Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
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.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree10Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #106  
Old 17 Aug 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 868
Heidenau Scout K60 front and back

Two sets now, the first set was mostly the hot rough Australian roads - 20,000km

I just replaced the new set recently, installed them in Frankfurt, they lasted 25,000km and still had some tread on, probably get a few more thousand each

I left Germany and am in Kazakhstan, I fully expect these to get me back home to Oz, maybe after the Mongolia dirt roads I may readjust that but will let you know

Cheers
TS
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #107  
Old 27 Aug 2012
Endurodude's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Middle England, UK
Posts: 457
The Scout K60's look good. These also seem to be easier to get hold of than the Mefo Super Explorers? I'm thinking of using the K60's for Morocco next year (I have an F800GS). My only 'concern' is that I've read that some people have had issues with the new 'band' down the centre of the Scouts that wasn't previously there on the older K60's, or indeed on the Mefo's. Good / bad / indifferent, what are peoples' opinions of this feature of the Scout?

Last edited by Endurodude; 28 Aug 2012 at 09:21.
Reply With Quote
  #108  
Old 28 Aug 2012
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
The tyres I used on the BMW described above were #1 and 3 in the line up below and they were fine on dry piste and wet roads.
My current bike runs a pair of #1s.

Bigger bikes run chunkier K60s.

Ch
Attached Thumbnails
Tyre Survey - please contribute-k60types.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #109  
Old 28 Aug 2012
61timm's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Abbotsford
Posts: 32
On my r1200gsa Hiedenau is good for the rear but on the front the tyre tracks like crap. As a result the front gets a TKC 80
__________________
Character is what you are into the dark.
Reply With Quote
  #110  
Old 28 Aug 2012
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: RTW
Posts: 517
Now have 18500km on my K60 and rear tyre still can do 3-4kkm.
Bike has been fully loaded all the time (doing my RTW).
Really recommend these tyres.
__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli
Reply With Quote
  #111  
Old 28 Aug 2012
Endurodude's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Middle England, UK
Posts: 457
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemuli View Post
Now have 18500km on my K60 and rear tyre still can do 3-4kkm.
Bike has been fully loaded all the time (doing my RTW).
Really recommend these tyres.
Did you use front and rear Heidenau, or did you use the above (or similar) combination? These do appear to be the tires for me; I might even use them day to day!
Reply With Quote
  #112  
Old 2 Nov 2012
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Tried out the new Michelin Desert "Race" this summer. Better grip than the old Desert, a lot more flexible, and what surprised me was the tyre life was very similar (6000-7000 km). Only for the single cylinder bikes. The 950 / 990 guys should still use the stronger stiffer classic Desert.



Last edited by colebatch; 4 Nov 2012 at 13:08.
Reply With Quote
  #113  
Old 3 Nov 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 22
Heidenaus have been great

We are using heidenau K60's front has done all of Canada, Alaska, back to the States, then uk and now half of Europe. Front is now up to 24k and still has plenty left. Rear lasted 20k. All two up on bmw 1200gsa fully loaded. They are a grat choice if you want long life. They are not as grippy in the wet but are good on dirt and tarr. I can't wear them out! Yes the front does track a bit but TKC will not last. Way too soft for long distance in our of the way places. Just my thought fellow travellers.
Reply With Quote
  #114  
Old 4 Nov 2012
RTWbyBIKE.com's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: on the Road, at the moment somewhere else
Posts: 289
We used nearly all mentioned B4. The K60 left not a good impression with us. They dissolved in nothing in the middle of Cambodia just after 4500km, broken parts, cracks all around. To rough surface, too heavy loaded (our bike has 450kg...) and not enough pressure.

Heidenau told us the theses tires are “not made for Xsteam conditions, and sorry“.

We used on our Africa Twin the 140 version. From what i heard from the BMW guys they all loved their 150, K60... The 140 was just a disaster for us. Never again. That’s just my personal experience, other people, drivers may have different…


For us the best solution is front TKC80, back Anakee II. Lasts forever…

The funny thing is that the TKC80 front tire is in Germany 63EUR incl delivery and the cheapest one here in Down Under I could find is 200AUD...


cheers
__________________
Round the world by bike. www.RTWbyBIKE.com
Reply With Quote
  #115  
Old 18 Dec 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 10
TKC 80 - Like em! 8,500 kilometers on rear and still

I have had a few sets of the TKC 80's and like them.

I currently am running a set on my F800 and have racked up over 8,500 kilometres and the rear still has some on it. The front looks great. I spend a lot of time on dirt but these have seen some highway too. I have not tried to make these last as I just bought the bike and have been a little throttle happy. Coming from a KLR it feels like I got off a goat and onto a stallion so I can't resist spinning up that back wheel.

The hold very well in my opinion on asphalt and when aired down, they do well in gravel. Ride s good and noise is low, although I really am not worried about a little tire whine anyway so I may not notice it much.

I think the trick is to run max pressure whenever you can.
Reply With Quote
  #116  
Old 29 Oct 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 35
Quote:
Originally Posted by Endurodude View Post
The Scout K60's look good. These also seem to be easier to get hold of than the Mefo Super Explorers? I'm thinking of using the K60's for Morocco next year (I have an F800GS). My only 'concern' is that I've read that some people have had issues with the new 'band' down the centre of the Scouts that wasn't previously there on the older K60's, or indeed on the Mefo's. Good / bad / indifferent, what are peoples' opinions of this feature of the Scout?
I have had no problem with the new k60 scout,(640e,adventurised) handles really well on pretty much everything and the wear rate is next to nothing even though i'm a ride like you stole it pilot just swapped it out for a mitas e-10 adventure which although says 140/80-18 is more like 150/80-18 and is another contender for good all rounder.
Reply With Quote
  #117  
Old 30 Oct 2013
Endurodude's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Middle England, UK
Posts: 457
I used an E7 rear and an E10 front, both Mitas, on my recent trip to Morocco. Time was a little limited, and I wanted to ride there and back as opposed to taking the ferry to Spain, so I used some motorways getting there. The rear was good, but the front E10 didn't like the motorways at all, even though I rarely go above 70 (you see more when you travel a little slower). By the end of my trip, bits of the tire we coming off, and it was making riding difficult. Added to this were some of the Spanish motorways. At times they were concrete, and had grooves running in the direction of travel. The E10 basically slotted into these groves and the bike steered itself! The worst example of this was coming down a mountain back into France; not at all fun. In the future, I'm going to look at tires with deep grooves in them, as opposed to 'knobbly bits' protruding. At HUBB last year, Zen overland mentioned that the Mefo super explorers might soon be available for the F800; this seems like a winner to me!
Reply With Quote
  #118  
Old 6 Nov 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 6
I run a K60 rear and TKC front and the combo works great on everything except wet pavement .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #119  
Old 16 Apr 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Posts: 70
KTM 990
Michelin T63 or Metzeler karoo front. Both are good
Mitas E-07 rear. Good tyre life but not the best for mud and sand. The KTM eats mud and sand knobblies as a snack, so the E07 is a good compromise. I get about 7000-8000 km from a rear tyre. The standard KTM scorpions are just terrible in mud and sand.


BMW1200
TKC 80 both. Good tyre life if you keep them hard on tar, slightly over the recommended value. I inflate the rear up to 2.9-3 bar.
I tried the Mitas E-10 on the rear but it was horrible and unstable on tar. I also didn't get any more life than the TKC.
Reply With Quote
  #120  
Old 8 May 2014
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 6
Now I'm running a Kenda Parker DT front and K270 rear on my XT350 Overlander.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 4 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 4 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:26.