BEST TIRES

[gmtcm]

What are the best all around tires for the T7?  I'm looking for something that has good tread life and is reasonably good in the dirt.  What tire brand/model comes on the US bikes?   Thanks

 

ADMIN EDIT: Since this thread is getting alot of views on Google search, I thought I would drop some links to Revzilla for the most popular tire choices.

 

Shop Dual Sport Motorcycle Tires Online - RevZilla

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Shop For Dual Sport Motorcycle Tires - Free Shipping, No Hassle Returns and the Lowest Prices - Guaranteed

 

Edited October 23, 2021 by Cruizin

[Louis]

Your question is very open.  Generally speaking, what works well in the dirt and especially mud has less longevity. Perhaps you should rephrase it with a priority listing. I'm currently trialling the Motoz tractionator GPS due to many recommendations from riding buddies. Not enough time with them yet to give a good recommendation yet.

My  top 3 comprise is probably different to others, 1. LONGEVITY, lots of highway travel to points of interest. 2. GRAVEL ROAD as an older rider I'm not looking for crazy technical off road rides or mud and deep sand for that matter. 3. TWISTIES within half hour or so, I am in the hills in twistie heaven. 

 

I'm confident that these tyres will be perfect for my top 3 requirements, less so in other riding environments. I believe that in the U.S. the tyres are Pirelli scorpion STR is the standard. I personally was NOT a fan. 

[toycloser]

Your first post is a tire thread.  Way to make friends and influence people.

[Canzvt]

23 hours ago, gmtcm said:

What are the best all around tires for the T7?  I'm looking for something that has good tread life and is reasonably good in the dirt.  What tire brand/model comes on the US bikes?   Thanks

That's a barn door wide question... I pulled the stock Scorpions (Canada and USA have the same tire) as they are garbage on gravel/sand and put on Mitas E07's F&R. Work great on gravel, OK in loose sand, and reasonably long wearing on pavement with good traction leaned over, decent on wet pavement. TERRIBLE in mud. I'm on my 3rd set on my S10, and the first set is almost worn out on my T7. Would I put them back on my T7, no, I'm going for something more aggressive like the Mitas E09/10 as I'm riding more rocky/muddy/dirt than I expected.

 

Tires are like shoes. Some people like Nikes, some like reeboks, and some like sketchers. Figure out what you are going to be riding on most, and buy a tire that suits that environment, and live with it in the other environments.

[johnnygolucky]

3 minutes ago, Canzvt said:

Tires are like shoes. Some people like Nikes, some like reeboks, and some like sketchers. Figure out what you are going to be riding on most, and buy a tire that suits that environment, and live with it in the other environments.

Don't trust someone wearing Sketchers. And definitely don't take their advice on tires. 

[Canzvt]

4 minutes ago, johnnygolucky said:

Don't trust someone wearing Sketchers. And definitely don't take their advice on tires. 

[UtahJack]

Tires are such a personal choice, only you know how you ride, what types of surfaces you frequent, and how your time is broken up on the various surfaces.

Here is a great tire review, at the end of the video there is a nice break-down of various aspects of the individual tires.

 

[Aleksandar13]

Welcome to forum and good luck with your search for tyres. 

[Louis]

On 8/13/2020 at 1:33 PM, UtahJack said:

Tires are such a personal choice, only you know how you ride, what types of surfaces you frequent, and how your time is broken up on the various surfaces.

Here is a great tire review, at the end of the video there is a nice break-down of various aspects of the individual tires.

 

Interesting video. I noticed that the stock Pirelli scorpion STR was placed in the 80/20 more On road group of tyres. It seemed to score well. 

In the 50/50 from 15 tyres, the 3 top scoring seemed to be ,

1. Bridgestone AX41 was lacking longevity 

2. New Dunlop Mission 

3. Motoz tractionator GPS 

Both the Mission and the GPS were rated very similar with good mileage from both. Interesting was the Continental TKC80, Mitas E07 and Shinko E04/05 which are seem to have a good reviews and  following, where only rated middle of the road 50/50  tyres. But they really didn't like the Heidenau K60 Scout mostly rated last! These tyres seem to have a  cult following.

Nice to know my choice of the GPS did well in my selection criteria in this trial.

[WalterT]

Asking the question is answering another.

If you have the skills and experience, you know what you want and need for your style of riding, then you look for experiences from people who ride similarly as yourself and purchase something that seems promising based on those things. That gives you the experience for the next time.

 

If you have to ask what "the best tires" are: the stock Pirelli's will be fine for you. 

 

No disrespect meant to the OP, but I'm getting slightly fed up with the mindless focus on "the best", "professional" and the like. The internet nowadays consists of people trying to sell you something you don't need, or buy/spend more than you have to. Don't fall into the trap thinking better or "professional" equipment makes you a better rider. Spoiler: it doesn't. Riding and actively working on your skills makes you a better rider. And for accessories: if it works, it's good enough.

 

If you think you need the best, they've gotten into your head and you've become the compliant consumer they want you to be.

 

Although I like this forum, 90% is about stuff to be bought to make the bike "better", a significant part by people who have never actually ridden the bike, but already decided that it's not good enough. Really? 

 

Just ride.

