Tourance on gravel? vs paved

[Tannsan]

Is it just me or are the Tourance EXP on gravel very skittish?
After 12,500km on the EXP. Its time to buy some new rubber but want the most out of the tires as I am not a wealthy cat. Am getting set up for just the regular Tourance (no EXP) front and back, since mostly paved roads are the norm, but here in the Rockies, gravel does beckon. Just wondering if i should just suck it up and learn to deal with it (loose gravel) or keep my 2009 gs on the paved.
Any thoughts on riding the gravel with these tires would be welcomed.
Cheers!!

[sfarson]

Tannsan... Can just note an '07 GSADV was an off road workhorse for me while writing the book on motorcycling Colorado. The Tourances have always been my tire of choice, and they have never let me down, while delivering good longevity. From high, rocky, above timberline journeys, to seemingly endless gravel and dirt, they handled it all. I wouldn't relish mud with them, but that's about it. Perhaps some practice, being smooooth with all inputs, standing on the pegs, etc. will help. Many GS owners are rabid Tourance owners. Not all, but many.

[widebmw]

I have read that the EXP is more of a road trie than the standard Tourance.

[sfarson]

The EXP's are basically a stickier version. Tried them once. They lasted about 1/2 as long. Went back to the standard Tourances. Have never lost a moment of confidence with them... paved or unpaved.

[Tannsan]

Thanks for the replys Gentlemen, I look forward to trying the Tourances without the EXP. I did know that the EXP were a 95/5% on road, only when i realized i had them on my bike. I thought they were the regular standard Tourances. So I expect things to be slightly different. Have been meaning to take an off road course this season anyways, but every time i look at the bikes in the course they all have knobbies on so it kinda puts me off a bit. I know... a bit of a pussy but dont want to drop the mother in one of those rutted corners with a ton of loose gravel on the side going down a hill. I am sure some of you have been there! Anyhoo, I will practice once i break the new rubber in.
Thankyou.
Cheers

[solarinsocal]

I think it all depends on how you ride off road. I know that for me the Tourance leave a lot to be desired off road. Low traction on everything from dirt, gravel, sand. On road, I don't have a problem with them.

[Tannsan]

Originally Posted by sfarson

Tannsan... Can just note an '07 GSADV was an off road workhorse for me while writing the book on motorcycling Colorado. The Tourances have always been my tire of choice, and they have never let me down, while delivering good longevity. From high, rocky, above timberline journeys, to seemingly endless gravel and dirt, they handled it all. I wouldn't relish mud with them, but that's about it. Perhaps some practice, being smooooth with all inputs, standing on the pegs, etc. will help. Many GS owners are rabid Tourance owners. Not all, but many.

Well, the word is in thanks to sfarson, Had my new Tourances put on, and after breaking them in a bit, took them on the Spray Lakes road west of Canmore Alberta. The regular Tourances handled much better in the loose gravel compared to the EXP's, the front end a bit wobbly in really loose gravel, so I am quite happy with the outcome Unexpectantly I chose to do this at dusk going into night, so it was a challenging event, especially dodging deer, small bunnies, a moose that would not leave the middle of the road (revving the engine helped her move on,) and a young Grizzly, so it was an experience.http://www.r1200gs.info/forum/images/smilies/eek.gif
Cheers!

[nicobico]

Originally Posted by solarinsocal

I think it all depends on how you ride off road. I know that for me the Tourance leave a lot to be desired off road. Low traction on everything from dirt, gravel, sand. On road, I don't have a problem with them.

I´ll second that. During my last trip (here) when the ground was wet I felt like ice skating on top of a mule

I plan to keep the Tourance because I ride 98% of the time on paved roads. But I have to be really careful the other 2%. Otherwise those slick shoes will make me kiss the ground quite often...

[papachiax6]

If i am going to be on the gravel for a longish period of time then i air down to around 25lbs psi and dont have any issues. I carry a compressor with me and air up when I am back on the slab.

[Knickita]

I have ridden with this tires on rocky/sandy roads and the grip is proportional to the amount of solid rock; The more presence of rock the better grip. When riding on pure sand the bike slides a lot but is controllable, not safe and you can not predict what the bike is going to do but probably because of the weight the situation is 60 to 80% controllable. I haven't tried to lower the tire air pressure and I might try it once but I would prefer to get 50/50 tires or 60/40 ......... .....but on the highway the EXP's are excellent!!!!!!!