first off, i got sent this link by a friend...

http://www.wildchild.org.uk/blog/piv...php?id=69xt660

i reconise that Tenere!! its some one on here isnt it who does rallies??

any way....

me and some peeps are going trail riding in the Lot region of France. We all riding down from the UK..

Some one has suggested using an army special front, we all know they squirm due to the tread depth but what they like fully laden???

im not keen........

That's Uberthumper.

You there Dave?

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Erm, hi.

Yeah, that's me, although I spontaneously abandoned that blog shortly after the above bit of waffling about tyres. Stuff I've done since about the Lakes meet is here - www.dashmoto.net


Anyway, tyres...

After a year of rallying on the Army front I'd probably think about using a full on enduro front in future, at least for the muddier rallies like the Ryedale...



... but that would mean a second front wheel because you'd kill it in a few hundred miles of tarmac. Not one for riding to the south of France.

Racing aside, I'm still pretty much of the same opinion I was last March, the Army Front/C-02 rear is pretty damn good. I have no problem using them on the road, and would happily do a round trip to the Lot area on them starting with a new set. Maybe 800 miles riding down there for you? They'll still be in pretty good shape for the trails by the time you get there, and should only be half worn by the time you get back.

My bike's still wearing the tyres I fitted for the Beacons Rally back in August. They've seen about four days of rally use, and about 3,500 miles on the road since. Now at the point where I'd want a fresh set for any serious trail riding, but plenty more life in them for tarmac and gravel use.

I didn't go to France/Spain this year, but I have done a few bits of luggaged-up riding. This was on the way back from the Lakes meet in May...



...which is a 350+ mile round trip for me, plus all the riding around up there.


As long as you don't ride like a tit on the way down, they'll be much better for the trail riding part of your trip than something like an E-09 or TKC front.

__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

thanks for your reply, very helpful.

my dilema is...

T63 - have a newish one in the garage, great tyre in my eyes. EXCEPT off road when wet....just like TKC its vague. great at everything else though. not sure about mileage though.

MT21 - my front tyre of choice. soft though and wears in a weird way causing odd handling (not what you want on along trip when loaded up). if riding careful though should be ok

E0-9 - ive heard these fronts are pants off road?

all ther above is why i was thinking of army special.....its just that ive heard horror stories about them on road, and thats not loaded up! but every one has different opinions and riding styles.

Rear tyre is easy....E0-9, great tyre i think

oh and....how do you find rallying with that seat? standard isnt it?

The E-09 front is alright, Both times I did the HUMM on the Ten were on E-09s front and rear. It's just a bit odd in that you'll wear out the front before the back. I'd go with the Army front with an E-09 rear if you know you like the rear.

Seat-wise...for rallying it could do with a bit more height. An inch or so more foam would translate into you being able to get a couple of inches further forward, which would help cornering. at the minute you just slide back down the slope of the tank and end up a bit too far back. I've got no issues with the 'hump', and for more sedate trail riding it's fine.

__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

My E0-9 rear is wearing well...which is a bonus considering there a decent price too.

reckon i will go Swiss army front then......just best take some spare pants until i get used to this twitchy front that every one goes on about.

You mentioned the swiss army front and C0-2 rear is a good combo...i bet thats a bit scarey on the road at first isnt it......ever used that combo fully laden?

Seat: i know exactly what you mean about wanting to get a bit more forward for corning. Even though im just shy of 6'4" tall...i still dont fancy a taller seat though

thanks for your help