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7 Apr 2010
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
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Michelin XPC 7.50-16 on Land Rover 300 tdi Defender in Sand
Does anyone have experience with running Michelin XPC in (Saharan) dune sand at low pressures (less than 1 bar)?
The choice I have is XPCs or XS. XS are proven at low pressures in sand, but not great on wet tar. XPCs are currently on the vehicle.
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8 Apr 2010
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Qatar
Posts: 72
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I drive a Nissan Patrol 4800 out here in Qatar in the dunes. I bought a second set of rims fitted with sand tyres, went out to the desert to compare and contrast, I reckon they might be 10% better than road tyres on the sand and 100% worse than road tyres on the black stuff!. I normally run my road tyres at 15-18 psi on sand, did the same with the sand tyres, but could have gone lower as they are fitted with tubes. All in all, I reckon sand tyres are over-rated, not much better on sand and they handle like a pig on wet grass on tarmac. That said the Nissan Patrol is very different to a 300 tdi, probably twice the power, so cruises quite happily at 160 kph, not a speed I'd go near on 'balloons'!
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9 Apr 2010
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
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Thanks for the details QR. What sand tyres did you use? Any idea on how the side walls of XPCs behave at low pressures?
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12 Apr 2010
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Qatar
Posts: 72
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Hi Richard, I just checked my sand tyres, they are Dunlop S5 or D16 (not sure which is the type) size is 255/90 (17s I think)
I saw some interesting calculations on the size of the contact patch for road and sand tyres on the Internet (cant remember the site) the example showed a huge increase in the contact area of deflated sand tyres, which got me all excited about buying them. The reality was different, so I can only conclude that either contact area dosent make that much difference, or that the contact area of a stationary tyre, as in the calculation, is different to the contact area of a rolling tyre, as when you're traveling at speed. I'm not saying the sand tyres are not better on the sand, they are, I'm just saying that for me, in a pretty powerful 4x4, the balance of the 'pig on wet grass' handling on the road v. the marginal improvement in the sand meant that I took them off, stored them under a hut, and there they remain!
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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...
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)
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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!
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.
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.
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