DR650SE Index Topic #6- TIRES, TUBES & WHEELS

Krusty ... · 11-04-2010, 10:04 PM

DR650SE Index Topic #6- TIRES, TUBES & WHEELS

Tires are arguably the most subjective subject in motorcycling, especially, it seems, for dual-sports. A tire model that is hailed by one rider is often spit on by another.
The debate over tubes is usually less heated. Some prefer heavy duty versions, others don't.
I've seen a number of DR pilots who keep two sets of wheels/tires on hand, allowing them to easily convert their bikes to riding on one surface condition to another. Swapping an 18 inch rear is popular for riders heading into lands where 17 inch tires are hard to find. And we've all seen the motards with sticky rubber on wide 17 inch rims.

Let us know all about what keeps you rolling. I know it's a tire discussion, but please keep it civil

... Everyone is entitled to present their evaluation.

eakins · 11-04-2010, 10:12 PM

i find tck-80 fr and 130-17" mefo explorers rear are the highest mileage 50/50 tire combo on the market. i'll get 6k plus.

i run 100-18" bridgestone heavy duty (3mm) tubes in the rear.

i balance (key to long life) my wheels with mark parnes balancer
http://marcparnes.com/

i just changed my bearings and this pit posse affordable bearing puller
http://pitposse.com/whbereset.html

foxfire · 11-04-2010, 11:42 PM

Both my wheel sets are a compromise (hell, the DR itself is a compromise). D606 on stock wheels (w/hd tubes) for dirty stuff, Distanzias on 17"/19" (w/standard tubes) for twisty stuff. Tried 17"/17" and didn't like em.

Krusty ... · 11-05-2010, 08:05 AM

Bump for the day shift...

Snowy · 11-06-2010, 02:06 AM

The Dunlop 606 is off my shopping list.

2000kms of dirt and tar, 50/50 and it didn't look too bad.

180km of trail riding today and it's toast. It's worn more today than it did when I rode the 2000km trip a few weekends back. I couldn't believe it when I saw it.

Back to the Mitas E09 rear. I'll keep the Dunlop 952 front, it works well.

justscoutin · 11-06-2010, 07:11 AM

got a set of michelin T63's here now. put the rear one on last night and tried it out today. 120 miles. worked really well on everything I threw at it. way more stable in the loose gravel roads than the mt21 that was on the rear. can't wait to get the front swapped and try it out.

Krusty ... · 11-06-2010, 07:54 AM

If you're looking for a more street oriented or touring tire (like 90/10), I'd suggest the Avon Gripsters. Very happy with mine. They last, they're quiet, and they're priced right. Great traction on pavement, especially in the rain. They're adequate on hard pack or gravel, and have a poor reputation in mud (Slipsters).

jessepitt · 11-06-2010, 10:07 AM

I have a t63 on the back which I love, seems to have better road handling than the Karoo II thst it replaced and is equal off pave. The front is a Perrelli rally? (sorry, its raining and I dont want walk out to the shop to look). I dont like this tire as much as the tire it replaced but I think they stopped making that tire. It was a perelli pro FIM and that was the best dirt road front tire I've ever ridden, It was flawless. I think they changed the style on the new version, I will have to try it next. FWIW I havnt gotten a single flat in 30,000 miles, mostly dirt roads. http://fwxbgg.bay.livefilestore.com/...543.JPG?psid=1

Fire Escape · 11-07-2010, 08:00 AM

I changed my DR over to TKCs shortly after I got it, they were pretty good up here in New England for how I used the bike (70/30 ?). When I took the bike down to Florida for winter use (98/2) the coarse pavement really chewed up the rear. I found an inmate who had a set of ProCycle Supermoto wheels/tires that his wife did not fall in love with and made them my "winter wear". They are both 17s, which for me make the handling a little too quick (not the bikes fault, I am old and like to check out the water around every bridge I cross). I have lowered the rear of the bike (factory method) but left the front stock to compensate. When I change back to the 21/17 summer wheels I drop the clamps about an inch on the fork tubes to "level things out".
If I were getting a new set of SM wheels, I would probably go for a 19/17 combination. Certainly less tire choices but the less agressive geometry is a better fit for my needs (and to me looks "better", did I mention that I am old?). This combination of wheels and tires is working out fine for me, short of damage I am not likely to get any more or different wheels - tires, well who knows?
I do have a new T-63 waiting to go on the back for next summer, they suposedly wear a bit longer than the TKCs and that center worn TKC on there now doesn't give me much confidence when I find any mud.

