I have had a look though this part of the forum for off road tyres and most either come up with Metz tourances, Conti TKC80's, or pirelli MT21.

I am planning a trip over around 300miles on road(most 70mph+) then a 2 day off road riding trip, + another 300miles again to get me back home. I plan on using my bike and have been told would need off road tyres for the terrian the tour goes across and because of the size of my bike (not a 250).

From the tyres above the Metz are too road basis i find, Contis seem to sell 2 different types of tyres for eg 130/80 S 17 and 130/80 T 17 both near some price but what is the difference?? and i can only find pirelli to do a front tyre as the back says its a 130/90 21 does this fit still??

Just wanting to know wheather the contis or pirelli would be up to all this mileage (most at 70mph +), bike wouldnt be fully laden but im heavy enough and would take at least 10-15kg of luggage on back of bike (cloths, food etc)

and also where in the Uk sells these tyres cheapest? Ive a few prices from M and P. but most other sites charge stupid money to ship to Norn Iron (beggars ).

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Plough on

Hi Dan, when you say offroad what type of terrain is it ,the mt21 i found to be the best offroad tyre for all types,wet mud,grass,rocky BUT a lot of road work takes its toll ,the tkc 80 are useless on anything (ask cupid stunt)but rocky terrain and tarmac,it all depends on the terrain you plan to do offroad,
As for M&P i live about 10 miles away and they take a while to get them in ,it took 2-3 weeks for my mt21s to come in but they are cheap at �80 a pair

I take it then that the 130/90-17 rear fitted. Thats the only one they sell in that size. I would email them but most of these places havent a clue at what they are talking about.

the terrain is from what i can see from the photos is rocky paths, with some river crossing, mud, grass etc etc Mostly the same stuff you's guys do but up in mid wales. Havent booked it as of yet but hoping the dates we are planning on going are still avaiable. (easter sometime will post dates later when confirmed with me dad the boss)

I have heard mixed stories about the TKC80's but most say they do off roading but not great but can take road mileage ok. as for the mt21's they look more like a motocross tyres and as you say they dont like lots of road riding. Both have there goods and bads.

The other opposion is change my front road tyre to an off road tyre before i leave, and take my off road tyre with me on back of bike. Once i get to the place change it over, do the off roading, then change back again for road riding home. But this causes problems with time, changin tyres when not at home, bring loads of tools, etc etc.

Would the pirellis take that amount of road riding at that speed or would it be more sense to buy the pirellis (being the better looking off road tyre) and change the rear down there??

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Plough on

I have been useing TKC80's and they are excellent at speed on the road and also very good off road on everything but deep mud,they still work in it but don't clear as quick as a puka off road tyre,but then a puka off road tyre would not work as well on the road at high speed.

You can get them cheap here

http://ssl.delti.com/moto-tyres/start.html

cheers for that dazzer great we site givin you all the tyres they have for that size of tyre. I just noticed the Michelin T63. look very like the TKC80's but with an even wider spaced block tread. Not too bad at all in �90.50 for both tyres. They deliver free to UK mainland but cost �9 somethine extra per tyre to Norn Iron. so possibly could send to jason in wales for free and get him to change them over!!!! (ignore mothers day bit)

But still un-desided at what too get. As i said in cupids "squeeze one out" ride report the dates for are 2 day off roading tour have changed to wed26th and thur27th march. So we might be able to get down to Jasons area for a we mess around, and change of tyres before we go for our off roading.

(jason would you have any way of proping the bike up on the bash plate so as to get the rear or front tyre off. Few breeze blocks, couple of timber blocks, car jack etc just making sure just would make things easier to change tyres with bike off the tyres. )

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Plough on

yes i have a pair of paddock stands ,dont forget to bring spare tube ,levers and anything else you would normally take on a long trip anyway

Yea found a really old tyre lever in the garage the other day. More like a weapon, is huge, but gonna buy 2 other levers and a few spare inner tubes just in case. Still havent a clue at what tyres to go for but those michelin T63s look to sort of be best of both. Wider spaced blocked than the TKC80's but still large enough blocks to take a bit of road riding.

Still waiting on a reply from the place we are going on what terrian we really are going on but seeings as we are not going for hardcore stuff it should be easy gravel routes, grass, muddy bits, rivers, streams,etc etc.

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Plough on

Michelin T63 is superb tyre for dual sport!!!I use them for offroad and i find them equal(if not better...) on tarmac wet or dry than the anakee...COmpared on offroad no question at all!!Really superb tyre with the condition that you use 22 psi- 1.5 bar pressure in both tyres...
The only drawback is the increased noise and that it does not last as long as anakee...