Kenda K784 Big Block Tires

[The Griz]

I might give these a try the Spring. Kenda just released 'em, and they're just starting to trickle into the dealers. They're lots cheaper than Continental TKC80s or Metzeler Karoo Travelers (as of right now anyway). They actually have the 150/70-17 and 90/90-21 sizes available. They look VERY promising.

http://www.kendausa.com/en/home/moto...big-block.aspx







http://www.swmototires.com/index.php...hk=1&Itemid=53

$121.91 150/70-17, no price on the 90/90-21 front yet, but will probably be $90 or so.

[johngil]

I've heard mixed reports on whether these will be offered in a 140/80-17.
I've got my fingers crossed.
I have a couple of good Kenda suppliers that are local.
They look promising.

[EnderTheX]

Those look really cool but I doubt you can do much highway with them, those knobs spaced far from center will wear rapidly

[The Griz]

Originally Posted by EnderTheX

Those look really cool but I doubt you can do much highway with them, those knobs spaced far from center will wear rapidly

TKC80:


Karoo T:


Big Block:


Look pretty similar if not the same with spacing to me. I'm willing to bet they'll produce similar mileage results to the TKC80 and Karoo T.

[Bushav8r]

I would definitely give those tires a try. In fact I think I will as soon as I burn the rubber off the tires I have now. Thanks for the info.

[Wolfgang55]

Have already asked a Cycle Gear guy about the new Kenda......"like OMG what is that".......so I guess it's going to be a while.

But I would get a set.

[MonsterJ]

Originally Posted by The Griz

They're not going to wear much different than a TKC80 or Karoo T.

How do you know that? Do you know what compound they're using? That's a bold statement from some one who's only seen them online.

[EnderTheX]

Originally Posted by The Griz

They're not going to wear much different than a TKC80 or Karoo T. And they're cheaper.

TKC80:


Karoo T:


Big Block:


Look pretty similar if not the same with spacing to me. I'm willing to bet they'll produce similar mileage results to the TKC80 and Karoo T.

Griz... your powers of deduction astound... I mean amuse me.

First of all please observe the wide double row of knobbies on the Kenda.

Then casually observe the TKC and Karoo tires. You may notice their knobbies are not only closer together axially but also do not include double wide radial pairs.

Therefore we can clearly see a disadvantage in tarmac longevity. The only way to really know will be to test in real life so as to take into account factors such as durometer, carcass stability and road conditions.

[The Griz]

Originally Posted by MonsterJ

How do you know that? Do you know what compound they're using? That's a bold statement from some one who's only seen them online.

Let me rephrase, since you're getting pissy about it:

"I'd be willing to bet that they'll wear no different than the TKC80 or Karoo T".

There, is that better? Just stating how I think these tires will wear, man. Chill.

[The Griz]

Originally Posted by EnderTheX

Griz... your powers of deduction astound... I mean amuse me.

First of all please observe the wide double row of knobbies on the Kenda.

Then casually observe the TKC and Karoo tires. You may notice their knobbies are not only closer together axially but also do not include double wide radial pairs.

Therefore we can clearly see a disadvantage in tarmac longevity. The only way to really know will be to test in real life so as to take into account factors such as durometer, carcass stability and road conditions.

Sorry, I don't see these 'huge' differences you're trying to point out here.

Let's just leave the speculation out of this for now.

When people start getting them on their bikes and a few thousand miles on them, then we can speculate.

[Yokomo]

I don't see why a company doesn't make a tire with an almost solid strip down the center and knobs on the side. Similiar to the 908

[The Griz]

Even though you're using a lot of 'amusing' terms like 'axially', 'radial', and 'durometer', the fact is that these three tires are not much different at all. Lug size, lug depth, and space between lugs looks pretty much the same. The only noticeable difference I'm seeing is in the pattern. In the contact strip you're talking about when you speak of 'pavement durability', the TKC80 and Karoo T are both patterned 1-2-1-2 with the lugs. The 1's being red, and 2's being blue. The Big Blocks are patterned 1-2-2-1-2-2.



My opinion is that wear is not going to be much different between the two. And if it does end up that it is, it won't be from the lug pattern, it'll be from the compound.

These lug patterns between the three are too closely related for the lug pattern to be a factor between them in mileage, even though you want it to be, Ender.

The main reason I posted this thread is because it's basically a cheaper TKC80 or Karoo T. But we'll see how the compound wears. I know I'll be trying the Big Blocks. I'll report.

[GapRunr]

I just added a set of these to my current order with my Kenda distributor and should have them Friday. I've run the TKC80's and I've run the Heidenau K60's. I'm curious to see what these will feel like and how long they will wear.

[soph9]

if you come back and report they kick ass on the K60's both on tar and off road....I will buy them too! but they have to last at least 20,000 KM

[The Griz]

Originally Posted by GapRunr

I just added a set of these to my current order with my Kenda distributor and should have them Friday. I've run the TKC80's and I've run the Heidenau K60's. I'm curious to see what these will feel like and how long they will wear.

Nice! Report back after install. Take some pics of them mounted up if you can!