Tire Advice.

[mjs91882]

Well guys i have 5300 mile on my KLR and the bike has been amazing. Im looking to replace my stock tires on the KLR 650. Im looking around and wondering if anyone has any advice on what they like. I ride mostly city and highway with college, but also only live 30 mins away from a great off roading area. Im hoping to do something with 50 off road and 50 on road. Anyone have any suggestions on what tires they have used that have lasted awhile?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by mjs91882

Well guys i have 5300 mile on my KLR and the bike has been amazing. Im looking to replace my stock tires on the KLR 650. Im looking around and wondering if anyone has any advice on what they like. I ride mostly city and highway with college, but also only live 30 mins away from a great off roading area. Im hoping to do something with 50 off road and 50 on road. Anyone have any suggestions on what tires they have used that have lasted awhile?

I'm glad you're enjoying your KLR650! If you don't plan to ride in the mud, you might enjoy the Kenda K270, or Shinko SR244 tires. The Shinko 700 tires are also popular. If you want more traction off road, you should consider the Dunlop D606, and the Pirelli MT21 tires.

Spud

[FastDoc]

I'm with Spud. We put 606's on Roger's KLR and they perform well in the dirt and on the road. Indeed I put them on the KLX also. The only downsides, as I see it, is they are not cheap, I expect they will wear fast due to the tread design, and I don't trust knobbies on the road in the wet.

I'm sure the same caveats apply to the MT21's.

[SpudRider]

The price of the Dunlop D606 tires went through the roof this summer. :( If you shop around, you can buy the Pirelli MT21 tires for less. The MT21 is also available in a wider variety of sizes, and aspect ratios.

However, if mud is not a concern, the other tires I mentioned, particularly the Shinko SR244, are much less expensive, and will wear longer.

Spud

[MICRider]

Most of my KLR riding is street so I run Avon Gripsters (they last a long time!) but I'm thinking of trying these out next summer...
http://www.kendausa.com/en/home/moto...big-block.aspx

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

Most of my KLR riding is street so I run Avon Gripsters (they last a long time!) but I'm thinking of trying these out next summer...
http://www.kendausa.com/en/home/moto...big-block.aspx

That's a nice tire for the KLR650, Stew. However, I can't believe the smaller of the two, 17-inch tires costs $93.99! 8O

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx



The larger, 17-inch tire costs $135.99! :roll:

I can't believe how much the price of motorcycle tires has increased the last 6 months! :(

Spud

[mjs91882]

Hey Spud, how did you like the Michelin t 63 you had? iI thought i read that on here. I also have been looking at the Shinko and Kendra tires as well and they seem to get some very good reviews. My problem is im hoping to get something not too expensive cause then i have to have someone balance them and that more money. Im hoping to get something that is good to ride that will also last awhile. But thank you guys for the help. Ill read more into those tires.. Oh by the way i love the KLR is a fun bike that takes me anywhere. Its always an adventure

[mjs91882]

Originally Posted by MICRider

Most of my KLR riding is street so I run Avon Gripsters (they last a long time!) but I'm thinking of trying these out next summer...
http://www.kendausa.com/en/home/moto...big-block.aspx

Hey ya i saw those as well. Those look pretty nice.

[mjs91882]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I'm with Spud. We put 606's on Roger's KLR and they perform well in the dirt and on the road. Indeed I put them on the KLX also. The only downsides, as I see it, is they are not cheap, I expect they will wear fast due to the tread design, and I don't trust knobbies on the road in the wet.

I'm sure the same caveats apply to the MT21's.

Ya the 606's are great i have been hearing and people like them. I have never had a problem with knobbies on my KLR in the rain and thats with the stock tires. The 606s i will explore and see whati hear about them. Thank you.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by mjs91882

Hey Spud, how did you like the Michelin t 63 you had? iI thought i read that on here. I also have been looking at the Shinko and Kendra tires as well and they seem to get some very good reviews. My problem is im hoping to get something not too expensive cause then i have to have someone balance them and that more money. Im hoping to get something that is good to ride that will also last awhile. But thank you guys for the help. Ill read more into those tires.. Oh by the way i love the KLR is a fun bike that takes me anywhere. Its always an adventure

The Michelin T63 performed okay for me in dry conditions, but I was dismayed to discover how fast it wore out. :( I think you will like the Kenda K270, Shinko 700, or Shinko SR244 better than the T63. Also, the Shinko SR244 will cost less than the T63. If you won't be riding in mud, I encourage you to try the Shinko SR244. This tire performs well in dry conditions, and wears well. Also, the SR244 doesn't cost much, so you aren't taking much of a risk if you experiment with it.

Spud

[mjs91882]

The Michelin T63 performed okay for me in dry conditions, but I was dismayed to discover how fast it wore out. :( I think you will like the Kenda K270, Shinko 700, or Shinko SR244 better than the T63. Also, the Shinko SR244 will cost less than the T63. If you won't be riding in mud, I encourage you to try the Shinko SR244. This tire performs well in dry conditions, and wears well. Also, the SR244 doesn't cost much, so you aren't taking much of a risk if you experiment with it.

Spud [/quote]

Oh ya well i will then try to stay away from the Michelin man :P .. I heard they might be discontinuing them anyway. Wonder if it has to do with the tire wearing out. Ya and i dont really have mud down here in Fl. I think you have me sold on trying that just beacuse the price sounds good and i mostly do highway riding and then like to take my bikes on trails up in Ocala National Forest. Thanks my man!!

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by MICRider

Most of my KLR riding is street so I run Avon Gripsters (they last a long time!) but I'm thinking of trying these out next summer...
http://www.kendausa.com/en/home/moto...big-block.aspx

I ran Gripsters on my 1996 XR250L and I liked them a lot. A good 90/10 or maybe 80/20 tire. They are smooth on the street, and like you say, last forever!

[MICRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I ran Gripsters on my 1996 XR250L and I liked them a lot. A good 90/10 or maybe 80/20 tire. They are smooth on the street, and like you say, last forever!

Yup, they wear like iron (which kind of makes up for how spendy they are!). I agree with you on the 90/10 part... Lol, I wont even take mine on wet grass!

[mjs91882]

Ya i found a cheap price on shinko 244 tires but i see the speed rating for the front is 75 and the rear is 94. Do you think these would still be ok. I drive on the highway for about 30 miles to school twice a week and just want to make sure im safe when riding on the highway. Here in Fl we have some crazy drivers so sometimes i have to hit 80 mph.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by mjs91882

Ya i found a cheap price on shinko 244 tires but i see the speed rating for the front is 75 and the rear is 94. Do you think these would still be ok. I drive on the highway for about 30 miles to school twice a week and just want to make sure im safe when riding on the highway. Here in Fl we have some crazy drivers so sometimes i have to hit 80 mph.

Yes, the speed ratings for the Shinko SR244 tire are fine for your bike. A lot of KLR650 riders have the the SR244 tires mounted on both wheels, and they work fine. The speed rating is specified for the maximum weight load of the tire. As long as you aren't hauling everything but the kitchen sink along with you, the SR244 front tire will easily handle the top speed your KLR650 can travel. I encourage you to search the KLR650 websites, and see what the Kawasaki riders think about the SR244 front tire.

Spud