The ideal tire

[Horse1200]

Having recently joined the gsa world and loving it. I currently race motor x and am looking forward to some green laning on my new gsa. But having already had a few short bursts up some local track near home i have noticed that the oe fitment tyre losing grip, and sliding front end. What would the wealth of knoledge on here recomend as a better tyre.

 

[John Armstrong]

http://www.conti-bike.co.uk/default.asp?spid=12

 

[Sgt Bilco]

TKC`s are the popular choice. Good on the road too

 

[Horse1200]

er dinlo here

What are tkc`s...? who makes them

 

[Horse1200]

what a pleb

Just managed to look at the link for the conti`s all is fine now, aer they the tyres to have then, i do commute not far 10miles or so. What are they like on tarmac long hauls. Planning a trip down to the milau bridge next year.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Just managed to look at the link for the conti`s all is fine now, aer they the tyres to have then, i do commute not far 10miles or so. What are they like on tarmac long hauls. Planning a trip down to the milau bridge next year.

They are pretty good and give a lot of grip. The only issue is a slight weave appears at 80mph + on the motorway.

 

[Magwych]

Just managed to look at the link for the conti`s all is fine now, aer they the tyres to have then, i do commute not far 10miles or so. What are they like on tarmac long hauls. Planning a trip down to the milau bridge next year.

I've used Continental TKC80s for a couple of years as my permanent tyre of choice. Off-road, year round commuting, trips to middle France and southern Spain ( through France), about 25,000 miles a year. Whilst I accept that the Dunlop/Michelin/Metzeler dual purpose radial tyres give more feedback, and pure road tyres probably more, I have no desire or need to change. For general usage the TKCs have served me well, for a wide range of purposes. If you do switch, be aware that it does take a little time to get settled with them, They are bias-belted , not radial , and, to my mind at least, need running at the lower end of the pressure range (2.1/2.5 bar F/R) for the most feedback.

 

[sherpatensing]

Having recently joined the gsa world and loving it. I currently race motor x and am looking forward to some green laning on my new gsa. But having already had a few short bursts up some local track near home i have noticed that the oe fitment tyre losing grip, and sliding front end. What would the wealth of knoledge on here recomend as a better tyre.

There is no ideal tyre for both on and off road. A compromise is the only way. Road tyres for road use, MX tyres for off road, or use a trail tyre (oe) which is mediocre on road and has poor off road capabilities, particularly in mud.

 

[VAL. H.]

I've used Continental TKC80s for a couple of years as my permanent tyre of choice. Off-road, year round commuting, trips to middle France and southern Spain ( through France), about 25,000 miles a year. Whilst I accept that the Dunlop/Michelin/Metzeler dual purpose radial tyres give more feedback, and pure road tyres probably more, I have no desire or need to change. For general usage the TKCs have served me well, for a wide range of purposes. If you do switch, be aware that it does take a little time to get settled with them, They are bias-belted , not radial , and, to my mind at least, need running at the lower end of the pressure range (2.1/2.5 bar F/R) for the most feedback.

+1 here Conti TKC Probably the best truly all round tyre.

As above I don't use anything else all year round. Good in the rain and toes touching down in the dry. You'll get more feedback than most other road tyres too.
Mileage is good too or can be


Val.

 

[springonion]

I'm also in the process of looking for a new set of tyres for my 08 GSA. It will be its first new set from the ones that came with the bike.

I definately want to put on the TKC80's and I'm 80% there, I'm just concerned about grip on road in the wet as they are effectively knobblies.

I'm guessing they are fine and its just me worrying about it but I just wanted to see what everyone else thought who has them before I get them put on...

What are they like on wet tarmac? I've got standard road tyres on at the mo and just worry they will be a lot less grippy.

Also people say you start to get a weave above 80. I don't often get up there on it but how noticeable is the weave?

I use the bike everyday to and from work as well as fun riding and want to go off road as well.

cheers guys

 

[Hermannator]

I specified the Enduro pack on my Adventure and it came fitted with Metzler Karoo(T). Excellent tyre and no problem with on road use even in the wet. First rear lasted 3k miles probably because I was taking it easy with the new bike but only got 2.2k from the second. Front was fine and would have lasted a while yet. Just changed to a set of Conti TCK's to see if there is any difference in handling and mileage. It is worth checking around for prices though as the Metzler Karoo's are about £15 per tyre cheaper than the Conti's at the moment.

 

[Magwych]

Persoanlly I steer clear of the Metz Karoo tyres, turned my ASC off and they spin up on white lines and especially on motorway overbanding in the wet.

It can be a bit of a surprise, and is normally dealt with by the ACS without even knowing about it. The TKCs do feel a bit more secure in the wet. althout the Karoos are allegedly much better in the dirt.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

The Karoo is a dirt based tyre and is much better off road than the TKC IMhO. TKC`s however are much better on road and it great on gravel. They don`t much like mud though. On the road you will feel the bike move a little on the knobbles but you soon get used to that as you go round the outside of an R1 on a twisty

TKC`s are definately a better all round tyre than a karoo, worth the extra loot and you will get good mileage from them. The weave isn`t at all serious and you do get used to it so don`t let that worry you.