I swapped the 18" for a 19" and put the Kenda big block tires on the bike. The rubber is so different from the stock tires that I really can't compare the two. Conventional wisdom says bigger front wheel = better trail handling. I'm no expert.
I rode the bike, fully loaded from Denver area to Taos, NM and then a bunch of Forest Service road riding after I arrived. The Kenda's were much better on the packed dirt roads than the standard tires. I'd say the Kendas are just as good on tarmac as I remember the comparable Continental TKC-80's were (on my BMW F650GS).
With the 19" front wheel there are more tire choices in the 50/50 and 70/30 on/off road range that I like to ride on.
Cheers,
Dan K.
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