Continental TKC 80 on a CRF250l
 

Hi everyone

Has anyone used Continental TKC 80's on a Crf250l? I am going on a 3 month trip next year and am thinking of using them. What are they like on tarmac? are they good for motorway speeds 60-65mph?

Continental TKC 80 on a CRF250l
 

Ive not run them on a CRF250L but I’ve had two sets on my XT660z in South Africa where I’ve maybe done 60 tarmac/40 gravel riding.

Accepting they are not a 90/10 road tyre I have done long distance on tarmac at 60-80 mph and they were fine. Only issue for me is that at those sort of speeds on tarmac the rear wears pretty quickly. I’d happily buy them again.

Thanks Temporaryescapee, do you remember what sort of km’s were you getting ? I’m coming from the UK to Cape Town and was hoping to do it on one set. I think that I may have to change at least the back in Nigeria though.

Hi sorry for slow reply, been on a trip!

The rate I was wearing them they’d not do the distance you need, but obviously a bigger heavier bike will make them wear faster. I’d be surprised if i’d get more than 5k kms out of the rear with high speed tarmac and gravel/rocky use (i changed my first set at 3k as i was doing another trip and didn’t want to run out of tyre half way).

For my bigger trip I used Heidenau K60s and they did a decent job and had amazing durability. If you can live with that probably better to go with something like that than take a spare tyre or try and change midway?

Great advice thanks. The Heidenau K60s look like better long range tyres. Not so good in the mud but there is always a compromise for a long trip

I ran TKC80s front and rear through West and Central Africa.

Front 90/90 lasted from Spain to Cape Town. 16,788 miles over about 20% off-road including sand, gravel, and mud. The tyre was worn well passed the limit.

Rear 120/90 lasted from Spain to Gabon. 11,456 miles. It still had some life left but I changed tyre before crossing into Republic of Congo so there was more grip in muddy sections.

I also had a 140/80, which actually fit!

All were fine on the tarmac at 60-70 mph with me (70Kg) and kit (40Kg).

Thanks Stephen

I am doing the same trip starting in the UK through Spain and down. It's good to know that I can get tyres in Gabon, did you have much problem finding them.

I saw tyres in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire; Togo; Libreville, Gabon; and I'm sure there's more place. There on iOverlander. Choice will be limited though. It's all part of the fun!

The following isn't related to the thread, but I hope it helps based on your planned route.

I had big issues with quality of fuel. Had to clean the tank, injector, fuel filter, and fuel pump several times. Once in the bush blog entry)! I recommend using fuel system cleaner, which can be purchased in many garages en route. I had a Twin Air filter that blocked large stuff like sand but nothing smaller. I'm now trying a guglatech filter, but it's too early to say if it works.

Nigeria has visa on arrival and it works. Just don't use third party companies to apply for it as I know of one unscrupulous company. See here for details on how it works.

Ghana recently started demanding a bond a the border if you don't have a carnet. The bond is then collected when leaving, but only at the same border you entered at, which makes overland travel difficult!

Hi Stephen

I've heard about some of the bigger bikes have problems getting tyres. Being on a small one it should be easier then and as you say "all part of the fun"

Thanks for your advice re filters, are you using the guglatech filter for fuel and air?

It looks like Ghana is out as I am not taking a carnet. I was not planning to go to Burkina Faso but it looks like that may be the route now. I think that with a trip like this all plans need to be fluid.

Thanks for adding a link to your blog I'm looking forward to reading through it.

I have a guglatech filter for my Acerbis fuel tank.

For the air filter, I use Uni Filter. It comes with two filters, so I store the spare one in my bag oiled and ready for use.

Cool I will get one for my fuel tank :thumbup1: