Author Topic: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires  (Read 1134 times)

Bartlioni

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The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« on: August 14, 2015, 12:23:56 pm »
I had an experience yesterday morning that confirmed a suspicion of mine about my dual sport tires, and I thought it would be worth bringing up to you guys.  I ride mostly on the street.  But when I go off-road I want respectable performance.  When I got my 690 last year I researched it and locked in on the timeless K-60 scout tires.  And I'm firmly convinced this is the way to go for my purposes.  So here's some information about this tire design that actually dates back to WW2.

The K-60 is currently made by at least two manufactures and they look basically identical.  Heidenau makes two different rear tire versions: A cheesy looking 70/30 (street) tire and a true 50/50 dual-sport tire.  The latter is the tire set I went with, and I went with Heidenau for two reasons.  (1) Heidenau has established an almost cult following over the quality of their tires.  (2) The Heidenau version was rated for 12000 miles while the Mefo version is rated for 9000 miles.  It was a win-win or so I thought.  But let me explain something that will put what I have to say about these tires in context.

I run a 16-tooth front sprocket instead of a 15-tooth.  That means I top out at 115mph while you 15t guys get about 105mph.  But you can climb up on sh-tuff and laugh at me bogging down in the mud with the crud.  That's how it is.  Going 16t is basically tossing first gear and adding a new 6th gear that's particularly sweet when you hit 80mph or so.  I digress.

So yesterday morning, as I merged over onto the highway leading to work, I had a slow vehicle just in front of me.  I moved over to the left lane and did what I always do in these situations.  I level the bike in the new lane, and then I put the hammer down which means go varoom in KTM talk.  Always level the bike in case the front starts coming up when you hit it.  Engine was all to happy to comply, but at about 58mph when I engaged the warp drive, the rear tire slipped nearly a quarter-spin.  Now I had previously reported on this site that it had only happened once in cold weather, but this is new and different.  It was high humidity and there probably was a slight amount of dew on the road.  But I now question the wisdom of my selection and here's why:

The Mefo K-60 may only be rated for 9k miles, but that means its using a softer compound that probably would not have slipped on this bike under these conditions.  Okay, I see it now.  I ducked up.  I have to have instantaneous acceleration without compromise.  Its just the kind of guy I am.  I was looking for one of those spooky surreal experiences that only you guys can understand where in a matter of mili-seconds all the cars around you disappear into the rearview.  You know, a standard warp jump.  I gotta have it every time on a dime man.  But this wonderful Heidenau tire that would be perfect for any 650 hiccups on the supreme 690.  'New Tire Inbound on your pod Bartlioni!' 

I'm sure you understand,
« Last Edit: August 14, 2015, 01:07:32 pm by Bartlioni »
- Bartlioni

 "Bwaaaaaaa.  Get that little Pointy-Head!"

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Philip Pino

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Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2015, 04:25:24 pm »
Its interesting to find out the Mefo Explorer and the Heideneau Scout are the "same" tire made to different specs.  I was trying to decide on the Mefo or Heideneau but went in a different direction and chose the Mitas E07 Dakar at both ends.  The slightly more aggressive tread pattern is what got me.  I've ridden in a monsoonal down pour in Utah and had no issues with traction, even with the map setting on #2.  But I was also riding on the cautious side.  In the dry I can engage warp drive without any slip with all map settings.
'14, 690 Enduro R

Alabama Adventurer

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Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2015, 06:25:44 pm »
Sometimes it just happens no matter what tire you have.  Some rain, a smooth surface, etc.  Once a car had spilt some antifreeze, I didn't see it and I hit it and went sideways.  I found myself doing 'dirt maneuvers' on asphalt.  Thank goodness for the instinctive dirt reflexes, or I would have dumped it.  Every tire is going to have some drawback.

renogeorge

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Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2015, 07:00:46 pm »
I am a 990 guy, lurking over here and seriously considering a 690.  Hope you don't mind my comments on this.

I put 10,000 miles on a 150/18 Heidenau K60.  Most of that was on an Alaska trip and much of that was on wet, wetter and raining like hell road.  I never had a wiggle or slip out of that tire.  I don't ride it like a sport bike usually but like to play in the twisties when the opportunity is there.  Finally took that tire off because I was sick of looking at it.  That, and the 150 has a really flat profile that you beging to feel when turning and getting the tire to roll up on the side.  In addition, I never considered the tire to be much of an improvement in the dirt over stock Pirelli Scorps.  The 150 has a tread pattern which, as it wears, leaves a continuous strip down the center, not helping dirt performance when combined with ultra hard rubber and flat profile.

Put a Mefo on to replace the Heidenau.  Somewhat better in the dirt.  Same flat profile.  Much softer rubber.  Doubt I will get 6k miles out of it.  Probably try the Mitas next as the tread pattern is a little more aggressive.

Continental TKCs for the front.  They tend to cup a little from braking and need to be flipped at 3k or so.  I have total confidence in them on the street and they meet my needs for less than extreme dirt riding.

FWIW

renogeorge

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Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2015, 10:03:38 pm »
Picked up a 2012 690 and just mounted a Mitas 07 on the rear, with Tubliss insert.  I'll try to remember to report back when I have meaningful mileage and experience.  Gonna go with the TKC 80 front after the MT21 wears out

FWIW

Rockitboy

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Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2015, 10:39:59 am »
The Metzeler Karoo 3 is also a great choice. I have run thru 3 sets of these & they are not bad in the dirt & fair on the road. They wear fast though. I have been getting about 3500 miles on the rears & I think I'm pretty close to 10k miles on the front but it could use a fresh one. My latest tire is the Metzeler Sahara 3. I put on the rear about 2k miles ago & like it on the road but of course it's not the greatest in the dirt. Still running that Karoo 3 up front. At 2k miles the Sahara shows very little wear. I imagine this will be close to a 10k mile tire.
Nut up or shut up!

truck11

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Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2015, 10:14:51 am »
How are you saying that 3,500 & 10,000 miles of use is 'wearing fast'?  I'm lucky if I get 500 miles out of a set of rear tires.  I'm less than 1500 miles and already on my second front and 4th or 5th rear.
:-)
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Rockitboy

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Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2015, 11:31:45 am »
Sounds like your running a pure MX tire..?  Not many folks riding the 690 want to change tires that often!
Nut up or shut up!

truck11

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Re: The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2015, 12:03:34 pm »
Stock tire, then a DOT knobby, then a dirt knobby (that was crap!).  So far longest lasting knobby is the Motoz Tractionator Enduro IT.
Hate changing tires.
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rednipj

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The Quest for the Best Dual-Sport Tires
« Reply #9 on: October 19, 2015, 05:57:04 am »
I also went with the tractionator. Most of our riding is in sugarsand. I get to try it out this Friday.