[p2rider]

Yet another tyre thread, I know, but I haven't seen this before.

I'm planning on getting a set of TKC80s for the AT, but it turns out the sizes the AT takes are available in a TT or TL version. I know I should get the TT and I will if I can, but if I can't track them down will it matter if I get the TL version? How different is the bead on them?

This is not about the tube/tubeless discussion, I'm happy with tubes - I just want to know exactly how different the two variants of the same tyre are.

 

[p2rider]

I've seen some comments that the tube type tyres are easier to fit because they aren't so stiff at the bead, since they don't need to sit into the rim as tightly. Nice bonus, but if that's the only difference I can live with a TL.

No, I haven't used TKC80s before. Was considering the Karoo 3s as well, but wanted more edge grip on dirt and not worried about wear rates at this stage. Not used to a large Adv bike yet either, so want to go with the benchmark tyre to get a feel for how much the thing is going to move around on various surfaces. Hopefully without too many pucker moments...

 

[p2rider]

u must enjoy the 1m drift on tarmac and the vibration white finger

So to understand the context of your comments, what would you recommend instead, and why? What's your riding comfort zone?

Always hard to judge tyres. What's brilliant for one rider is rubbish for another - usage and expectations are hard to get a handle on from forum comments. :frown2: (Right up there with 'how good a rider are you?' and 'how hard is that track?')

 

[p2rider]

Thanks HubA. You've made it both easier and harder!

I want more dirt oriented rubber than the OEMs and want to see a lot of dirt roads, but still new to the Adv thing so not really sure how much it will actually happen yet. I should probably go for a 50/50, but want more dirt riding than that.

I was keen on the Mitas E07s as a compromise, but not so much on the way the rear grips better than the front on gravel roads. Front end washouts are not my favourite thing. The TKC80s are more dirt oriented again and seem to be the yardstick, so maybe I'll go a TKC80 front and E07 rear, and get somewhere in the middle.