Hey guys,
I was looking for spare tyres and came across these Trellesport - Enduro Competiton MotorcycleTyres, Army Special Tyre

They're supposed to be Swedish military on/off road enduro tyres with a good life time and at 49 quid a pop for rear and 36 quid for the front I was thinking of getting a pair.
Does anyone know of them? What they're like etc? Thoughts.........

Thanks

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Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'

Took 4 of them to a mate in norway where they are 3 times the price!
He reckons they are great in winter, with a good soft compound, ok offroad, and wear really quickly on tarmac.

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Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower

They are truly a superb all-round tyre. The British Army have just chosen the Army Special for their fleet of trail motorcycles (used extensively by Special Forces and Royal Signals, RMP, REME, RLC). The tyres were put through vigorous test and evaluation and came out top. They DO last a reasonable time on tarmac too, at least as good as the average Dunlop or Michelin. The army wouldn't have wanted them if they were only any good for off-road work. Personally I would rate them 60% off-road 40% On-road.

Other military users include -

Belgium
France
Norway
Sweden
Finland

They have cult status in Scandinavia where everyone uses them in the winter snow. I understand they are pretty expensive there compared to here. Get hold of a pair BEFORE the manufacturer increase prices which they will surely do once the things become established and well known here in the UK.

I know someone who uses these for long distance trail work throughout Europe. He prefers them to TKC/80's!

You don't mention what you're looking to fit em to? I have just fitted Michelin SIRAC's to my XT6, I did consider the Army Special but wanted something a bit more road orientated (don't do any off-road work nowadays).

GO FOR IT!

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Wow, I didn't think they'd be rated both good and bad! At that price I thought bargain then thought I'd ask for opinions and I got 2 both good and bad!! Ha Ha Ha, just my luck!
They're for an Xt600E '03 model, for the RTW trip, africa stage. I'm starting with Avon Distenzias for the European bit, France and Spain then see how long they're lasting or appropriate for further south into Morocco before changing into what I've taken. I'm hoping what I take will last a while down to South Africa, optimistic I know but upon hearing stories of guys not being able to get 17" tyres I'm hoping 1 set will do till SA.
There's not much of a price difference as some people will notice but it's a choice of "Every penny helps" or "Pay cheap ... pay twice!" but being a military spec and ex-military myself, I'd have thought they'd be hard wearing and good for distance on the bad roads of Africa.

Thoughts anyone?

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Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'

You can take a chance on cheap rubber if you want, but given that two little patches of rubber are the only thing keeping you smiling side up, I'd stick with the big boys tried and tested designs and know how.

Trelleborg are not a new company, and not even a tyre specialist company. They are probably best known in the tyre industry for making cheap agricultural tyres. They are bigger in the Nordics, as that is where they are from (Trelleborg, Sweden). And I never did see a tractor leaning in the corners.

I'd try a set before you leave, but not when you leave on your big trip.

A lot of the older riders in our club swear by them but I don't know what there deciding factors are. I will try to find out some opinions.

".....Trelleborg are not a new company, and not even a tyre specialist company. They are probably best known in the tyre industry for making cheap agricultural tyres. They are bigger in the Nordics, as that is where they are from (Trelleborg, Sweden). And I never did see a tractor leaning in the corners."

"Yeah! It's called a BMW 1150GS, Ewan and Charley had 'em!

Sorry, couldn't help myself!!
I took the plunge and decided to buy a set a day or so ago, actually 2 rears and a front as the only way I'm going to try them is to buy a set and then try them!! If they're shite then I'll let you know from the hospital bed, if there is one! Or from the scrappers where the bike'll end up.

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Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'

Information from Old Wise Men,

"they used to be cheap and long lasting but despite their knobblyness they don't grip as well as modern rubber"

As they don't appear that cheap anymore I suppose you will just have to hope they are long lasting. Just a note on the "long lasting" most use would probably have been on bikes like XL185s / 250s and DR350.

Be assured that the MoD carry out extensive tests before picking a tyre. These Trelleborg tyres are fantastic value for money and represent a great alternative to other better known tyre makers. A number of European armed forces have chosen this tyre for their trail bikes and they can't all be wrong.

As I have already stated above, I know these things have a cult following in some Nordic countries. I also know someone who actually uses em - he swears by em in the winter.

We've all heard the same arguments regarding helmets - you get what you pay for etc.... Well it's not always about price.

Go ahead and try em out. Post your findings on here so that we can all make a more informed judgement. I suspect you will be in for a big (nice) surprise...

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

But the British Army always head towards the most "cost effective" (i.e. cheap) option wrt equipment, ho, ho. Try out the Heidenau K60's, as fitted to my xt6e - cheap and are lasting so far...

