Metzeler Karoos. Any good?

[Warthog]

Just looking around following an earlier post re tyre choices for my S America trip. Indeed the feed back was for Conti TKC 80s for a good on/off road compromise. But I cameacross this site: www.moto-tyres.co.uk and one of their suggestions for the 1150 gs is the Metzeler Karoo.

Any experience out there and how does it compare with the TKC.

 

[viatormundi]

karoos are better off road but much worse on tarmac in terms of traction and life time. one alternative is to use karoo front and tkc 80 back.

 

[Vern]

I've just ripped a Karoo2 to pieces on my HP2 in about 1000miles.I don't think they're as good in the wet on the road as the TKs but are better on the dirt.I would go for the TKs every time myself

 

[Welshman]

I've just ripped a Karoo2 to pieces on my HP2 in about 1000miles.I don't think they're as good in the wet on the road as the TKs but are better on the dirt.I would go for the TKs every time myself

Consensus here in South Africa is also that the Karoo,s dont give any real mileage, I would also suggest the TK,s for that reason.

Welshman

 

[mrTickle]

I used TKC's on my travels this year and they were great. I did 15 laps on the Nurburgring ( most of them under 10 minutes ), then carried on to Morocco ( which I did mostly off-road ) before coming all the way back home again with them still on. I probably used the tyres to their limit and overdid it as they eventually split. I couldn't get replacements so I rode at least 500 miles with them split open . They held up and got me home safely.

TKC's are definately my favourite tyre

 

[mrTickle]

...front one didn't split but seemed to wear out quicker...

 

[Mouse]

I agree with Vern and Viatormundi - the karoo is better than the TKC off road, but on tarmac is twitchy and probably won't last very long if you do anything but bimble. I still use the karoos though, but just fit them for green laning days, and take it nice and easy on the tarmac sections.

If you have one set of wheels and want a dual purpose tyre, go for TKCs.

 

[fritz]

Karoo, or Pirelli alternative

No TCKs available in South America, Karoos are, note comments, want for the Ripio and patagonia, can change when in Chile (I hope). Anyone know of a Pirelli alternative that´s good off road and lasts a bit.
PS we´re half ton on R100GS tubeless, and Nik on R1200 tubeless one up.
Prefer the option of dirt handling for Patagonia - see under travellers or Niks blog, we like our off road
(Vern you´re a holligan man )

 

[Vern]

Stopping from 125 down a disused railway cutting killed mine Still,I know why they have mirrors now,it's so you can larf at the on their dzr400 and ktms catching the flying rocks off your back wheel