martin's visit and pictures-and still time to write

[C. Bebber]

I picked up my first KLR (a used 2002) a couple weeks ago and I think the first thing I'm going to need to pick up are a couple new 50/50 tires. I've read the wheel/tires section of the FAQ but are some better than others? I've got IRC tires right now and I don't think they even lasted 3000 miles. Many thanks!

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "C. Bebber" wrote:

> > I picked up my first KLR (a used 2002) a couple weeks ago and I think > the first thing I'm going to need to pick up are a couple new 50/50 > tires. > > I've read the wheel/tires section of the FAQ but are some better than > others? I've got IRC tires right now and I don't think they even > lasted 3000 miles.

There are plenty of tires that perform OK, but if you care about cost and durability, there are only three choices: Kenda k270 Cheng Shin 858 Dunlop D606

[dooden]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "C. Bebber" wrote:

> > I picked up my first KLR (a used 2002) a couple weeks ago and I think > the first thing I'm going to need to pick up are a couple new 50/50 > tires. > > I've read the wheel/tires section of the FAQ but are some better than > others? I've got IRC tires right now and I don't think they even > lasted 3000 miles. > > Many thanks! >

Kenda K270's are a good 50/50 tire IMHO, cheap too. http://www.mindspring.com/~mssilverstein/motorcycles/klr650/tires/index.html> See above link fo more info. Dooden A15 Green Ape

[Krgrife@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/12/2006 12:12:00 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, judjonzz@... writes: "There are plenty of tires that perform OK, but if you care about cost and durability, there are only three choices:" I would add the Kings KT966 to that list, I have used several sets and it has proven to be quite durable. I stopped using the Kenda 3 or 4 years ago after having the center knobs on the rear chunk badly. Kurt [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Krgrife@... wrote:

> > In a message dated 4/12/2006 12:12:00 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, > judjonzz@... writes: > > "There are plenty of tires that perform OK, but if you care about

cost and

> durability, there are > only three choices:" > > I would add the Kings KT966 to that list, I have used several

sets and it

> has proven to be quite durable. I stopped using the Kenda 3 or 4

years ago

> after having the center knobs on the rear chunk badly. > Kurt

Hi Kurt, Sounds like your smilage, measured as wheelies/(center-knob-damage) is lower than most. In three Kenda 270, I have yet to spit out a center knob. Are you on a lot of sharp rocks? revmaaatin.

[Krgrife@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/12/2006 12:01:43 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, mjearl@... writes: Sounds like your smilage, measured as wheelies/(center-knob-damage) is lower than most. In three Kenda 270, I have yet to spit out a center knob. Are you on a lot of sharp rocks? No, this happened mostly on pavement. I live 300 miles north of the Mexican border and often ride 600 miles into Mexico before doing much off pavement stuff. The chunking occurred twice on a new K270 on a heavily loaded bike running at highway speeds at 32psi. I have had no such problems with the KT966. The 966 also handles better on pavement and the front has a heavier sidewall. YMMV but my experience is based on around 20k miles with the Kendas and 30k or more on the 966's. Other than the chunking I had no complaints about the K270, both tires give me around 5k tread life on the rear. I once had to ride 25 desert miles on a flat rear 966 and after replacing the tube rode that same tire the 1000 miles back home Kurt [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[ATO137528@aol.com]

The Kenda 270 is not a comfortable tire on pavement at all. The knobs squirm all over the place, and it's downright frightening when leaning hard. In the wet? No thanks. I've chunked knobs in gravel, too. A usable tire if you only putter when you hafta' use some pavement. Great in the dirt. Cheap, too. But if you want a GREAT tire and aren't afraid to pop the extra bucks, get some Continental TKC-80's. Great on the pavement and great anywhere off-road except mud and deep sand. Of course, if you want to ride a 350+ pound KLR in mud or deep sand, well... You're in for a bad day regardless of your tire chice. I'm a few miles from buying my third set. Lamar A14

[dooden]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, ATO137528@... wrote:

> > The Kenda 270 is not a comfortable tire on pavement at all. The knobs > squirm all over the place, and it's downright frightening when leaning > hard. In the wet? No thanks. I've chunked knobs in gravel, too. A > usable tire if you only putter when you hafta' use some pavement. > Great in the dirt. Cheap, too. > > But if you want a GREAT tire and aren't afraid to pop the extra bucks, > get some Continental TKC-80's. Great on the pavement and great > anywhere off-road except mud and deep sand. Of course, if you want to > ride a 350+ pound KLR in mud or deep sand, well... You're in for a bad > day regardless of your tire chice. > > I'm a few miles from buying my third set. > > Lamar > A14 >

Which is WHY the Kenda's are on my bike, I like mud and sand.. The 270's are not that bad on pavement, if you remember your riding a dirt bike with a really high center of gravity and take corners slowly. Dooden A15 Green Ape

[C. Bebber]

On 4/12/06, Krgrife@... wrote:

> No, this happened mostly on pavement. I live 300 miles north of the Mexican > border and often ride 600 miles into Mexico before doing much off pavement > stuff. The chunking occurred twice on a new K270 on a heavily loaded bike > running at highway speeds at 32psi. I have had no such problems with the KT966. > The 966 also handles better on pavement and the front has a heavier > sidewall. YMMV but my experience is based on around 20k miles with the Kendas and > 30k or more on the 966's. Other than the chunking I had no complaints about > the K270, both tires give me around 5k tread life on the rear. I once had to > ride 25 desert miles on a flat rear 966 and after replacing the tube rode > that same tire the 1000 miles back home

Are you running the stock 90/90-21 front and 130/80-17 rear KT966's? Thanks!

[Krgrife@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/12/2006 2:58:32 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, cbebber@... writes: "Are you running the stock 90/90-21 front and 130/80-17 rear KT966's?" 5.10x17 rear, 3.00x21 front. See _www.kingstire.com_ (http://www.kingstire.com) and click on dualsport for sizes and photos. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]