another reason to ride a motorcycle.

[k650@verizon.net]

When using "V" pattern directional tires look at the marks they leave in the dirt. On the rear you want the "V" pointing back to where you came from. This way when you twist the throttle the "V" will push the loose stuff to the sides to try to get a good bite. Mounted the other way it would push the loose stuff right in front of the tire and you would ride over it. On the front you want the "V" pointing forward to where you are going. This way when you apply the front brake the "V" will push the loose stuff to the sides to try to get a good bite. Mounted the other way it would push the loose stuff right in front of the tire and you would ride over it. Walt -----Original Message----- From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of daveygwhiz Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 17:42 To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] front tire I don't recall who suggested these tires, but I have to report my findings: I have one mile of gravel road (Class II roadbase) before I get to the asphalt. I haven't gone off-road into the dirt/mud for years so it was time to switch from the more aggressive Conti TKC80 or the cheaper IRC-GP110. (I was getting only 3k miles on the rear from either). I went with the Kenda 65H on the rear and Shinko E705 up front. I'm surprised how well the Kenda handles the gravel and of course is much smoother on the pavement. However the front Shinko tends to dance on top of the gravel in turns...a bit unnerving. I checked three times that I mounted it as recommended for rotation direction. It still seems odd looking at it with the "V" pattern pointing backward. It's the opposite of the rear Kenda. Should I flip it over? Anyone else with the same experience? best to all, Dave

[Fred Hink]

Kenda 65H sounds like a weight and speed rating rather than model of tire. Fred www.arrowheadmotorsports.com From: daveygwhiz Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 3:42 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] front tire I don't recall who suggested these tires, but I have to report my findings: I have one mile of gravel road (Class II roadbase) before I get to the asphalt. I haven't gone off-road into the dirt/mud for years so it was time to switch from the more aggressive Conti TKC80 or the cheaper IRC-GP110. (I was getting only 3k miles on the rear from either). I went with the Kenda 65H on the rear and Shinko E705 up front. I'm surprised how well the Kenda handles the gravel and of course is much smoother on the pavement. However the front Shinko tends to dance on top of the gravel in turns...a bit unnerving. I checked three times that I mounted it as recommended for rotation direction. It still seems odd looking at it with the "V" pattern pointing backward. It's the opposite of the rear Kenda. Should I flip it over? Anyone else with the same experience? best to all, Dave [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[SniperOne]

The Heideneau K60, Mefo Exployer, and several others are also engineered to run the opposing V pattern described. For similar reasons of why it works in the loose stuff, it also helps with water on the road. Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone -----Original Message----- From: Fred Hink Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 7:45 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com; daveygwhiz Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] front tire Kenda 65H sounds like a weight and speed rating rather than model of tire. Fred www.arrowheadmotorsports.com From: daveygwhiz Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 3:42 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] front tire I don't recall who suggested these tires, but I have to report my findings: I have one mile of gravel road (Class II roadbase) before I get to the asphalt. I haven't gone off-road into the dirt/mud for years so it was time to switch from the more aggressive Conti TKC80 or the cheaper IRC-GP110. (I was getting only 3k miles on the rear from either). I went with the Kenda 65H on the rear and Shinko E705 up front. I'm surprised how well the Kenda handles the gravel and of course is much smoother on the pavement. However the front Shinko tends to dance on top of the gravel in turns...a bit unnerving. I checked three times that I mounted it as recommended for rotation direction. It still seems odd looking at it with the "V" pattern pointing backward. It's the opposite of the rear Kenda. Should I flip it over? Anyone else with the same experience? best to all, Dave [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [The entire original message is not included] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Fred Hink]

