FYI, the E09 fronts are nearly universally lamented (for shallow knob depth) while the rears are nearly equally cherished. I'd match a TKC front to it, if you're leaning more toward the road, or maybe a Dunlop 606 if a little more dirt.
Dieselboy, it's been a bit over two months, what's your decision? 38 or 42 psi? After reading they lasted 11,000 mi I ordered a pair and will have them fitted next Tuesday.
The top is TKCs new the bottom is after 7000 miles. After some of the stories from people about them not lasting, I don't think I can complain.
Thanks fro the tip. I liked the 606s on my KLR. Oh yeah...nice sig line...I was going to use it but you beat me to it..
Yeah, sorry. I went camping (long distance), full up with water and extra fuel, so I had to go to the heavier PSI....I'll have to start again with the next set. I'm at 30k miles now so it won't be long. But I think I'm going to coat the rims and try going tubless this round as well. So that will supposedly affect the temperature of the tire and therefore the longevity as well. I estimate I have another 500 miles left on this rear so I'm hitting 11k miles on it.
Posted this in another forum, but think it is appropriate here too... Received the E-07s size 140/18-17 rear tyre from www.motorcycletyres.net.au - at $139 I think a pretty good price and the service from Dave was friendly with delivery the next day to Sydney from Melbourne, so all plusses in my book. Initial Impressions: On Road: The compound is slightly harder than the Battlewings or the Karoos, but my impression is that the grip on tar is better than the Karoos (because of the larger contact area I would think). Have not ridden them in the wet yet, so will have to wait to see how the harder rubber reacts. Off Road: Took them for a 300km ride in the Yengo National Park with Gordon, Robe and Albie yesterday. Even though I gave it quite a bit of stick on the loose and rocky stuff the tread showed no sign of ripping (see photos attached) and handled very well in the grip and braking department. The Karoos looked a lot worse for wear after similar distance and terrain. Not sure how they would stack up against the Karoos in the really muddy stuff, but I was pretty happy with them in the sandy and rocky areas. So - at this stage I am pretty happy with Mitas... If anything changes I will let you know. Pete <!-- / message --> <!-- sig --> __________________
I'm still doing a little work but nowhere near 48/wk. On the subject of tires... Guess I'll order an E09 for the rear and a 606 for the front and try to mount them myself. Might as well learn at home instead of trailside... Great thread!
This is a really good thread for learning how to mount the tires yourself! http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50717&highlight=neduro+tire
+1. If you've never done it before, read the thread a few times. Then keep it handy while you're changing. Remember, if you're levering the tire back on, and you really have to strain, you're doing something wrong -- most likely, you don't have the opposite bead "down in the dish". Also, you want enough air in the tube to give enough shape to keep out of the way (and avoid pinching), but too much makes it a bear to get the tire on. You'll find the balance. The stock tires are a bitch (almost like sportbike tires), but most knobbies are easier (softer sidewalls). The Shinko I put on the rear was the easiest tire I think I've ever done.
Hi guys, can someone please confirm that the Dunlop 606 fits on the front with the stock mud guard setup? I heard somewhere that the knobbies are too tall for the stock mud guard. Thanks!!
I'd guess that the issue isn't so much the knob height, as what happens if the space between the knob and the fender clogs with mud. It does happen occasionally that "rally fendered" bikes pack up with mud around the front wheel -- with pretty horrific results. Not common, but when it does...
Okay dirt hounds, wail and nash your teeth.....I mounted a Metzler ME880 last night on the rear. 160/70 B 17 73H I'm not debating design and purpose of the bike or dirt worthiness of the tire (it's nil). I'm after 18k miles on a rear tire. The Tourances are coming in at 11k miles (2 sets now). The orgininal battlewings lasted 8k miles. What will be of interest to you all (or y'all where I come from) is that the speedo is now spot on. I went from 2 (or 3)MPH pessimistic to almost on the money-- no error in actual speed indicated by the speedo as compared to the speed confirmed by the Zumo. This almost got embarassing on the morning commute as I traveled up on an LEO thinking I was just a little extra-legal and realizing suddenly that the numbers on the Zumo were not what I expected to see. That made me very extra-legal (relative to traffic). Fortunately, I think donuts were involved and I went unnoticed. EDIT: Only 12k miles to wear bars on the ME880 so back to using Tourance.
hi there guys, just wondering if the F650GS Twin Cast Rims can fit the F800gs. i'm thinking of trading the 21" and 17" spoke rims on my 800 to those found on the 650... but imagine the cost to do it at the local dealer ship.. gonna cost a bomb!
Are you after the smaller size(s), cast specifically, or tubeless in general? You'll have to deal with the front brake issue (only 1 disc on the 658 front, IIRC) in addition to any other fitment issues...