| Author | Message | ||
     Stevem123 |
OK if you followed the re-direct you're interrested, so give us your opinion and expeirence on dual-sport tires. I have about 3.3K on my Uly blasting the CA mountain roads that chew up tires like there's no tomorrow. I've worn out the rear tire and I'm looking for anyone with experience running semi-knobbies like the ones on the BMW GS models. If you ride something similar with specific experience on semi-knobbies, let us hear about tire life and performance as a daily rider. I don't want to buy into the dual sport tire unless it will last on the pavement also. What do you reccomend? BC Steve Yeah I know...THE DREADED TIRE THREAD>>>  | ||
| M1combat |
But at least it's a tire thread with a twist  . I'm interested in hearing too, but I don't have a Uly so I can't really add anything. | ||
| Ulyssesguy |
I have a 06 uly and i was thinking about putting these on because i live up here in Washington... they look like they would be good in the rain and dirt... Azaro Pro-Xtreme Rain http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/?page=tyres &method=showspecs&id=14 | ||
| Trapper |
I am also searching for some good dual sport tires for my Uly, like they have for the GSs. However, Ulyssesguy, the link you suggest brings one to a rain specific race tire. Not what I want to run on a dual sport ride. The knobs need to have wider spacing to let it throw out the mud/snow. The grooves on the one you suggest may be good for displacing water, but not wet soil/mud. I wish you well in your search & I hope if you find some good ones you post it here. I was at homecoming this past weekend & I let Erik as well as others know we need some more dirt oriented tires for our Ulys. Maybe they will come up with something. | ||
| Captain_lou |
I am looking at Pirelli MT60's for a trip to Alaska this coming June. Tread looks great but I have not been able to get any info on tread life. | ||
| Jphish |
Hey Captain - I just tried the same thing for the MT60s on the 'bigbad&dirty' site. So far a dearth of info on tire life. The handling appears suitable for dirt conditions (though not many choices here) but I've heard 3K miles or so for duration of tread. I'm sure it depends on how they're used - but aint that true for all of 'em ? 3K is not sufficient. I have Distanzias on now - seem ok to me - but they're not given high marks for dirt. I don't have alot of miles on 'em yet and with current snow on all the forest roads around here, aint exactly conducive to testing their capability. Anyway - Cityxslicker has alot of experience with MTs - I'll PM him and let you know what I find out. j | ||
| Captain_lou |
Thanks Jphish. | ||
| Sparkysparky123 |
I'm a little late on the scene, but the Continental TKC 80 tires are a perfect fit on the Uly. I'm getting a pair in the spring.   Just my opinion, but I think they look great! | ||
| Sparkysparky123 |
However they're not invinsible either..lol  If ya try hard enough, you can still get 'stuck'. They certainly change the look of the bike though!! | ||
| Blake |
The rear 150/70 may fit, but it is far from perfect as it is made for a 4.0" wide rear rim (BMW GS1200), not a 5.5" wide rim (Buell XBikes). Pirelli also makes a 17" enduro tire of that same 150/70 BMW GS size, the MT 60 I think it is. The front is a perfect fit though. | ||
| Ulynut |
That TKC80 front with a Dunlop D616 rear might be good. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
This is exactly the thread I was looking for... although it seems there isn't much hard info around. I'm completely torn, in that I need my Uly to be a good tourer, as well as 'fire-road' adventure bike. I want tires that can handle dirt and gravel all day long, with the occasional mud puddle, yet I need them to rack up the miles on pavement also. The way I see it, here's all our choices: OE Sizes: Dunlop D616  Pirelli Scorpion Syncs  Avon Pro-Xtreme Rain  Then the 160 width: Avon Distanza  Pirelli MT60r  And the 150 width: Continental TKC80 Now the info I've found: The Syncs seem to be the most loved and proven set here. Although they are not very off road capable, with less tread and a thinner carcass than the others, the mileage is generally in the 4-7k mile range. The D616 rear seems to be a popular choice, but the front is usually recommended against. The 616 rear gives a good bit more tread on the rear, for