True.
But the Xch has a 15T as standard, and no one has reported problems.
So dropping from a 16T to a 15T shouldn't be a problem on the Xcunt
(and there'll be a good supply of used ones from all those who've dropped to a 14T on the Xch)
Sorting the G650 Xcountry to go offroad
- Thread starter HonestJohn
- Start date
But the Xch has a 15T as standard, and no one has reported problems.
So dropping from a 16T to a 15T shouldn't be a problem on the Xcunt
(and there'll be a good supply of used ones from all those who've dropped to a 14T on the Xch)HonestJohn
Registered user
Anyone got a surplus 15t sprocket?
Good thinking Spout! I think they retail at about £25, but maybe someone's got one they'd swap for a few beer tokens?
Good thinking Spout! I think they retail at about £25, but maybe someone's got one they'd swap for a few beer tokens?
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HonestJohn
Registered user
Just spoken to Evan, Off Road Skill workshop manager
Few points he mentioned:
Hope I've caught what he said right
Few points he mentioned:
- they don't bother changing the plastic bash plates - but if you wanted to upgrade, he suggested trying the OEM one that they leave as stock on their Xchallenges
- he advises disconnecting the side stand switch, as if it gets broken, you ain't going anywhere! But that's not something that anyone here has had a problem with, is it?
- they also disconnect the ABS - alternatively, make sure you switch it off
- make sure you up the pre-load before you go!
- they fit the BMW handguards - just the metal part - which they find very strong and takes whatever abuse we students punish them with!
- change the sump plug - he recommended the TT one (part 049-0360 - £14) although they leave the stock one on, and it gets pretty mashed in a season!
Hope I've caught what he said right
powroll
Registered user
Uniflow foam filter maybe for dusty stuff
Single, one stage foam pod filter with internal support spring and polyurethane flange incorporating locking tab.
Normally supplied “dry” – requires oiling prior to use.
http://www.uniflow.com.au/contents/en-us/d320.html
Touratech filter is the same just badged Touratech, works out same if you take account shipping amd aussie exchange rate.
Single, one stage foam pod filter with internal support spring and polyurethane flange incorporating locking tab.
Normally supplied “dry” – requires oiling prior to use.
http://www.uniflow.com.au/contents/en-us/d320.html
Touratech filter is the same just badged Touratech, works out same if you take account shipping amd aussie exchange rate.
HonestJohn
Registered user
Help please - knobblier tyres!!
Well, I was looking forward to a full day today with a bunch from my local TRF. Great guys to ride with, very helpful and friendly. And when we met up, I wasn't really phased by a couple of guys commenting of my TKC80s that I had "road tyres" on. Within the next hour, I knew exactly what they were talking about.
It was raining a lot today. When it wasn't raining, it was usually just to let the sleet have a look in. So it was pretty wet everywhere. And that meant more mud than I've ever seen before. No problem with forward traction though, and keeping momentum meant that I could get up everything. But lateral traction on the front tyre ... just nothing! I know better and more experienced riders than me wouldn't have ended up tits up quite so often, but I started to understand why the other guys were saying "I'd have no confidence riding tyres like those!"
So if I'm looking for something more aggressive to deal with, has anyone else got experience of that works on a Xco?
Now before anyone starts on about C19s, MT21s, AC10s, D606s, D908s - don't! They don't come in the right size to fit the Xco's 19" front rim. The rear 17" is less of a problem - maybe Mitas C02 is the way to go here - but the front size, 100/90 on 2.50 x 19” rims, seems to be much harder to find.
I'd be really interested to hear from anyone whose using more aggressive tyres on their Xco - or knows of a good front that's available in 19"
I hope this is not the beginning of a discovery that no-one else does really muddy trails on an Xco ...
Well, I was looking forward to a full day today with a bunch from my local TRF. Great guys to ride with, very helpful and friendly. And when we met up, I wasn't really phased by a couple of guys commenting of my TKC80s that I had "road tyres" on. Within the next hour, I knew exactly what they were talking about.
It was raining a lot today. When it wasn't raining, it was usually just to let the sleet have a look in. So it was pretty wet everywhere. And that meant more mud than I've ever seen before. No problem with forward traction though, and keeping momentum meant that I could get up everything. But lateral traction on the front tyre ... just nothing! I know better and more experienced riders than me wouldn't have ended up tits up quite so often, but I started to understand why the other guys were saying "I'd have no confidence riding tyres like those!"
So if I'm looking for something more aggressive to deal with, has anyone else got experience of that works on a Xco?
Now before anyone starts on about C19s, MT21s, AC10s, D606s, D908s - don't! They don't come in the right size to fit the Xco's 19" front rim. The rear 17" is less of a problem - maybe Mitas C02 is the way to go here - but the front size, 100/90 on 2.50 x 19” rims, seems to be much harder to find.
I'd be really interested to hear from anyone whose using more aggressive tyres on their Xco - or knows of a good front that's available in 19"
I hope this is not the beginning of a discovery that no-one else does really muddy trails on an Xco ...
The Mitas C-11 is listed in 70/100 - 19. That should easily fit your rim.
http://www.wulfsport.com/
Greg
http://www.wulfsport.com/
Greg
Yes, TKC80 are crap but it looks the only option in 19" front.
Have you fitted a rimlock, front and rear, thus allowing you to reduce tyre pressures to 15-17psi?
