GS with TKC80's

[jimmystewpot]

Hi All,

I am interested to know what sort of millage people get on a pair of TKC80's?. I currently have my second set of Anakee 2's which I get about 12k miles on the rear and about 9-10k on the front. As I am planning a long distance trip to Japan later in the year I am working on my tyre choice as we will be doing a large number of crap-road-miles by choice. However getting to those crap roads tend to mean lots of tarmac. We thought about keeping our existing tyres on the bikes to get through Europe then changing tyres when we get to eastern Turkey. I am wondering if we can have the second set of tyres to last from Turkey to Vlad in Russia?

Regards,


Jimmy.

 

[Trippy]

Reduce your current wear rate by 2/3rd's and you'll be about there.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Jimmy

I wouldn`t bother with pure road tyres and I`d fit TKC`s from the off and take a second set to change when needed.

You`ll do pretty well to get 5/6k out of a rear TKC and the handling and general road manners are really good.

You won`t wear them out by the time you get to Turkey so you should have good mileage left as you start the rough stuff from the initial set.

Sounds like a great trip and good luck with it

 

[SkyGod]

Ive run TKC`s for the last 35000 miles and get about 4500 to a rear and about 6000 to a front.

And ignore what folk say about them being death traps on the road and in the wet.

 

[Delirious]

A bit of a thread hijack here but when are you intending on hitting Japan and what are you intending to do when you get here? Will you be doing a bit of touring or just heading home and shipping the bikes back?

Cheers,
Delirious.

 

[springonion]

Ive run TKC`s for the last 35000 miles and get about 4500 to a rear and about 6000 to a front.

And ignore what folk say about them being death traps on the road and in the wet.

Hi SkyGod,

I'm looking at getting some TKC's put on mine shortly. The only thing stopping me is that I've read most of the threads on here and quite a lot of people always say they are not good in the wet on road. Its the only thing stopping me from going with them.

Sounds like you haven't found that problem which is great news. How do you find them in wet? I also hear they're not the best above 80 ish (not that I'd be up there much). Just like to hear your thoughts some more on them to help me make my decision.

cheers

 

[SkyGod]

Hi Spring,

most the people that pass comment have never ridden on them or they have done 60 miles only and hit a bit of diesel that would have got any tyre wobbling and therefore call them lethal.

Ive cruised all day in Europe at a ton and dont tend to go over this. They are rated to 100 mph so anything upto this is fine. Ive even ventured to 115 without bursting into flames.

If you ride smooth and anticipate your breaking, corners etc you will be fine.

They also stop pretty quick if you need to grab a handful too.

No doubt someone will be a long soon with a horror story about them but lets face it, if we believed everything that was posted on here we would all get rid of our bikes as they are clearly just death traps.

35000 miles later and still enjoying them.

 

[ian6760]

Springonion.
I took the plunge and never regretted it, I'm now on my 2nd rear and it seems that I am either a slow rider or a smooth rider. I changed my rear @ 8000 miles and I think the original front will last the full life of the new rear.

I'm of the opinion that a GS is an all terrain / tourer bike, and should be ridden accordingly. I always slow my riding in the wet no mater what tyres I have on, but have never had a loose moment on the wet or dry on TKC’s (for want of a better description) apart from a bit more wheel spin in the wet when you give it some beans.

So I think my 2p worth would be, if you are a fast road rider don’t bother, yes you can ride them fast, but they don’t last and slide everywhere. But I love them and they suit my riding, with the advantage of being able to take it off road.

Ian.

 

[AlanL]

Anywhere between 3000-4500 miles for a rear !

 

[Tricky]

Have a set of TKCs for green lanes, off road stuff etc.

Like others have said their pretty good on tarmac too.

Most of the rest of the time (95%) have a set of Bridgestone 020/021.

 

[techno]

TK's

I have TK's on mine at the moment and I generally stick them on around September/October and leave them on until I go away in June/July on my regular 2 week Euro holiday - and I do that on Conti Trail Attacks which I think are brill.

I don't know/care about wear really as I just ride until they need changing (I am getting the rear changed today as I want a bit more tread for the Elephant Rally). Wear is a grip trade-off and riding style anyway. I prefer grip and they do that well.

As far as handling and braking goes they are not a sports tyre but are fine for my spirited riding and if they do slip, they grip soon enough. I have noticed the rear lock up a few times though in really greasy conditions (always downhill when I wasn't paying attention) but who's to say that wouldn't happen with other tyres?

It does feel a bit weird when you first put them on, but you get used to them.

If you encounter muddy/gravelly/snowy/crapy roads then these will do it no problem as long as you can and they won't spoil your fun getting there either.

I think a lot of the 'grip' problems are in the rider's head - trust your tyres but know their limitations. They are probably better than yours (me included )

 

[jimmystewpot]

Japan

A bit of a thread hijack here but when are you intending on hitting Japan and what are you intending to do when you get here? Will you be doing a bit of touring or just heading home and shipping the bikes back?

Cheers,
Delirious.

Hi there,

The plan is to ship the bikes to Australia from Japan then spend a few months enjoying a very long summer (juneish leaving uk -> Marchish finishing in aus). We are still finalizing the plan which should be complete within the next few weeks. I'll send you a message when I do.

Regards,

Jimmy.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

My original set ran 5300 the rear & 9500 the front

I'm now using Conti Trail Attacks

 

[Dahoum]

moved to a more relevant section for a wider readership on tyres

 

[alamedak9]

the TKC's are quite well behaved on the tarmac

If you want better dirt performance, the Karoo's would be the way to go, but I've found them to be a bit squirrelly on pavement, esp wet

 

[alamedak9]

My original set ran 5300 the rear & 9500 the front

I'm now using Conti Trail Attacks

How have those been for you?

 

[elefantmanshawn]

karoo 2's are much better option,good on,off and wet

 

[seamus1504]

TCK's
every time !! I love them, and find them great through the winter months. I get about 6K from the rear one and 9K front.
They also give me confidence to ride up to the front of traffic Q's through all the debris that collects in the middle of the road, without fear of a puncture !

 

[Horse1200]

My 2pence worth. Ive run tkc`s now for 3000 on a rear and the middle is just about shot. They grip in the dry no problem, and in the wet ok they slide just a smidge. I ride all year round so they do get properly checked. Im a hard fast rider and i was expecting to only get 3000 from the rear (ask stig), i dont hang about. They are a good tyre and i dont have any problem with them on road or off.
Good luck with you trip.

 

[Pukmeister]

Horse, your rear tyre is more a slick than a knobbly, it doesn't count mate.