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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.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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  #1  
Old 20 Oct 2015
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Which Tyre (tread comp) Road - All Road - Off Road

Hi all, to help choose a tyre I’ve categorised the three types as listed in the heading.

Or more precisely I’ve illustrated each category on one image so you can compare similar tread patterns easily without getting lost on the internet.

Not all may agree with my categories and choices but I find, especially for all-roading, that tread is an early factor in choosing a tyre before seeing if it’s any good, available, fits and is cheap.

Full sized images here: Road - All Road - Off Road

.
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Which Tyre (tread comp) Road - All Road - Off Road-tread-chooser.jpg  


Last edited by Chris Scott; 20 Oct 2015 at 18:41.
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  #2  
Old 20 Oct 2015
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Tnx Chris, nice initiative!

I'm still not sure which tire to put om my 650 strom for my trip to Kenia. My preferred tire so far is the heidenau k60 scout for now because of its longevity. All suggestions are welcome though.
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Old 20 Oct 2015
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Glad it's useful.

K60 Scout would be my choice too - or maybe non Scout K60 (middle category above, 3rd row, #1) if you potentially want more off road grip.
But without the central block support I wonder if it may not last as long on a heavy bike.

Or any of the other long-lasting 'East European' options.

Last trip (only Morocco) I used Mitas E07 - no complaints. Came back half worn.
Next trip - same place, new bike - I'll use a K60 front that's been lying around for years - and a similar looking Golden Tyre GT201 (all-road category - pic below) on the back, thought actually another Heidi would be cheaper.
'Golden Tyre' sounds like cheap Chinese - but is actually made in Italy.
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Old 20 Oct 2015
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Mefo Sport MFE99 Explorer.

My new favourites. Little chunkier than the K60 and almost TWICE the tread depth.
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Old 21 Oct 2015
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From Serbia to Vladivostok on Heidi K60 Scout 20.000km changed rear for Korean brand and as I was going to South Korea hoped that I can purchase front tyre but ...oh boy vat a surprise no way Joseeee,,,contacted some shops as I was in Busan but they he'd to order from Soul...so I continue to Japan with K60 on the front and come back to Serbia with it.
Just purchased new set of K60 Scout for my S.American tour.

Safe ride
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Old 23 Oct 2015
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Mefo Sport MFE99 Explorer looks as a nice tire! I read that the longevity is also not bad:

www.KLR650.cc <p> <font color=red>MEFO MFE 99 Sport Explorer Tires </font>

I think the k60 scout has proven itself as a lasting tire so it will be a close finish between those two.
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Old 15 Dec 2015
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Weird about your K60s. I had them on my DRZ through Africa. I was sweeping around wet mountain hairpins and they were great. They were also okay off-road. Good enough that I never crashed anyway. The front was still legal when I sold the bike 20,000 miles later ..

The Scout is different though isn't it..
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Old 15 Dec 2015
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Which Tyre (tread comp) Road - All Road - Off Road

This thread is well timed - thanks Chris.

Im doing the east route, Cape to Cairo on a KLR starting june 2016. I suspect most will be tarmac, but am doing the west route through Tanzania, riding the parks in Uganda and will (unavoidably) be doing Ethiopia in the rainy season, including a trip into the mountains near Arba Minch and the usual northern circuit.

I want to fit a tyre in Cape Town and not change on route - expect to ride 16-17k kms.

I used and liked Anakees on my DL1000 for years (but not on any meaningful off road stuff) and use Pirelli MT43s on my Freeride. Beyond that i am truly ignorant on tyres!

The bike currently has Dunlop K750s on it. I was, based upon Chris' advice in the AMH, leaning towards either the MITAS E-07 or Heidenau K60.

I'd appreciate views on which make and which variant? I think Chris you preferred the MITAS?

Will both do the distance?


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Old 15 Dec 2015
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timing ?? good

About the K60 ( which I had never tested so this 100% thinking and experience ont other tyres/bikes and so ) ant the MT21 stuff

I know that the DRZ is lighter than the ten' , hade both : make a différence
surely .

SO at this point for my case ,
either the K60 ( can someone explain the difference withe the scout stuff ? )
ot the MT 21 .
I was not so confident about Pirelli on the mv, riding so long with the mich' ..but these are fantastic ( sport tyres ) even on a bit slidy roads .

or again the baja
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Old 15 Dec 2015
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Thanks - will see what i can get in CT


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Old 15 Dec 2015
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I would take a long hard look at the Mefo super explorers. I've just fitted a pair to a Dominator I'm prepping now and they look rugged. They have almost double the tread of a K60 but still have a rounded profile for road use. I've not road tested them yet but they do get awesome reviews and last forever.
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Old 15 Dec 2015
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Mefo's get good reviews from friends round these parts too. I rode a DR650 with a brand new set on and found them "squirrly" on paved roads. Quite a bit of unsettling movement when pushed through tight bends. Felt like they wanted to break loose ... but they didn't. Not impressed.

Buddy thought the same and was worried at first. But after about 500-600 miles of hard riding (our 3 day ride was about 1100 miles in total) they broke in, much better, more stable, tracking straight and solid in corners. Unfortunately never got to sample them again myself once broken in, so report from friend on DR650. VERY GOOD ON FIRE ROADS!

Other Mefo reports also indicate they wear like iron, especially on light-medium weight bikes. Great travel tires if you can pay the freight and MUST have a tire that will make long distance.
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