what tires for winter use
- Thread starter r100/7
- Start date
Thinking is one thing, doing is another. I'm sure we both know that you can't fit Moto-X knobblies for road use, even if you can get them in the correct size for your bike. Great in sand, mud and loose surfaces but absolutely hopeless on tarmac - even tarmac with a light dusting of snow. They might be ok for deep snow but are you really going to try to ride a GS in those conditions? They'd be no better and probably worse than anything else on ice.
The closest road legal rubber would be TKC80s or similar and equally they're not ideal for the kind of use you're describing. Quite possibly the best would be a set of full race wets, assuming they were available in the correct sizes and notwithstanding the fact that they wouldn't be road legal.
On balance, I'd fit a set of Heidenau K60 M+S, assuming they're available in the correct size. I've never tried them but that's what I'd do....
The closest road legal rubber would be TKC80s or similar and equally they're not ideal for the kind of use you're describing. Quite possibly the best would be a set of full race wets, assuming they were available in the correct sizes and notwithstanding the fact that they wouldn't be road legal.
On balance, I'd fit a set of Heidenau K60 M+S, assuming they're available in the correct size. I've never tried them but that's what I'd do....
car tyres.
on a car.
on a car.
brassmonkey001
I should change this
I've got TKC 80s on mine but the icy conditions have kept the bikes indoors.
I'll ride in snow but its now been compacted into solid ice. It's "interesting" in the car. It would be sheer folly on the bike.
I'll ride in snow but its now been compacted into solid ice. It's "interesting" in the car. It would be sheer folly on the bike.
will i dont have a car. i was going to fit motor cross tires as i have a low chance of being pulled.
i could only sit in 1st gear on my r100gs on conti trail attacks as when i put the bike in to 2rd the back end skidded plus my back road it has light snow / slush that has frozzen and has not been gritted and i need to use my bike to get to work
i could only sit in 1st gear on my r100gs on conti trail attacks as when i put the bike in to 2rd the back end skidded plus my back road it has light snow / slush that has frozzen and has not been gritted and i need to use my bike to get to work
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AliBaba
Registered user
Trelleborg Army is great, I've used it several winters in Norway.
High silica content compound ones would be better......might as well have the best fighting chance before you end up on your arse.....
Hello from Finland!
My choise on winter sessions is Kings kt-965 tyres. Rear end should be 4.6" widht.
Spikes are 3mm projektion "rallye-spikes", hit in with glue. Front, 240 pcs spikes, on rear about 250 pcs. With those tyres I can not drive on highway. I use my bike in forest, lakes and tarmac roads.
Someones use on highway driving spikes from car tyres about 1.3mm projektion but I think they are dangerous on ice.
Kings is good tyre, no problems even temperature is -20C. Also few years go I have on front BF goodricht, rear Pirelli MT21 120mm widht. Also good tyres.
Happy winter!
---Ileumi---
My choise on winter sessions is Kings kt-965 tyres. Rear end should be 4.6" widht.
Spikes are 3mm projektion "rallye-spikes", hit in with glue. Front, 240 pcs spikes, on rear about 250 pcs. With those tyres I can not drive on highway. I use my bike in forest, lakes and tarmac roads.
Someones use on highway driving spikes from car tyres about 1.3mm projektion but I think they are dangerous on ice.
Kings is good tyre, no problems even temperature is -20C. Also few years go I have on front BF goodricht, rear Pirelli MT21 120mm widht. Also good tyres.
Happy winter!
---Ileumi---
Spikes
Heidenau have one type with soft rubber, for motorbikes. They are great on Ural!
http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/
Add studds: http://www.best-grip.com/eng/default.asp
There are some useful info about vinterriding here: http://www.mc-addict.com/aguidetowinterriding.htm
Liv.
http://www.reifenwerk-heidenau.de/
Add studds: http://www.best-grip.com/eng/default.asp
There are some useful info about vinterriding here: http://www.mc-addict.com/aguidetowinterriding.htm
Liv.Pikes, nails, pins, thats how Google translate says.
http://www.satapiikki.fi/images/renkaat/PI120-90-17VK-E280.gif
http://www.satapiikki.fi/images/renkaat/PI120-90-17VK-E280.gif
Pikes, nails, pins, thats how Google translate says.
They're called "studs" in English but you couldn't run them here in the UK. There's not enough snow for a long enough period and since they'd damage dry tarmac they'd also count as being illegal.
BigyellowGS
Registered user
Can't really see the point in changing your tyres? The UK doesn't tend to get enough snow for long enough to make it worth while... get the bus or a taxi for a few days.. surely its cheaper and less likely to put you in hospital!
There is not a great pick for icy roads except a couple of extra wheels. As for snow, the GS is a big bastrd for snow so perhaps just get a cheap traily hack like the £500 kwak on here recently. At least if you binned it you would have a fighting chance of picking it up again...
I've ridden on quite a few icy roads over the last 20 years and what I usually think is what a stupid bastrd i am for taking the bike out...
bumpmuncher
Registered user
dont you only have a mile and a half to travel to get to work. or is my memory playing tricks 
.
.
That's always supposing the buses or taxis are running. Buses aren't frequent at the best of times in Dumfries and Galloway and as soon as it snows taxis will be much in demand.
If I was to use a bike for work this weather I would get a cheap pushbike
When/if yer fall off enough times yer can chuck it over nearest hedge then pick it up later when yerve cooled down or warmed up
When/if yer fall off enough times yer can chuck it over nearest hedge then pick it up later when yerve cooled down or warmed up
BigyellowGS
Registered user
Good point although I'd rather wait for a taxi than risk a smashed bike and months off for a broken leg! That said I've ridden hacks (battered 250 superdream or Gs400) through winters (snow included) but I guess I'm getting "too old for this shit". But if you have to.. buy something really shite like a wetdream and dont worry about the tyres!
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