I went in the sand for the first time today. Yep, still had quite a bit of air in the tires but it seemed very sketchy. I ordered a new Scorp for the rear because I like it and plan to put more road mies then sand. But the front needs replacing too and I saw these Saharas and wondered what you guys thought of them? I am here in Florida and sand is everywhere so the 30% I do will be sand. http://www.tiresunlimited.com/images/metzeler_motorcycle/Enduro%203%20front%20&%20rear.jpg I was also told the TKC 80 was a good choice for the front. I have run that before on my 625 and was happy with it but since I plan on doing more road I wonder if its not such a good choice like in wet weather on pavement etc. Suggestions????
The Pirelli MT-21 has been good on sand, (with a TKC80 on the rear) not so good on tarmac. Never tried it on wet tarmac (don't get much rains here)
My Se came with a Sahara front tyre new, lasted 3000km, good grip on and off road. I just tried the Conti TKC, it has been great, just some uneven wear towards the end of its life.
Dunlop 606 for the front. There is another tire on KTMTwins: http://www.ktmtwins.com/950adventure/mefo-med25.html Not sure about that tire, you might want to call Scuderia West...they run ktmtwins and are very helpful. Another huge improvement for the sand if you haven't already done it would be a steering damper. If you look at the threads, Scott's seems to make the best one of the lot. Right now Im running Dunlop 908 front and rear....but I do ALOT of riding in the dirt....and I just orderd a Scott steering damper: http://www.ktmtwins.com/950adventure/ktm950-adv.html
Ya I'm running a E700 Shinko up front. Only 500 street miles so far and handles well. Looks like it will be nice off the pavement too. I plan on testing it tomorrow....
The MEFOs look interesting. Anyone run them in the sand? The 606 looks to be a little to geared to offroad as compared to what I am looking for.
You are asking for the impossible....:huh ...A sand tire that is good on the road... .... The TKC will be your closest bet...but hit a buried rock and the soft sidewall will pay you back with a pinch flat.. The Saharas are crap in the sand.... Mefos are no better... A 606 does great in the sand...and will do better than you think on the slab...
I've used the front 3.25 on several bikes and am happy with it on my 950se. I think I've even converted Riceless 950 to using one on his 950 ADV. Floats well in sand, absorbs rock hits well, is reasonable on pavement, wears well, and it is cheap.
When it's aired down to 22psi it floats over rocks & soft sand very nicely. Sidewall is soft so don't go too low with the pressure. Steering is slugish and weird, even with 30+ psi On hardpack or pavement it doesn't want to turn and on off camber you gotta wrestle with the bars. Good staightline braking grip. Mud......???? I live in the desert. Third gear & up on sand, rocks, gravel, fireroads, First gear, single track, technical, turns.
Well, I ordered a Shinko and thought I would give it a go. Will spoon it on week after next and report how it does on road and in sand. Has anyone tried this one? http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/15129/ITEM/Kenda-K761-Dual-Sport-Front-tire.aspx Kenda K761 Dual Sport Front tire Unbeatable combination of both street and off road grip and stability Remarkably durable nylon ply construction delivers total riding confidence DOT approved Heavy duty construction designed to withstand the demands of off road riding Advanced compound design for extra braking and cornering traction Tube type H Speed rated for speeds up to 130 MPH
This is what my Metzler Karoo T looked like after ~6000kms: Worked ok on all surfaces i encountered, no real sand to talk of tho, mostly tarmac, some gravel and some mud. /Johan