What are the most off road oriented tyres on std 1150 GSA rims?

Mike F

Mike F

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What are the most off road oriented tyres on std 1150 GSA rims?

At the moment I am looking at Karoo's, with the none "T" variant at the front (I believe its a smidgen softer) and a "T" on the back as it does have to cope with 80bhp. Or at least it would if I ever opened the throttle fully.

What's your experience on Karoos, and has anyone got any other recommendations? Is it worth putting a none "T" on the back.

These wheels will do ZERO roadwork (see my pat pending solution for this http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296824 )and only see action at the UK rallies where I plan to cruise the liaison sections but rag the arse off it in the specials.

I've heard tell of a set of TKCs being trashed in a weekend at events like the K2. Any comments on that.

Personally I found TKCs wanting in serious off road malarkey, but then what chance has any tyre got trying to overcome the physics of a GSA in sloppy, off road conditions? So I am keen to try something else - but I don't want to take a backwards step.

Finally pressures. Have heard all sorts, and went down to 16 / 18 for the Sweet Lamb sprint (hard pack + loose rocks + fast 70mph+ sections) and 15 / 15 green laning in real slime without a problem. Lots of folks on the Adv forum advise higher 24 / 28 being popular to minimise chance of rim damage / tyre damage. So looking at going up to 22 / 25 in the rallies where you can get a lick on. Unless you know better.

Any tips and advice much appreciated.
 
Mike F said:
What are the most off road oriented tyres on std 1150 GSA rims?

At the moment I am looking at Karoo's, with the none "T" variant at the front (I believe its a smidgen softer) and a "T" on the back as it does have to cope with 80bhp. Or at least it would if I ever opened the throttle fully.

What's your experience on Karoos, and has anyone got any other recommendations? Is it worth putting a none "T" on the back.

These wheels will do ZERO roadwork (see my pat pending solution for this http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=296824 )and only see action at the UK rallies where I plan to cruise the liaison sections but rag the arse off it in the specials.

I've heard tell of a set of TKCs being trashed in a weekend at events like the K2. Any comments on that.

Personally I found TKCs wanting in serious off road malarkey, but then what chance has any tyre got trying to overcome the physics of a GSA in sloppy, off road conditions? So I am keen to try something else - but I don't want to take a backwards step.

Finally pressures. Have heard all sorts, and went down to 16 / 18 for the Sweet Lamb sprint (hard pack + loose rocks + fast 70mph+ sections) and 15 / 15 green laning in real slime without a problem. Lots of folks on the Adv forum advise higher 24 / 28 being popular to minimise chance of rim damage / tyre damage. So looking at going up to 22 / 25 in the rallies where you can get a lick on. Unless you know better.

Any tips and advice much appreciated.
Click to expand...

look at trelleborgs !!!!!09
 
Some comments here:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32096

on the Karoo, not Karoo 2(T).

I have used a couple of sets of Karoo 2(T) and they're marginally worse than TKC 80 for wear but cheaper (I've since gone back to TKC 80).

The Karoo (not 2) is radial-ply, whereas the 2(T) is like TKC 80 a bias-ply.
 
Cheers Mike, Molly

I did look at that thread but its more for road / compromise tyres. No mention of Moly's Trelleborgs, or Mitas or a few other off road biased tyres.

How would you rate Karoos against the TKCs when it gets slimey off road. And does radial / bias make any difference to what i should fit.

Moly I have pinged off an email to the UK Trelleborg guys as its not clear if the rear is Tubeless - although I assume it is. I take it you are saying the -09 has the edge over Karoos off road....

This is all to tide me thru while the 21/18 rim combo gets sorted. Nothing's happening quick as its all on a budget. No Woody's Wheels hubs for me...More than the bike's worth.

Again, thanks for the tips.

M
 
I'm running karoos and used them at the rally training and then the rally sprint at sweet lamb. The training weekend was wet and they were great. Confidence inspiring and tons of grip. At the dry sprint the rear was awful. I was bloomin slow and still managed to chew up the rear. On a heavier bike with a faster rider I reckon the rear would have been completely goosed in under a day. Next for me will either be mitas c02 rear and mich desert front, or mefo stone master rear and desert. Previous Karoo rear lasted 3k miles 50/50 tarmac and green lanes.
 
Dansin said:
I'm running karoos and used them at the rally training and then the rally sprint at sweet lamb. The training weekend was wet and they were great. Confidence inspiring and tons of grip. At the dry sprint the rear was awful. I was bloomin slow and still managed to chew up the rear. On a heavier bike with a faster rider I reckon the rear would have been completely goosed in under a day. Next for me will either be mitas c02 rear and mich desert front, or mefo stone master rear and desert. Previous Karoo rear lasted 3k miles 50/50 tarmac and green lanes.
Click to expand...

The Sprint was harsh on tyres, and I was lighting the rear up all over the place. I'm really glad the Karoos I ordered especially for it werent delivered in time (and subsequently cancelled in a fit of pique). My half worn TKCs are now trashed but were great on the day. But Sweet Lamb for what the Big Bikes did was more akin to riding on the road (no offence Moly).

You were on the 650? - yep that'll be a tad gentler on rubber, but still a ripper.
 
Twas me on the badly ridden 650. :D For green laning and a bit of tarmac they're great but too soft for those dry fire roads. :thumb
 
Mike F said:
The Sprint was harsh on tyres, and I was lighting the rear up all over the place. I'm really glad the Karoos I ordered especially for it werent delivered in time (and subsequently cancelled in a fit of pique). My half worn TKCs are now trashed but were great on the day. But Sweet Lamb for what the Big Bikes did was more akin to riding on the road (no offence Moly).

You were on the 650? - yep that'll be a tad gentler on rubber, but still a ripper.
Click to expand...

E09 dakar trelleborg tyre !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it looks a better off road tyre ????????????
 
Wreford Miles said:
They howl so much I've begun to think is something else wrong with the bike so it's comforting to hear you've exsperianced th same
Click to expand...

Riding on karoos for the first time had me looking behind for the tailgating willies jeep:D.
 
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I've heard tell of a set of TKCs being trashed in a weekend at events like the K2.
 
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