Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
Michelin XZY or XZL for trans-Africa? Michelin XZY or XZL for trans-Africa?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Apr 2001
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 142
Michelin XZY or XZL for trans-Africa?
I've sort of narrowed it down to these 2, I think XZY will probably be better in sand and XZL in mud, but we will experiance both. So which to chose? I know both come in tubeless and I guess maybe as tubed. What do people think would be the best choice?

Erik D.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Apr 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Ethiopia
Posts: 15
I would go for the XZYs. They are more of a general purpose tyre they are very tough, and will last the distance. Although they are rated 12 ply, this relates to their load carrying ability, not their construction. The side walls are quite flexible if you need to get them off the rim to repair punctures etc.

I have also used the XZL's - they are good in mud, but the side walls seem quite vunerable to damage, as sticks etc can catch on the raised sections and penetrate the tyre, and not just slide along the side of the tyre.

Cheers,

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Apr 2001
GWJ GWJ is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 281
Hi
I have recently sold my LR130 which did Lon-CT approx 50,000kms on XZY's and they performed brilliantly - only about 4 punctures the whole trip. Goodluck
cjcoombs@hotmail.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 25 Apr 2001
GWJ GWJ is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 281
I did 35000 km with XZL -with tubes inside- in West Africa (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina, Niger, Benin, Togo), 50% on tarmac, 50% on other surfaces, sometimes very rough.
I only had 1 puncture in l'Aïr. They are very good, but becareful on wet tarmac.
f you choose to stay on main roads, you don't need this sort of tyres.
They need to be deflated quite low on sand,because they are narrow and so you need a good compressor.
I have a EMS compressor. No problem.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 Apr 2001
GWJ GWJ is offline
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 281
XZY is now even 14-ply (!) and rather hard to get on and off the rim (by hand).
I bought 6 new ones last year, but no real off-road experience yet (2002 trans-Africa)
They may indeed be used with a tube.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Apr 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Ethiopia
Posts: 15
Hi,

I almost forgot..... you should check the speed ratings on the tyres if this is important to you. The speed rating is given by a letter on the side wall, usually after the tyre size. J means rated to 100km/h, K to 110 km/h, L to 120km/h....etc.

Cheers,

Andy

[This message has been edited by Andyk (edited 29 April 2001).]
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Apr 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Ethiopia
Posts: 15
Hi,

I just tried editing the last message - didn't seem to work. The speed rating is denoted by a letter on the side wall of the tyre, usually after the tyre size. J means the tyre is rated up to 100km/h, K to 110, L to 120 etc.

Cheers,

Andy
Reply With Quote
Reply

« 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

 
 

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!

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 23:55.

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