Bruce

sagedrifter · 11-08-2010, 05:42 PM

For touring I like a mild rear with a semi-mild TKC-80 on front. Ebay had some good close out prices on the old Anakee, $63 shipped ain't bad so I put one on the rear to replace my worn out TKC that was on the wear bars with just over 3K.

I was surprised how well the combo does. I run forest roads for most of my "off road" and ride mostly gravel with very little mud so, the combo works very well. I've been runing the original tubes for the most part, but I did break down and get a Dunlop HD for the front and a IRC HD tube for the rear as spares. I've yet to loose a tube on the DR from riding, the front is the original and the rear was replaced with a $14.50 dealer tube due to a self inflicted pinch with a tire iron....

Xplorr · 11-13-2010, 10:04 PM

I'm looking for info as to weather anyone has done an 18" rear wheel. I've looked into the dr350 swap. I haven't found info on which, if any years of the 350 have a cush drive. If you have done an 18", I would like to know what size tire you used and what the clearance was. Also curious about messing with off set to accommodate a wide tire, circa 140. I'm starting to think I'm chasing an expensive boat anchor. Thanks.

Also,a big thanks to Krusty for taking the time to start an index thread(s).

ShadyRascal · 11-13-2010, 10:24 PM

Ran a set of D606's front & rear on mine. Worked great off road, especially the front grip in corners. Got good mileage out of the rear, not so good front because I let my pressure stay too low and it cupped.

Running TKC80 front and MT21 rear now, nice smooth combo for pavement, not as grippy in the front in dirt, A pretty good compromise I think.

Copie · 11-13-2010, 11:53 PM

Im running Pirelli MT 90 A/T front and rear currently, excellent grip on the tarmac both wet and dry, pretty decent on the wet, did alright in the mud and rocks this morning, dont know what it would be like in the sand/heavy mud though.

http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/mo...mt_90_a-t.html

kezzajohnson · 11-14-2010, 08:45 PM

Currently running and having an excellent run from the Michelin T-63s with heavy duty tubes. If I am to do some extended road mileage, I change to Michelin Siracs.
No complaints about either of these tyres for both longevity and grip/handling that were designed for.

mr openroad · 11-25-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eakins

i find tck-80 fr and 130-17" mefo explorers rear are the highest mileage 50/50 tire combo on the market. i'll get 6k plus.

i run 100-18" bridgestone heavy duty (3mm) tubes in the rear.

i balance (key to long life) my wheels with mark parnes balancer
http://marcparnes.com/

i just changed my bearings and this pit posse affordable bearing puller
http://pitposse.com/whbereset.html

is the TCK front that much better than the MEFO front?

11-04-2010, 10:04 PM	#1
Krusty ... ^OP What? Me hurry? Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Richardson, TX Oddometer: 7,479	DR650SE Index Topic #6- TIRES, TUBES & WHEELS DR650SE Index Topic #6- TIRES, TUBES & WHEELS Tires are arguably the most subjective subject in motorcycling, especially, it seems, for dual-sports. A tire model that is hailed by one rider is often spit on by another. The debate over tubes is usually less heated. Some prefer heavy duty versions, others don't. I've seen a number of DR pilots who keep two sets of wheels/tires on hand, allowing them to easily convert their bikes to riding on one surface condition to another. Swapping an 18 inch rear is popular for riders heading into lands where 17 inch tires are hard to find. And we've all seen the motards with sticky rubber on wide 17 inch rims. Let us know all about what keeps you rolling. I know it's a tire discussion, but please keep it civil ... Everyone is entitled to present their evaluation. __________________ ... SUZUKI DR650SE INFORMATION INDEX

