Chunky Tyres

[Stoney]

It looks like both Tourances need changing at the same time very soon.

I have been very happy with the Tourances but have found them a little iffy when doing the very 'rare' trail - especially this time of year.

So - my questions:

Are there any knobblies that are good on road and off?

What are the pros and cons of knobllies?

Which ones are best?

Will they fit a standard 1150GS?

 

[Cheesy Mike]

RTFFAQ

I would refer the honourable gentleman to the newly created FAQ section where the very first FAQ deals with tyres.

To answer your question though, most people that I know with knobbly tyres on an R1150GS use Continental TKC80. They wear much faster than Tourance but are supposed to be very good on the road. (Standard disclaimer: Your mileage may vary, objects in the rear view mirror may be closer than they appear)

Mike

 

[Stoney]

Read the FAQs - very useful.

BUT

Spoke to BMW re fitting them - they reckon they advise only 60mph (100kph) for the TXC80s.

Can anyone say what they honestly feel these tyres are safe at??? I believe they are "h" rated which is up to 125mph.

 

[Spanish Bob]

you can go much faster that that. One of the most depressing experiences you can have is trying to follow MrTickle on his TKC shod adv round the twisties....

dont worry about it. if you fancy them try them.

 

[BikerDave]

I've just read the FAQ on tyres, which whilst providing lots of information possibly muddies the water by providing information overload.

I'm due to replace the tyres on my GS. At present I'm running on Tourances, but for the winter I wonder whether TKC80s might be worth considering? Ok so they'll wear quicker than Tourances but that shouldn't be a problem for the mileage I'm likely to do over the winter.

Any thoughts?

 

[Jon]

Read the FAQs - very useful.

BUT

Spoke to BMW re fitting them - they reckon they advise only 60mph (100kph) for the TXC80s.

Can anyone say what they honestly feel these tyres are safe at??? I believe they are "h" rated which is up to 125mph.

I think you'll find they've got it slightly the wrong way round. TCK's are rated to 100mph / 160kph. Info's on the Continental website.

I tend to ride at around 80'ish on mine, especially when on motorways, and with a gentle throttle hand - got 5k+ out of a rear on my trip down to the Sahara, all panniered up - still on the original front at @ 8k.

If you ride faster or aren't too gentle with the throttle a lot, you'll wear them out much quicker.

 

[Bob Jeffries]

I have been told by one on my friends in Germany that when he has TKC 80's fitted he has to have a warning sticker on the speedo to remind him that he's limited to 160km/h, as do any new GSA's that are fitted with the TKC 80's from new.

 

[gavinbell]

whoops

other year kept up steady 125 ...alll the way through croatia!! ...I was feeling grumpy!! warnings are just for liabilities etc...

TKC's rock!

 

[andy]

tkc 80

Im not sure about 1100/1150 having inertube's but me dakar has. Is it recommended to renew the tubes at the same time as getting new tyres on.

 

[Ming]

Thinking of giving these a go Myself

 

[MrIFan]

TKC's the biz, I tend to make progress and usualy get at least 5500/6000 miles a set. That includes lots of fully laden continental motorway miles and plenty of lean on the twistys. Used to get around 7500 out of tourances but at around £30 a pair cheaper overall costs are about the same (Steve @ F&B tyres on 01270 760795, best and cheapest place around for any GS tyre) Tourance obviously have better overall grip on the roads but TKC's slide far more predictably so you can attack corners with the same confidence on either, wet or dry.
Also done many continental miles at well over the ton fully laden with no problem what so ever. Just make sure you keep the pressures right, just because they where fine one day it doesn't take much of a change in ambient temperature to make quite a few psi difference.

 

[Spout]

Re: tkc 80

Is it recommended to renew the tubes at the same time as getting new tyres on.

Andy,

I kept the original tubes for five rears and three fronts - no problems.
Only change the tubes when you hole them!

 

[andy]

Cheer's spout

 

[BikerDave]

Well, I've put my money where my mouth is and had a set of TKC80s fitted to the GS. Picked the bike up tonight, so I haven't had much chance to really try them out yet.

So far, the most noticable difference is the level of "road noise" as felt through the bars & seat which has increased. At low speed you really notice the rumble from the tread blocks, but this does smooth out the faster you go - and yes, they do have a 100mph speed limit warning.

The Tourances that were previously fitted lasted 6,000 miles (the rear was well shagged and the front wasn't that far behind), so we'll have to see how long the TKCs last.

Hopefully I'll be able to get out on the bike and get them properly scrubbed in this weekend and then let the fun begin.......