KTM 690R tyres

[spoky0]

Not buying them then, that must be why you fell off at the weekend Phil !!!

[chubbyhooker]

Thanks Eric,
TKC does work well on the front for me, sounds like the D908 should be the first try.

i have this combo on my 690 & my 640. Worked well in the Pyrenees & I'm more than happy on Tarmac

[spoky0]

Maxxis MaxxCross Enduro Pro combo? good grip on rocky terrain and no weaving at high road speeds?

[Mike54]

Maxxis MaxxCross Enduro Pro combo? good grip on rocky terrain and no weaving at high road speeds?

Not really. The rear will last about 15 minutes.

Maxxis IT is a better rear. Lasts longer etc.

front wise it depends where you're riding. I dont get this business of using so called 50/50 tyres, they just dont do anything well at all. Use a a knobbly for offroad like a metzeler extreme 6 days front. A TKC is not a dirt tyre. Its a road tyre with a really soft compound which has blocks on it. It was designed to look good on GSs outside starbucks, its a poor tyre all round. Those who say its "good" are just not pushing it.

[RichP]

Maxxis MaxxCross Enduro Pro combo? good grip on rocky terrain and no weaving at high road speeds?

Not really. The rear will last about 15 minutes.

Maxxis IT is a better rear. Lasts longer etc.

front wise it depends where you're riding. I dont get this business of using so called 50/50 tyres, they just dont do anything well at all. Use a a knobbly for offroad like a metzeler extreme 6 days front. A TKC is not a dirt tyre. Its a road tyre with a really soft compound which has blocks on it. It was designed to look good on GSs outside starbucks, its a poor tyre all round. Those who say its "good" are just not pushing it.

Hi Mike
I'm going on a trip on my 690 in the next week or two. Riding down to Portsmouth from Leicester, then on the road from Santander to just south of Perpignan (approx 500 miles), returning across the Pyrenees, the route is approx. 1000 miles of which 75% is on trails (nothing too extreme) to San Sabastian, then back to Santander and then Leicester. Last time I did a trip like this I used Pirelli Scorpion Rally front and back which were great apart from the front "pushed" a little in mud and the rear didn't hook up that well offroad and only just made it wear wise. Have you any other suggestions, especially something that might last a bit longer on the rear?

[Mike54]

Rich, I think the combo you had before is pretty good really. There isn't a tyre in the world which will be good at both aspects of your trip but the scorp rally is pretty close to it. the goldentyre 723s are pretty good but its impossible to get the fronts at present due to problems at GT. I reckon you already have it nailed - the front will always push in mud unless you're right on the tank and riding aggressively, or conversely, on the back of the bike giving it a load of throttle to get through some mud for example.

[RichP]

Rich, I think the combo you had before is pretty good really. There isn't a tyre in the world which will be good at both aspects of your trip but the scorp rally is pretty close to it. the goldentyre 723s are pretty good but its impossible to get the fronts at present due to problems at GT. I reckon you already have it nailed - the front will always push in mud unless you're right on the tank and riding aggressively, or conversely, on the back of the bike giving it a load of throttle to get through some mud for example.

Hi Mike. Thanks for getting back to me. Funnily enough I've just fitted a GT723! My Beta Xtrainer came with Golden Tyres and I have been very impressed with them. The mates I'm going with are sticking with the Pirellis so I guess I'm a bit of a test mule! To be honest I don't think I'll get better than the Pirelli front - good feedback on tarmac and pretty good on the trails. Don't really want to push to aggressively as we are carrying a bit of weight and don't want to risk any more injuries. I tend to set the pressures at around 20 for the road and 16 on the trails (trying to avoid pinch flats), would you air them down a bit as the front does tend to ping rocks out rather than going over them. Cheers Rich

[Mike54]

i wouldnt go lower than 16 for what you're doing and the bike really. everything is a compromise on a trip like that

when i was in morocco in oct i took my 850SE. I had a michelin desert front and a dunlop D908 rear. perfect combination for over there really on a big bike. but when the road was wet the front feels horrendous, just no grip but i knew that anyway, i wanted grip in the desert i didnt care about the tarmac (thumbs)

[RichP]

Cheers Mike. You're right - it's all a compromise. Think i'll stick with the Pirelli front that I know. The GT723 is a bit of a punt. Lyndon Poskitt gave it a decent review so I'll just give it a go. I've got a pair of Mitas E-07s but think they might be a bit too road biased, think I'll save them for another time. Thanks for your input. Rich

[spoky0]

Only doing about 400 road miles and 2 days lanning in Breacon Beacons so if they last for that I would be happy. Bit worried about maxxis it as they are only rated to 81 mph ?