11-04-2010, 10:12 PM	#2
eakins Butler Maps Joined: May 2002 Location: Colorado - Fort Collins Oddometer: 14,426	i find tck-80 fr and 130-17" mefo explorers rear are the highest mileage 50/50 tire combo on the market. i'll get 6k plus. i run 100-18" bridgestone heavy duty (3mm) tubes in the rear. i balance (key to long life) my wheels with mark parnes balancer http://marcparnes.com/ i just changed my bearings and this pit posse affordable bearing puller http://pitposse.com/whbereset.html __________________ Butler Maps - motorcycle maps for riders by riders - Ozarks , Nor Cal , COBDR shipping, AZBDR scouting http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598717 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/butlermaps eakins screwed with this post 11-05-2010 at 08:05 AM

11-05-2010, 08:05 AM	#4
Krusty ... ^OP What? Me hurry? Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Richardson, TX Oddometer: 7,479	Bump for the day shift... __________________ ... SUZUKI DR650SE INFORMATION INDEX

11-06-2010, 02:06 AM	#5
Snowy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2008 Location: on most ignored list Oddometer: 1,116	The Dunlop 606 is off my shopping list. 2000kms of dirt and tar, 50/50 and it didn't look too bad. 180km of trail riding today and it's toast. It's worn more today than it did when I rode the 2000km trip a few weekends back. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. Back to the Mitas E09 rear. I'll keep the Dunlop 952 front, it works well. __________________ My trail videos. Yes, I need to learn to edit. Baby steps... https://www.youtube.com/user/DRMZ650?feature=mhee

11-06-2010, 07:54 AM	#7
Krusty ... ^OP What? Me hurry? Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Richardson, TX Oddometer: 7,479	If you're looking for a more street oriented or touring tire (like 90/10), I'd suggest the Avon Gripsters. Very happy with mine. They last, they're quiet, and they're priced right. Great traction on pavement, especially in the rain. They're adequate on hard pack or gravel, and have a poor reputation in mud (Slipsters). __________________ ... SUZUKI DR650SE INFORMATION INDEX

11-04-2010, 11:42 PM	#3
foxfire YRUYUR? Joined: Jul 2008 Location: just passing through... Oddometer: 962	Both my wheel sets are a compromise (hell, the DR itself is a compromise). D606 on stock wheels (w/hd tubes) for dirty stuff, Distanzias on 17"/19" (w/standard tubes) for twisty stuff. Tried 17"/17" and didn't like em.

11-06-2010, 07:11 AM	#6
justscoutin Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee, Chattanooga Oddometer: 127	got a set of michelin T63's here now. put the rear one on last night and tried it out today. 120 miles. worked really well on everything I threw at it. way more stable in the loose gravel roads than the mt21 that was on the rear. can't wait to get the front swapped and try it out. __________________ 03 DR650 xo40f muffler, jetted 98 Bandit 1200 in pieces 72 SL125 mid-restoration 72 SL70 Save Aetna Offroad http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=758193 justscoutin screwed with this post 11-07-2010 at 05:23 PM

11-06-2010, 10:07 AM	#8
jessepitt Dual Sport Addict Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Redmond Oregon Oddometer: 987	T63/Perelli I have a t63 on the back which I love, seems to have better road handling than the Karoo II thst it replaced and is equal off pave. The front is a Perrelli rally? (sorry, its raining and I dont want walk out to the shop to look). I dont like this tire as much as the tire it replaced but I think they stopped making that tire. It was a perelli pro FIM and that was the best dirt road front tire I've ever ridden, It was flawless. I think they changed the style on the new version, I will have to try it next. FWIW I havnt gotten a single flat in 30,000 miles, mostly dirt roads. http://fwxbgg.bay.livefilestore.com/...543.JPG?psid=1 __________________ 2011 DirtRoad650 http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z...mping12182.jpg '98 DR 350 http://i838.photobucket.com/albums/z...t/Photo280.jpg '99 DR 650. Sold. jessepitt screwed with this post 11-06-2010 at 07:07 PM