So what s your impression of the Heidenau K60 by now? Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com From: SniperOne Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 7:56 PM To: KLR List Subject: RE: [DSN_KLR650] front tire The Heideneau K60, Mefo Exployer, and several others are also engineered to run the opposing V pattern described. For similar reasons of why it works in the loose stuff, it also helps with water on the road. Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone -----Original Message----- From: Fred Hink Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 7:45 PM To: mailto:DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com; daveygwhiz Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] front tire Kenda 65H sounds like a weight and speed rating rather than model of tire. Fred www.arrowheadmotorsports.com From: daveygwhiz Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 3:42 PM To: mailto:DSN_KLR650%40yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] front tire I don't recall who suggested these tires, but I have to report my findings: I have one mile of gravel road (Class II roadbase) before I get to the asphalt. I haven't gone off-road into the dirt/mud for years so it was time to switch from the more aggressive Conti TKC80 or the cheaper IRC-GP110. (I was getting only 3k miles on the rear from either). I went with the Kenda 65H on the rear and Shinko E705 up front. I'm surprised how well the Kenda handles the gravel and of course is much smoother on the pavement. However the front Shinko tends to dance on top of the gravel in turns...a bit unnerving. I checked three times that I mounted it as recommended for rotation direction. It still seems odd looking at it with the "V" pattern pointing backward. It's the opposite of the rear Kenda. Should I flip it over? Anyone else with the same experience? best to all, Dave [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [The entire original message is not included] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Michael Koren]

I was thinking about taking with me a front tire and rim for when I went off road I have plenty of room on my 09 klr to take one on a long ride I noticed when I get into a rut on my klr with the stock tire the bike tracks with the rut I thought if I had a 100 percent off road tire and I wanted to spend the day off road I could just change them out dose anyone here ever use a 100 percent off road tire on there klr and is it any better

[revmaaatin]

MK- Welcome to the KLR world. A bike that does a lot, but not always anything really well, other than put a smile on your face. The term 'rut' is rather subjective and difficult to quantify without a picture. shrug. What is a rut to you might be something entirely different to others, biased on experience. You are right; the OEM tire won't give you much for rut climbing. That tire is made for 'average' conditions and the average is a long ways from ruts on a regular basis. I think the best thing to do, if you only have the one bike, it to equip it to ride the most difficult conditions you will encounter and replace the tires when they are no longer safe. cough. Remember 90% of the flats occur in the last 10% of the tire life (or so THEY say). smile. and now, a bed time (horror) story of KLR's and ruts-- Several years ago there were 4 of us (seemed like it was nearly simultaneously) on this list/forum got into rut-trouble with varying results. It cost my insurance company $30,000 to get me out of the rut (collar bone and 6 ribs; 13+ days in the hospital) I was pushing a K270 and the rut was ~15" deep. I believe I stuck the foot peg in the vertical rut wall while trying to climb out, with less than stellar results. My riding partner couldn't believe that I was actually hurt. shrug. I should mention, as the bike passes through 89degress of bank, one should let go of the handle bars. Blake Sobiloff (sp?) had similar results in a 1.5+" rut that he referred to as an 'edge-trap'; most likely created by a large truck tire that shoved up a very rigid edge. He did a very scientific explanation, post crash analysis that suggested that it is dangerous to cross edge-traps at less than 23degress crossing angle (as I recall) and speeds exceeding 20mph. Yep. It spit him out taking out ribs and a collar bone as I recall; ruined his Great Divide Ride (GDR) on the first or second day. I think Blakes dismount speed was North of 55mph, and yes Virgina, it hurt, real bad. Another rider, long time poster named "Guy" also biffed on the GDR riding the KLR; broke a collar bone when he failed to negotiate a rut. He rode the bike back to VA from MT with a broken collar bone. ouch. Judd J. (again, same summer, as I recall) spent an evening/night in an ER when his KLR spit him out as well; I believe Judd's rut experience netted him some broken ribs as well. The point? Yeah, A better tire might help your situation, but sometimes, it really won't make much difference if brute force and awkwardness pulls you into the clutches of gravity and re-acquaints you with mother earth, on her terms. Ride your bike with caution the way it is equipped and for the terrain or get it outfitted for the most difficult terrain you expect to ride. D606 and MT21 are both 'big-block' tires that might suit your needs. Spoon on a big-block tire and save your money for a second wheel unless you really want a street bike tire set and a more off-road set. I have a spare wheel set skinned w/ D607's and the everyday wheels skinned K270's as the trail tire. Early in the spring, I installed the D607's and they are still installed on a 2d KLR. The KLR with sport bike tires is more fun than should be allowed.... I like having the second set of wheels--but it is not the most cost effective program. shrug. If you go with a second wheel set, set each wheel with its own rotor. You will find switching rotors is unpleasant. One last thing about rut management 101. Sometimes it is best to STOP what you are doing when caught in a rut, take a deep breath, dismount and try to walk the pig out of the rut and/or get assistance to negotiate the rut. Lower tire pressure will also do wonders. = 18psi (some say less). I am riding with DR650 guys at 12psi and no rim locks. shrug. ymmv. revmaaatin.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Koren" wrote: > > I was thinking about taking with me a front tire and rim for when I went off road I have plenty of room on my 09 klr to take one on a long ride > > I noticed when I get into a rut on my klr with the stock tire the bike tracks with the rut I thought if I had a 100 percent off road tire and I wanted to spend the day off road I could just change them out > > dose anyone here ever use a 100 percent off road tire on there klr and is it any better >

