Hi

My experience is that a Conti TKC front and Michillin Anakee rear is the best combo for my GS. (I´ve done more than 250,000kms on two 1150 GS´s)
I´ve tried all sorts of tires, and none gives me the durability and grip like these two (haven´t tried the obove mensoined tires). They typically last 20,000kms (Front) and 16,000kms. I mostly ride slow, below 120km/h, to get these milage. I´ve tried the Cont TKC at the rear, but it only lasts for 8,000 - 10,000kms with all my weight (Two-up)

Johan

That's intersting Johan - I needed a new rear TKC on the way back through France a couple of years back and the only tyre I could get for my R11GS was an anakee so I rode the last 250km home on the mostly motorway with exactly that mix - Anakee rear TKC front and although nervous at first with such a mix it behaved remarkably well. I kept them on for a few weeks before getting an Anakee on the front too. It was the first experience with the Anakees and I like them on the road a lot.

Regarding off road - give me TKC80 everytime. I don't want to run with undersized tyres on a big heavy BMW and no doubt if I ask Continental to change the rubber mix on the TKC for me I'm sure they would too

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Johan,

what's your secret trick geting such mileage out of them, or those were the older "Made in Germany" TKC80s?

I got barely less than 10 000km from the new "Made in Korea" TKC80 front and I'm also two-up full gear like you. Rear one wore out way too quick, I'd say even if you're being light on the throttle they are completely worn between 6000-8000km. Good thing the new TKC80s aren't so bloody expensive anymore though!

Margus, I think I'm a very relaxed rider (80-100km/h) compared to most other riders, especially on such long joyrneys. Back home on weekend rides it is a different story.

I just checked, my current TKC (front) tire, its made in Korea. I fitted it in Medellin, Colombia and drove down to Usuaia, and back up again to where we are now, Salta (Northern Argentina). That will be exactly 22,000kms. Will ad another 1500kms to it till I get to Santiago (Chile) to fit a new one. I've done many gravel roads with this tire, not sure if that helps the milage. Rest of the time I was on the straight sections through the Atacama, Patagonian roads as well as the ever so boring Ruta 3 between Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. The tire still looks ok.
I also rarely get punctures in the front, in fact only once in Kenya due to a sharp rock. Most punctures for me hapenes at the rear with the Michillen?

With my last two tires I changed the direction of the tire on the rim at about 12,000kms, seems to wear off more evenly on the knobbies and give me an extra 2,000 - 3,000kms. If I were to cruise at 140km/h or more I would probably not do this, but like I said most of my speeds are below 100km/h. I also keep the tire pressure high (38PSI) when I'm on good roads. Going down to 20PSI on loose gravel etc. (this is for two-up, lots of lugguage)
Handling seems fine for me and I have no probs with grip. Been through the twisties in the French Alps, Scotland, Rockies, Andes etc with this combo and it works for me.

I know most people like to use the same kind of tires front and rear, and Ive been like that too, but the gravel road ability of 'road' tires in the front just suck for me. Thats why I keep to an 'off road' front, even if I only do 5-10% gravel compared to tar. On the tar roads, I realy dont feel any difference in handling.

Johan