Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:15 pm**

When my OEM Dunlops died (rear at 2897 miles, front at 8957, but it was WAY past safe in the dirt - pavement only by then) I went to Kenda K270s, 3.25 x 21 front and 5.10 x 17 rear. At 27,596 miles now, I'm on my 3rd set of rears, 2nd set fronts, and I changed out early, last year, just before a trip to Alaska, so THAT rear is still good for around 3600 miles tho' it also has 10,000 miles and about 1/2" of tread remains on the centers - probably not good for serious dirt/mud. I got 9610 out of the first front as the center knobs were 'cupping', and on the present one I removed it at around 4800 miles when it started 'cupping', reversed it and re-installed it - now has 10,000 miles and LOTS left! The first rear gave me 9680 miles but I changed it w/ quite a bit left. I run 36 psi both ends, and 'air down' to 18 psi IF I hit the single track.... When the center tread wears flat the rears start to 'howl', but as I wear ear plugs, I don't care, and I've never been bothered by the knobs 'squirming' when cornering, ONCE I got used to it the first time. At less than $100/pair I can't think of a better DS tire, and ...try 'em, you'll like 'em...! Cheers, Ed

Posted: **Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:14 pm**

I agree... except I had to get a D-606 for the front this last set, due to a stocking issue, but admit I do like the D-606 it handles pavement very well yet gives great traction when off road, the K270 is good and I would have been fine with another. As an option it works except for the price, I happen to get a bargin at a competitors shop on the rack they gave it to me for my cost if I were to order it and they had it on the shelf so off the road I went with a tire bungied to the back of my bike headed to my shop to swap tires on a slow day. Love the Kenda's however. Dooden A15 Green Ape (Off Road is the best place) --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "fasteddiecopeman" wrote:

> > When my OEM Dunlops died (rear at 2897 miles, front at 8957, but it

was WAY past safe in

> the dirt - pavement only by then) I went to Kenda K270s, 3.25 x 21

front and 5.10 x 17 rear.

> At 27,596 miles now, I'm on my 3rd set of rears, 2nd set fronts,

and I changed out early, last

> year, just before a trip to Alaska, so THAT rear is still good for

around 3600 miles tho' it also

> has 10,000 miles and about 1/2" of tread remains on the centers -

probably not good for

> serious dirt/mud. I got 9610 out of the first front as the center

knobs were 'cupping', and on

> the present one I removed it at around 4800 miles when it

started 'cupping', reversed it and

> re-installed it - now has 10,000 miles and LOTS left! The first

rear gave me 9680 miles but I

> changed it w/ quite a bit left. I run 36 psi both ends, and 'air

down' to 18 psi IF I hit the

> single track.... > When the center tread wears flat the rears start to 'howl', but as

I wear ear plugs, I don't care,

> and I've never been bothered by the knobs 'squirming' when

cornering, ONCE I got used to it

> the first time. At less than $100/pair I can't think of a better DS

tire, and ...try 'em, you'll like

> 'em...! > Cheers, > Ed >

Posted: **Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:55 am**

I like 606's also but what I put on lately sure seems to wear quick. I have heavy duty tubes so must be something to that theory they make tires wear a lot quicker. Criswell

