Continental TCK 70

[Madsplash]

Hi Guys,

Apart from the initial review following their introduction to the market, it seems that not much has been written about these TCK70's.

I'm about to change tyres and was wondering if any of you have anything to say about them following personal experience riding with them.
I am currently with Metzeler Tourance and think they're good, but looking for a 60/40 or 70/30 road/offroad capability without compromising too much on the wet.

Thanks and regards

Madsplash

 

[Bendy toy]

They are more off road than Tourance types but they wont handle mud. Dirty, slippery back lanes and gravel are fine though. The lower speed rated version tends to weave at "How fast officer?" speeds but too much use at that rate will solve its own problem when the driving licence expires.

If you don't want full on mud pluggers like TKC-80 the TKC-70 should suit fine.

 

[stevemersey]

They are excellent on Tarmac if that is of interest?

 

[Rich C]

A friend of mine has them on his Vstrom. Excellent handling at legal speeds, he can easily scrape the pegs and work very well in the wet too. Rear lasted 5.5K.

But... loaded up and with panniers anything above 80 induced a terrifying speed wobble...

 

[Madsplash]

Thanks guys to all the input.
I have been reading some reviews from the other side of the pond and they've all mentioned the shacking or wobble from the front wheel. I was wondering if it was a consequence of road surface differences but it seems that it happens on our roads by what you guys have described. However "Bendy Toy" has mentioned that an higher speed load is available on these tyres... I wonder if it makes any difference...

 

[mikeyboy]

Got a pair on my 1100,my new tyre of choice
Very good in the wet,
loaded with pillion,very predictable heavy braking grip wet or dry,stable up to 110mph over rough road surfaces.
Solo I have had the bike up to 110 again ,on a fairly bumpy B road .
Although the steering was a bit light and twitchy if provoked it certainly gave no sense of impending death wobble
They also have a very neutral turn in which is nice.
Good tyres recommended

 

[mikeyboy]

I should add, I had my doubts about these tyres before I fitted a pair,I had read a few scare stories about stability,
I spoke to the wholesalers and importers ,Cambrian before ordering,who offered a fair bit of reassurance .
As I said previously, at high speeds the bike does feel twitchy ,but I cannot help but wonder if these "wobbles"and "tankslappers" are an exaggeration ,I started riding in the early eighties on crossply tyres where a tankslapper really was as described,and I still have the scars to show for it

 

[newboy]

I would love 110 on any tyres

 

[Max_W]

In general terms (or at least as reported on the various forums!), people with bikes other than the newer LC bikes have had no particular dramas. Like so many others though I had major bar shakes on my R1200 GSA LC above 70-80 mph, so returned the tyres and got a refund once Conti had confirmed that there was a fault.

There are some videos doing the rounds of front wheels being spun with the front axle raised and it being very clear that the tyre has not been manufactured true. The extra bit of power of the newer bikes may have also made the issue more obvious. It's a pity because the tyre has so much going for it.

Like I said though, most of those with issues have had R1200 GS or GSA LC.

Edit - I'll try to find the main video showing the fault, I think it may have been linked to a thread on this site, but can't find it on youtube at the moment.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

One of the chaps on this years Coast to Coast trip had them on his WC GSA. He did 5500 miles, 2 up and fully loaded and said they were really good and believe me, he doesn't hang around and uses all the tyre.

There was plenty of life left at the end of the trip and he really rates them.

If you want to do a bit of proper off road or dirt riding, I'd go for Heidenau K60's or Mitas E07's as the TKC70's are definitely road orientated.

 

[Max_W]

Its not on a GS, but this video of a TKC70 hardly inspires confidence. My gut feel is that Conti have had some pretty bad quality control on a tyre that has seen high demand at the point of release, and that the issues have been more evident on certain types of bike. Unfortunately Conti haven't said anything publicly, but hopefully they'll sort out the issues and stories of bar shake will disappear in time.

 

[Chris Hooke]

Its not on a GS, but this video of a TKC70 hardly inspires confidence. My gut feel is that Conti have had some pretty bad quality control on a tyre that has seen high demand at the point of release, and that the issues have been more evident on certain types of bike. Unfortunately Conti haven't said anything publicly, but hopefully they'll sort out the issues and stories of bar shake will disappear in time.

This is very interesting to hear. I was going to start a thread about my set of TKC 70's and the WOBBLES.
I bought a 1200GSA 2011 2 months ago in France and it had pretty worn out Tourances on it that handled ok.
I was expecting to do some overlanding around Turkey next year so I had the TKC 70s fitted. At first it was nice to just have new tyres on - much greater agility at low speeds. BUT when I got up to speed on the motorway I was amazed at how unstable the bike felt, even at 125KPH - and just forget about over 135KPH. I've had a few GS bikes, including a present Water-cooled in Sydney, so I know what they r capable of. And if I hadn't already done some high-speed riding with the balding Tourances I would have sworn there were fundamental problems with the frame/shocks on this latest purchase.

Long story short - I have now completed a Balkans trip and ridden from Nice to the UK and the stability issues are better but not good enough. Also, the bike seems to lean into left-handers better than right-handers and this was very pronounced at the start - less now.
I've done around 5000 kilometres on these tyres now I think and I want to contact Continental and tell them I'm NOT happy AT ALL. Speaking of which, does anybody know how to do that? I did try and search for a contact in France and didn't manage it.

