TKs

[cherokee]

OK guys iv read loads of posts all from about 10yrs ago relating to TK80s,im gonna be replacing the Tourances on my 1150 fairly soon,what id like to know from the GS Gods how good are these Tyres Really on the road,i dont ride offroad on the bike, but i know its sad but think these tyres look way cool on the big GS,i do push very hard in the twisties though, and just want some info on how im likely to get on touring,hooning on my bike with the TKs,im down in spain next year and like to explore light gravel tracks,but 90% of my riding is road......also with the TKs does the rear fender need to be removed? and how do they run on the front mudguard?......mucho gras.......

 

[Jamieboy]

They go better than I had expected on the road (thought would be total crap) but are not near the roadgoing standard of say, a tourance/anakee family tyre. In my opinion if you're 90% on the road not worth the lack of feel/smoothness + quick wear.

 

[Smug]

If you don't ride off road then don't waste your money.

 

[Robbo1961]

I've had them for ages on my 800 when they are new you have to watch them in the wet, off rd they are good enough, but I would only consider them if you intend to ride off road, I noticed you live in shoeburyness there are a few lanes that are suitable for a gs in north essex.

 

[Bubb]

TKC

DONT.

If you are 90 per cent on road...try Tourance/Trail Attack/Anakee's etc...
TKC's wear VERY quickly on road if you ride even reasonably hard....ie; 1800-2500 miles and they are toast.
They also slide around a bit on road in the wet... predictable, but not great IMHO.

They do look good on GS's, but thats it unless you are venturing off road at least 50 per cent of the time.
Spend your hard-earned on something else ( Conti Trail attacks are good IMHO)...
Im thinking of Pilot Roads next tyre change as I dont venture off road much at all.


Ride safe

Bubb

 

[Deleted account 200123001]

K60 scouts. Reasonable off road good on road. Look agressive. But would only recommend of you plan to go offroad.

 

[cherokee]

cheers guys..bummer knew you'd all talk sense,il stick with the Tourances then,they are great tyres i have no complaints so il go with them again......ya bastards...

 

[ahebron]

Nothing needs moving or adjusting when fitting TKC80s
They are an OEM tyre on the 1150 GS so fit ok.
They vibrate the bike a bit and as others have said wear quickly when pressed on tarmac.
I run them but am looking forward to the TKC70 when it arrives.

Adrian

 

[ahutcheon]

You could look at Metzler Karoo 3's. They last me a bit less than Tourances, work a lot better on gravel and a bit less well on tar (particularly in the wet), and have some of the butch look (they're a big block tyre, but the knobs ain't square).

They work well, but I live up a gravel road and take the opportunity to ride others fairly regularly. If I rode on road like you describe I'd still be on Tourances, but I didn't buy a GS for its looks.

 

[Littledumptruck]

I'd suggest you do a search on Tourances on here before buying, there's been some horror story's since they started making them in China. I've been on Trail Attacks for the last 18months and they're easily as good as Tourances.

 

[Davey B]

Or ignore the 'cool look' side of it and buy tyres that genuinely suit your riding. Genuine road tyres. Just fitted Pilot Road 4 TRAIL to my 12 and they are great.

 

[Littledumptruck]

Or ignore the 'cool look' side of it and buy tyres that genuinely suit your riding. Genuine road tyres. Just fitted Pilot Road 4 TRAIL to my 12 and they are great.

I'd be interested to know how well they last? I know they're great tyres, but at a hell of a premium over Trail Attacks, and if like the Road3s on my Pan, only last about 5500miles, it just compounds the poor vfm!!

 

[cherokee]

Iv had tourances to be honest on my 1200gsa my 1150 gsa and they are fitted at the moment on my 1150,and i do love them,i have read that they have been giving some problems not sure why i would have thought they would have to be of a safe standard,my 990 ktms ran pirelli scorpions and they were amazing tyres i havent looked but i dont think they do them for the GS as i guess they are a Tubed tyre,was just a looks thing love to see a TK80 shod GS,whats the word on the TK70? i havent read anything on these are they again a mainly offroad tyre or a dualsport job....

 

[Sgt Bilco]

TKC80's are fine on the road and are better than they have the right to be. You get a bit of a rumble and you kind of fall off them into a turn when they are new but you soon get over that. If you have ever tried to keep up with Vern or the late Bobble, you would realise how much they grip on all surfaces.

Mileage isn't as high as a road tyre but you should get 5k out of a set especially in winter. We had a chap on an an Alaska tour who got 5k from the back and nearly 9k from the front and that was on all surfaces, all weathers and on a loaded 1200.

If you want the looks and real longevity, the Heidenau K60's will do the job and you should get 10-12k out of a set of those. Some people say they are a bit skittish but I've done about 40k with them on all surfaces and weathers and never had an issue. They are a bit noisy on the road though.

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

An alternative viewpoint..... I've had original Tourance, Anarchy 2s, 3s and TKC80s on my 2010 R1200GSA and for me the TKC80s were by far my favourite. Granted, wear rate can be a bit frightening but they are nowhere near as scary in the rain as they are made out to be. Each to his own but for me with the bike's off road capabilities (not often used, I'll give you) it seems a huge waste not having tyres fitted that allow you to make use of those capabilities on the odd occasion when the opportunity arises to do so. I'll be fitting TKC80s again when my current Anarchys expire.

 

[Smug]

With a TKC80 tyre the contact patch with the road is a 30mm long knobble followed by a 70mm space and then the next 30mm knobble. Consequently it is very easy to trigger the ABS when applying the front brake.

When the ABS cuts in the bike sits up and then reapplies the brakes four feet further down the road. A bit disconcerting when it first happens especially when approaching a junction or the back end of a car.

With proper road tyres this does not happen.

 

[Davey B]

I'd be interested to know how well they last? I know they're great tyres, but at a hell of a premium over Trail Attacks, and if like the Road3s on my Pan, only last about 5500miles, it just compounds the poor vfm!!

I have never got more than 6k from a pair of tyres, the fronts could possibly go to 8k but I simply swap the pair at the same time. I don't cane it everywhere, mainly ride solo with no luggage and I struggle to get my head round how some folk can get 9-10k out of the same tyres as me. A real mystery.
I'll be pleased with 5,500 miles on them.

 

[MarkShelley]

I just whacked a set of K60s on my Transalp and, as mentioned earlier they are quite noisy, but fine with earplugs. I have just returned from Manchester on the bike today which was their first decent run and I was very impressed with their performance on greasy and dry roads. I chose them because they had good reviews and sound like they last a lot longer than the TKC80s.