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Transalp tyres, which ?? Transalp tyres, which ??
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
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  #1  
Old 15 Feb 2009
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Transalp tyres, which ??
Hi all,

I have a XL650 transalp and the original Bridgestone Trailwing 48, 120-90-17 on the rear is showing a lot of wear after only 2500 miles. I use the correct pressure at 29PSI but i did do a decent day of over 220miles on low pressure back in the autumn (21PSI).

The front, a Trailwing 47, 90-90-21 is still very good and shows little wear.

I will need to change the rear soon, probably within the next 1000 miles and I am disappointed with this life span. I originally intended to replace both tyres with a more road biased tyre than the TW but as the front is still so good and seems as though it could outlast two rears at the current wear rate, would it be advisable to just replace the rear with another TW and then go for the road biased on the replacement of the two in the future.

Has anybody had any experience of fast wear on the TW tyres?

Can anybody advise on the rear replacement?

Can anybody suggest road biased, touring tyres as an alternative?

I only use tarmac and dont use the bike daily for short commutes, its purely a rideout / touring bike to me.

Thanks

Lee
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Old 15 Feb 2009
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First of all I would say only replace the rear oif you plan to fit another TW. I have mixed tyres and brands before, but still would recommend fitting matching F and R

If you want a long life but capable tyre look at the BT45 from bridgestone.

I have run these on plenty of bikes: XBR500, CB-1, TDM 850, VFR400 NC24. They are not track tyres, but really last very well and are cheap with good water clearance.

Other wise I had good experience with Michelin Pilot Roads, or even BT020s.

Have a look on Motorradreifen / online auch über / Polo / Hein Gericke / motorcycle tyres pneus pneumatici gomme neumaticos motorbanden mc däck motorrad reifen mp renkaat

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Old 16 Feb 2009
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I´ve used Metzeler Tourance & Michelin Anakee on my Vstrom650, and both are good touring tyres which give good mileage. I actually liked the Anakee front more, as it made the steering a bit sharper than the Metz.

But the best road tyre I´ve had on this bike, by far, was a Metzeler Z6, it really made it handle sweet, and both ends wore out at about the same time. Brilliant choice for my bike. But I believe the Transalp has tube type wheels, so I´m not 100% certain, if you can use Z6 with tubes, I suppose you could, but better ask your tyre supplier about that.

For good mileage, especially when I have all luggage and 2 people aboard, I use maybe 10-20% higher tyre pressures than recommended, and it seems to have worked with my bike. Recently got almost 16.000 kms out of a set of Anakees, 2-up and very heavy loaded. Even the ambient temperatures were mostly very high, so I´m quite happy with that number. They, too, were finished right about the same time front/back.
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Old 18 Feb 2009
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Anakee
Hi Lee,

My TA had Trailwings fitted when I bought it. I thought they were ok but the rear did wear quickly, toast in less than 4000 miles.

The front was pretty far gone by then too, but as the previous owner told me this was the second rear he'd fitted, they do seem to wear at a 2 rear to 1 front ratio.

As both my tyres needed replacing, and I wanted a more road based tyre, I went for a set of Michelin Anakees. Brilliant tyres, can't fault them. They've sharpened up the steering and feel more secure, they don't squirm like the TW's did, they're particularly good in the wet and best of all, after 2000-odd miles, there's barely any signs of wear on them.

I wouldn't like to mix Anakees and TW 's though, so I'd maybe go for another TW until the front wears out then replace them as a set.


Also, the rear Anakee is a tubeless-suitable for tubes-type, if you see what I mean..! Being of tubeless construction means it's stiffer, runs cooler and should be a little more resistant to punctures. It's also a bugger to fit with 6" tyre levers..! The front is only available as a crossply in 21" size.

I reckon they're second only to full road tyres for grip and longevity.
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Old 19 Feb 2009
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Thanks guys,

Thats all good advice, why do honda fit tyres that wear out so bloody quickly..

4000 miles is absolutely s**t.

I will replace the rear with another TW for now and next time go for a better set of either the Michelins or Metzeler Tourance.

If i do eventually get on my continental trip this summer, I will probably change them for a set of the above anyway.

Thanks
Lee
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