better traction off road, and can be used in conjunction with the a sync up front for better on road handling. The 616 is reported to get a good bit worse mileage than the sync though. The Pro Xtreme rain tires wear extremely fast, as expected in a race tire, and therefor would not work for my application. The distanza reportedly fit, but I've yet to read any long term tests with them. I've read some super-moto reviews that weren't too happy with the traction. They were getting around 8000 miles per set, and my guess would be our heavy bike will likely cut that in half (at least on the rear). They also noted these tires are 90% on 10% off road rated, which makes me question if they would be any better off road than simply sticking with the syncs, which are the oe size and have proven mileage. The MT60r's have had a couple long term uly tests reported. One was 70% gravel/dirt road riding, and the rear was bald after 2500 miles. Another reported closer to 70% paved and was getting about 3500 miles. Either way, not enough mileage for me to look any closer at them. The TKC80's mileage is reported all over the freakin place. All on the porker BMW's, I've read 3000 miles and they're toast, and then 10,000 miles and they're still good. The size is quite questionable too. Seems to me, to run a set of these tires, you'll be running a 130/80S17 rear tire on the front of the Uly (which means that's a no go for us low fender or XT people), and a 150/70B17 rear tire on the rear. Both not near their intended use. Until I read multiple rave reviews about them on Uly's, I'll be staying the heck away. If you're willing to run the BMW sized rear tire, that does open up a whole new amount of tire options, they can be found here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16 9468 Keep in mind only the BMW rear tire is 17", so none of the fronts listed could work. The TKC80's appear to be exactly what I'd want. Large thick tread blocks for lots of mileage, as well as durability, and off road ability, but until sizes are available in or near oe sizes or until they become proven, I think I'm going to stick with the Syncs. (Message edited by mikef5000 on January 11, 2010) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Just found this tire to add to the mix: Shinko 705  They make them in 120-90-17". It's made for the rear, but is the correct width for our front. Might be worth looking into. For $53, it's almost worth trying. The sidewall is significantly taller, so handling probably wont be as crisp, and it most likely will not work with the low fender. The closest size for our rear is 150 just like the TKC80. EDIT: The 120 tires are Tube type, and therefor would NOT work for us. They do make 130-80-17 tires that are tubeless, and again, at $50, it's almost tempting. (Message edited by mikef5000 on January 22, 2010) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
And another option: Brand New From Pirelli: Scorpion Trails  Comes in 120/70ZR17 fronts and 190/55ZR17 rears. | ||
| 12bolt |
I just mounted a set of those Shinko 705's. I went with the 130/80/17 rear tire mounted reverse direction on the front. It fit with the front fender on but was so close I was worried about it rubbing at speed so I drilled new holes in the fender (were it mounts to the fork protector part of the fender) to raise it up about 1/2 inch aND all is good. The rear tire went on easy with no problems. My only worry on it is that it is not wide enough to block rocks and stuff from hitting the rim. Short test drive found the handle pretty good. They do have a very different feel in the corners but I got used to it. I'm taking this set up to baja/ Copper Canyon in march. Hope they hold up. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
And Another: Metzeler Tourance  130/80R17 Front (made for rear) 150/70R17 Rear Some report these things to get 9000 miles on the rear, and a good bit more on the front. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
