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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

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Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 8 Mar 2010
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BMW F650 GS Dakar with Michelin T-63
Hi,

I bought a Michelin T-63 for a F650 GS Dakar.
In the books says that the correct pressure is 10 psi for sand or soft surface, 15 psi for pavement road and 20 psi for rocky roads.

Ii is my fist time with the T-63, and I fell that is a low pressure for the normal and rocky road (15 psi and 20 psi). Do somebody have tried this tire in a Dakar?

I am preparing a RWT and it seems that the T-63 are the best for a multi-purpose track, right?

I will appreciate any information.
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  #2  
Old 8 Mar 2010
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T63 is a great tire, one of my favorites.

When it comes to pressure there are mixed opinions. I always use higher pressure when traveling except when the sand is really soft.
Higher pressure makes your tire last longer, I would say start at 35 psi and drop it slowly if you have to.
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Old 9 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba View Post
T63 is a great tire, one of my favorites.

When it comes to pressure there are mixed opinions. I always use higher pressure when traveling except when the sand is really soft.
Higher pressure makes your tire last longer, I would say start at 35 psi and drop it slowly if you have to.
What is your estimate of tire life of the T-63 rear tire in a mix of paved roads and dirt roads? Not super technical rocks or super high speeds. Figure maybe about 70% paved roads and 30% dirt roads.

Going only maybe 90 kph. on paved, 60 kph on dirt. How long will the rear tire last in miles/kms. ?

The T63 is now for sale in the US, and was never here before. It is on sale cheap so I bought two sets. The tire looks a bit similar to Conti TKC80 or D606 Dunlop.
How does it compare?

Cheers!
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  #4  
Old 9 Mar 2010
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The T-63 is the most recommended tire in the books, it share credits with the Pirelli MT-21.

It’s supposed that the tire life is about 5,000 kms in mix roads. I hope so jajajajaja

According the Bible “Adventure motorcycling Handbook” the top speed (front is 54S and rear 65S) is 180 kph at 290kg. Let’s see.

I will try the AliBaba recommendation for my Dakar.

Greetings.
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  #5  
Old 10 Mar 2010
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I am not a fan of the MT21. This is a tire I unfortunately know well. In several Baja rides I've come home with a nearly worn out MT21 rear after just 1400 miles. (700 dirt/700 paved road) And the fact is, the MT21 gives dangerously bad dirt performance, imo. Front end washes out, bike does not turn very well. Not so good for me, but I am used to 1st class motocross tires. (Bridgestone/Dunlop)

I accepted the trade off on bad dirt performance on the MT21 because I thought it would last. It does not. At least not the rear tire. Front is fine but crap performance!
If the T-63 only lasts 5000 kms. then I am in trouble! I need at least 5000 miles (not KMs)

I was hoping the T-63 would match the TKC80 but looks like maybe not?
The TKC is not so good performer in dirt either, but it's strong as Hell and lasts are long long time, even on paved roads.

We also get Heidineu (sp?) and Mefo here, but very expensive. I need something that will last and not go bald from riding 1000 miles of pavement. Maybe this tire does not exist?
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Old 10 Mar 2010
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When I use T63 in Europe I usually replace them at approx 7.500km. At that mileage they still have some thread to cope with all the rain we get up here. Usually it's 60-70% gravel with speeds up to 140 km/h.

When I use them for traveling I stretch it much further, typical around 13.000km. 17.000km is my "record" but then they were completely gone.

The rear T63 has the same pattern as Michelin Dessert, the front is completely different. TKC80 is much more street-oriented and I never use it anymore.


MT21 typical last a bit shorter but has better grip in most offroad-conditions, but not in sand.
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Old 11 Mar 2010
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Thanks for the input. Sounds like if needed the T63 can do good long distance if you don't spin it up too much. 13,000 kms. (8000 miles!!) is damn good!

Of the 13,000 kms. how much pavement vs. dirt? This is really good news,
thanks very much!
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Old 11 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mickey D View Post
Of the 13,000 kms. how much pavement vs. dirt? This is really good news,
thanks very much!
It depends, but mostly something like 50% pavement.

This tire has approx 9000km, (mostly tarmac from Dar Es Salam to Namibia and mostly gravel/ sand in Namibia). When it was changed 3000km later is till had plenty of thread left.

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Old 4 Feb 2013
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f800 gs tyres?
hi, can someone advise on what a good front and rear mix would be for 2012f800 gs? or if at all even worth it !!
morrocco kind of terrain but but envolving lot of tarmac also?
thanx
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