tyre suggestions cos Pirelli don't make a 17" Scorpion A/T

[rin_sun]

Hi Guys,
I've read the tyre posts, and I'm still stuck. What I'd really like for my 800 are the Scorpions A/T that Whele has as standard on his KTM990 Adventure, but my rear wheel is 1" smaller so I can't, they don't make it. I've had Tourances on for a while and they are fine on the road, but we are leaving in May for a nice trip that will require some gravel road riding (Romania, Black Sea direction) for 4 weeks. Whele follows his Garmin, and I follow him! So my tyres need to be ready for whatever they come across, and I need to be confident that they will do just that …
He did suggest that I could get the front A/T and the back tyre a more road orientated one. I am reluctant to mix manufacturers so if I did this I would go for a Pirelli back (?) not sure which one, Trail maybe?
If not I might just go with a set of Tourances, as new ones would be better than the worn out ones on there now!
Grateful for your thoughts.
Catherine. (rin, reincarnated as I seem to have been deleted as rin_sun)

 

[stanbloke]

Anakee 2. best tyre out there.

Solid , stable and great mileage.

If you want tyres for trails too i use a TKC80 front and a Heidenau K60 . Great combo for everything.

 

[russh]

I agree with Stanbloke, for a great road biased all rounder that's pretty good on dry trails and with outstanding wet grip on tarmac I'd go with the Anakee 2. I'm just about to fit my 3rd set on the F800

I've used TKC80s which are great for more dirt biased riding but i only got 3000 miles from the rear of mine.

However I hear the Anakee 2 is being replaced by the Anakee 3, which looks a completely different beast, looks more of a road only tyre.

 

[rin_sun]

Anakee better than Tourance?

Thanks guys,
I'm looking for that holy grail I know. I do a lot of road riding in Germany, and on this trip we will be riding a fair distance on main roads. I wasn't planning to change tyres.
I loved TKC80 for off road trip before, gave me oodles of confidence, but I have to be able to ride fast on the tarmac a lot of the time.
What would you reckon then to a Pirelli MT90 A/T on the front and a Tourance on the back?
I looked at Haidenau and Mitas but the German tyre man said they are illegal on the road there. I have had enough dealings with the Politzei …

 

[Phluppe]

Pirelli Scorpion Trail is a really good tyre, or the best one on the market right now, the Dunlop TR91.

If you want to do some all-roading, I'd recommend the Heidenau K60 all the way!

Grtz, Philip!

 

[stanbloke]

The pirelli MT90 will do no better than the anakee or Tourance on the front. Tourance will have no grip on the rear as its a "smooth" tyre. Tyres are always a compromise. I had MT90'S on my KTM 990 and they are hopeless on anything other than Tarmac or very easy gravel trails.

Why are Heidenau illegal in Germany ?. If i ride my 800 to germany with K60s fitted i'll be breaking the law ?. Thats not right surely. ???.

 

[rin_sun]

Pic links

This is the tread style I'd like for the front:
http://www.tyretectrading.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1602

This is the one I'd like for the rear: http://www.tyretectrading.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1599

The tyre man did say that as my bike is UK registered the police wouldn't be interested, so no they wouldn't be after you if you rode there. I am concerned about the speed rating as most of my riding is fast road riding in Germany. I know many of you ignore these things …

 

[stanbloke]

The tyre man did say that as my bike is UK registered the police wouldn't be interested, so no they wouldn't be after you if you rode there. I am concerned about the speed rating as most of my riding is fast road riding in Germany. I know many of you ignore these things …

Rin,

I have done about 6K miles on the TKC /K60 combo on a KTM 990 S. well and truly spanked it pretty much everywhere. Tarmac / Trails and an 700 mile dash back to the UK from the Stella Alpinawith no issues at all. Your choice tho.

These tyres will be fine.....and yes i do go fast.

 

[rin_sun]

Today I must decide!

Thanks for all your input guys. I need to order them today so I can get them fitted.

 

[stanbloke]

http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum/25-ride-reports/137375-pyrenees-aragon-navarra-2012.html

This may interest you ( and others). I'm back there again on the 24th on a 800gs this time so will post a RR.

 

[rin_sun]

Bought them

Thanks for the link to tyretectrading. The guy there was really helpful and I got the Pirelli front and the Tourance rear. Hope it works OK!
Thanks all.