The tyres seem ok off-road but no way does that make up for the high-speed instability. They do seem to grip very well on corners on bitumen, no complaints there. Would I recommend these tyres - no way, not until I resolve what the issues are.

Nearly forgot - just after I bought the tyres in Nice my mechanic there said he didn't think the TKCs were good and actually felt that Conti were losing the plot. He's had a couple of customers complain about them and switch back to Tourances with great relief. I ignored it because each to his own and our riding styles are often quite different but I do believe Continental have a real problem with these tyres, especially after reading the above. Bit of a relief actually - there is always the suspicion lurking that there's an issue with the bike or, worse still, the operator !

Given my experience is so bad should I start a new thread on this? And if so, which section would be the best where it will get most attention? I really do think this needs discussing - getting nasty wobbles at 130 KPH on expensive tyres is absurd.

thanks

 

[Chris Hooke]

Hi,

a further note.
I spoke to Dave at Continental UK (01970624004), the man who deals with complaints. Predictably he wasn't keen on hearing that this discussion was happening on this forum, claiming that virtually everyone writing on forums haven't a clue what they're saying. Er, right, ok ... not ALL the time.

Anyway, having run these tyres for a few thousand kilometres now and the original supplier being in the south of France means I can't do very much now. Dave suggested if I didn't want to run the tyres to end of life it would be best to change them and get the tyre dealer to send them back to Continental for 'evaluation'. If they decide there's zero wrong with the tyres then tough luck, they return the tyres and I keep them for trips where I don't want to go faster than 130 KPH I suppose.
If they are considered to be faulty then money back I presume.

So now I have to decide what tyres are good for 80/20 riding and replace these lame ducks. Lord o lord, what happens if the next pair don't solve the wobblies

PS: Just in case someone is wondering, I did have the tyres fitted in Nice by a mob I've used before and trust. I've also monitored the tyres pressures carefully and tried inflating/deflating to no avail.

 

[Wreford Miles]

Hi Dave from Continental.... I assume you've found the right thread.

I'm interested in some TKC 70's I ran TKC 80's on my 1150 and enjoyed them. I'm not likely to take the 1200 (for now to such muddy conditions) but this high speed stuff is off putting as my daily activity involves a clearing of the cobwebs on the M40 so a tyre that wobbles would really pee me off.

I've got PR4's on at the moment, great road tyres, and it would appear that people are praising the TKC70's in the bends - So I just need convincing I'm not going to get a high speed pup.

Mikeyboy's view is helping, what can you add to this?

 

[Bendy toy]

I have the lower speed rated TKC-70 it will weave well into three figures but it's only rated to 118 and I did not check the air pressure. There is also an H rated version which should be fine at high speed.
But really anyone wanting go that fast either lives in Germany or does track days. How can tyres with such a block tread be expected to cope at very high speeds.
If you bomb down the motorway at How Fast !!! you need PR4s.
If you keep it legal(ish) the TKC-70 is fine. It's also great on dirty gravelly lanes that will have you into a ditch on most trail tyres never mind PR4s.
I love mine and and the zero chicken strips. Im happy to recommend them to anyone.

 

[Wreford Miles]

I have the lower speed rated TKC-70 it will weave well into three figures but it's only rated to 118 and I did not check the air pressure. There is also an H rated version which should be fine at high speed.
But really anyone wanting go that fast either lives in Germany or does track days. How can tyres with such a block tread be expected to cope at very high speeds.
If you bomb down the motorway at How Fast !!! you need PR4s.
If you keep it legal(ish) the TKC-70 is fine. It's also great on dirty gravelly lanes that will have you into a ditch on most trail tyres never mind PR4s.
I love mine and and the zero chicken strips. Im happy to recommend them to anyone.

I like my PR4's how do the TKC70's compare for confidence in the wet

 

[Mr K]

Its not on a GS, but this video of a TKC70 hardly inspires confidence. My gut feel is that Conti have had some pretty bad quality control on a tyre that has seen high demand at the point of release, and that the issues have been more evident on certain types of bike. Unfortunately Conti haven't said anything publicly, but hopefully they'll sort out the issues and stories of bar shake will disappear in time.

It's not fitted properly?

 

[Bendy toy]

I like my PR4's how do the TKC70's compare for confidence in the wet

I'm impressed with the TKC-70s in the wet. Grip feels almost as good as dry roads. They also don't follow tramlines over road repairs. Even quite deep road grooves bad enough to need repair are no problem.
But I've just done 160 miles of motorway. They are not as sure footed at high speed. Nothing nasty but you can feel the tread is moving about. Let's say they don't feel planted like a proper road tyre.
But steering is lighter than the standard Tourance I used to have and they cope with mud & gravel where Tourance struggled.
For fast road use go, elsewhere
For a bit more of an off-road bias than Tourance types they are great.

 

[MattW]

I like my PR4's how do the TKC70's compare for confidence in the wet

I've never had a tyre on a GS that feels as good in the wet (or dry for that matter) as my PR4's. However, as you know they're a fully road orientated tyre - a blocky trail 'style' tyre is never going to feel that good.

I needed to get rid of the squared tourances that my new to me TC came with before my September trip to France and Corsica. After a bit of soul searching, I admitted to myself that I'm not going to take a 1/4 ton expensive, heavy GSA off road and I went for the PR4's. No regrets.

 

[younger06]

Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2............ have a look.