The Great DualSport Tire Shootout!

[wolfy317]

Anyone running the kenda 270's? I've got a spare set of wheels, and would like to have a decent, but not expensive option for riding the gravel and trails, but I need a tire that will do ok on the road to get me there hehe.

[tn-steve]

Originally Posted by wolfy317

Anyone running the kenda 270's? I've got a spare set of wheels, and would like to have a decent, but not expensive option for riding the gravel and trails, but I need a tire that will do ok on the road to get me there hehe.

I've ran about 3 sets of them on my 650's - I've since changed to Pirelli MT21's as my preferred tires. That said, I never had any problems with the K270's. They should work well for what you have in mind

[wolfy317]

Originally Posted by tn-steve

I've ran about 3 sets of them on my 650's - I've since changed to Pirelli MT21's as my preferred tires. That said, I never had any problems with the K270's. They should work well for what you have in mind

Thanks!

[StephenB]

Originally Posted by wolfy317

Anyone running the kenda 270's? I've got a spare set of wheels, and would like to have a decent, but not expensive option for riding the gravel and trails, but I need a tire that will do ok on the road to get me there hehe.

Yep, I run them on my G/S. They get you from A to B but due to the soft sidewalls their road performance isn't great, a bit squirmy especially at speed. They are ok for gravel. Dunno about trail riding though.

[Rob Farmer]

I buy my tyres from these guys www.mynetmoto.com they have a usefull search engine if you want to look for specific tyres and available sizes.

Best all round tyre for the g/s is the tyre's designed for it Metzler Enduros.

[StephenB]

Originally Posted by Rob Farmer

Best all round tyre for the g/s is the tyre's designed for it Metzler Enduros.

That might be true, but value for money sux! At least in Canada where you easily pay C$400 for a set.

[wolfy317]

So I'm having a hard time finding a good front 50/50 for a 19" rim, anybody have any suggestions? I'm not looking to spend too much money.

Actual sizing on the bike now is 3.25 19.

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by wolfy317

So I'm having a hard time finding a good front 50/50 for a 19" rim, anybody have any suggestions? I'm not looking to spend too much money.

Actual sizing on the bike now is 3.25 19.

Seen the MEFO explorers? They're a little spendy up front, but all reports say they last a LONG time.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade...view/4811/153/

[wolfy317]

Hmm....I'll have to look at those. Anyone know if a 2.75 19 will fit the 75/5 front rim?

I'm not really sure about tire sizes....i've always just ordered what was on it.

[Beemerboff]

Mitas do a 70/30 E 08 in 19" and they work OK for me . Dont worry to much about the width of the tire as it is the width of the rim which usually sets the tire on rim size.

On my R75 A 120 rear ends up 1 mm wider than a 110.

[Rucksta]

Originally Posted by Rob Farmer

I buy my tyres from these guys www.mynetmoto.com they have a usefull search engine if you want to look for specific tyres and available sizes.

Best all round tyre for the g/s is the tyre's designed for it Metzler Enduros.

Rob I was a fan of Metzlers Enduro in Type 1, 2 & 3 incarnations for years and years (well not so much the 3s).
I still think they're great but so many other options are available.

Try a Mitas E07 for road / dirt road
Try the E09 if you want to get even dirtier but still like (some) on road performance. Both will beat an Enduro 1 or 2 on wet dirt with the E07 edging out the Enduro 3 in mud and the E09 being way superior in mud and rocks.

VRubber the perenial scooter tyre manufacturer has some 18 & 21 inch offerings that perform at least as well as the Enduro 1 & 2s on road and walk away from them down a dirt road. There is even a road sticky MT21 like knobby in the range.

Remember the Michilin T61s which also came as standard? A T63 is almost a direct replacement with beter resistance to knob shearing over hard ground (and bitumen) than the older technology ever was and has wear characteristics and the speed rating equivalent to an Enduro 1 or 2. The continentaL TKC 80 is similar and has its own followers.

In the other direction try a road tyre like a Bridgestone BT45 in 21 90/90 & 18 120/80 Obviously better on the road than a dual purpose tyre but suprisingly good on well formed dirt roads - do not enter the forest.

Oposite end again Bridgestone ED11/12 combo for a hard wearing Competion Enduro type tyre that sticks to bitumen and even if it isn't rated for Highway use it will outrun a Metzler Enduro 1,2 or 3 in the top end as the Enduro ain't that great much above 160km/h (100mph) and the ED11/12 will run to 200kp/h without complaining - wear rapidly yes complain no.


Yes the Metzler is a nice balance of on off road, quiet running, good handling (esp wet bitumen) with moderately good wear at a price point that is moderatly atractive. There is even a fairly fresh set in my shed. They no longer live on the spare rims but reside in the stack next to the BT45s

I know this subject is like oil and everyone has their own favorites (some guys actually like Pirrelli MT21s on a G/S) but I think there have been some advances in MC tyres in the last 30 years and the Metzler Enduro whilst still a contender is no longer the hands down favorite "best all round tyre for a G/S" .
My definition of all round has expanded to include more gnarly terrain than it did when the Enduro1 & 2 were released. I think that is more a reflection of real estate development reforming & sealing what were previously dirt roads forcing me futher into the "bad lands" to get my kicks.

Cheers

[Beemerboff]

I tried Enduro 3s and went straight through the first wet roundabout - I would put the wet grip at 40 % of a E08.

And I wouldnt put 45 s on a wheelbarrow - I tossed a set after 2000 k s

However I wear out 2 fronts to one rear so I probably ask more of my fronts than most folks.

[Rucksta]

I hear what you're saying about the Enduro 3s and wet bitumen. I don't have to imagine the situation I have my own episode in memory.

What was the issue you had with BT45s and how do you wear out 2 fronts to one rear of any tyre type? I'm 3 rears to one front. 2500ks rear, 7500ks front on average.

Curious

[Beemerboff]

Most of my riding is on spray / chip seal goat tracks through the hills behind Adelaide. The pavent is abrasive on tires and not much grip at the same time.

But quite predictable , so a little wash out is normal , and front end grip becomes the determinant of cornering speed.

Then style comes into it - we have a 100km / hr state limit and a few good bike roads are 80 km so to keep things interesting I try to sit at the legal limit and carve a continous line through each set of corners without backing off or accelerating - think 125 GP - so not much wear for the rear and pushing the front to the limit.

Last weekend on the R100 GS I passed and outran a guy on a Triumph 675 speed triple down a twisty canyon , so I think I am pushing the front just as far as it will go.

Didnt like the 45s - just not my tire. Grip, turn in , feel, feedback and compliance just didnt suit me, the bike or the roads I ride on, and they scalloped from the start and felt off by 2000km.

Might be OK on a asphalt highway tourer but not on a back road scratcher IMHO.

[Rucksta]

Thanks Beemerboff

I get the idea now.

Totaly different riding style and road conditions can produce totaly differrent opinions on what works and what doesn't.

How will we ever get to a consensus on the best all time Dual Sport Tyre?