I'm starting to make my g650 xcountry more dirt-capable and the tires seem to be the best starting point. The Continental TKC-80's seem to be available in the stock sizes for the bike and there seems to be much extolling of their virtues on ADVRider in general. Has anybody gotten them to actually fit on their XCountry? The front fender seems really close to the top of the stock Metzlers and I'm not yet convinced that the knobs on the Continentals will fit without rubbing. Anybody able to give a first-hand testimonial that they fit on the bike, fender and all, or perhaps a word of warning? Thanks a lot.
I've got 5,000 miles on my TKC-80's, half of that off-pavement. Fine tire for our XCo's. Plenty of clearance from from the stock front fender, unless you plan to ride in cakey mud. At some point for even more clearance I plan to put on a front fender from a KTM 690, using this special bracket.
TKC-80s have an good tread pattern and also benefit from having a soft compound. IMHO, they're too soft for routine, dual-sport use, unless you have deep pockets and a tolerance for frequent tire replacement. Yukon Ho!'s 50/50 riding is the right ratio for TKC-80s. More street, and I recommend Heidenaus. Insane dirt calls for Karoos or Mitas.
Nobody has complained about that. For sure they don't rub. The only issue you may have is in sticky clay because sure there isn't a lot of clearance. I ride on dry off road about as technical as the bike can take and never had an issue. Sometimes in my own driveway the TKC80 front will pick up a 1/2" rock and you can hear it going through the fender and spitting it out. LINKY
Do you have a link to the exact Mitas model and size you like? Is it the Mitas E09 Dakar? Need to update the links in my Links page. Only front or rear too? I assume THESE PICS are the E09? Sounds like a winner to me but where are they available here?
Yes, the E-09. Regular or Dakar. I have a friend who has used them extensively on an R1200GSA. In the U.S., you get them from Canada. Mitas does not distribute m/c tires in the U.S., presumably because of our world-class legal system. :-/ http://www.mx1canada.com/mitas-adventure-and-safari-tires/ Notice that the E-09 front has small, widely spaced blocks, unlike the TKC-80 which has big, tightly grouped blocks.
Jezuar are you referring to the tire being 20/80 on/off road? Are you saying you don't agree or you just would not pick that tire or? The MX1Canada.com site says (as I'm sure you guys already read): E-09 DUAL SPORT - This is a long lasting tire with confident road cornering stability. The tread pattern offers extended riding comfort on pavement as well as medium off-road terrain. We classify it as an 80/20, dirt/road type tire. It looks like a good choice. I'm not familiar with the brand name itself, what kind of quality is it's reputation? anybody have an opinion? Is it more of a European brand maybe?
Maybe I'm too picky but I think these tires are not going well when mud or sand, I think the E09 is a 50/50 but it's just a personal opinion. On the road these tires are fine but be careful with the wet pavement and make some noise. Find a dealer and ask. I really go very well for what I do and are cheaper than TKC at least in Europe, if the tires TKC will cost cheaper I would put TKC jejejeje http://www.mitas.eu/index.php?stran...orth-america-dealers-and-distributors-locator
Mitas history: http://www.mitas-tires.com/index.php?stranka=2&rid=612&tit=1&cid=2931&article=mitas-history Plants in Prague, Zlín, Otrokovice and in Serbia. No personal experience with E-09s, but they're on my list of prep items if I ever ride off-pavement in Baja. My buddy with a GSA uses them when he rides Baja. The unique selling proposition of E-09s is smaller, more widely spaced blocks -- more like a dirt tire, esp. the front. Tight tread is the ticket on the street, hard pack, and rocks, but when it gets sandy or muddy, wide spacing is preferred. You don't have to take my word for it, just go on the web or a dealer and look at the entire range of tires. You'll see that progression, particularly when your examination takes you to non-DOT off-pavement tires. My $0.02. BTW, if you can't find a new E-09 to look at, find a local high-volume dealer and ask to look at their mountain of used tires. You'll probably find one there.
I've just mounted the Mitas E-09 Dakar and was not able to ride a lot because of the wheather, but I did not feel much difference between Mitas and Conti. imho TKC80 is 50/50, E-09 is maybe 60/40. Mitas work a little better (but still not very well) in the mud. In most other conditions I can not find much difference. From what I was told by a Mitas representative, Mitas has changed the rubber compund in 2012. The 2012 Model is improved for better riding on wet roads and better mileage. On road, I was happy with both Mitas and Conti, very good grip for a Semi-Offroad Tire. As soon as the wheather gets better, I can tell you more.
Did a little snow riding the other week. No problems making it to the main road which was clear. Anyone else using heated gear? I use a Gerbings jacket liner with no problems, but adding heated pants made the voltmeter dip down to 11. So it seems like the jacket liner is all it can handle.
Yeah, I posted a long time ago about this. Be careful. The X series doesnt put out as much electrical power as the GS series. Part of the weight savings on the X was a lighter alternator. My XCo is heavily accessorized. The X has a stock voltmeter in the instrument toggle but I added and I recommend a separate voltmeter to allow convenient monitoring of the charging system. The meager charging rate combined with a small battery can result in a dead battery or a konked-out motor. If you are cruising at highway speeds with the motor spinning pretty good, an electric liner and maybe a pair of electric gloves will work fine. Your biggest problem is slow running in the woods but thats least likely where youll need extreme cold wind protection anyway. At interstate speeds I can power my electric jacket liner, run my heated grips and power my auxiliary lamps while maintaining close to 13 volts on the voltmeter. When I slow down, I kill the grips and maybe the lights. Running only the jacket liner seems okay at average street and good dirt road paces. By the way, I use a Powerlet electric liner that I find to be much better than anything I've used before and I've used all of them. The Powerlet is windproof and uses a carbon matrix heating element that provides very quick and evenly-distributed warmth. I had a Gerbing "microwire" until recently when I replaced it with the Powerlet. The Powerlet has a switchable maximum power selection that allows a max of either 60 or 105 watts. I routinely run mine on the 60 watt max setting, even on bigger bikes with more electricity. It works fine.
I can second that observation. Highway speeds are no problem for a jacket liner and gloves. I use the Gerbings products daily for months at a time. Putting along on the street wil test the limits of the charging system. Mine died 1x as a friendly reminder the other cold night.
Let the farkling begin! Just ordered an xtank, was going to try rotopax or other types of plastic containers, but thought I am just going to blow that money when I get an xtank eventually. Whatever Only other thing I want is a center stand, found a hepco becker from a local supplier. Anyone use these, any good, or any other suggestions? Thanks