DS tires: Street-Bias to 50/50 Knobby

[Momo-san]

I have my first set of dual-sport knobbies on the supertanker (Dr650), and went out for a ride yesterday. It was different. I felt nervous at different points during the day, partly because I have no experience using tires like this on the street.

So, BARF, let's say you went from a street-biased DS tire, like the Kenda K761, to a more dirt-oriented, knobby type, like the Michelin T63 and you're taking it to the street. What are the differences in feel, handling, traction, even sound (that freeway hum tho), between these tire styles? Are there situations I should take more caution in? Should I stop feeling so jittery and just mellow out?

To thank y'all, here is a glamour shot of the supertanker at The Wall:

 

[UDRider]

You feel them wiggle in a corner a bit, but overall stable enough. Although my WR is somewhat lighter then DR650, I would imagine.
I did some flat tracking at Prairy city, Carnigie and Holister on super packed dirt, and rear tire does let go a bit unexpectedly, but can be controlled. In general I don't really push it too much.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I have Kenda K761 tires on my XR650L currently. On the street I don't like how the steering feels at lower speeds compared to the IRC GP-110 tires that I had on before, but they're slightly better on dirt roads.

I also have a set of TKC-80s on my spare rims. The rear tire, at least, squirms too much for me on pavement. I have a 120 on there and it might be better with a 130 or 140, since people riding the big bikes don't complain about that issue with the same tire in a larger size and those obviously have bigger tread blocks than the tires that I have. Off road they're significantly better than the two that I mentioned in the first paragraph. They'll hold a line much better when going up the side of a rut and the rear gets better traction.

Once I get this set worn out (hopefully by the end of the summer), I plan to go with a D606 on the rear and an MT21 on the front. Those will probably feel even worse on the street, but the improvement off road will be worth it.

I can change wheels in less than 20 minutes from thinking about it to riding away, so it's not that hard to put on the tires that I want.

You'll find dozens of different opinions on this topic on ThumperTalk or AdvRider. Don't expect to find much agreement on this topic anywhere.

 

[louemc]

I have my first set of dual-sport knobbies on the supertanker (Dr650), and went out for a ride yesterday. It was different. I felt nervous at different points during the day, partly because I have no experience using tires like this on the street.

So, BARF, let's say you went from a street-biased DS tire, like the Kenda K761, to a more dirt-oriented, knobby type, like the Michelin T63 and you're taking it to the street. What are the differences in feel, handling, traction, even sound (that freeway hum tho), between these tire styles? Are there situations I should take more caution in? Should I stop feeling so jittery and just mellow out?

To thank y'all, here is a glamour shot of the supertanker at The Wall:

I hope You find out on wet pavement..In a way that lets you know..
Without damage . It happens so quick.... You will know you were lucky..
If your lucky.

 

[DReg350]

... I plan to go with a D606 on the rear and an MT21 on the front. Those will probably feel even worse on the street, but the improvement off road will be worth it.

+1. I like this combo allot. The MT21 has amazing on-road traction, but rears evaporate. The 606 less so. :thumbup

I've run Kenda 761s and for the price I like 'em. I think they're biased a little more to street than off-road for my taste. :dunno

 

[Momo-san]

I hope You find out on wet pavement..In a way that lets you know..
Without damage . It happens so quick.... You will know you were lucky..
If your lucky.

Are you trying to tell me something here? Shall I be even more cautious on wet pavement with this style of tire? Shall I only ride on wet pavement if I am feeling lucky? Could you be more specific about how I may need to adjust my riding style at particular times, in order to adjust for having this type of tire?

 

[RightCoastBias]

I'm rocking 60/40 TKCs. They're not very fun on road, not bad, but they slip a lot sooner than the Scorpion Trails I had on the bike.

I'll be going back to the 90/10 80/20 tires after sheet iron. I don't see enough off road to justify having these on my bike which is 98% pavement.

 

[stevidx]

Hi Jeanette,

Stevi here from the Carmel trip. I was running non DOT knobbies on the plated cr250r, granted much lighter than the DR, and found the rear would pitch without much warning, but the slide was mellow and controllable.

Boogie down to HMB and lets do some laps on Tunitas, you'll have it figured out by the end of day. If we're lucky maybe Vanessa will come.

 

[vkb]

Between my KTM 690 Enduro R and 500 EXC I have run the D606, MT21, and T-63 and they have all worked just fine for their intended purpose. If you are trying to ride your dizzer like a sportbike or a supermoto then you will quickly discover the traction limits of DOT knobbies on pavement. If you are riding your dizzer like an enduro wearing knobbies then you will be fine. They are just tires, and like all tires they have limits. It's like anything else new, just take your time, take it easy, and get to know them. Make sense?

 

[Lunch Box]

Lou is correct. Knobbies on wet pavement are not a good combination. Most knobbies are pretty good on dry tarmac, though. They make a bit more noise, but actually hook up pretty well. Plus, it's fun to pass sportbikes on a knobby-clad dualsport. :laughing

 

[Momo-san]

Hi Jeanette,

Stevi here from the Carmel trip. I was running non DOT knobbies on the plated cr250r, granted much lighter than the DR, and found the rear would pitch without much warning, but the slide was mellow and controllable.

