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I am looking for dual purpose tires for a street bike that will be used in dirt and gravel often. What tires do you suggest? They will be used on 65% pavement, 35% rough roads, dirt and gravel. including a few trips from province to province.
If you have pictures or links that would be great!
dunno what size you need but here you go. They are decent
https://img.alicdn.com/imgextra/i2/2...!283983484.jpg
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm...4-82c1eb3894e5
Until now I have quite acceptable experience with the K270 Kendra on my 21/18 wheel set of my X2. But the profile is very rough. Don't know if this is street bike suitable ....
I also had some Kenda K270's-. surprisingly good, better on road than off. Now moved to knobblies as almost all my riding is off road.
Kenda K280 , K270 or Kings Tire KT-966
http://www.contactdi.com/2009/galaxy/XTR024.jpg
The Kenda K280 has pretty good grip on road, I think they're a better street tire than the K270.
Opinions sbout tyres like bike seats can be fairly subjective...
I'm using Metzler Karoo 3's on my GS. I'm liking them a lot. The front tyre has over 20K km but I'm on my third rear Karoo 3. Seems I'm getting about 7K km on the rear. The Karoo 3 are a 50/50 tyre. Great balance IMO. Predictable both on and off road IMO.
Shinko 705 or 805's also do well as do Mitas E-07's etc. Even V-Rubber export tyres made in Thailand are finding favour with the expat riders in the land of smiles - except for use in the wet - fortunately not much of that at the moment
YMMV
Also worth considering clearance if fitting a more off road type of tyre as it's common that clearance can be an issue around the front mud guard / Fender especially on road bikes.
The Kenda K270 is good on road and rough terrain but forget it in real mud. Then its closed instantly.
On sand must watch out a bit but give nice drift opportunities with my X2-300cc.
@Doc: I wonder how u get out 7k from the Karoo3!?
My rear one was totally done after 4.5k. The front one I have stored for now to use later again.
How many percent do you ride on offroad terrain / soft ground?
Thanks for the advice guys!
How can I make sure the tires wont rub with out mounting them first?
Don't they also expand a little when riding?
just in case, anyone know where I might be able to get custom mudguards made?
Just compare to the data of the original tire. They tell about the dimension like rim width, tire height etc
I found the tires everyone suggested on Taobao in the same size. 150/60/17 rear and 110/70/17 front, but with the tread being so much larger then a street tires tread I just wonder if the tread might rub the fender as it sticks out further.Quote:
Originally Posted by ShuBen
That's an average estimate. Don't know the percentages of tarseal versus other surfaces... I ride... if I come across gravel, stones, rocks, dirt, sand... or whatever I just keep riding, albeit more slowly depending on the conditions...Quote:
Originally Posted by ShuBen
I don't worry about percentages... when it comes to riding... I just ride my bikes; including my ADV bikes as intended by the designers... to go almost anywhere.
When I get back to PRC I will be posting up another RR of PRC - > Laos -> Thailand etc. Lots of off road... on my GS. It's gotten dirty and even taken a couple of naps...
I don't think you'll have any trouble with the knobs clearing at those stock sizes. Here's some pictures of a Duke 390 with big ole knobby Continental TKC80's installed. 150/70/17 rear and 120/70/17 front which are dimensionally much larger than stock, even before taking the knobs into account.Quote:
Originally Posted by Asymptomatic
Clears stock fenders, albeit just barely.
Attachment 18193
Attachment 18194
Pics/info from here:
Tire Sizes: KTM Duke 390 Forum
Photos: KTM Duke 390 Forum
Sweet! That is all I need to know. Can't wait to get mine home and go for the first ride. Actually I have to pick mine up in Shenyang. That means I have to ride 4 hours home. I will start our relationship out with a 300km + ride.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mot
Hopefully one day I will make it south near you and we can see where the road takes us.
Shenyang? That's my old stomping grounds. Maybe I'll make it up there for a nostalgia tour.
How's that going to work out for service/warranty? In China it seems they won't honor the warranty if scheduled service isn't done at an authorized outlet, which is a huge adjustment for me. I never let anyone touch my vehicles with the exception of bodywork and even then it's never up to my standards.
Great questions. For warranty work and service during the first year I either need to make the ride to Shenyang or if the bike can't make the trip I have to pay for the train ticket to my city. So it will be about 400rmb more per service to have them come to me. After the first year I will do everything my self if it is small and pay my dues if it is something I can not handle. I am no mechanic so I have no choice at the moment. I did just buy a old Dayang 150cc standard for 300rmb that does not run. It has been sitting for a few years. My goal is to rebuild it and start learning as my new hobby!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mot
If you ever can come this way let me know. I will make it a point to take time off work to go tour some country side with you and even just meet you in Shenyang to tour the city with you.
1. Get a comprehensive good set of tools,
2. Get the repair manual for the related bike
3. Find a reliable machine shop where you can let make special support tools or parts
4. Find a clean place with good lights and a bike support (don't crawl on the ground)
5. Learn the Sesame street song: who does not ask stays stupid