tire wear- kenda 761

[Jeff Khoury]

#ygrps-yiv-121473494 p {margin:0;}I'm running K761s on my KLR as well.  I put the set on about 2,000 miles ago and I'm very pleased.  They replaced a stock front and a Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahara rear. After spooning them on I went to a gravel hill just up the street from the house and did a few burn-outs in deep pea gravel to wear off the mold release. The perform very, very well on the street at recommended max pressure (32psi).  They track predictably and allow peg-dragging on dry roads.  In the rain, I find them to be: "OK".  The deep grooves move water well and they grip acceptably in the wet.  Not excellent, but acceptably. On the freeway they track pretty well on grooved pavement.  They are pretty quiet, and the noise they put off is kind of a pleasant sine-wave type sound, much different from the stockers, Metzelers or Shinko 244s "roaring" sound. Off road they are just like they are in the wet... Just "OK".  I've taken them on desert two-track, single-track and a little bit of desert trail blazing.  They handily went up hills that I'm surprised they would tackle.  The only scary part is when you're on a lateral incline.  Since there are no big side knobs, you have to plan your route carefully or they will break loose. On packed dirt hills they grip well, and I've climbed some really steep stuff without slipping that I thought for sure I'd have problems with. They seem to be wearing well and I feel that I'm on track to get at least 8K out of them.  I spoke to a Kenda rep a few weeks ago and he says they're getting ready to launch a new DS tire called the "Big Block".  Haven't seen it yet, but I'm curious. All-in-all I recommend them and will definitely install them again as well. -Jeff Khoury

----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael" To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2010 4:19:35 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Tire Wear- Kenda 761   Hi, I noticed a tire thread coming up and wanted to share my experience with the Kenda 761 I bought last year, replacing the OEM's on my 2008 KLR. First I bought the Kenda's because they were cheap and I was broke and someone suggested I look at them. And like now, Motorcycle Superstore has them on sale for less than $90 A PAIR, I am sure other places have them too but they are local to me! I just looked it up and they have a current sale at about the same price! First on the OEM tires by 5000 miles they were rough, the front was cupped and the rear was worn almost to the cords in the center, and cracking on the sides (I had kept them at Kawi's PSI spec's and that was a mistake I believe). First off the first 200 miles on the Kenda's were SCARY! I really thought I had screwed up, and had I had the money I would have chucked them!!! I mean like driving on SNOT! BUT, as soon as they BROKE in (I had them set at 34/36psi) THEY HAVE BEEN great. I ride all year, it is my daily transportation, I have run them on dirt fire roads, to long distance highway travel (75mph) to lots and lots of in town errands. I am a BIG guy, and travel with loaded panniers, and have hauled everything including 300lbs of dog for for a friend out to his ranch on the dirt road from hell he lives on. I currently have almost 5000 miles on the Kenda's. They are still in great condition, they have better than half of the original tread, they have not cupped, worn unevenly, show any weather checking or anything negative. At this rate I would not be surprised to get 10,000+ out of them! I really would not be suprised a bit. Not bad for a semi street orientated tire that is dirt cheap... that has about 200+ miles IN SNOW as well!. If I did more technical off roading I would consider their Kenda's Knobbies. But, I would say anything but the loosest stuff these are great. I have ridden a lot in rain and icy conditional over the winter and don't think they could be better (although there were moments I wished I had studs on it). Well, Just wanted to share my experience with them and if you want a set of good CHEAP tires I could not recommend these more highly. Michael