Boogie down to HMB and lets do some laps on Tunitas, you'll have it figured out by the end of day. If we're lucky maybe Vanessa will come.

Hey Stevi! We should definitely ride again soon!

Between my KTM 690 Enduro R and 500 EXC I have run the D606, MT21, and T-63 and they have all worked just fine for their intended purpose. If you are trying to ride your dizzer like a sportbike or a supermoto then you will quickly discover the traction limits of DOT knobbies on pavement. If you are riding your dizzer like an enduro wearing knobbies then you will be fine. They are just tires, and like all tires they have limits. It's like anything else new, just take your time, take it easy, and get to know them. Make sense?

Yes, it does. Thank you, that is helpful :thumbup

Lou is correct. Knobbies on wet pavement are not a good combination. Most knobbies are pretty good on dry tarmac, though. They make a bit more noise, but actually hook up pretty well. Plus, it's fun to pass sportbikes on a knobby-clad dualsport. :laughing

Awesome, because it looks like rain this weekend. Now, how are they in the rain as compared to Pakistani tires on a Ravi Piaggio Storm, riding the KKH?

 

[Titus58]

Between my KTM 690 Enduro R and 500 EXC I have run the D606, MT21, and T-63 and they have all worked just fine for their intended purpose. If you are trying to ride your dizzer like a sportbike or a supermoto then you will quickly discover the traction limits of DOT knobbies on pavement. If you are riding your dizzer like an enduro wearing knobbies then you will be fine. They are just tires, and like all tires they have limits. It's like anything else new, just take your time, take it easy, and get to know them. Make sense?

This.

Lou is correct. Knobbies on wet pavement are not a good combination. Most knobbies are pretty good on dry tarmac, though. They make a bit more noise, but actually hook up pretty well. Plus, it's fun to pass sportbikes on a knobby-clad dualsport. :laughing

And this.

Take it easy at first as you get used to them - think you will find their hook up on dry pavement better than expected and then once in the dirt - wowza :teeth


T

 

[NoTraffic]

With knobbies over street tread, two biggest differences will be max speed limit and longevity. I ran D606 on a KLR and only got 1500 miles out of them, 500 of those were on dirt. You will also prob. see a max speed loss of 10% or so in comparison to street tread.

Biggest advantage to knobbies is using them on dirt - so go find some trail quick!

 

[Nemo Brinker]

Oooh, knobbies on the street, 'specially in the wet, lose traction quickly. Also expect extra noise--sort of a humming sound. Some knobs give a sort of squirmy feeling when cornering; it's unsettling but you can get used to it, and will re-orient to where the limits of traction are, with caution and attentiveness.

TKC80s aren't too bad a compromise, if you're headed towards dirt on part of a ride. For knobbies, that is. In either case it's a bummer to burn through knobbies so quickly (they seem to practically melt when used on pavement, and will have a short useful life).

Here's your bike in Alaska with TKC80s, before you made it the Supertanker. 1500 miles and they were toast.




For the DR650, the Shinko 705 isn't too bad a compromise tire. Runs well on the street, does surprisingly well in dry, hard-packed dirt and gravel.

 

[RRR70]

I have TKCs on Scrambler. 2000 miles on pavement, never on dirt. Rear has I'd say 500-700 miles left, front at least 2K. They hold surprisingly well on pavement. I've touched pegs many times.

 

[machete]

TKC's will run you about 3500 miles total (street riding). The last bit takes a LONG time to wear down.

Momo-san, don't worry about Lou, he's no help, with his vague postings and "I told you so's". :rolleyes

Lunch Box seems to have a better grasp of the english written language. So basically, watch the knobbies in the wet. Until you feel comfortable sliding. :teeth

In the dry, (TKC's) I can do 100+ on hwy, and pass sportbikes. I find that the more weight on the bike (ie. touring) gives it a more stable track. :teeth :burnout

 

[rodr]

I got a set of Mitas E-07's, not mounted yet, which are billed as a 50-50 tire. They've only recently been available in the U.S., from Revzilla. I'm eager to try them out as there are a lot of good reports as to their longevity and performance.

 

[RightCoastBias]

TKC's will run you about 3500 miles total (street riding). The last bit takes a LONG time to wear down.

Momo-san, don't worry about Lou, he's no help, with his vague postings and "I told you so's". :rolleyes

Lunch Box seems to have a better grasp of the english written language. So basically, watch the knobbies in the wet. Until you feel comfortable sliding. :teeth

In the dry, (TKC's) I can do 100+ on hwy, and pass sportbikes. I find that the more weight on the bike (ie. touring) gives it a more stable track. :teeth :burnout

Which TKCs are you speaking of?

 

[RRR70]

Which TKCs are you speaking of?

80s

 

[Lunch Box]

Awesome, because it looks like rain this weekend. Now, how are they in the rain as compared to Pakistani tires on a Ravi Piaggio Storm, riding the KKH?

:laughing
Hey, that was a Ravi Piaggio Storm II, I'll have you know. Traction on just about any bike/tire/road combo will be better than it was on those bikes. :thumbup

I would suggest you get more of a trail tire. Something like this:
I run Pirelli MT-90s on my "street" wheels for the 690 and have been quite happy with them.