Heidenau K60 pressure

[fayeslane]

Just replaced my Avon Distanzias (on my R100GSPD) with some Heidenau K60s that had been on my DR650 (1600kms on them) -bloody frightening Went out with the pressures at F32 & R36. Skittish, unstable etc. I thought they were good on my DR.

Any comments on best pressure to run in these? Trying to put off buying new Distanzias for a while as there is a new addition to the fleet arriving next week.

 

[Rob Farmer]

I've run k60's for the past 15k and run them at the same pressures as you normally but slightly higher for motorway work. They are skittish and I've never really trusted them. Be very carefull with a loaded bike at high speed.

My fronts been on for 15k and still has plenty of tread. I'm pushing the rears as far as I can but am on the third one and it's almost worn down. The rears are squared off and badly effect handling after 3.5k.

I'll be going back to Sahara 3's when I change tyres in the next few weeks.

 

[fayeslane]

I forgot to mention what a bastard this particular Heidenau is to balance. There is no valve locating dot so you bung it on and see what happens. 80g of wheel weights later it's time to break the bead and move the tyre around the rim to find a sweeter spot. It may be just this tyre but to me it's another mark against the Heidenaus.

Rob, glad someone else finds them skittish & a bit unnerving -in my case it is probably more apparent because of the difference in tread patterns between the distanzias and the K60. I don't think I will get better then 4000 kms out of the rear and +1 to wearing square.

 

[carinatauk]

Fully loaded I had 38 and 42 psi; on own 34 / 36 and 38 / 40 psi. For some reason, they performed better at the high pressure

With a heavy load they are very skittish, don't like hard braking and slide a fair bit in the wet

Sand and dirt they perform quite well [front didn't cut in as well as TKCs or Karoos]; wet mud and rocks they can be useless!

In the sand, they were down as far as 10 psi and it didn't feel too bad; they are hard walled and hard to get on and off the rim. No issues with balancing although I have heard other people have.

The Scout version seems to be a far better tyre, seems a softer compound and has deeper tread. The standard K60 is quite a hard compound but as Rob says delivers good mileage. I have to say that the rear does square off quite readily.

All in all I liked the rear, and if your used to Karoos then you will get used to the unpredictable behaviour. The front however doesn't inspire me with confidence and will happily encourage the front to fold when under pressure.

I may well try a TKC front and a Heidendau K60 Scout on the rear and see how it goes. They are not road tyres but livens up the journey

There is large section on Advrider; a lot of people like them

 

[Rob Farmer]

The front however doesn't inspire me with confidence and will happily encourage the front to fold when under pressure.

I'm quite covinced that the K60's were the one of the contributing factors to my accident a couple of years ago.

 

[electric_monk]

I'm quite covinced that the K60's were the one of the contributing factors to my accident a couple of years ago.

Workman. Tools.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Workman. Tools.

Thats your name in the little book

 

[electric_monk]

Thats your name in the little book

What colour is the book......?

 

[pete.keys]

I'm runnig the K60's and I think they're pretty good. 26front 30rear - so lower than the other guys.

I do get some wobble, if I induce it , but only at around 95mph.

I was worried about what they would be like in the wet but they seam fine and I'm quite an aggressive rider

Done 3100 miles in the last 6 months and got about 8mm left on the rear

Forums aren't they great: ask a question and you get so many contrary opinions than you are no better off than before you asked!!

I will try the Sahara 3's next time though just for a comparison. I only noticed after I bought the Heidenau that they are rated to T 118mph and sahara 3's you can get a H rates 130mph - I guess that must mean they are more stable at high speeds?

 

[fayeslane]

Will give all the pressures mentioned above a try and see if I can get some improvement, as mentioned above I thought they were good on my DR650 at DR pressures. Might just need some dialling in for the heavier bike.

Pete, you seem to be getting a wear rate I could only dream of -I reckon 4000 kms will cut out the back tyre (unless I chuck it first ).

 

[Beemerboff]

Fayeslane , your tires would last longer if you rode in the rain 75% of the time, and snow and ice for the other 25%.
I paid $260-fitted for my last set of Distanzas - how much are you going to save riding on crap tires for 4 months - about the price of four beers?

 

[pete.keys]

Fayeslane , your tires would last longer if you rode in the rain 75% of the time, and snow and ice for the other 25%.
I paid $260-fitted for my last set of Distanzas - how much are you going to save riding on crap tires for 4 months - about the price of four beers?

I didn't think Heidenaus were "crap". I bought them as they came highly recommended for very good road and ok off road capability. So far I think they have lived up to that rating ..

 

[bumpmuncher]

I didn't think Heidenaus were "crap". I bought them as they came highly recommended for very good road and ok off road capability. So far I think they have lived up to that rating ..

try some distanzias then say that (but that is just my opinion)

 

[pete.keys]

try some distanzias then say that (but that is just my opinion)

the tread patern on the distanza doesn't look very off road friendly

Distanza

Heidenau

 

[(RIP) Proff]

When I bought my G/S it was fitted with brand new Heidenaus...

Like riding on ballbearings covered in snot..


One week later it wasn't..
Nuff said



Had nothing but Metzlers since...

 

[bumpmuncher]

the tread patern on the distanza doesn't look very off road friendly

Distanza

Heidenau

distanzias are ok off road I would have thought no worse than any other trail styled road rubber. no I dont include tkc's or any other road legal offroad tyre.

Lets give them a propper comparrison at sid and proffs wee'kend around the woods (must remember to remove my screen before riding around the woods this time LOL)

 

[fayeslane]

Fayeslane , your tires would last longer if you rode in the rain 75% of the time, and snow and ice for the other 25%.
I paid $260-fitted for my last set of Distanzas - how much are you going to save riding on crap tires for 4 months - about the price of four beers?

If my new to me bike meets expectations then the PD may be off the road for a while hence the reluctance to put new tyres on until I decide. But if I am still not happy after trying pressure changes, they're gone.

re K60s off road - they are lethal in mud DAMHIK Distanzias off road are no different to Tourances, Anakees, Scorpions etc.

 

[Beemerboff]

We dont getmuch mud over here, and I try to avoid it if I can as I ride alone and might not be able to get the bike back on its wheels.

The Distanzas at road pressures cope with gravel roads at least as well as the alternatives do, without the need to let some air out.
But I take it easy to accomodate them when they are getting out of their class.

On black top they are excallent, more grip than you will ever need on an airhead, and good feel too. And that includes rounding up guys half my age on bikes with twice the power.

However , I can see that some folks might prefer a tire that lets them go faster in mud , at the expense of reduced performance on black top, but I think there are better tires than the Hiedenau if that is your priority.

 

[fayeslane]

And that includes rounding up guys half my age on bikes with twice the power.

.....and don't they hate it You'd be familiar with all the excuses -"I was just taking it easy", "I thought I'd wait for X" etc etc

Some blokes just can't cope with being rounded up by a fossil riding a fossil (Personally I reckon who cares, I'm just happy to be riding).

Of the GS tyres I've used Distanzias rate number one on the "performance for $$" scale. (My PD is used 95% on road now).

 

[Beemerboff]

Or the most pathetic - you know the speed limit is 80 on that road ?