| Author | Message | ||
     Stellaglide |
Well after over a year of debating between a Uly and Tiger 1050, saving cash etc, I decided to make the plunge and went with an 08 Triumph Tiger that I will pick up this weekend. Guess I just got a little guy shy and couldn't commit to the Uly after the MoCo pulled the rug out from under them. Anyway, the Tiger and Uly share the same tire size and wheel size. What options are there for a tire with a little more off-pavement tread pattern that will fit a Uly and therefore a Tiger. I'm looking for something that will give a little more traction than the OEM street tires on the Tiger for limited (95% pavement vs. 5% off-pavement) gravel or hardpack like forest service roads. Does anyone have a table or chart that lists the options that will fit as direct OEM replacements and those that can be made to fit.......I've heard of some using as large as an 190 on the rear and some as narrow as a 160. Thanks for any information. (Message edited by stellaglide on November 10, 2010) | ||
| Itileman |
You can squeeze a 150 on the rear - have seen it done with a TKC180. But for what you appear to want, the Scorpion Trails at 190 will work as will the Avon Distanzias at 160. Fronts on both are 120/70. Have seen some posts that the Trails are now available in 180, but don't seem to be in the US yet. I've gone through a 160 Distanzia rear on my XT and will be replacing it with another. 5k+ miles and almost all of them fully loaded with gear. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Read Here: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/570204.html?1274715160 The only off-road rated tires in factory sizes are the Dunlop D616 (which many don't like on pavement), and the Avon Pro-Xtreme Rain (which don't last 2000 miles). If you go up 1 size to 190 on the rear (WHICH WORK FINE!) you can go with Scorpion Trails. The Trails will reportedly be available in the 180 width early next year. If you go down two sizes to the 160, which also reportedly work fine, you can go with the Avon Distanza (which I've heard good things about) or Pirelli MT60r (which wear out quick). | ||
| Jphish |
Stella' - good choice on the 'Roadie' Tiger. That 1050 triple is a sweet motor. I have an 06 'Girlie'. The previous comments are right on, but they're all a compromise. I run the Anakee2's & TKCs on my tiger and really like 'em so far. (sorry - not your rim size) For the 17" world, I've used the Distanzias, Syncs, D616, & MT60s & PR2s on my 08 Uly. The PR2's are great for mileage & handleing, but not a dirt road tire. The D616 are a tough carcass and do pretty well on dirt, but I don't like the other 90% use for tarmac. The MT's are very good off road, (as close as we can get to a knobby) but dont wear worth a damn (about 2500 mi out of a rear). The Distanzia's are a fine tire (SM compound) for the road, wet or dry & Surprisingly sticky! They have a pretty durable carcass & are good on dirt roads as well. However, in serious mud - they are not self cleaning, & will gum up a bit. Mileage is fair - about 5K from a rear. I think Distanzia is the best of a compromise tire, & wouldnt hesitate to buy another set. With the D616 2nd. Havent used the Trails - so wont comment. Good luck | ||
| Jphish |
Oh PS - I forgot the Syncs because, well...they're so forgetable. I had 2 punctures from rocks in 2K mi. So they are off the list, period - carcass too thin! I live in wet country - thats where the D616 does really well. But found the Distanzias equal to the task in the rain. Just FYI | ||
| Ratbuell |
I love the 616. | ||
| Stellaglide |
Thanks for all the great input. I'm kinda bummed that I didn't end up with a Uly. I almost pulled the trigger twice about this time last year but took a step back when HD shut the door and have been going back and forth between the 2 bikes. Found what I thought was a great deal on a 08 Tiger with ABS, OEM bags, center stand, heated grips, hand guards, and only 4900 miles for $7K and just couldn't pass it up. The move from an HD over the last 10 years was precipitated by my buddy buying a BMW 1200GSA. I wanted something different with the ability to ride off-pavement when the hardtop stops without worrying about scratching or hurting the Street Glide. I was looking for something that would allow for all day comfort on the interstate since we have to travel a couple hours to get to the good stuff and narrowed my choices to the Uly and the Tiger. I'm keeping the Street Glide for now, it's got 33k miles, but from what i've read here many who move on to a Uly like bike soon find they no longer ride their HD. I know the Tiger is not a real DS sport bike but the reality is that I'll ride it 90-95% of the time on the pavement so I don't want nor need anything like the GS/GSA...plus the Tiger is a lot more fun to ride than the big BMW. I'll still check in here every now and then and may one day pick up a Buell. (Message edited by stellaglide on November 10, 2010) (Message edited by stellaglide on November 10, 2010) | ||
| Itileman |
Ride safe & come visit. FWIW, I traded my Road King for the Uly. | ||
| Jphish |
Yeah - Having 4 motorcycles, I've considered selling the Uly - but just never quite get around to it. I'm waiting for others to beta test the Tiger 800XC - if it pans out, perhaps I will sell Uly, KLR & Tiger (Keep the ST) and reduce inventory. Then I ride the Buell...too fun. So I'll likely have it for awhile. The 'Roadie' Tiger is a good bike (you may want to look at ADVrider in 'Beast' section for the 1050 broken frame saga. It maybe an anomolous defect - but consider it before you go down that road) & should serve you well. Every machine is a compromise with their own idiosynchracies. We makes our choices & lives with the quirks. Ride safe | ||
| Buewulf |
Congrats. Tiggers are wonderful things. I saw the Scorpion Trails mounted to the new 800 Tigers in photos, and I wouldn't be surprised if the big Tigers start sporting them from the factory in the near future when the 180 is available. |
