Should I change tyres before leaving Uk??
 

Hi I will be leaving Uk end of june towards Australia. Now I am in dilemma about tyres my stock GS tyres has done about 6000 miles .

I am trying to figure out how far I can get with these tyres before having to change them on route. The idea is to bring a set of TCK80 with me .

Now the question:

1) should I just change to a set of new tyres before leaving and bring another pair with me and save my self the headache.

2) Se how far my existing tyres will take me and change to a set of new ones on the route (in Almaty) .

My existing tyres looks fine even though they have done 6000miles.

?c??c?

Hi, I would suggest changing to your new tyres, and carry your old ones as spares, that way you'll only be buying one set for the time being.

And you'll have one less thing to worry about on your long haul.

I haven't done a major trip yet, other than 2700km in 6 days. (Does that count???)

Have a good one.:thumbup1:

Thanks that sounds easier and will probably save me a few quid .

:scooter:

I'd carry your new tyres with you then change them en-route when your old ones wear out. (Unless you think you can buy a replavcement set on the road). This way you spend the minimum amount of time lugging around a spare set of tyres, which are a very heavy and bulky item on a bike.

Personally I wouldn't carry spares with me, I'd buy en route.

Matt :)

You're right Matt, I didn't think of that.

Well now I am confused hehehe. My main fear is to push it to far end up in the middle of nomanlands in Kazakhstan with nowere to change the tyres ?

or am I to paranoid???

Buy your replacements on the way, but do a bit of research as to the furthest place you can get to with a reliable tyre dealership. Certainly buy them before entering Khazakstan or they'll cost a bomb having them UPS'd to ya.

Enjoy the ride:thumbup1:

Carrying spare tires
 

There is one more factor involved in this dilemma. The hardcore overlander status you get with a pair of tires strapped on top of all your gear. This was a great talking point, you are not going to avoid drawing a crowd whereever you are, so you might as well make the most of it. I used a steel wire loop and padlock to secure the tires, no problems. The idea to set out on used tires, and change on tour is smart. If you have to have rubber sent out by courier, that is expensive, and there will probably be some import duties and/or baksheesh, and a lot of time wasted in offices. I plasticstripped the tires together, and used the inside of the tube for storing small stuff, raintrousers etc. I have never had such a practical storage space for bananas on a bike before, though this is probably not the most important reason for carrying 10 kilos of rubber on top of your load, which must have a negative effect on handling.
Whatever you do, safe journey.
Peter, in Oslo

"Too much of a good thing....is just wonderfull"

When I rode from the UK to South Africa I set off on my Tourance tyres and changed to TKC80s in Turkey, at a shop found for me by the local community guys. Give them a shout. Ride safe.

:mchappy:

Tyre-d
 

Have you looked at other tyres besides the conties?
I ran some Heidenau k60's on a GS and 6-8 k miles would be what you'd get out of them.
A mate on a GS wore tkc's out in under 3k.
Mind you, I have seen a few posts where folks say otherwise about the life of the conti!!
Tyre Report.....Heidenau K60 Tyres on R1200GS | BMW Motorcycle Club Cape
Dave.

Hi Kebabtomten - If you're riding all the way to Australia then you're going to need more than one set of new tyres anyway, so even if you buy a spare set now, you're still going to have to find another set somewhere down the line?

Personally I would ride across Europe on what you've got (unless you're planning of doing a lot of off-road riding in Europe too), then buy and fit some TKCs in an EU country before you hit the boonies... then replace them with whatever you can get, whenever those wear out... sure if you get a good price on the TKCs in southern/eastern Europe it might be worth taking a second set across the 'Stans with you, but I would say it's unnecessary weight and bulk - particularly on this first (European) leg?

xxx

Thanks for the great tips guys:clap:. I have decided to ride out on new set of tkc80 ,keep my old ones at home and take a spare with me . If I manage on on set of tyres from Uk to Pakistan or India I will be delighted.

As this is my first crazy trip I want to be to safe then to sorry :scooter:.

cheers guys

For info, I got a little over 5000 miles from a rear TKC80, used almost exclusively on tarmac... for mixed riding I'd say it would be shot by around 4000 miles...