[Jud]

You don't need a dirt tire. My KLR came to me with 4000 miles on it, the stock front tire, and a fresh K270 on the back., One of the first things I noticed about the stock front was, it would not climb out of a rut to save my life. To the contrary, it put me on the ground a couple of times on my first excursion to the big Horns on the bike. Every tire I have run since has been an improvement: K270, the NLA Cheng Shin 686, and the Dunlup D606. I currently run a Pirelli MT21, which works just fine. I would say any DOT knobby will help your front end ride up out of a rut while working well on the street. The MT21 performs extremely well both on and off, but doesn't really last long. The D606 has been my favorite tire for this bike, giving an excellent combination of performance, durability and price.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Koren" wrote: > > I was thinking about taking with me a front tire and rim for when I went off road I have plenty of room on my 09 klr to take one on a long ride > > I noticed when I get into a rut on my klr with the stock tire the bike tracks with the rut I thought if I had a 100 percent off road tire and I wanted to spend the day off road I could just change them out > > dose anyone here ever use a 100 percent off road tire on there klr and is it any better >

[Jud]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote:

> Judd J. (again, same summer, as I recall) spent an evening/night in an ER when his KLR spit him out as well; I believe Judd's rut experience netted him some broken ribs as well. >

Actually, that was no rut, and I didn't break any bones. However, Shelly says the concussion has changed me irreversibly, while my kidney still sends me a faint message from time to time.

[revmaaatin]

Must have been a 'different' hooligan that I remember. smile. revmaaatin.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud" wrote: > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote: > > > Judd J. (again, same summer, as I recall) spent an evening/night in an ER when his KLR spit him out as well; I believe Judd's rut experience netted him some broken ribs as well. > > > > Actually, that was no rut, and I didn't break any bones. However, Shelly says the concussion has changed me irreversibly, while my kidney still sends me a faint message from time to time. >

[mark ward]

6 weeks in the hospital, Broken Hip AND Pelvic, Knocked out for 3.5 days. Next couple of months on crutchs. (still have pains at times.) HOW? .........NOT on a motorcycle having fun exploring. I was simply walking 2feet OFF the road, (no sidewalk), A truck swerved to miss something and got me. Moral of the story? OOOP'S! CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE & ANY TIME. So Keep riding. Travel Safe! Travel Well!

--- On Mon, 10/29/12, revmaaatin wrote: From: revmaaatin Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: front tire To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, October 29, 2012, 1:27 PM Must have been a 'different' hooligan that I remember. smile. revmaaatin. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Jud" wrote: > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "revmaaatin" wrote: > > > Judd J. (again, same summer, as I recall) spent an evening/night in an ER when his KLR spit him out as well; I believe Judd's rut experience netted him some broken ribs as well. > > > > Actually, that was no rut, and I didn't break any bones. However, Shelly says the concussion has changed me irreversibly, while my kidney still sends me a faint message from time to time. > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]