Still on the original tourance tire front, and since I got a nail through the rear tire it has been replaced with a scorpion. It was the only tire available where I was, 700 km away from home, and I'm not as happy with it as the original. Have planned to switch to TKC80 though, but a year ago I heard some rumors that the tkc had lost some performance and life time after the manufacturing had moved to asia. Anyone have any info on that?

MT21 is a bit too much offroad for me and wears too much on the tarmac, but I have looked for alternatives to the tkc. For example the Michelin T63 or Metzeler Karoo. More alternatives and opinions would be welcomed.

Ok I read what you say and you have clealry stated that the MT21 is a bit too off road for your needs in which case I would strongly reccomend the Metzler Tourance's as these tyres have outperformed all other tyres that people have used for the XTR because they offer good off road as well as tarmac performance due to their perfectly designed tyre pattern which gives the best grip but also a phenomenal rolling resistance on tarmac which truly suprised me when I tested an XTR with those tyres after having tried one with the Syrac's (which are no way near as good imho)

Only recently Motonacio has fitted a set of enduro Distanzia's we don't have yet a full performance report from him so when we do we will know if the Distanzia also work well for enduro bikes (I don't see why not)

Thanks. I have tried the tourances offroad and didn't think they had enough grip (but they are as you say wonderful on tarmac). I drive 50/50 on (bad) tarmac and dirt and do a lot of mileage so that's why I think the MT21 is too much of a cross tire, it wears down too quickly. Maybe should get me 2 set of tires, one for offroad and one for onroad, but changing tires twice a week sounds kind of exhausting.

Wouldn't be too much of a problem if you could afford a 2nd pair of rims onto which you can have the other tyres on, then you're laughing!!

Hm might just do that.

My new Tenere came fitted with the tourances, they are only just scrubbing in but intial feedback is good on the road. Agree with the ease of rolling. Even when moving the bike around on the driveway they roll very easily. I did a short off road track yesterday and found they worked well in dry hardpacked conditions.

I will see how these tyres perform and when they wear out I will look at alternatives. I have always been happy with MT 21's on other bikes and I believe michelin do a Rally Raid tyre now designed for more hard pack than the Dakar inspired Michelin Desert.

My usage in the UK will probably always be about 72/25 road/off - road so really I have to have a tyre that works for both. We have very muddy conditions in the winter though when most of the smooth tyres are useless.

I think you have to sacrifice the on road grip for the traction required in slippery conditions.

Having a second set of wheels is by far the best option but then really if you do that you may as well fit the standard wheels with off road tyres and go for super moto wheels for on road for the extra tyre choice.

Will the supermoto wheels from the XT 660 fit onto the Tenere ?
obviously I would have to change the front hub so its a twin disc up front.

Hi, I'm new to the forum myself. Own an xtr - just changed original tyres at 6,000 miles (they had more life in them but I was about to ride to Scotland and wanted some more road focussed rubber). Have a pair of Bridgestone BT45's (I am limited by the 21 front wheel in-terms of choice). I have clocked about 3,000 miles on these and they are much more confidence inspiring on the road. I don't or have'nt just yet been off-road so road rubber makes sense.

Regards,
Tomo

Just replaced the Metz for TKC80's. Metz are indeed terrible for offroad, especially sand and mud; Metz for onroad and light offroad is perfect.
The only change is they make more noise, steering is changed (get used to it) and backwheel is slippery when accelerate.

Put around 1,7 bar in the front for both off-onroad.

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=DHe79gT2LJI

Hill climb - it's an easy job:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKlQGvgctz4

Indeed, it's better to have an extra pair of SM wheels

And, you don't want to have a tail mod like me

Greetings from Holland,
Marcel

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yea agree with you on that one the TKC80s are a good compremise between road and off road. I found it quickened the steering up and also the rear felt slightly wobblie due to the big block pattern

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Plough on

I've used Conti TKC80's, Pirelli MT21's, Michelin T63's and a Karoo2 front/ Dunlop 908RR rear on my XR650R, and of all of them, I'd say the TKC80's were the best compromise for dual sport riding.

None of the above are especially good in wet mud mind you, but in dry dirt-road and desert conditions, both the TKC's and the MT21's were great, although I only got around 3000 miles out of each rear.

The T63's were very nice too, but wore out in under 2000 miles - can't really recommend them for big distances.

The Karoo2 front was a bit ponderous at first on the road, was ok in the warm weather in southern Europe, but I could never 100% trust it, especially on the dirt/gravel covered tarmac... the TKC is far better as a front hoop in my opinion.

However, the Dunlop 908RR (not the regular 908 which is basically a motocross tyre) was an excellent DS tyre - I got over 4000 miles out of it before it was shot, and that included some pretty heavy duty off-roading in Morocco, and loads of highway miles... The tread is a series of crossing up the middle of the tyre, so there is quite a lot of rubber in contact with the road, and the round shoulders mean it's predictable when lent over too. It probably would be that good in wet mud either, but in dry sandy/gravel conditions it hooked up really well and never felt like it was going to let go without letting you know...

I've also used Michelin Deserts (with mousses) for rallye raid, and they wear surprisingly well too for such an aggressive tyre - they are expensive though - twice the price of the T63's for example.

However, the main problem with getting the 'right' tyres for the 660Z is going to be the 17 inch rear rim... you can get the Karoo and TKC in that size, not sure about the others though...

Based on that limitation, I'd definately reccommend the TKC80's as the best do-it-all DS tyre... that's what I'll go for once the OE rubber has worn out...

xxx

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