--- In
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Mike Frey wrote:
>
> I looked at some of the tires on naked's previous email(s) and
still
> come to the conclusion that if I want reasonable performance off
road in
> the east, I have to mount more aggressive knobbies on my bike.
>
> For example, I can't see how the Avon Gripster would do well on a
stream
> crossing followed by a gnarly, root covered muddy hill climb, which
is
> pretty much the standard ride here in the east when you leave the
> pavement behind. I've tried it (with stock tires): can't follow the
> KDX's and KLX's.
>
> On my KLR, I even got stuck in my own back yard (wet grass, steep
slope)
> with the stock tires. I had to slide backwards about 20 feet to get
a
> better running start from a flatter spot.
>
> Even though my riding is 90% street, 10% off road, my ideal tire
would be:
> -- Off road: Almost as good as a full knobby. See 2nd paragraph
above
> -- On road: will sacrifice handling as long as it doesn't get
dangerous
> or wobbly
> -- Noise: Don't care. Wind noise is louder than tire noise, and I
am 50%
> deaf anyway
> -- Vibration: Not that important, the bike vibrates at 60 mph
highway
> speeds already
> -- Tire life: Not real important. 2,000 miles (or less) is
acceptable
>
> Side note on street riding with knobbies: in my old days, used to
ride
> with full knobbies on the street, and when you corner with them,
you can
> certainly feel them start to slide, but that was your signal to
back
> off. If I took a long tour on the KLR, I would not want the same
tires,
> but most of my "long" street rides are in the 100-200 mile range.
>
> Of course, if there was a tire that can do it all, I'd get that
one. But
> I don't think there is.
>
> OK, guys, hit me with your opinions.
>
> Mike
----------------
Since you asked, another "oar in the water" about MT21's. Put a set
on a few months ago and last week I changed to my out my 1st rear
tire after 3850mi. Usage was roughly 60/40 pavement/dirt and it
included a week of Moab dirt & rocks (~800mi worth). The front
probably has another 3K ofmiles before I change it. I was expecting a
squirmy tire on pavement but they surprised me by their sticky-ness
and confidence inspiring lean-ability - DRY. Yea, they whine a little
bit but not a show-stopper. I only hear 'em on pavement with my dirt
helmet on, silent with face shield headgear. Since they're balanced,
I've run over 80mph on the concrete ribbon with no shimmey or ill
effect. On dirt and ball-bearing gravel, they're awesome, especially
aired down to ~15lb, with rim locks. I don't think I baby the tires
off-road but I've not experienced tearing or shredding like some have
reported on other lists, even after many miles of the infamous
triangular Eastern WA BFR's.
A local cycle shop sells the rear for $74 mounted & balanced (the
latter is important to me); you remove from the bike. I think
the front goes for ~ $65, same deal.
Pat M
A14
Puget Sound
If I buy the red one, is anybody interested in swapping all the plastics and the tank?
Giorgio