Then pace on the trails must take into the increased risk of a compression puncture, so a little more care on the rocky sections may be required.
There are some heavy duty tubes available from the www.wemoto.com for 19/17" wheels.
Timpo.
Have you fitted a rimlock, front and rear, thus allowing you to reduce tyre pressures to 15-17psi?
Then pace on the trails must take into the increased risk of a compression puncture, so a little more care on the rocky sections may be required.
There are some heavy duty tubes available from the www.wemoto.com for 19/17" wheels.
Timpo.
HonestJohn
Registered user
Tyre tribulations
Wish it would fit Greg, but my rim is 2.50 wide, and the C-11 fits a 1.60
I'll try going down in stages: maybe 25psi first (like JohnnyBoxer) and then on to 20psi (like BMW's Off Road Skills school), neither of whom use rimlocks. And then try your suggestion Timpo if I'm still struggling.
I know the Mitas E09 would fit the front, but I'm not sure it's any more aggressive than the TKC80 - does anyone have any experience of it?
Wish it would fit Greg, but my rim is 2.50 wide, and the C-11 fits a 1.60
I'll try going down in stages: maybe 25psi first (like JohnnyBoxer) and then on to 20psi (like BMW's Off Road Skills school), neither of whom use rimlocks. And then try your suggestion Timpo if I'm still struggling.
I know the Mitas E09 would fit the front, but I'm not sure it's any more aggressive than the TKC80 - does anyone have any experience of it?
I think you're going to struggle to find a perfect tyre for all conditions 
When you've found one with good lateral grip in the mud, you'll feel scared on tarmac etc etc
I'd try and live with the TKCs for a while, you'll learn to "ride round" their bad points in the mud off road and be confidently relaxed for the other 99% of surface conditions
When you've found one with good lateral grip in the mud, you'll feel scared on tarmac etc etc
I'd try and live with the TKCs for a while, you'll learn to "ride round" their bad points in the mud off road and be confidently relaxed for the other 99% of surface conditions
I would maybe try to fit a 21" Talon wheel and hub onto the bike and then use a proper front tyre, with a high rise mudguard and just throw caution to the wind and buy the XChallenge, if your use is going to be mainly dirt
OK
Mitas E-07 available in 100/90-19 (2.5 rim)
Mitas E-08 available in 100/90-19 (2.5 rim)
Mitas E-09 available in 100/90-19 (2.5 rim)
Mitas E-09 Dakar available in 100/90-19 (2.5 rim)
Mitas EF-05 available in 120/80-19 (2.75 rim)
Mitas EF-05 Super Light available in 120/80-19 (2.75 rim)
Mitas C-10 available in 100/90-19 (2.5 rim)
Mitas C-12 available in 100/90-19 (2.5 rim)
Mitas C-16 available in 100/90-19 (2.5 rim)
Mitas C-18 available in 100/90-19 (2.5 rim)
Mitas C-20 available in 100/90-19 (2.5 rim)
Either get WulfSport to import a stack or bring in a few yourself.
MITAS a.s.
Svehlova 1900
106 25 Prague 10
Czech Republic
phone: +420 267 111 522
fax: +420 271 750 214
e-mail: [email protected]
Greg
HonestJohn
Registered user
I appreciate the effort Greg
Thanks for the info Greg.
I've been through the Mitas website already in detail, and also been in touch with the UK Mitas and Trelleborg importer (trelleborgtyres.co.uk aka Gwyn Barraclough, who also instructs at ORS) who commented that "The front though you do have a problem with, I just cannot think of anything".
The problem is that although the rim sizes look right, you need to look at the tread patterns too. The C-10, C-12, C-16, C-18 and C-20 you highlight are all rear tyres.
The EF range are for 2.75 wide rims. The Enduro range ones, EF, look most promising: right size and a tread pattern designed for the front ... but they don't look much more aggressive than TKC80s - the most likely one is the E-09, as I noted in my post above, requesting feedback from anyone using them.
Or maybe I just put a "rear" C-18 or C-20 on the front, and see how it performs ... has anyone tried that?
Thanks for the info Greg.
I've been through the Mitas website already in detail, and also been in touch with the UK Mitas and Trelleborg importer (trelleborgtyres.co.uk aka Gwyn Barraclough, who also instructs at ORS) who commented that "The front though you do have a problem with, I just cannot think of anything".
The problem is that although the rim sizes look right, you need to look at the tread patterns too. The C-10, C-12, C-16, C-18 and C-20 you highlight are all rear tyres.
The EF range are for 2.75 wide rims. The Enduro range ones, EF, look most promising: right size and a tread pattern designed for the front ... but they don't look much more aggressive than TKC80s - the most likely one is the E-09, as I noted in my post above, requesting feedback from anyone using them.Or maybe I just put a "rear" C-18 or C-20 on the front, and see how it performs ... has anyone tried that?
From your first post. What tyres do they use?
HonestJohn
Registered user
BMW's school, Off Road Skills, use TKC80s on the Xco (and everything else they run, I understand), which is why I thought I'd be OK with them.
But from my recent conversations with Evan (ORS workshop manager) and Gwyn (ORS instructor and Trelleborg/Mitas UK importer), it's clear they run them on lower pressures, around 20psi. So that's my next step, and it may work well enough - given the limited/absence of alternative tyre options, I hope so!