12bolt, you'll DEFINITELY have to keep up updated about handling and treadlife! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Just ordered a some tires.... Michelin T63 130/80-17 for the front Metzler Karoo 150/70-17 for the rear can't wait.... Hey Mike... we may need to do some off road during the WV Buell Rally... WOOO HOOO! | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I figure I'll keep this thread as updated as I can on my end of things... I went with the Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires:   Rear tread depth new is just shy of 9/32's:  Front is 5/32's:       (lol droopy eye)   They are set at 36 front, 38 rear PSI cold. Starting mileage: 3100 READY SET GO! | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Quick update: On road they perform excellent. Chicken strips are about gone, and they haven't done anything remotely worrysome. Off road they do quite well. I've ridden them through mostly hard packed dirt, with some soft dirt thrown in. Mud/Sand won't be pretty, but that's regardless of the tires. Dropped down into a dry creekbed, and had to go up a 1 foot straight up embankment to get back out. Back tire didn't slip at all, just pushed straight up. Mileage will be the determining factor now with these tires.  | ||
| Blake |
I'm looking at a set of those as well. Not sure if I want them over the standard syncs though. | ||
| Drunk_uncle |
Well I think I conducted the most thorough offroad test on a Uly period. I road the 2010 Swinging Bridges Ride, well the Saturday portion. 264 miles, 80% or more of it dirt. Creek crossings, mud, deep sand, deep gravel, and regular county dirt roads. The Scorpionn Trails got me through all of it and worked, but for real dirt riding a minimum 19" front is needed and deeper more knobbyish tires. I amazed the dirt riders that I did everything they did. I was with four guys: KLR650 with DS tires, F650GS 800cc with TKC 80's, KLX250 with knobbies, and a Vstrom 650 with Avon Gripsters and kept up with them. Some of the creek crossings were up to 3 feet deep. Keep the throttle pinned and you'll be fine. The front felt loose in the gravel, hunting and pecking side to side. In the sand and creeks I just kept the tire spinning and didn't get stuck. Most importantly, no flats all day. I hit some big rocks at 40-50mph. Yeah they were hitting 70mph on gravel roads, 55mph was as fast as I felt comfortable doing. There is my two cents worth. The Scorpion Trial is a good tire for light offroading. | ||
| Snoman |
Any mileage reports out of the Trails yet? I need to order up tires for an ALCAN trip, and I'd like to try the Trail. The trip will be around 10K miles total so I'd need to get around 5K out of it. Unless I learn something new soon, I plan on starting out with a new Trail on the front, a new D616 0n the rear, then switch to a Trail on the rear somewhere during the trip. Does anyone know enough about the Trails yet to caution against this? The primary reason I'm sold on the Trail is the heavy carcass to resist punctures. | ||
| Los5445 |
Mike, did you get the 190mm tire? was there any issues with the fit? | ||
| Catalan42 |
Has anybody read this review of D616 vs Scorpion Syncs? http://www.canyonchasers.net/reviews/tires/d616vSy nc.php | ||
| Buellhusker |
12bolt How about a report on the Shinko's How was the fit up, the handling & wear? inquiring minds want to know. | ||
| Beltwaybiker |
Sparky wrote, "I'm a little late on the scene, but the Continental TKC 80 tires are a perfect fit on the Uly. I'm getting a pair in the spring." Did you buy the TKCs? If so, what are your thoughts? | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Mikef5000 I was hoping the guy with the Scorpion Trails would get some hard miles on them before I needed a rear. Here's a Scorpion Trail update for you. This is after 1250 miles, 200 off road, 300 two up, the rest solo semi-spirited commuting and country roads. Very little slab. Front: .157" new - .140" now = 89% left  Rear: .262" new - .229" now = 87% left  I'm feeling a bit more comfortable about my 2500-3000 mile ride next month! | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Mike, did you get the 190mm tire? was there any issues with the fit? No fit issues at all. Everything works just fine. Did you buy the TKCs? If so, what are your thoughts? Someone on Advrider tried them. He needed to cut his lower front fender, and shave off the 'side-knobs' on the front tire for it to fit. In the end, he took them off almost immediately because they did not work well on the Uly. | ||
| Catalan42 |
Hi - I just got the Pirelli Scorpion Trail tires last week, and have put about 1200 miles on them so far (mostly pavement, some dirt). They work great. There are no fitment issues with the 190 rear. |
