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Skinny 17" tyre choices? Skinny 17" tyre choices?
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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 13 Oct 2021
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Skinny 17" tyre choices?
I'm looking for a front 100/80 x 17 tyre that can handle gravel roads, but all I've been able to find is definitely paved road only - does anyone have any suggestions?
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Old 14 Oct 2021
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The most able looking I've been able to find is the Metzler Lasertec, has anyone got experience with it?

It's marked as "sport touring" but my past experience makes me think that just means "normal tyre" these days. Still, it's the only one I've found in Europe that isn't like a racing slick
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Old 14 Oct 2021
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Metzeler Lasertec is an Street / On-road tire….

With a 17’ front rim I think the only “kind of” dual tire you will find is the Pirelli MT60 RS (Supermoto or supermotard) series, it only comes in 120/70 ZR 17 TL as most those kinds of these bikes use have, that was the original fit for the firsts KTMs Duke, a century ago.

You didn’t mention for what bike you wanna fit a 100/80 x 17, but if it´s is for an smaller bike, you can use a rear one fitted in the revers way.

Saludos!
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Old 14 Oct 2021
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The rear tyre reversed trick would invalidate my insurance unfortunately - here in Spain that wouldn't fly ... I'll have to check the bike to see if I can squeeze a 120 tyre on the front. It's a CBF250, which is fine on unpaved roads except for the tyre choice!

Thanks for the tips
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  #5  
Old 22 Oct 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbofurball View Post
I'm looking for a front 100/80 x 17 tyre that can handle gravel roads, but all I've been able to find is definitely paved road only - does anyone have any suggestions?
TKC70, TKC80 comes in 120/70-17" IIRC.. also Shinko 705. Shinko 244 in 4.6-17. Pirelli Rally STR come in 110/70-17 it's probably the closest.
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Old 23 Oct 2021
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Thanks it's good to know there's more options on the marker these days

I also found the Kangoo Street from Metzler comes in 110/70R17 (it's a 70/30 tyre so pleasantly chunky), and also the front tyre on the Leonart Tracker 125 (no idea what brand, but it's a 50/50 type of affair).

In 120/70R17 there's the Trail Wing TW101 too.

Having checked the bike on paddock stands it won't take a 120 width tyre comfortably but is fine on 110 ... for the moment I've decided to be sensible and put another street tyre on the front which should last me until springtime, my other half has hinted that I should have a garage clear out and then go look for a basic dual sport instead of torturing the CBF more
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Old 7 Nov 2021
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Trail Wing came OEM on V-stroms and strom owners nickname it Death Wings for good reason; I would skip on it. Are Shinko not available on your side of the pond? In states it's usually the cheapest option, for mediocre/half decent tire.
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Old 7 Nov 2021
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I didn't find a Shinco that would fit.

As for the Death Wings, I read a few long-term reviews and many of them said that the old nickname wasn't justified for the models currently available, so I was happy to give them the benefit of the doubt.

This is all a technicality now though, while ordering my new normal street front tyre for the winter I had a chat with the guy at the counter and all the dual sport tyres are super expensive in these sizes, so I'm going to throw this idea on the "it was nice, but only as a concept" pile

Thanks to anyone who chipped in, maybe this thread will be handy for someone else in the future
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Old 8 Nov 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbofurball View Post
I didn't find a Shinco that would fit.



As for the Death Wings, I read a few long-term reviews and many of them said that the old nickname wasn't justified for the models currently available, so I was happy to give them the benefit of the doubt.



This is all a technicality now though, while ordering my new normal street front tyre for the winter I had a chat with the guy at the counter and all the dual sport tyres are super expensive in these sizes, so I'm going to throw this idea on the "it was nice, but only as a concept" pile



Thanks to anyone who chipped in, maybe this thread will be handy for someone else in the future
I don't know if they got better but they were mostly road tires to begin with; had Death Wings 5 years ago didn't have any reason to try it again.

As for dualsport tire look at inch sizes 3.5-4.1" is about your size, and some tires like Shinko 241, trails tire, flat track, vintage, etc are dual use rear/front.

Another option is to fit different wheel or lace different rim, 19" .

My son had Shinko 705 front in 120/70-17 on the trip to Alaska and they were rock solid on gravel, mud, pavement and lasted long time. He had 14k on them and took off because of capping still had 40% thread left.
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Old 9 Nov 2021
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What about the Kenda K760?

https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tub...le-tire/p/3684

Mezo.
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Old 9 Nov 2021
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Wow, that's a tad more aggressive than I've been considering, lol
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Old 10 Nov 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Turbofurball View Post
Wow, that's a tad more aggressive than I've been considering, lol
You did say pleasantly chunky so that's why i suggested them.

Just go with a road tire, most rally car drivers do that (tarmac on the front & gravel on the rear).

Mezo.
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  #13  
Old 10 Nov 2021
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Well I ride some gravel on my current street tyres, but speed is very limited and they don't like the spikiness of the rocks over time ... I wanted to increase both the speed and quantity of unpaved roads I can ride, hence the "chunky", but I still need to ride this bike to work so can't go too mad!

Anyway, I've put this off 'till next year now, getting my new cheapy road front tyre tomorrow
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