On Jun 14, 2008, at 11:14 PM, Dooden wrote: > I agree... except I had to get a D-606 for the front this last set, > due to a stocking issue, but admit I do like the D-606 it handles > pavement very well yet gives great traction when off road, the K270 > is good and I would have been fine with another. As an option it > works except for the price, I happen to get a bargin at a competitors > shop on the rack they gave it to me for my cost if I were to order it > and they had it on the shelf so off the road I went with a tire > bungied to the back of my bike headed to my shop to swap tires on a > slow day. > > Love the Kenda's however. > > Dooden > A15 Green Ape (Off Road is the best place) > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "fasteddiecopeman" > wrote: > > > > When my OEM Dunlops died (rear at 2897 miles, front at 8957, but it > was WAY past safe in > > the dirt - pavement only by then) I went to Kenda K270s, 3.25 x 21 > front and 5.10 x 17 rear. > > At 27,596 miles now, I'm on my 3rd set of rears, 2nd set fronts, > and I changed out early, last > > year, just before a trip to Alaska, so THAT rear is still good for > around 3600 miles tho' it also > > has 10,000 miles and about 1/2" of tread remains on the centers - > probably not good for > > serious dirt/mud. I got 9610 out of the first front as the center > knobs were 'cupping', and on > > the present one I removed it at around 4800 miles when it > started 'cupping', reversed it and > > re-installed it - now has 10,000 miles and LOTS left! The first > rear gave me 9680 miles but I > > changed it w/ quite a bit left. I run 36 psi both ends, and 'air > down' to 18 psi IF I hit the > > single track.... > > When the center tread wears flat the rears start to 'howl', but as > I wear ear plugs, I don't care, > > and I've never been bothered by the knobs 'squirming' when > cornering, ONCE I got used to it > > the first time. At less than $100/pair I can't think of a better DS > tire, and ...try 'em, you'll like > > 'em...! > > Cheers, > > Ed > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:04 pm**

I don't get as many miles as most do out of their Kendas. But, I think that's cuz I replace them when there's still some tread left on them. I find the tires don't take long to get warm and start squirming. At first, I thought the rear was going flat. Now I'm used to it and know to just slow down when things get squirrely. They corner well for knobbies and not nearly as well on-road as my Gripsters (duh). I can feel the bike step out, both front and rear, when I'm hard into a turn. I find the tires perform pretty well in the rain. I live in SoCal and commute on my bike rain or shine. I have nothing else to compare the K270s against offroad other than Gripsters which suck offroad (duh). I think the Kendas work well on hard packed dirt, rocks, and light mud (I've never ridden deep mud). I didn't like them in the sand. But, I suck when it comes to sand riding. I've only ridden a short distance through snow that went over the axle and it was fine as long as there was something solid for the tires to bite. I ended up getting stuck when the surface under the snow turned to ice. I'm on my 3rd set on the rear and 2nd on the front. John --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "fasteddiecopeman" wrote:

> > When my OEM Dunlops died (rear at 2897 miles, front at 8957, but it

was WAY past safe in

> the dirt - pavement only by then) I went to Kenda K270s, 3.25 x 21

front and 5.10 x 17 rear.

> At 27,596 miles now, I'm on my 3rd set of rears, 2nd set fronts, and

I changed out early, last

> year, just before a trip to Alaska, so THAT rear is still good for

around 3600 miles tho' it also

> has 10,000 miles and about 1/2" of tread remains on the centers -

probably not good for

> serious dirt/mud. I got 9610 out of the first front as the center

knobs were 'cupping', and on

> the present one I removed it at around 4800 miles when it started

'cupping', reversed it and

> re-installed it - now has 10,000 miles and LOTS left! The first rear

gave me 9680 miles but I

> changed it w/ quite a bit left. I run 36 psi both ends, and 'air

down' to 18 psi IF I hit the

> single track.... > When the center tread wears flat the rears start to 'howl', but as I

wear ear plugs, I don't care,

> and I've never been bothered by the knobs 'squirming' when

cornering, ONCE I got used to it

> the first time. At less than $100/pair I can't think of a better DS

tire, and ...try 'em, you'll like

> 'em...! > Cheers, > Ed >

Posted: **Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:56 pm**

I have run a fresh set of 270's though lots of mud and muck in a spring Upper Michigan swamp and can say they are quite grippy. Also through the deep Michigan sugar sand and they do fine, but ya gotta be aggressive to have the fun, throttle up and get way back and just surf through it...... Rooster Tail Time !!!! Think I said it before, air them down some and they grab like a bear claw at the ground. My $.02 Dooden A15 Green Ape --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "oldrider25" wrote:

> > I don't get as many miles as most do out of their Kendas. But, I

think

> that's cuz I replace them when there's still some tread left on

them.

