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Tyre Choice- Round the world on a DR-z400 Tyre Choice- Round the world on a DR-z400
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 6 Mar 2012
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Tyre Choice- Round the world on a DR-z400
Hi guys,

In a few weeks, a mate and I leave the UK and head off on a round the world ride. We'll firstly be heading for Russia, then when we make it that far, ferry down to S.Korea then fly the bikes over to Alaska to ride from there down to Argentina.
The majority of my mods etc have now all been finalised but we are still not sure on the best tyre choice for a trip of this nature. My guess is that from the UK to Russia we will be riding tarmac but around that area we will be hitting the dirt.

I'm assuming that the best idea will be to head off on road tyres and strap knobblies to the back ready for when we hit that part of the world. Any thoughts on this?
If so, what tyres should we start out on and which knobblies shall we carry on the back?

Thanks in advance.

Pete.
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  #2  
Old 14 Mar 2012
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Nudge
Anyone out there? :-)
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  #3  
Old 14 Mar 2012
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I would go for a mixed on off tyre such as the mefo explorer or super explorer.
Mefo Sport - Super Explorer Rear Tyres - MFE99
these handle well on both road and off road, the advice I have Is it's better to have tyres sent to you on route rather than carry them.

If you can get a contact in country then you can get spares sent their.

thanks

matt
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  #4  
Old 14 Mar 2012
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If you are riding from UK to Vladivostok to get the DBS ferry to South Korea then road tyres will be OK as almost all the route is tarmac. There are some stretches of roadworks which are effectively dirt but you shouldn't need off road tyres if you are sticking to the main highway.

If you are going to go into Mongolia or ride up to Magadan you will probably need some knobblies.

The days of Mondo Enduro type Trans Siberian highway is now a distant memory unless you head off and do a Sibersky Extreme route (BAM etc)
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  #5  
Old 15 Mar 2012
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i'm choosing Mefo explorers too
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  #6  
Old 15 Mar 2012
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Heidenau K60s.... BRILLIANT !!

Front tyre did Liverpool - Capetown on DRZ400 which most its tread still on it. Rear was 5,000 miles in when It got smashed with a massive sharp rock in the road. Slit 3" through the carcass. Thing is, the tyre could STILL be ridden on where others would of continued to split. These are one tough tyre.

I had to do another few hundred miles on it before I could find a replacement and it didn't fall apart. Even on hard off-road stuff.

Id totally recommend them. I never had any slips or bad riding with them.

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  #7  
Old 16 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *touring ted* View Post
heidenau k60s.... Brilliant !!

Front tyre did liverpool - capetown on drz400 which most its tread still on it. Rear was 5,000 miles in when it got smashed with a massive sharp rock in the road. Slit 3" through the carcass. Thing is, the tyre could still be ridden on where others would of continued to split. These are one tough tyre.

I had to do another few hundred miles on it before i could find a replacement and it didn't fall apart. Even on hard off-road stuff.

Id totally recommend them. I never had any slips or bad riding with them.

second that
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Old 16 Mar 2012
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+3, used them to India and now have a set on ready for south america in 4 weeks.
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  #9  
Old 16 Mar 2012
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Hi,

I would recoment a Mitas E 07. This tire is very long lasting and took me all the way from Capetown back to germany

Riding the rough west coast through Africa part 3

Travel save, Tobi
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  #10  
Old 27 Mar 2012
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Tkc 80
Continental TKC 80 worth to check out. Very good all-around tyre and I got about 24000 KM's with one set on DRZ400S! I do drive quite economically, though, so your mileage may vary. This tyre, especially front, is probably better than most dualsport tyres that have fishtail pattern a la TrailWings (not good on gravel).



Ahto
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  #11  
Old 7 Apr 2012
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Originally Posted by ta-rider View Post
Hi,

I would recoment a Mitas E 07. This tire is very long lasting and took me all the way from Capetown back to germany

Riding the rough west coast through Africa part 3

Travel save, Tobi
+1
Love them, all I use

Cheers bloke

Nigel in NZ
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  #12  
Old 21 Sep 2012
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Mitas E-07 = cheap and good mileage. Mud????
TKC 80 = Expensive but good off road, not bad mileage on tar
Michelin Sirac = Similar to Mitas e-07
Dunlop 606 = noisy, wear quickly
Pirelli MT21 = half price of TKC, half the mileage

You decide!!!!
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  #13  
Old 8 Oct 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Heidenau K60s.... BRILLIANT !!

snip

Id totally recommend them. I never had any slips or bad riding with them.

I agree - just finished a 11000km trip on a set of these (DR650) loaded. 4000km was off road, sharp rock, mud, sand, etc. The rest was pavement in intense summer heat. the rear is pretty done now but the front is only maybe 60% worn out. excellent tire on tarmac/ pavement. The rear was also excellent in mixed terrain - never a lack of grip and no flats! I found the front less confidence inspiring in gravel or soft material, tends to wash out. I'd run the rear and maybe a more aggressive front like a TKC, MT21, or T63 - will probably last as long as the rear. Great tire.
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