Triumphrat

gahewson · 02-06-2005

I've currently got Metzeler Tourance tyres fitted front and back on my 93 steamer. The tyres weren't new when I got my steamer but I've done nearly 7K miles on them in 6 months. I was going to get some more but can anyone suggest any alternatives as I rarely (if ever) go off road yet commute 90 miles a day on A roads regardless of weather? Would I be any better off with any other type?
I've also found that I've got a 150/70R17 fitted as opposed to the recommended 140/80R17? Is this a drama or should I revert to Triumph recommended size?

Would appreciate any pointers before I part with my hard earnt pennies for some rubber!

:???:

BigStripey · 02-06-2005

We have had a good old chat about this before on the forum. Not suggesting that i want to stifle this one but check this old link out.

Previous thread on tyres

Timtiger · 02-06-2005

I use Michy Anakees and I am on my second set. They are pretty good with a good balance between grip and wear. I personally prefer them to Tourances as they seem to have better grip in the wet (and that is pretty important in Melbourne). Note that this point is debatable and appears to vary depending on the perception of the rider.

I tried Avon distanzas and hated the way they made the bike handle. The seem to have a pronounced V profile that made the bike drop into corners. Once again, some riders like this effect.

I would like to try the Pirelli Corsa'a they fit to the 950KTM, but I beleive that they are very sticky but wear REALLY fast on the lightweight KTM. A Tiger would chew them up.

RE fitting larger section tyres. There is no inherent problem with this as long as there are no clearance issues with the chain and sprockets or swingarm. I believe the Tiger has no problem with a 150 section tyre.

The question of why would you want to?
A wider tyre MAY offer more traction and braking as the contact patch is a little bigger. The effect on braking of a rear tyre is a contentious topic. A wider tyre has benefits if you take the Tiger off road on sand or gravel. A wider tyre may also offer less traction in the wet as they will "aquaplane" more easily. They will also not brake as well on dirt. This is all theory and in reality, you probably won't notice the difference and the 150's should be fine.

I think the HUGE fat tyres on modern sports bikes and some cruisers are purely cosmetic.

djr · 02-07-2005

I am assuming the tyres sizes are the same as the later models. If they are you can fit BT20's (I plan to next).

Tigris · 02-19-2005

Has anyone fitted off-road tyres on a Tiger? Is there enough space between the tyre and the front mud guard? Are modifications needed when fitting off-road tyres?

[ This message was edited by: Tigris on 2005-02-20 04:32 ]

Timtiger · 02-20-2005

Hi BRAVE Tigris,
I assume by off road tyres you mean knobbies.
You can certainly o this BUT you will just rip the knobs off the first time you crach the throttle on a solid surface. The only tyres that will cope even a little are the Michelin Derert tyres. They come in a range of sizes and are used by almost everyone in the Paris-Dakar race. Have a look here Michelin tyre report.
And Here Oz Michelin site

They are a very hard tyre and quite an effort to fit. They are road legal in Australia, but you have to be brave to use them on a Tiger.They have a 140/80-17 rear, but do not have a front tyre to fit. You could use any knobby tyre for the front.

Most people use a diesel powered rotary plow for digging big holes. You going to use the Tiger????

Mudhen · 02-21-2005

Quote:

On 2005-02-20 15:07, Timtiger wrote:
Hi BRAVE Tigris,
I assume by off road tyres you mean knobbies.
You can certainly o this BUT you will just rip the knobs off the first time you crach the throttle on a solid surface. The only tyres that will cope even a little are the Michelin Derert tyres.

What about tires like TKCs and Karoos? They're knobbies...they're not going to self distruct with some street useage...

Timtiger · 02-21-2005

The Karoos are fitted to the big beemers. I had not classified them as an off road tyre. I think of them as an all road tyre. I have not used them myself but chatting tho Beemer riders, they seem good for dirt roads and modest off road. They are not too good in sand and mud. Better than a road/trail tyre like the Anakees, but not as good as an aggressive, knobbie off road tyre. Apparently thay wear pretty fast on bitumen, but the Beemer riders feel this is part of the deal.

The rim sizes of the R1150GS and the Tiger are the same, so the Karoos should fit straight on!

Tigris · 02-22-2005

I think I meant all road tyres (I'm not planning to try Paris-Dakar or any mud race or something like that). I've heard and read that Karoos and TKCs are OK for "dirt roads and modest off road". But are there gonna be problems with dirt and mud because there isn't much space between the front tyre and the mud guard?

Timtiger · 02-22-2005

Hi Tigris,
You are correct but it depends on the mud. The right mud on any tyre can block up the low front mudguard. Go west of Toowwomba in Queensland to find the stickiest "blacksoil" in the universe.

I know of a guy from Perth in Western Australia who took a steamer Tiger across the Canning Stock Route about 10 years ago. He is about 5ft 2inches and is clearly insane. He made it but dropped the bike about 50 times and needed help to pick it up - mental.
Anyway, he actually made a 2 brackets to raise the front guard by a few inches. Retained the same guard and look but gave a lot more clearance. he had no trouble from this, but he was in a sand desert after all.
The CSR is a famous cattle droving route from the top left of Australia down to the bottom middle bit.

have a look here:

csr 1

and here:
CSR 2