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

[Mike F]

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.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Probably

Something from Japan.
It is the most eastern country making tyres.

However, if you mean orientated, a different word altogether, sorry, I do not know.

Myke

 

[Mike F]

Something from Japan.
It is the most eastern country making tyres.

However, if you mean orientated, a different word altogether, sorry, I do not know.

Myke

Top shout....

And who said the Irish aren't paediatric

 

[daveg]

Top shout....

And who said the Irish aren't paediatric

Very good

 

[Welshman]

I like Karoo's use them on my 1150, but mileage if you do some tar is poor maybe 2500km, they are nice on gravel and shale, but for mud not much compensates for the mass of a GS best thing you can do is get a 21" front

What do you do about the front guard, in the wet season I run no guard as the front wheel locks solid due to mud? Even had it do so at the X brace

 

[Vern]

I trashed a TK80 in 64 miles on my HP2 on loose shale,and the front wasn't very happy about it either!

 

[Mike F]

I like Karoo's use them on my 1150, but mileage if you do some tar is poor maybe 2500km, they are nice on gravel and shale, but for mud not much compensates for the mass of a GS best thing you can do is get a 21" front

What do you do about the front guard, in the wet season I run no guard as the front wheel locks solid due to mud? Even had it do so at the X brace

Looks like you do get down and get dirty.

So you think Karoo noticably better in mud than TKC ?

just sorting 21 inch wheel out right now and will tackle the whole mudguards thing out then. Never had a prob myself we have slimey mud in my locale, yours looks more loamy.

Really not worried about road mileage at all.

M

PS Vern, that loudness control on the right hand bar thingy. It does have some intermediate settings.

 

[bowser]

PS Vern, that loudness control on the right hand bar thingy. It does have some intermediate settings.

what a load of twaddle, its not a control, its an on/off switch ;-)

 

[Welshman]

Looks like you do get down and get dirty.

So you think Karoo noticably better in mud than TKC ?

just sorting 21 inch wheel out right now and will tackle the whole mudguards thing out then. Never had a prob myself we have slimey mud in my locale, yours looks more loamy.

Really not worried about road mileage at all.

M

PS Vern, that loudness control on the right hand bar thingy. It does have some intermediate settings.

The Karoo versus TKC, no cannot really comment never had the same conditions on the rear but on the front I prefer the TKC

 

[Crapaud]

Looks like you do get down and get dirty.

So you think Karoo noticably better in mud than TKC ?

just sorting 21 inch wheel out right now and will tackle the whole mudguards thing out then. Never had a prob myself we have slimey mud in my locale, yours looks more loamy.

Really not worried about road mileage at all.

M

PS Vern, that loudness control on the right hand bar thingy. It does have some intermediate settings.

The problem I had at last years Dawn to Dusk was build up of mud under the front lower mudguard. Even if you remove the mudguard completely you are still limited by the front telelever set up. Not sure how a 21inch front would solve this issue?

 

[Mike F]

The problem I had at last years Dawn to Dusk was build up of mud under the front lower mudguard. Even if you remove the mudguard completely you are still limited by the front telelever set up. Not sure how a 21inch front would solve this issue?

Will be going down to a 1.60 width rim so much better clearance.

That's the theory anyhow.

M