. Eek.

Feck that! Find yourself a decent local tyre emporium, they should charge you something in the order of £200 for a pair of Metzlers Tourances (ride in ride out price).

£350 is a ridiculous price.

 

[vaclove]

Michelin Anakee2

2 weeks ago, I got a pair of Michelin Anakee 2. Paid 245,- ride in ride out (including tubes).
Metzeler were more expensive than Michelins.
So far, I am very happy with the tyres. They are bit more "off roady" than Battlewings and more suited for wet tarmac than TKCs.

They have my recommendation

 

[Sooty09]

First set as supplied and second set , Scorpion Trail. Impressive tyres in all conditions.
Third set were Dunlop D607s, the rear was fine but it took a long time to get used to the front, it was very twitchy.
Fourth set were Anakees. The rear was fine but I hated the front, touring with full luggage it ran wide in corners, especially difficult on Alpine passes down hill into hairpin bends. Tried different pressures, raising and lowering the back end with limited success. Odd thing is I had a front puncture and ran it almost flat for 20 miles, It got very hot. Afterwards with the tread almost at its lower limit the tyre started to work.
I now have Trail Attacks and so far they are the best road tyres.
All the tyres have lasted 8000 miles and ended up as matched pairs but were run with different fronts /rears for a few thousand miles.
The most I have paid is £180 for a set of Trail Attacks, fitted to loose wheels.
The cheapest were the Anakees.
All bought from Bike Tyres Leeds.

 

[Dave Ett]

Another vote for Trail Attacks. Awesome tyre wet or dry - I commute throughout the year and have utter confidence in them. Paid £196 fitted to loose wheels 7 months ago.

 

[(RIP) Ewan]

I fitted Bridgestone Battlewing BT-045s for a while when I was only using the bike on road, they don't have any offroad pretence, but are great road tyres. Had a set of TKC-80 to swap for use off road. Worked for me.

 

[Greggers]

I find myself agreeing with Sooty about the feel of the front with Anakees - I've had a pair on for the last 1000 miles and have no confidence in the front tyre at all...

The Heidis I took off in the spring were a good compromise tyre, nice and grippy on the tarmac whilst giving a chunky off-roady look at the same time.

I think I'm going to try the new Dunlops before the winter...

G