What tires for my R12gs?

[wlgordon332]

recently took a job that has about a 40 mile commute--20 miles of interstate, 12 miles of two lane, 8 miles of oiled gravel and about 4-5 miles of hard packed gravel. What tires should I use on my GS. I have Metzler Tourance now, but the front wheel is a little troublesome to control on the gravel.

I have heard combos work well--Tourance on rear, TKC 80 on front. What are the advantages of hard or soft knobbies?

Thanks

[Southern Cross]

Originally Posted by wlgordon332

recently took a job that has about a 40 mile commute--20 miles of interstate, 12 miles of two lane, 8 miles of oiled gravel and about 4-5 miles of hard packed gravel. What tires should I use on my GS. I have Metzler Tourance now, but the front wheel is a little troublesome to control on the gravel.

I have heard combos work well--Tourance on rear, TKC 80 on front. What are the advantages of hard or soft knobbies?

Thanks

Your Tourance tyres are a good choice and a mix is OK. as long as you are not racing and scraping your pegs. A tkc 80 front will work well but also consider Heidenau K60 or Shinko 705. Any of these combos are OK. but I think you will improve your riding skills with Tourance front and back.
A simple tip on riding gravel or any type of dirt is: Fix your eyes to a point 15 meters (45 ft.) ahead and ride to that point and don't think about the road in between, just let it pass without looking and adjust your speed as required. You must of course pick a suitable line free of obstacles when looking ahead. As with road riding, not looking far enough ahead will cause you ride in a wobbly manner particularly when cornering, smoothness is always the aim in riding. Also go easy on the front brake. Almost all braking is done on the rear.

Hard and soft knobbies; Rule of thumb, hard knobbies for hard surfaces such as when riding a lot of bitumen, tough rocky tracks and any other hard tough terrain. Soft knobbies for soft loam and wet sandy terrain. Thats a generalisation but you should get the drift. Soft knobbies will of course wear quickly.

From what you have written, you don't need any kind of knobby. The Tourances would be my first choice but the combos are good too.

Safe riding!....remember getting hurt HURTS!!

Southern Cross

[wlgordon332]

Thanks Southern Cross. Lots of good info. I will keep the Tourances until they wear out.

[Southern Cross]

I must clarify my tip on braking. Using the rear brake relates to DIRT riding. Most but not all braking when riding dirt is by the rear brake. As you would already know, most but not all braking when on bitumen is done using the front brake. As always be smooth!
Also a good choice of tyre for your application is Michelin Anakee, front and back.
Ride safe.....somebody wants you home to-nite.

Saturn 5