Metzeler Tourances Or Knobblies?

[mystic]

Aware this question could be described as "how long's a piece of string", but:

presently have Tourances on the GS, they're due soon to be replaced. I'm off in about 7 to 8 weeks on a fairly lengthy trip (5-6000 miles), of which probably close to 20% will be off-road stuff. Which way should I go?

BEFORE setting off should I replace existing tyres with Knobblies? or replace with Tourances? ...... given that, at home, 99.9% of my riding is on paved roads!
If you advise I change to Knobblies, what make would you suggest?

M.

 

[John Armstrong]

What sort of off road stuff? Gravel tracks, mud, sand, grassland, quarries?

 

[mystic]

sand /gravel .... an educated guess, cos I havn't ridden on it yet!

 

[John Armstrong]

Does this help: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32096 ?

 

[oblertone]

Someone may correct me ...

... but as TKC's only last about 5-6000 miles, put them on for the trip then change back to Tourances when you get home

 

[Warthog]

I got 1 front and 2 rear TKC 80s from Vern for our 7K mile trip in argentina and chile. There we did not do more than 7-10% off road. But on the little we did ride the bike performed beautifully. Mud and sand were always a problem, but that was down to me rather than the bike, plus the bike, all-in, weighed a shade under 500kg. The TKCs also did very well on tarmac too.

I am quite paranoid about tyres. They can drastically affect my confidence, but after the initial reticence about my first experience running knobbly tyres, I found the continental TKCs were very dependable. Even got my stand down once or twice!!

Highly recommended. Affordable. However, the rears do not last long. The most I got was just under 4000 miles, hence the second one.

 

[ELIMINATOR]

Blimey Nick, you've turned into the Steptoe of Touring advice

 

[STUBBS]

fit the tkc's for the trip and swop back when your back, take a day or two to find the limits

 

[LiquidLAN]

... but as TKC's only last about 5-6000 miles, put them on for the trip then change back to Tourances when you get home

maybe on the front, I only got 3 on the rear of my first one and looking to be about 3 for the second, front will need replacing about the same point

Unless you want to be changing go tourance...

Fanum found a good in between tyre, strange sounding name... might be worth dropping him a line if he's not posted

Found it... here you go...
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showpost.php?p=888732&postcount=6

 

[blues n twos]

Hi there,

For what it's worth I never got more than 3000 miles from a rear TKC

Put two sets on and about the same mileage each time.

Now have Tourances fitted and have covered 7000 miles and still lots of tread left.

If there is only a small amount of off roading I would stick with Tourances as you will do the whole trip on one set and then some.

HTH's

Jon

 

[Warthog]

Blimey Nick, you've turned into the Steptoe of Touring advice

I ask you! What's the point of a long road trip, if you can't come back and pretend to all knowledgable and wise??

Its either that or confess to one shower a week for the whole 3 months!!

 

[Greg Masters]

on a fairly lengthy trip (5-6000 miles), of which probably close to 20% will be off-road stuff.

1,000 miles off-road?

That's some trip!!



Greg

 

[mystic]

Thanks all for your imput. Recalled reading Fanum's GS Tyres FAQ some time back. Excellent resource! Now having re-read it, plus taken on board all your feedback, seems like its horses for courses! I'm kinda thinking I'll probably stick with the Tourances ..... not least cause of their good wear properties. Present rear has been on 10,000+ and still has a little way to go!

Again, thanks everyone.

 

[kondorpilot]

6k to Monaco! Advertise for an updated sat nav mate, you're going the long way round!

 

[mystic]

6k to Monaco! Advertise for an updated sat nav mate, you're going the long way round!

Nice one Ian ..... I thought I said "through Morocco". Must be my Lincolnshire twang rubbing up against your Glasgow lilt!

 

[kondorpilot]

Enjoy. BTW 2.5 K from my rear TKC on 1150 ADV

 

[Hambo]

Tourance + TKC = Heidenau K60

I went through a similar dilema for my trip...opted for Heidenau K60's and have never looked back. I'm on my 3rd set in 9 months, with another set waiting for me in Santiago. I get 10,000miles from both front and rear, riding 2-up on roughly half dirt, half bitumen. And they're cheap!

Original sizes not available, instead use 100/90-19 & 140/80-17 with no problems.

Have a good trip, Hamish

Blog: www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/hameandem/