Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Honda Tech
TA XL650V best off road tyres? Pamir Hwy/Mongolia TA XL650V best off road tyres? Pamir Hwy/Mongolia
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Honda Tech Honda Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Honda riders only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree2Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 136
TA XL650V best off road tyres? Pamir Hwy/Mongolia
Hi all.

Looking for some tyres for a 2001 XL650V for the Pamir Hwy and Mongolia in June/July this year. Riding one up.

This will be my first bike of this type having always had Enduro/MX or sports bikes so my knowledge of these tyres is pretty minimal.

The bike currently has 130/80 17 and 90/90 21 Metz Tourances which look like they would be rubbish in the dirt. So the plan is to ride to Uzbekistan on the Tourances before switching just before hitting the Pamir Hwy.

I am almost set on Mitas E-07 and I am contemplating going to a 140/80 rear?

Love to hear some feedback. :confused1:

Cheers,

Tom
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Esperance, WA
Posts: 252
The Mitas E07 is a good allrounder, but not very good in the mud or slippery conditions. As for 130 vs 140- I found the 130 actually lasted longer, as it has a center ridge line which is missing on the wider tire. See picture below- fitted tire vs unfitted tire.





IMO: I prefer Michelin T63 in a 130. They won't last as long as an E07 on bitumen, but they're cheaper and two for the same price as one can go a long way. And they're much better in the rough.
__________________
Squily
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Italy
Posts: 502
Last year in Pamir on my Dominator I used Heidenau K60 Scout in the front and Mitas E09 on the rear.

They were great, we were two up...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 136
Thanks for the feedback guys.

Both the E09 and T63 look like full knobby tyres, I can't imagine they last long on the bitumen? They must be a bit scarey on a wet road?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 95
I used 1 set of Continental TKC80 on my XL700V Transalp from Blagovechensk to St Petersburgh via Mongolia, the Pamirs and Stans, no problems,good on the dirt as well as tar
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Italy
Posts: 502
The E09 are not as bad as durability.
My rear is not over yet after 7000 km.
I read about people who have passed 10000 km without problems.

On a trip like the one you're planning you need to compromise.

Personally I prefer having to be more careful on wet asphalt but having tyres suitable for the most difficult passages, than the other way.

If it rained the previous days, even the Kyzyl Art Pass can be very difficult with the wrong tyres...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SW France
Posts: 119
I'm asking the same question elsewhere for my Black sea trip , i've had and really like TKC80s , tried EO9, EO7 but looking for another that can match the longevity of the TKCs
Phil
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Feb 2014
zandesiro's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Polygyros GR
Posts: 558
I think that the Mitas E07 is the best option because the price is much lower than the other brands...For durability the mitas have prove from other travellers that they last long especially for light bikes as the DRs or the XTs....Mitas is my choice for my trip also!

The only thing that i dont know is how much vibrates on road!!
__________________
3mountainsadventure
Last edited by zandesiro; 28 Feb 2014 at 07:42.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 28 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 136
Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Does anyone know a tyre supplier in Bulgaria or Turkey? I know Bora does deliveries but I'm not sure where I will be staying and I won't be passing through that part of Turkey.

Motosapiens in Bulgaria can get heidenau but not Mitas...which is my preference.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28 Feb 2014
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,344
Smile
Daze- You could telephone/email Bora and ask him if he would be willing to use the UTTDS (Unofficial Turkish Transport Delivery system) aka buses ! to send your tyres to a particular place in Turkey.
It's quick- reliable and a few $'s for the driver does the job.

Still, if coming from Greece, it would be a simple little detour to go via Ipsala, Kesan then turn Sth to Gallipoli - hop on ferry to Cardak then East about 130Kms to Bora and it saves having going through Istanbul.
If you are heading East, there is little in it and you keep going via Bursa.
IMHO the better route if needing to get tyres from Bora- you get them fitted and balanced properly and it removes the uncertainty of 'have they arrived/where are my tyres?' bit! and you get to meet a nice man too!

(or if coming from Bulgaria, then I'd go Edirne- Havsa- Kesan etc.)
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 28 Feb 2014
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,344
Smile
Quote:
Originally Posted by Squily View Post
I found the 130 actually lasted longer, as it has a center ridge line which is missing on the wider tire.
Squilly- this is odd- I wonder which model you have? Here is a view of my 140 rear (Heidenaus K60's) with the reinforced center. (The moto was having a lie down as the thin air was getting to her!):
Last edited by Bertrand; 2 Mar 2016 at 17:16.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 28 Feb 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Esperance, WA
Posts: 252
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Squilly- this is odd- I wonder which model you have? Here is a view of my 140 rear (Heidenaus K60's) with the reinforced center. (The moto was having a lie down as the thin air was getting to her!):
Not Heidenhau- Mitas E07 as in the photograph- Look at the one on the left vs the one on the bike and see how the center-ridge differs.

I can't comment on Heidenhau- never used them before.
__________________
Squily
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 28 Feb 2014
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,344
Red face
Sorry Squily I misread your post
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 1 Mar 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 136
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Daze- You could telephone/email Bora and ask him if he would be willing to use the UTTDS (Unofficial Turkish Transport Delivery system) aka buses ! to send your tyres to a particular place in Turkey.
It's quick- reliable and a few $'s for the driver does the job.

Still, if coming from Greece, it would be a simple little detour to go via Ipsala, Kesan then turn Sth to Gallipoli - hop on ferry to Cardak then East about 130Kms to Bora and it saves having going through Istanbul.
If you are heading East, there is little in it and you keep going via Bursa.
IMHO the better route if needing to get tyres from Bora- you get them fitted and balanced properly and it removes the uncertainty of 'have they arrived/where are my tyres?' bit! and you get to meet a nice man too!

(or if coming from Bulgaria, then I'd go Edirne- Havsa- Kesan etc.)
Thanks Bertrand, unfortunately Istanbul has been nominated as the meeting place for 4-5 of us that are all travelling on to Iran and the stans so I have no option but to go that way.

I think I will most likely get the K60's at Motosapiens in Bulgaria and get them fitted there, I just don't like the new tread pattern with the solid centre rather than blocks across the width of the tyre. I can't see how they would get the same traction.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 1 Mar 2014
zandesiro's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Polygyros GR
Posts: 558
There is Greek store that sell Mitas is in Thessaloniki....The motocamp is 600 kilometers away....Bulgaria is E.U. now so you can send them to motocamp without costum problems...
I dont know how much is th cost to send them in the motocamp you have to talk to them...

Here is a link MItas.

Hope to help!
__________________
3mountainsadventure
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Exploring Balkans. Montenegro and Bosnia off-road. Gliga Ride Tales 18 5 Apr 2015 00:53
Uganda Road Trip Honda XLR250 kampalaric Ride Tales 4 1 Jun 2014 08:14
Turkey by Moto 2013 EMBEE Ride Tales 3 22 Apr 2014 15:44
Cheap road tyres for a Defender? roamingyak Light Overland Vehicle Tech 4 18 Feb 2013 23:34
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 17:51

 
 

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
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 19:21.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top