 

 

PS: don't think for a moment that I do not read reviews to see what's best or that I don't buy stuff that's too expensive and that I actually don't need.  I fall well inside the demographic of men with disposable income and foster the illusion that I am far more of an adventurer instead of the wimpy desk-hugger that I actually am.

 

Edited August 14, 2020 by WalterT
Typo

[Louis]

One of the best improvement that can be made to a motorcycle is tyres! Choose a tyre that best suits your riding style and surfaces one is expected to encounter. I personally have not tried them all!

When asking for an option I steer clear of advice which doesn't give you information about how the conclusion was derived. Or indeed instant experts, change to a new product, tyre in this instance. Ride around the block and claim "the best ever" or to the contrary, notwithstanding any scrutiny. Experts with commercial or invested interest should be taken with a pinch of salt. Lot's of fake news on the internet too. I am always looking for the next best thing, but one needs to be able to read between the lines of any advice given. There's no unicorn tyre made, but choices are out there for your envisioned application. Choose wisely. 

[Louis]

This guy  loves the Mitas E07, so long as your definition of adventure tyre "mission" is the same as his. I personally found the rear tyre to work very well all round. But less so for the front. 

[jojitsu56]

I have E07's on mine that are decent but much prefer the motoz tractionator adventure rear and TKC80 front on my Africa Twin DCT. 

[bth2]

i fitted e07 + rear dakar and e07 dakar front. i would advise not to fit the dakar versions unless you intend to plenty of rocky offroad. the sidewall is very stiff to prevent pinch punctures. on the road the tyres have ruined the ride. they feel harsh . i had dialled in a really nice plush ride with the pirellis this has dissapeared since fitting the mitas. also ,at slow speeds, i feel the tread blocks , this goes at speed but i get a slight vibration through the bars . not bad but its there. the front tyre was an absolute pig to fit. rear tyre was ok. i have used e07's for years and this is the first time ive wanted them to wear out quick.

[Alf Meister]

On 8/13/2020 at 4:13 AM, toycloser said:

Your first post is a tire thread.  Way to make friends and influence people.

Could’ve been worse, could’ve asked what was the best engine oil to use 

[Matth]

I find the original tyres really good however there isnt a tyre possibility of being brilliant in all fields.

mud needs nobblies

nobblies are crap on road in terms of high speed cornering etc

really depends on what your intentions are and your decision has to be based on the biased . Mostly road more road biased

mostly off-road. TKC , Tractionater etc etc 

The str,s are great for all roads plus in the dirt/gravel/ rocky.

knowing what i know i will be replacing with like for like.

 

hope that helps!

Edited September 26, 2020 by Matth

[sebti]

I love michelin anakee adventure on the T7 !

Michelin anakee adventure sur la Tenere 700 - traces-deux-roues.com

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Essai d'un train de Michelin anakee adventure sur la Tenere 700. Après 12 000km, il est temps de faire le point sur ce qu'il vaut...

 

[OU812]

When you find  that perfect tire let us know! 

[bth2]

On 9/25/2020 at 5:32 PM, bth2 said:

i fitted e07 + rear dakar and e07 dakar front. i would advise not to fit the dakar versions unless you intend to plenty of rocky offroad. the sidewall is very stiff to prevent pinch punctures. on the road the tyres have ruined the ride. they feel harsh . i had dialled in a really nice plush ride with the pirellis this has dissapeared since fitting the mitas. also ,at slow speeds, i feel the tread blocks , this goes at speed but i get a slight vibration through the bars . not bad but its there. the front tyre was an absolute pig to fit. rear tyre was ok. i have used e07's for years and this is the first time ive wanted them to wear out quick.

right , i have been running these tyres for about 500 mls and have felt horrible on the road.  so did a bit of searching and the general consensus is to lower the pressures. i did this tonight ,dropped front and back by 5 psi, before riding to work and its has made a marked difference and still runs in a straight line at 70 mph. i will keep playing with the pressures till it feels right.

[Noel McCutcheon]

On 8/13/2020 at 4:13 AM, toycloser said:

Your first post is a tire thread.  Way to make friends and influence people.

Could have been a worse one, an oil thread

[Noel McCutcheon]

Just for the info, I got over 5000 miles from the rear stock Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR and there is still a 1 mm or so above / before the twi wear bar indicator strips.

Used it right round to its edges too, love it on the road.
 

I am replacing it with the same again

 

[Rich TT]

8 hours ago, X Plane said:

Just for the info,

I got 5000 miles from the rear stock Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR and there is still a 1 mm or so above / before the twi wear bars.

 

Used it right round to its edges too, love it on the road.
 

I am replacing it with the same again

Exactly the same as me and I'll also be replacing it with the same. Awesome tyre on the road. Wet and dry.

[FredBasset]

5 hours ago, Rich TT said:

Exactly the same as me and I'll also be replacing it with the same. Awesome tyre on the road. Wet and dry.

As long as you get a good one, thats round and true. I also like these Pirelli’s for grip on road dry and wet, but OEM fronts have been proved to be dodgy, my original was replaced under warranty, and replacement was bad as well. Hopefully Pirelli have got their act together (their is no new stock in UK currently), and the next lot will be better quality!

Edited October 10, 2020 by FredBasset

[ahamay]

What's your complaint with the front, Fred?

[Noel McCutcheon]

I replaced rear Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR with new same again