(this is on a Yamaha Tenere with a cush-drive rear hub)

Not sure how they fair on a big BMW, but it seems a waste to half wear out your new tyres on the (presumably tarmac) leg across Europe?

xxx

Well that is true , Ideally I would like to drive on my existing stock GS and change them in Ukraine or Russia . But I have searched everywere but can not find a thread about a repair shop in eihter country.

BMW supposed to have a shop in Ukraine but have not figured out were probably in kiev ?? This would be ideal then I would spare the Offroad tyres and have brand spanking new tyres for kazakstan.

So if any one knows about a shop in unkraine or russin between Volgograd oand Astrakan let me now . But meanwhile I am back to zero as I have found about a new set of Tyres MEtzler Tourance , will chekc that out .

?c?

Your keeping the bike after the trip right ????

Change them just before you go and then buy new ones on route.. Carrying tyres is a NIGHTMARE !

You can then use the ones you got now at a later date when you get home.

Have a look at Mitas or Mefo tyres.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...er-tyres-40775

These are a good compromise on tarmac/gravel and are very hard wearing unlike TKC 80s which wear down quite fast and aren't really needed unless you're on dirt/grass. Tourances will work fine on gravel and will last a lot longer.

Also don't waste your time looking for BMW shops abroad either. If you find one, great, but once you're out of the so-called 'developed' world, you'll just have to buy whatever tyres you can find and there won't be much choice for the Beemer.

Carrying one tyre quickly becomes a total pain let alone two and adds even more weight to an already VERY heavy machine so I'd go for something long lasting and put them on before you leave the UK. Or even better, keep your existing tyres on until before you leave Europe and change then. If you've already done 6k on them, that should about cover it for the rear at least. I figure I could have made it most of the way home from SE Asia to UK on the Mitas tyres I put on when I left Australia, at least well into Europe at any rate.

Make sure you know how to change/repair your own tyres before you leave too.

Carrying tyres is a piece of cake
 

not sure what (who?) ! :rofl: Ted's 'night-mate' is
but if the word is 'nightmare' I've only one comment: nonsense!
buying en route may well be necessary at some point but unless you're made of money... get them when they are cheap-er.

I'd agree about buying them where its cheap (got a set of Tourances off Ebay pretty cheap recently), but have you ever tried to buy tyres for a GS in any of these places?? Unless of course you ride a Honda Hero or C90 in which case it will be no bother at all.

Heading East, the last place I was able to get Tourances was BMW Istanbul-
I had to order and have sent (by bus!) TKC's from Antalya where the only importer (afaik) is- and have them sent to Istanbul.

IMHO the TKC is too soft for long haul and does not last long enough on a 1200 GS loaded with camping gear/water/food etc
I now carry a set- it really isn;t a big deal- a little more weight and more noticeable on my F650 true but hardly noticeable on the 1200.
My 2pence- to each his/her own!

I agree. I went through two rear TKC80s on my trip to Maroc and Iran. One (already part worn) disintegrated in Italy and another in HUngary on the way home. Fortunately both in places where I had breakdown cover ;-) The bad thing was that they went without warning - still with a reasonable amount of tread on them. The knobbles essentially broke through the wall of the tyre. OK, my bike was overloaded, but still, this is a failure that you wouldn't expect.
Personally, I'd go with something more road orientated, like Michelin Siracs. I've just bought a rear Avon Distanzia which looks good, but only time will tell how well it wears.

Matt :)

I agree with you Matt
I use Michelin Siracs on my F650 - Top tyre IMHO
also now looking at Mitas E07 and awaiting prices

The Mitas E07 is hard wearing but can be a wee bit vague on tarmac bends sometimes, keeps you on your toes (not literally) though!

I have no idea how to change tyres ?? I have seen a video but dont think I could do it. I have got a Rim Tip top Bmw Tubless tyre repiar kit but Have never repaired tyres before but how difficult could that be:(.

I think after reading all the posts the tkc80 would probably not suit me at all,

on the way I am going there will be mainly tarmac ,gravel and other bad road surface but dont think there will be Mongolia type of biking.