> I find the tires don't take long to get warm and start squirming.

At

> first, I thought the rear was going flat. Now I'm used to it and

know

> to just slow down when things get squirrely. They corner well for > knobbies and not nearly as well on-road as my Gripsters (duh). I

can

> feel the bike step out, both front and rear, when I'm hard into a > turn. I find the tires perform pretty well in the rain. I live in > SoCal and commute on my bike rain or shine. > > I have nothing else to compare the K270s against offroad other than > Gripsters which suck offroad (duh). I think the Kendas work well on > hard packed dirt, rocks, and light mud (I've never ridden deep

mud).

> I didn't like them in the sand. But, I suck when it comes to sand > riding. I've only ridden a short distance through snow that went

over

> the axle and it was fine as long as there was something solid for

the

> tires to bite. I ended up getting stuck when the surface under the > snow turned to ice. > > I'm on my 3rd set on the rear and 2nd on the front. > > John > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "fasteddiecopeman" > wrote: > > > > When my OEM Dunlops died (rear at 2897 miles, front at 8957, but

it

> was WAY past safe in > > the dirt - pavement only by then) I went to Kenda K270s, 3.25 x 21 > front and 5.10 x 17 rear. > > At 27,596 miles now, I'm on my 3rd set of rears, 2nd set fronts,

and

> I changed out early, last > > year, just before a trip to Alaska, so THAT rear is still good for > around 3600 miles tho' it also > > has 10,000 miles and about 1/2" of tread remains on the centers - > probably not good for > > serious dirt/mud. I got 9610 out of the first front as the center > knobs were 'cupping', and on > > the present one I removed it at around 4800 miles when it started > 'cupping', reversed it and > > re-installed it - now has 10,000 miles and LOTS left! The first

rear

> gave me 9680 miles but I > > changed it w/ quite a bit left. I run 36 psi both ends, and 'air > down' to 18 psi IF I hit the > > single track.... > > When the center tread wears flat the rears start to 'howl', but

as I

> wear ear plugs, I don't care, > > and I've never been bothered by the knobs 'squirming' when > cornering, ONCE I got used to it > > the first time. At less than $100/pair I can't think of a better

DS

> tire, and ...try 'em, you'll like > > 'em...! > > Cheers, > > Ed > > >

Posted: **Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:14 am**

All, To add my 2 cents I have been riding a Dunlop D606's front and rear, and was a bit dissapointed by the mileage I got out of them (Just over 1000 miles and the rear is almost bald) Gonna try a Kenda K270 on the rear, hopeful to get some more miles out of it and keep my cost per mile down. Based on what everyone has said, I think the Kendas will work well for me, and the price is hard to argue with. Regards, Richard Bessey Dooden wrote:

> > I have run a fresh set of 270's though lots of mud and muck in a > spring Upper Michigan swamp and can say they are quite grippy. > > Also through the deep Michigan sugar sand and they do fine, but ya > gotta be aggressive to have the fun, throttle up and get way back and > just surf through it...... Rooster Tail Time !!!! > > Think I said it before, air them down some and they grab like a bear > claw at the ground. > My $.02 > > Dooden > A15 Green Ape > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > , "oldrider25" > wrote: > > > > I don't get as many miles as most do out of their Kendas. But, I > think > > that's cuz I replace them when there's still some tread left on > them. > > I find the tires don't take long to get warm and start squirming. > At > > first, I thought the rear was going flat. Now I'm used to it and > know > > to just slow down when things get squirrely. They corner well for > > knobbies and not nearly as well on-road as my Gripsters (duh). I > can > > feel the bike step out, both front and rear, when I'm hard into a > > turn. I find the tires perform pretty well in the rain. I live in > > SoCal and commute on my bike rain or shine. > > > > I have nothing else to compare the K270s against offroad other than > > Gripsters which suck offroad (duh). I think the Kendas work well on > > hard packed dirt, rocks, and light mud (I've never ridden deep > mud). > > I didn't like them in the sand. But, I suck when it comes to sand > > riding. I've only ridden a short distance through snow that went > over > > the axle and it was fine as long as there was something solid for > the > > tires to bite. I ended up getting stuck when the surface under the > > snow turned to ice. > > > > I'm on my 3rd set on the rear and 2nd on the front. > > > > John > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > , "fasteddiecopeman" > > wrote: > > > > > > When my OEM Dunlops died (rear at 2897 miles, front at 8957, but > it > > was WAY past safe in > > > the dirt - pavement only by then) I went to Kenda K270s, 3.25 x 21 > > front and 5.10 x 17 rear. > > > At 27,596 miles now, I'm on my 3rd set of rears, 2nd set fronts, > and > > I changed out early, last > > > year, just before a trip to Alaska, so THAT rear is still good for > > around 3600 miles tho' it also > > > has 10,000 miles and about 1/2" of tread remains on the centers - > > probably not good for > > > serious dirt/mud. I got 9610 out of the first front as the center > > knobs were 'cupping', and on > > > the present one I removed it at around 4800 miles when it started > > 'cupping', reversed it and > > > re-installed it - now has 10,000 miles and LOTS left! The first > rear > > gave me 9680 miles but I > > > changed it w/ quite a bit left. I run 36 psi both ends, and 'air > > down' to 18 psi IF I hit the > > > single track.... > > > When the center tread wears flat the rears start to 'howl', but > as I > > wear ear plugs, I don't care, > > > and I've never been bothered by the knobs 'squirming' when > > cornering, ONCE I got used to it > > > the first time. At less than $100/pair I can't think of a better > DS > > tire, and ...try 'em, you'll like > > > 'em...! > > > Cheers, > > > Ed > > > > > > >

Posted: **Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:23 pm**

On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:13:36 -0700 Richard Bessey writes:

> All, > To add my 2 cents > > I have been riding a Dunlop D606's front and rear, and was a bit > dissapointed by the mileage I got out of them (Just over 1000 miles > and > the rear is almost bald) > Gonna try a Kenda K270 on the rear, hopeful to get some more miles > out > of it and keep my cost per mile down. > Based on what everyone has said, I think the Kendas will work well > for > me, and the price is hard to argue with. > > Regards, > > Richard Bessey

<><><><><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><><><><> Richard, First off I want to point out I'm one of the guys that ride on K270s and think they are a very good KLR tire. I've never ridden on D606s but have two seriously worn D606 rears in my shop now and two new D606 rears for a couple of riders passing through next week. Having talked with the riders of both worn rear D606s and knowing their riding style I've got to say I don't think you'll get the mileage from a K270 that many of us talk about. If you've got just over 1,000 smiles on a rear D606 and it's almost bald I doubt you'll get 1,500 smiles from a K270. Your tire wear indicates to me that your riding style is pretty tough on tires. I just want to point this out so you don't get disappointed with the K270s based on what others have shared with you. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT ____________________________________________________________ Internet Security Software - Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3mEWrYQhfQRtDJg6aUcoP5oJMG5pBs5FrjHDu6AzJFbR7FnG/