11-07-2010, 08:00 AM	#9
Fire Escape Beastly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Epsom, NH Oddometer: 1,124	Double your pleasure, double your fun.... I changed my DR over to TKCs shortly after I got it, they were pretty good up here in New England for how I used the bike (70/30 ?). When I took the bike down to Florida for winter use (98/2) the coarse pavement really chewed up the rear. I found an inmate who had a set of ProCycle Supermoto wheels/tires that his wife did not fall in love with and made them my "winter wear". They are both 17s, which for me make the handling a little too quick (not the bikes fault, I am old and like to check out the water around every bridge I cross). I have lowered the rear of the bike (factory method) but left the front stock to compensate. When I change back to the 21/17 summer wheels I drop the clamps about an inch on the fork tubes to "level things out". If I were getting a new set of SM wheels, I would probably go for a 19/17 combination. Certainly less tire choices but the less agressive geometry is a better fit for my needs (and to me looks "better", did I mention that I am old?). This combination of wheels and tires is working out fine for me, short of damage I am not likely to get any more or different wheels - tires, well who knows? I do have a new T-63 waiting to go on the back for next summer, they suposedly wear a bit longer than the TKCs and that center worn TKC on there now doesn't give me much confidence when I find any mud. Bruce __________________ No one calls the Fire Department because they did something smart! 06 DR 650, Moose RS Holder, Handguards and Skidplate, ProTaper bars, Garmin 60CSx, Motech racks w/ 20mm Ammo cans, Renazco, TKCs summer/17" SM wheels winter 08 Scrambler, Conti Trail Attacks and BlackTiger Fork mod, 05 FSE 450, 03 KLR 250, 02 FXDX, 72 WR 250 (again), 72 SL 350 K2 (again), 72 TR6R, 06 XT 225

11-08-2010, 05:42 PM	#10
sagedrifter Southern Explorer Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Alabama Oddometer: 1,233	For touring I like a mild rear with a semi-mild TKC-80 on front. Ebay had some good close out prices on the old Anakee, $63 shipped ain't bad so I put one on the rear to replace my worn out TKC that was on the wear bars with just over 3K. I was surprised how well the combo does. I run forest roads for most of my "off road" and ride mostly gravel with very little mud so, the combo works very well. I've been runing the original tubes for the most part, but I did break down and get a Dunlop HD for the front and a IRC HD tube for the rear as spares. I've yet to loose a tube on the DR from riding, the front is the original and the rear was replaced with a $14.50 dealer tube due to a self inflicted pinch with a tire iron....

11-13-2010, 10:04 PM	#11
Xplorr hoi polloi Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Montucky Oddometer: 320	I'm looking for info as to weather anyone has done an 18" rear wheel. I've looked into the dr350 swap. I haven't found info on which, if any years of the 350 have a cush drive. If you have done an 18", I would like to know what size tire you used and what the clearance was. Also curious about messing with off set to accommodate a wide tire, circa 140. I'm starting to think I'm chasing an expensive boat anchor. Thanks. Also,a big thanks to Krusty for taking the time to start an index thread(s).

11-13-2010, 10:24 PM	#12
ShadyRascal Master of None Joined: Feb 2007 Location: the Root, Western Montana Oddometer: 5,052	Ran a set of D606's front & rear on mine. Worked great off road, especially the front grip in corners. Got good mileage out of the rear, not so good front because I let my pressure stay too low and it cupped. Running TKC80 front and MT21 rear now, nice smooth combo for pavement, not as grippy in the front in dirt, A pretty good compromise I think. __________________ Originally Posted by Javarilla Evolution, or, natural selection, has nothing to do with better. It merely weeds out what is no longer suitable for the given context. Originally Posted by Dragoon I would rather be on my motorcycle thinking about God than in church thinking about my motorcycle.

11-13-2010, 11:53 PM	#13
Copie The resident new guy Joined: Oct 2010 Location: Newcastle, NSW Oddometer: 204	Im running Pirelli MT 90 A/T front and rear currently, excellent grip on the tarmac both wet and dry, pretty decent on the wet, did alright in the mud and rocks this morning, dont know what it would be like in the sand/heavy mud though. http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/mo...mt_90_a-t.html

11-14-2010, 08:45 PM	#14
kezzajohnson kezza Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Cairns - Queensland since February 2012 Oddometer: 731	DR Tyres Currently running and having an excellent run from the Michelin T-63s with heavy duty tubes. If I am to do some extended road mileage, I change to Michelin Siracs. No complaints about either of these tyres for both longevity and grip/handling that were designed for. __________________ KezzaJohnson Blue 06 DR650se,Yellow 06 DRZ250 Website: http://www.territoryon2wheels.com "May the Road Never Rise to Defeat you..."

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