The age old Q??

Nothing wrong with Battlewings as far as I'm concerned, if you're doing that amount of tar

I have been using the Heidi's for about 50K in total, cost is about R1100-00 and last about 10K. these work for me.

I should have added "similar in performance to the Tourance" my riding style. 

Yes, so you do 80% tar - like I do.  Probably because you commute.  The real question is this:  when you ride on dirt do you need a tyre that can see you right, or are you OK with a mostly road tyre?  For me the answer is that I don't want to compromise on dirt-riding ability, just because I also commute during the week.

That means I should ride with TKC 80s, but it is just too expensive.  The solution for me is the Heidenau K60 - aggressive tread, good wear on tar, and economical.  It also has a strong sidewall - which reduces the chance of sidewall cuts.

Otherwise, the Anakee or similar is suitable if you don't need more off-road ability.  And if Cheesy says a tyre is good, you'd better believe it...

Guys,

Thanx for your response, I appreciate!!

Now I am even more confused as now there is much more options and all looks good!!!

Thanks for the info, it helps a lot.

Frans

Don't forget the new "Mitas" tyres that are now available. We had them on our recent Transkei Tour and they received much praise.

I believe they have choices from radical knobbly then down to "normal" tyres. If my memory is correct the cost was around R800 for a rear????????

I will definitely try them next time around.

The Mitas E-07 have been used by round the world traveller and have reported to have achieved up to 20Kkm.

This will be my next choice as I'm tired of the small perish cracks in the Heidenau K60's all the time

p.s look here for suppliers http://www.wfobikes.co.za/dealers.shtml

I bought Mitas E10's for my 1200GSA... I've only done about 5000km with them now... plenty of  short off road rides... and one long trip...

>> Mitas next to TKC80 front and Metzler rear: (before I fitted them)

http://ckloppers.com/#100521-MitasE10

>> New Mitas E10's on my bike:

http://ckloppers.com/#100611-Wyperfeld_Ride:CIMG1763.JPG

The thing is after 5000KM they are really CRAP! squared off and they feel terrible on tar going around corners!

Will I buy Mitas again? NEVER! 

You got 5000km out of them, and presumably they are a whole lot cheaper than the TKC80s.  That's a bargain.  The TKC80s are worn out by 5000km and cost a fortune.

BTW - I don't have my Heidis on long enough to get perish cracks in them - they are worn out before they time out .  I also avoid looking at my tyres - it just depresses me.  Rather just ride and buy new ones when due.

Hey Red Adventure

Mita's sounds good. Does the Heidenaus have only cosmetic perish cracks or have you had a failure?

See Daniel Nelson's report on how the Mitas E10 performed for him - he will never buy them again.

I have finished Tourance, Anakees, Maxxi's, TKC80's. Best value for money of the lot has been Maxxi's, but too much tar orientated. My next set will be Heidenaus, to see for myself. However, couple of comments about knobs coming off and the cracking of the tyre seems to warrant questions.

http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/mitas-e10-tyre-test

Geoff you change bikes before changing tyres!

I have also tried a few tyres, best so far was probably the OE Metzler Sahara Enduro 3, but these are quite pricey and scarce.

I have before posted a questin about the cracks in the Heidi's, and while at the time they were not bad, now my back tyre has some rather large and long cracks, so much so that I am changing it.

While I am happy with the Heidi front, I do have a brand new front tyre at home which I shall put on anyway.

So now I will have the following.

Front : Michelin T63 full knobbly 90/90-21.

Back : Maxxis 6006 full knobbly 130/80-17 (the tread pattern is so that it is as wide as a 140)

If anything, it will make me seek out less of the black stuff hopefully.

On Saturday's ride we had a KTM990 with that had a Mita-07 on the back.

The grip was good and even though the wheel spun all day there were no tears or cuts in the tyre.

The difference between the 07 vs the E10 is huge and if most ridding is tar then the 07 is the one.

Comparable to Heidi K60.

My K60 only has cosmetic perish cracks at this stage.

Well, in the end could not get stock of the Maxxis, so have gone front and back with the Michelin T63, which is based on the Michelin Desert.

Only thing is I don't think the T63 will suit large bikes like the 1200 and the only make a 21 inch front tyre. We'll see how they go and give some feed back.