Which tyre for a navigation challenge?

[Juanma33]

Hi Guys,

I will take part in a "navigation challenge" in south Spain. It is a one day challenge covering a total of 503 Km, 147 of them would be "off road". According to the organization, they will be easy gravel paths, wich could turn into muddy greenlanes if it´s raining.

Currently, I am on Anakee´s 3, in pretty good condition at the moment. I don´t think they will cope very well off road (from previous experiences), also, not sure if they will survive. From my place to the starting point, I will do around 200 Km on motorway (plus my way back home), so I don`t think something very off road orientated is a good idea

I will probably fit the anakees back after the event ( I hardly ever go off road), so I wouldn´t like to spend too much... so...

Which tyres to buy? Keep the Anakees and get by?

THANKS!

 

[Juanma33]

Any thoughts on this?....

 

[rocky burns]

Tkc 80

 

[Packer]

^^^
Seconded, you won't get more than about 2,000 - 3,000 miles (3,000 - 5,000 Kms) from the rear but off road and especially if it's muddy they will be good. On a dry road they grip well enough to ground the pegs on an 1150GS and that's not exactly an easy thing to do.

 

[John-929]

No brainer. TKC80. I did 6K across Alaska and used two sets. Sounds a lot but you won't find better for a road/dirt combo.

John.

 

[Juanma33]

Thanks guys!

I´m not worried about the life I will get from them, I will fit them mainly for the event, probably, I would try to do some off road days out after the event, in order to get some "pay back" from the tyres, rather than destroying them on the road.

However, I am concerned about the road.... the TKC80s looks quite off roady, not sure If coming from road tyres.. I might end up in the ditch when riding "happily" on the road.

Any other suggestion?

Anyway, I have to admit... I am quite tempted to fit them, so I can "go for it" off road and enjoy the GS in a different way than usually I do.

THANKS guys!

 

[chrisjk]

TKC 80s are great on the road. Unless you are trying to emulate Rossi they'll be fine.

 

[Packer]

A more road orientated alternative would be Heidenau K60's. In the dry you can ride those to the side wall, I have on two sets, but need be a bit more careful in the wet. You will get 6000-10,000 miles from a set of those but they aren't anything like as good as the TKC's in mud.

 

[Tyddewi]

Heidenau K60!

 

[Wrinkly]

Tkc 70 not so good in the mud bur great everywhere else

 

[WindyChuffer]

TKC80's are the way to go. I do The Vince every year on my 1200. These tyres are surprisingly good on the road. So good, I keep them on the bike the whole time. They feel weird to start with given the softish side walls but you soon get used to them. If you were worried about cost you could just stick a TKC80 on the front.

 

[Juanma33]

Thanks!!

Considering the way the look.... I would say that probably the K60 is the one to choose for my requirements.

I think that the TKC80 could be a bit "funny" if raining on road.

Thank you very much!
Juanma

 

[rocky burns]

Thanks!!

Considering the way the look.... I would say that probably the K60 is the one to choose for my requirements.

I think that the TKC80 could be a bit "funny" if raining on road.

Thank you very much!
Juanma

Tkc are better than k60 if it's raining

 

[WindyChuffer]

Tkc80s are fine in the rain.

 

[Fanum]

A more road orientated alternative would be Heidenau K60's. In the dry you can ride those to the side wall, I have on two sets, but need be a bit more careful in the wet. You will get 6000-10,000 miles from a set of those but they aren't anything like as good as the TKC's in mud.

My bike is wearing K60 Scouts and I'm very impressed with them......they took longer to bed in than any other tyre I've used and although they're not as good off-road as the TKC80's I've normally used before, I'l definitely be sticking to the scouts from now on, especially with the really good (cheaper than TKCs) prices you can get them for.
I've yet to use them on really muddy stuff, but on mild Off-road, they're perfectly adequate

EDIT.....they're noticeably better on white lines, banding and steelwork than TKCs as well, which although fun when you're used to them, can cause some sphincter clenching when you're not