Tyres ...........
 

Guys, I need your advise, I know there is loads of info on the site regarding tyres but I'm asking specifically for a 3AJ '89. I use the bike 95% road. I'm thinking of going to the Metzeler Tourance or Enduro 4. What do you think ??? when I do go off road its gravel roads..

Many thanks
Matt

I think you will find that Metzeler don't make the Tourance or Enduro 4 in sizes to fit the 3AJ rear wheel. However, I have used Enduro 3s on my 3AJ for many years (and miles) including my last trip through Mauritania and Mali to Timbuctou and back, two up. I think these are excellent on road and quite good off road, especially on gravel. On sand they are not as good as a full-on sand or trail tyre, but I managed!

Hope this helps,
Peter

Thanks Peter, I'll take a look for the Enduro 3.

So many times you put such a question on the web and have half an answer, somebody who replies knowing someone who once used something......I think your journey "last trip through Mauritania and Mali to Timbuctou " makes you more than qualified to answer....

Many thanks and enjoy your travels.

Kind regards

Matt

goodwoodweirdo,
I constantly use Michelin T63 both on/off road. Even looks unproper for everyday use, T63 are excellent in all conditions, no matter riding on asphalt or on gravel. The only dissadvantige is fact that T63 are loud tyres, but you will get used on that. I rode on Metzeler Enduro 3, quite satisfying but nothing more, altogether much worse than T63.
Regards,

AnteK, XTZ 660

Have to agree on the T63s they were fantastic in Morocco both on and off road and in the Salisbury Plain mud and wet slippery UK roads

They wear really well as well.
Charlie

Hi Matt,

If you have trouble finding the above suggestions, perhaps there is an alternative?

With your usage being 95% road and 5% gravel, I wonder if the suggestions may be biased a little too off-road for your mainly road usage?

An alternative may be the Avon Distanza which I have found a very good road tyre on my 3AJ. The Distanza has also been designed for off-road riding as well, but I have only a little experience of this (only a couple of gravel paths, which were fine), so unfortunately I cannot endorse them through any tangible gravel experience.

Just a thought, if you wanted an alternative.
Geoff

Hi - I have had Distanzia's on my 3AJ for commuting - they are the best on-road tyres you can get for the 3AJ IMHO. Heaps of grip and after 6000 miles look almost as good as new. I've only tried them once off-road, during the green-laning ride-out from a HU meet a couple of years ago. They got me through steep slippery trails, rock and mud, however they slide about a lot and don't have a great deal of grip off-road.

On a trip to morocco last year I used Continental TKC-80's. They were excellent on loose gravel and rock, and also very good on-road.

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Barry
3AJ Tenere

You've got me interested in T63's now! I can get 8000 miles on an Enduro 3 rear until its illegal (15,000 miles in India where it doesn't matter!!) - what sort of mileage have you had out of T63's.

greynomads,
front tyre melts quicker than rear in my case, mostly due to braking. My average mileage is 7-10.000 km with rear and 5-8.000 km with front. If you are a calm rider you will be very satisfied with durability, which is not so bad knowing that soft enduro tyres somethimes last very shortly. Also, try Conti TKC 80, they are very close to T63 except grip on slipery road, but durability is better.
Regards,

AnteK, XTZ 660

Thanks for all the replies, i'll keep you posted with what I end up using.

Where I brought the bike, they fitted a Bridgestone TW302 Trailwing on the back - very unstable over 100 kms and on the front I have a "cracking" Dunlop Trailmax - plenty of tread but its a very old tyre..

thanks again Matt

I havent worn them out yet and they have done over 4,000 mixed miles, Shoule think I will get at least 7k miles out of them on a heavily loaded bike. They can squirm at very high speed (80mph+) but then again XT dont go that quick too often.

Charlie

I've been quoted €200 plus tax for the Metzeler, plus fitting. I'll also take a look at the Michelin T63 and maybe the SIRAC. In fact its the SIRAC Michelin recommend - can anyone comment on the SIRAC ??

Many thanks
Matt

Sirac is a nice street tyre, but belongs in the museum. The replacement model is Anakee. Should be very good on the road. Forget about the Metzeler. Especially for that money. Here we pay € 130,-- for a set of T63s. That's only 82,--

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

goodwoodweirdo,
forget about Sirac, i rode on them, they are durable but after aprox. 5-6.000 km they become slipery on wet surface, and cornering on unpaved roads are disaster!
AnteK, XTZ 660

Bough my Micjein T63s here seem better value.

Fitted them myself after alot of swearing and sweat. I havent any experince of the romvelo ones so beware.

http://www.dirtbikestore.co.uk/acata....html#aRomvelo

Charlie