Posted: **Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:10 am**

I started w/stock Dunlops,went to Metzeler Tourance (street),then to Continental TKC 80's (50/50) x2 sets.In preparation for an upcoming dual sport event I took a chance & upgraded from worn Conti's to Fresh K270's.I searched a good amount of time online to find the very cheapest set I could find then called Dennis Kirk & they beat any deal by $1.00 each tire.Less than $80.00 for a set (fr/bk) delivered to my door postage included.Cheaper than one TKC 80 rear. As a true dual sport tire.A tire that can do both street & dirt reasonably well this comparison would only be between the TKC & the K270 for the stock Dunlops are junk that can't do either well & the Metzelers are only street I can tell you that the TKC's are a better overall tire. They are more expensive but it is your classic "you get what you pay for" scenario.TKC's will get you as far off-road as a KLR needs to go,they are quiet & smooth on the hiway & they corner like nobodys business.There is a reason why they spoon'em up on BMW's $20k+ HP2. The K270's are WAY CHEAPER,corner ok,are louder & probably would get the nod off-road between the two.I can deal with the noise and hi -speed cornering is not really needed so personally I can live with their shortcomings.They wear at about the same rate but the price is where the Kenda's will take the TKC's out behind the wood shed.You can't beat the Kenda's for performance vs. bang for the buck vs. overall satisfaction.I would probably rather have the Conti's but I always ask myself are they really worth that much more money for what they are used for when compared to Kenda ? For me the answer is no so I live happily with the Kenda's until I win the lottery. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:36 pm**

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Terry Taylor wrote:

> I would probably rather have the Conti's but I always ask myself are > they really worth that much more money for what they are used for when > compared to Kenda ? For me the answer is no so I live happily with the > Kenda's until I win the lottery.

The Kenda 270 *is* better than the TKC80 offroad. Seen it up close and personal on my last trip to Death Valley. And it's "good enough" on-pavement -- when the pavement is dry. A riding pal with K270's had no trouble keeping up with me on my TKC-80's in the twisties -- on dry pavement. Where the K270 *really* sucks is on wet slippery pavement. The TKC80 sticks to wet slippery pavement almost as well as it sticks to dry pavement. The K270 is slippery as snot once the pavement gets anything damp on it. Sliding through an intersection beside my motorcycle, my slicker suit sliding with about the same friction as glass, hoping that nobody comes through that red light that I'm running through on my side, was *not* fun (total damage, btw: One rear turn signal stripped off. No big deal). Neither was the time where I went to turn, started accelerating, and slid sideways into the ditch to come upright with my right shoulder against the bank of the ditch and both wheels still underneath me pointing in the correct direction if I had actually still been on the pavement. Since then, I've relegated Kenda 270's and their ilk (Chen Sheng, etc.) to the dumpster and stuck with tires that have, like, actual *traction* when the pavement is wet. -E

Posted: **Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:03 pm**

I use the IRC gp1. Any one else? Still waiting for the mileage results. I used them offroad the other day and had no problems. This bike drives like a tank offroad. Awesome 2001 klr Brad

----- Original Message ----- From: E.L. Green To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 5:36 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: MY Kenda K270 experiences (for those who want to know...) --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Terry Taylor wrote: > I would probably rather have the Conti's but I always ask myself are > they really worth that much more money for what they are used for when > compared to Kenda ? For me the answer is no so I live happily with the > Kenda's until I win the lottery. The Kenda 270 *is* better than the TKC80 offroad. Seen it up close and personal on my last trip to Death Valley. And it's "good enough" on-pavement -- when the pavement is dry. A riding pal with K270's had no trouble keeping up with me on my TKC-80's in the twisties -- on dry pavement. Where the K270 *really* sucks is on wet slippery pavement. The TKC80 sticks to wet slippery pavement almost as well as it sticks to dry pavement. The K270 is slippery as snot once the pavement gets anything damp on it. Sliding through an intersection beside my motorcycle, my slicker suit sliding with about the same friction as glass, hoping that nobody comes through that red light that I'm running through on my side, was *not* fun (total damage, btw: One rear turn signal stripped off. No big deal). Neither was the time where I went to turn, started accelerating, and slid sideways into the ditch to come upright with my right shoulder against the bank of the ditch and both wheels still underneath me pointing in the correct direction if I had actually still been on the pavement. Since then, I've relegated Kenda 270's and their ilk (Chen Sheng, etc.) to the dumpster and stuck with tires that have, like, actual *traction* when the pavement is wet. -E [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Wilsons Sandbox

sputtering klr

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)

my kenda k270 experiences (for those who want to know...)