Tyre sizes for 1200GS

The rear Heidenau K60 in 140/80/17 works well on the 1200GS - I have used it on my 1150GS.

For the front, think about putting on a TKC 80.  It lasts well on the front, and gives you that extra traction you want when turning on dirt, and it works perfectly well on tar too.  That is what I am running currently and I have done the GS Trophy elimination round on it, and commute every day, and do atlantis and the West Coast trip.

Thanks Charles!

 

Any experience with Mitas E-07 Tyres? they seem like a 50/50 tyre and would be ideal as the Heide's only arrive in June? 140/80/17 for the back and the front is 110/80/19.

 

also not expensive...Adventure in Paarden Island stock them for R1650 for the set.

One day I will give them a go.  The guys at Rock Garden also mentioned having them and suggested them for Mr.Badger.  It's worth a try - search on google for feedback about the tyres.  If they are bad you can ditch them when the Heidies come available again.

From the distributors:

Mitas E-07: The E-07 has become one of the most highly rated 50/50 dual sport tyres internationally and has been used on many "around the world" trips with outstanding reviews. Over 20 000 kms is not unheard of on this tyre with the average service life probably around 15 000 kms (however this is VERY dependend on your right wrist   ). If you are looking for the best 50/50 dual sport tyre, then your search is over! This Tyre will suite most dual sport bikes supporting 130 & 140 size tyres and it has also been used on large bore bikes that normally use 150 size tyres like the KTM990 due to its larger size.

http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=54769.0

I can't help but tell you all what I saw yesterday (28/3). I happened to be in the store at TracMac in Cape Town when a KTM rider (foreigner) brought his bike in for a tyre change. He had a Mitas rear tyre that looked like a tiger shark had attacked it. Chunks of rubber gone, the entire middle section of the tread was nothing but down to the canvas and in certain sections on the sides there were hollow bits where the layers of rubber came apart from one another. The tyre was shredded. The rider was highly upset and once I'd heard his story, I could believe his anger. He bought the tyre from an outlet in George and then rode TWO DAYS in total on it!! No more than 1,000 km. High speed tar touring (160 km/h) with a heavy load of luggage, he says, and at the correct pressure. That's all it took to totally destroy the rear. I asked Tracmac to send me a picture of it, but they told me the chap took the tyre with him to make a scene at the place he bought it from. Paid R1,100 as well.

After what I saw, no Mitas for me, thank you. Marketing talk, that bit that Cloudgazer posted, I believe.

I got the Mitas e07 on the back of the 800 - probably around 7 000km so far - mixed tar & dirt - I would guess 50% ish gone. Rock Garden have seen an E07 that did Germany to SA no problem - The replacement got him back to Germany + some - I guess his throttle hand is lighter than mine ;-)

So far I like - they certainly are rounder that the heidenau k60 on Karin's 650 which has squared off significantly (albeit on higher mileage - but it always seened squarer from the get go)

I will replace it with the same & look possibly at the TKC for the front  or at the Mitas E10 (similar tyre) to give a little more grip in the dirt

 

it would be interesting to know which Mitas was destroyed - my (limited) understanding of tyres is that if you run a set of knobblies at high speed (especially when new?) and (possibly) underinflated you stand a very good chance of destroying them quickly by overheating them, especialy if they are new & not cured (?) Is tar at 160 on a new trye with a heavy load a good idea?

 

Bottom line with tyres is each to his own - everyone is an expert & opinions are too varied to make an "informed" choice

While I don't doubt your story - i doubt the foreigner's story.

Everywhere I've read about the Mitas tyres, the reports are generally favourable, and certainly nothing like the scene you witnessed.

If that were a common occurrence one of the Wild Dogs would have found out about it by now.

Occasionally, there are older batches of some tyres around that are made with a softer compound.  Remember how the Heidenau took a while to get it right.  I seem to remember there was such a thing with the Mitas.  So perhaps the tyre was an older batch, especially in a smaller town where they move slower.

Also, 160 with a fully loaded adventure bike on new knobblies?  I ask you with tears in my eyes...

You need to consider what the profile changes are to the overall diameter of the tyre:

i.e. 150x70x17 to 140x80x17 increases tyre diameter by 14mm, which in turn will change the rake of the bike dropping the front making it less stable...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tirecalc.php

150 x 70% = 105mm (tyre height)

140 x 80% = 112mm

This means the back of the bike will be 7mm higher.  I doubt that you will be able to notice this in between variations in tyre pressure, tyre wear, and various rear shock preload settings.  In a race bike this may be an issue, but probably less so in a tractor 1200 GS.

But thanks Max for making me aware of this - not something you even think about normally.

Yes under many conditions it wont have much of an impact, however many riders like the fact that they can tour on a 1200gs at speed of 160km and above then ....

Especially on the tar, take semi knobbly tyres, a 1200gs which is already a bit flighty up front, reduce the rake and presto - nasty head shake (now why did that happen).

 

Hi Guys...thanks for advice and your opinions.

 

I have now purchased the Mitas E07 and will keep you posted.

 

Will only fit them on Saturday....

 

Ride safe!

Won't it only be 1/2 the 7mm. I.E. 3.5mm?

 

The thickness of the tyre is given by that formula (i.e. the height from the bead to the top.  Max doubled the value to give the change in tyre diameter (correctly), but the height of the bike is not affected by the extra bit up in the air at the top, only by the thickness of the tyre between the rim and the ground.

Hi guys,

 

i have taken the Mitas back and got my refund. My concern was running the tube tyres tubeless and possible problems with Insurance afterwards.

 

i have now settled for a Metzeler Tourance at the back and a Metzeler Karoo 2 on the front (correct sizes and tubeless of course...) for R2100 fitted and balanced from Craigs in Parow.

 

will keep you posted on the handling etc.

 

regards

I have only heard good things about the Tourance, though personally don't care for the 'road' nature of the tread.  The Karoo in front should be good - I had issues with a Karoo rear wheel being prone to spin out, and wearing rather quickly.  I would be interested to hear how you like the Karoo front.

For a front and rear combination you have done well price, performance and quality-wise.  Well chosen.

Never had a problem with Metzeler before and that back tyre will give good grip on gravel.

Charles...thanks...it is due to nice postings on the forum that we learn from each other....I'm new to this, so i like to learn from the more experienced riders out there.

 

Charl (Red Adventure)...you of all people should now that i like buying land in the Sutherland area......lol!

Hopefully this new set will help me stick to the road...

 

thanks for all the advice guys!

I have found they give the best all-round performance and last well, work well on the track as well

Garth, how are things going with the Karoo on the front? Overall, still happy?

John, I have only done approx 100km thus far. Front still feels a bit loose. Obviously more effort to turn slow in sharp corners. Will keep you posted. Away at the KKNK. Miss my bike....

Ja, dis moes KKNK tyd. laas naweek begin moes.
Geniet die kulture boet.

 

 

I put Michelin T63's frontand back on my Dakar and the first ride I went on had me thinking what have I done as the bike really was all over the place.

But within a couple of hundred kilometers everything had "settled" in and now they feel and handle fine.