I fitted mine to the 650 last week, only done about 20 miles on em.. weird feeling, the bike really feels like it wants to 'turn in' when cornering, will take a bit of getting used to im sure... Hopefully the blast in Feb in wales (west mids forum) will bed them in quite nicely.
So what are your thoughts of the bike so far then Phil?
How it feel off road compared to the big un? Mine was the same year and colour as yours Loved the engine myself, very nearly had another before picking the 1100 instead.
As I had mine brand new I was too much of a polishing whimp to take it off roading which I regret.
So what are your thoughts of the bike so far then Phil?
How it feel off road compared to the big un? Mine was the same year and colour as yours Loved the engine myself, very nearly had another before picking the 1100 instead.
As I had mine brand new I was too much of a polishing whimp to take it off roading which I regret.
The front end is a bit of a weak point off road IMHO but for easy/medium lanes I think it's brill. The rear end is great, nice and soft, well damped and the weight of the bike is much nicer than the 1150. Still love the 1150 as it is far better than it has a right to be, but think I'll be using this far more off road than the 1150.
Still need a chain guide and I have a KTM front end to go in. It'll never be the Berg, but it is better for what I want.
Going to the Alps this year with Mrs Flip, I will take the 650 not the 1150. This suprises me but I think it will be the right choice.
Pirelli MT21's are a good tyre i have found for on off road so long as it's not too slippery ( better than TKC's in mud mind you )
I use them on the HP2 and rate them...They would be a good choice for the 650 too
They also dont give that funny turn in feeling like TKC's
That i never liked
Have tried them off road and was suprised how bad they are
1150 is great on TKCs but the Dak is less impressive. Dropped the pressures in front and back and this helps but don't go too far or you risk tearing the tube if you spin the back wheel.
On the road they are actually very good once bedded in. I was going pretty well yesterday, although is was dry and I know that I will have to be far more carefull in the wet.
Overall..............not brilliant but better than the road tyres if you are green laning.
I agree with Gary H
Brilliant tyre- wayyyyyy better than TKC on the Dakar.
tested in Africa in sand, on corrugations, wobbly tarmac and in mud on Salisbury plains.
I really rate them as knobblies go.
Other tyres road orientated but with some off road (not bril at all in mud but then what ever is!) Michelin Syracs- great again on the Dak.