Hey folks,
As I said, I decided to order a set anyhow, 2 rears and 1 front, Just delivered through my door a moment ago and they look spot-on although they do look like they'd be a bit dodgy on the road/tarmac!! So I'll be saving them for when the black stuff starts to run out in Africa. Whether they last can only be found out by taking the plunge and trying them out. I would like to say, the company don't mess about with delivery times..... I think Pegasus the winged horse was despatched to deliver!! Well done to them!
Lot's of people are saying pro's and cons and a big thank-you for that as that's exactly what I was looking for when asking for your opinions. It just goes to show how good this website really is when searching for information and even opinions, so hopefully I'll be able to contribute something when the tyres are on the bike. Thank you guys!!

It is funny though... the people with good things to say are the ones with buddies who have them and have some sort of experience with the tyres and the people with non positive feedback haven't. I love being a guinea pig and photos will follow!

Again thanks!

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Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'

Great stuff Geoff!

Nice to hear the things arrived so quickly. My experience of most online mail order bike companies has been very good. I use this lot quite often - Motorcycle Helmets | Motorcycle Clothing, Boots, Leathers, Gloves, Jackets | Motorbike Accessory Parts and the stuff (which is always good value) is usually delivered the day after ordering!

With regard to the comment about the MoD ALWAYS saving money by opting for cheap alternatives, this is a very unfair & harsh comment in these circumstances. The MoD goes through a raft of very stringent tests before ordering equipment. Of course value for money does come into the equation but it is not the formost consideration. Performance and longevity comes into it too. I agree that our Armed Forces have very disgracefully been cut to the bone since 1997 (particulary the RN) but since 2003 the army has been getting top notch stuff (just not enough of it).(In 1997 we had 30 odd frigates, we've now only got 19! / in 1997 we had about 300 combat aircraft, we've only got 190 now!). Apologies for going off topic, that comment got me going...

We all look forward to your report Geoff. I suspect your experience will be a very positive one. As I have already stated, had I wanted a more offroad tyre, these Trelleborg's would have been top of my list to try out. Because most of my riding is on tarmac only, I opted for Michelin Sirac's which incidently have just been fitted as standard to the brand new Tenere.

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

I come from Finland and yes alot of people use these tiers in the winter, put spikes in them and you can go anywhere

I have allso used them during summer bouth on and off road, and they preform very well. But on wet tarmac or hard packed dirt roads during rain you have to be cearfull, they let go very easy.

I don´t think they last any shorter on tarmac than other knoblies. But I have never tried them on a full packed travel bike.

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Places to be and things to do, see you all out there!!

Cheers.

Tom.

This you get what you pay for argument always gets to me its as if some people on this forum think that to enjoy motorcycle touring you have to be a millionaire.

I rode my TTR 250 to morroco and back on cheng shin trail tyres. These were about £55 for both. They never punctured. I did some full on off road in andulusia, including lots of sand. they were good on and off road, I had great fun on moutain roads and had them screeching through the hairpins. They helped me over high snowy passes in andora and were still good for the comute to work when I got home. I also used them on a MX track and yes they were not a grippy as a full on MX tyre but I never expected them to be.

I am not trying to big up cheap but it does seem like people think you need the best of everything to get going.

I hate to point out the obvious but thorns and glass dont give a toss that your rolling on Michelins or not.

Good points, but the most expensive tyre to buy can work out the cheapest to run when you break it down to pence per mile.

The cheapest tyre to purchase may be an expensive option if it lets you down.

Of course we all buy a tyre for different reasons, a no name Chinese special may last 10,000 miles, but if you have to tip toe around wet tarmac bends, is it worth it? Maybe. Is a 5,000 mile tyre life acceptable, if it inspires confidence in all conditions? Maybe. Does it have to perform well in specific areas, or is the main criteria that it lasts? Depends what you want from a tyre.

By the way, thorns and nails do care about which tyres you have on. Cheap tyres tend to have a lower thread per inch (TPI) count, which is an easy way to save money (and materials) in the production process, but gives a less supple tyre, which will not deform away from an object. (And is noisier, and is less comfortable. It will also tend to take longer to warm up). Think about trying to cut an over ripe tomatoe, compared to an under ripe one, with a butter knife. It's much easier to penetrate something that doesn't move away from the pressure being applied. Picture the sidewall scraping along a sharp rock, deformation is better than resistance, in that example.

My choice of tyre doesn't last too long, but I want it to go from B road scratching to boggy forests to rocky hillsides, (preferably all on one ride!) a range I didn't think a single tyre could do at all, never mind do well. (Michelin T63's - not too cheap, not too long lasting, but hugely capable).