Streetbike tyres not great on gravel?

BundyBear · Feb 22, 2009

Just got back from a weekend away, riding windey roads including the Oxley highway in NSW, and lots of gravel. Still grinning from ear-to-ear like an ***** this morning!!

The rear tyre (Bridgestone Battlax BT014R) was what I guessed about half worn when we left. Attached is what was left when we got home after 800km. 8O

Apparently that tyre it is meant for streetfighter applications - it certainly was sticky. Can't remember it stepping out at all on the Oxley. I think it must have been the gravel that killed it. It did about 140km from when we first saw the steel to the photo.

Any recommendations on a tyre that will survive gravel? My mate has a dualsport thing on his GasGas that he was told is used on GS BMWs. It barely looked worn after the trip.

supertireguy · Feb 22, 2009

Yup, that's a worn out tire. Tires are amazing sometimes. I'm amazed that tire in the photo didn't explode.

What tire pressures were in play?

The Avon Distanzia tire might be worth a look. It's 80% street tire that offers a wee bit of traction in the dirt.

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/t ... ermoto.htm

BundyBear · Feb 22, 2009

Between 32 to 35PSI and yep I'm surprised it didn't pop too - was waiting for it the whole time! Probably did well to get home. It does have an extra thick tube in it so I didn't think it would have leaked flat.

I tried to ride it as gently as possible once we noticed the cables and kept kept a very close eye out for fraying strands. There are a few hairy ones, but really it held up better than we thought it would. To be honest, I did not realise road bike tyres had steel belt in them at all. The steel does seem to do a good job protecting what is inside when it has to.

Thanks heaps for the tyre suggestion. A set of them would be perfect. They certainly look good!

awilksch · Feb 23, 2009

Hey Brad, what about Karoo's, i think they were michelin or metzeler brand, massive blocks, but apparently very road capable, i thought that might have been what the 1200gs came with.

Azza.

Freaky · Feb 23, 2009

32 to 35psi sounds a bit much to me for a light bike on supermoto wheels. I run 24psi which is a good feel. At that kind of high pressure you will wear the centre of the tyre out quick, as you have found.

Regards Freaky.

BundyBear · Feb 23, 2009

Freaky said:
32 to 35psi sounds a bit much to me for a light bike on supermoto wheels. I run 24psi which is a good feel. At that kind of high pressure you will wear the centre of the tyre out quick, as you have found.

Thanks for that - I thought the same.

Before we left I set both tyres to just over 20PSI. About 150km later before we hit any dirt road I felt the rear tyre & it was lots hotter than those on the other bikes, and you could see lots of wear around the centre with the rubber starting to spall a bit. Pretty much everyone told me that you gotta run at least 30PSI in road bikes or it chews the centre of the rear tyre up. It was then that I scurried off, tail between legs & pumped both to 35. Don't really know if it helped or worsened the tyre wear but it did seem to run cooler.

At the higher pressures, the bike seemed to handle much better on the road.

The front, a Michelin Macadam, seemed OK at either pressure but?

Azza said:
.... what about Karoo's,....

Thanks. Had a look at the Metzeler site but they look awful chunky. Their Tourance would probably be better for our use.

They also don't seem to list a 17" front for either? Is this size in a dualsport tyre peculiar to motards?

awilksch · Feb 23, 2009

BundyBear said:
They also don't seem to list a 17" front for either? Is this size in a dualsport tyre peculiar to motards?[/quote said:

nah, sorry I think they are only DS jobbies, but if you were doing a DS ride why use 17" ?? high percentage of roads?

Azza.

Click to expand...

loz16h · Feb 23, 2009

I love the Metzler Tourance on my GS 1150. I ride a lot of gravel and find they wear well. Great road manners too. Never slipped yet.
But only in 19 or 21 inch front.

testpilot1981 · May 31, 2009

love the avon tyres there guys does any 1 know if they will fit my standard motorcrosser rimms on my 97 fe 600?

cypher · May 31, 2009

testpilot1981 said:
love the avon tyres there guys does any 1 know if they will fit my standard motorcrosser rimms on my 97 fe 600?

go to the avon website and they'll list what tyre sizes they do. then you'll know.

Streetbike tyres not great on gravel?

Help Support Husaberg:

BundyBear

Attachments

supertireguy

BundyBear

awilksch

Freaky

BundyBear

awilksch

loz16h

testpilot1981

cypher

Similar threads

Register CTA

Recent Discussions

Recent Discussions