So it leaves me with either the Metzler tourance for now need to read in to it some more .

I also don't see the need for everyone using TCK's all the time..

They are horrible on tarmac (scary when wet) and dont last long at all...

Unless you are riding unfinished roads and trails alot, there is just no point.. Its probably an image thing with many peope... :innocent:

I really like Metzeler Sahara 3 tyres. Much more stable on road and last well... They are more than capable in shallow gravel and hard dirt....

I think its cos they look sexy! A tyre that looks like a proper off-roader but handles OK (but only OK) on the road. I'd go as far as to say they are a good tyre to ride at home if you ride sometimes on and sometimes off. I wouldn't use them on a big trip though, especially one that was mostly tarmac.

Definately know how to change your tyres before you go. It is difficult but not impossible and it gets much easier after you've done it a few times. I've only changed tubed tyres personally so perhaps someone with tubeless experience can confirm if this is the case with tubeless also?

Matt :)

Remember, if you really put the effort in, your TKC80s can also double as racing slicks...

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...a/IMG_1105.jpg

Helge Peterson (sp?) has a dvd for the GS1150 which has a decent wee section on changing tyres, how to use the side stand to break the bead etc. Its worth watching something like that and then having a bash at taking off your own tyre and putting it on again. Its pretty easy on the Beemer as they're so well balanced when you take a wheel off.


Oh, and sometimes you don't really have a choice about fixing a tyre yourself...see a BMW garage anywhere around here??

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...a/IMG_0321.jpg

It's interesting that both you and Ted don't like the TKC on the road? - perhaps it's when specifically fitted to a big BMW?* - as I've found them excellent as a knobblie on the road - very predictable, even when worn... (I've just ridden Deal's Gap with a squared-off rear, and even then it wasn't terrible...)

I've used them on both my XR650R and my XT660Z Tenere, and both bikes have covered a lot of miles on and off road with them - wet roads and dry, sand, rock, even mud (although admittedly not the best in deep mud). Some people say they need 100 miles or so to scrub them in, but personally I believe they are the best compromise tyre out there?

However, I would certainly agree with you that if you are covering a lot of road miles, then perhaps go for something less aggressive - if only for longevity...

xxx

*so maybe it's the heffer of a bike... ahem.

A good point... except that me and Ted both ride XT's! (Although I think Ted just sold his). On the other hand, my bike was so chronically overloaded on my big trip you could have mistaken it for the Panzer tank of motorcycles if approaching from behind! :)

I didn't mean to be too critical of the tyres performance, and you're right its about the best compromise if you do a fair amount of both. It handles significantly better than my Pirelli MT21s on road (but is nowhere near as good off) and much better off-road than road-biased duallies like the Bridgestones that came on the bike. But for a long distance, mostly tarmac tour there are much better tyres. And lets face it, even with a heavily overloaded heffer, there's nothing like thrashing it round corners when the tarmacs good!

Matt :)

Yep, my XT is now in the loving hands of Stretcher_monkey off the hubb..

I have TKC's on my XR650R too. I used it for a city commute in the winter and I lost rear traction quite a few times in the damp and the front was VERY sketchy on sweeping bends too. Not too bad in the dry I must admit. They wern't AS bad on the XT, probably as its not as powerful and its less highly sprung.

Don't get me wrong, I would use TKC's for a trail based trip.

I also tried Metzeler Karoos on my XT. They are nice in sandy gravel surfaces and not to bad on road too. I only got 3000 out of the rear though :eek3:

Hee hee - I agree... some wag posted this photo of me on the ADVrider forum yesterday!

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...x/img_0084.jpg

Mind you, I also echo what you (and others) said about knowing how to change tyres... this was today in New Mexico:

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/r...wMexico003.jpg

Thank goodness I stopped next to that handy rock!

xxx

Just found couple of links to "The Dark Side":

Dark Wing--Darkside Gold Wing (car tire on a Gold Wing)

The Dark Side

It's a pity they don't make the same quality for the bike tires.

By the way, I just replaced both Bridgestone Battlax rear and front tires after 22000kms (rear), 44000kms (front) on my Honda CB900.

Cheers & have a safe trip