which tyres for xcountry on Irish "b." roads

[drimcong]

Dear Colleagues my first post here.
Need new tyres, and advice which ones to buy.
Bought the xcountry with Metzeler Tourances, did 5000km on them.
They are squaring off now.
Did not scrape the pegs, just nipping about.
I am in Connemara with the usual potholes, green lanes, tar puddles, and loose chippins.
The odd time I'll use the motorway.
I am looking for a tyre which holds the road and the odd trip over forrest lanes.
Not doing any muck and trials.

Thinking of buying on-line, the beemer-man is about 250k to the East.
Thanx for any advice.
Josey

 

[Aidan1150]

I would recommend Tourances again Josey, but the "old" style ones not the new EXP's which don't seem to be liked at all in the same way as the old ones.

That's all I use on my 1150 on Irish roads.

HTH

Oh, by the way, welcome.

 

[barrym]

I haven't had to try new tyres on my XCountry yet (bike doesn't get used much, see For Sale section) but on my F650GS which did loads of miles I tried both Avon Distanzia and latterly Avon Roadrider - these because I only do tarmac. My riding was a mixture of main roads (single carriageway) and lanes. Both worked very well, but I felt that Roadriders gave a more secure feel. Not surprising really.

And most importantly they are made in Britain. Well it's important to us in Britain.

HTH

 

[HonestJohn]

Hi Josey

I use Tourances on my 1200GS, and they're fine - excellent even - for the B roads in the Peak District and the very occasional green lane in the dry, all of which they cope with really well. But I wouldn't venture out on to anything other than reasonable tarmac in the wet. Wet mud or wet grass - you might as well be talking ice, 'cause the grip is very limited.

On my Xcoutry I have Continental TKC80s - which I chose for getting muddy on green lanes and the like. On Peak District b roads and motorway they're fine - commuted on it 70 miles each way to work one wet and windy day when the GS wouldn't start - and had no qualms about grip.

Went for a blast in the snow with my brother in law just after the new year. He chose to take my Xcountry and I took the GS. While the Tourances were sliding all over the place, it was like he was glued to the road! OK, snow's not around that often, but it really made the point about how much better the TKC80s work when the surface is pretty slippery - and I guess that means wet mud, moss, etc.

I don't know how rough or mucky the roads are in your neck of the woods, and how much green laning in the wet you're considering, but I might be tempted to think about the TKC80s

Have fun whatever!

John

 

[drimcong]

Thanx to all for the help to date.
good to hear from youse!
Josey

 

[ONYERBIKE]

How about Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahara, good tyre plenty of feel, come as standard on the X Challenge, I've been using them on my Yam Ten in rain, snow and shine, been pretty happy with them.

 

[Micky]

Hi there drimcong and welcome to the site

I totally agree with on this one ... Tourances without a doubt