From: jld@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Jeff Deeney)
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles.dirt
Subject: Re: XR600 Rear Tires
Date: 16 Apr 92 19:13:36 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA


I received the following in email.  As George doesn't have the ability to
post right now, I thought the rest of you might be interested in his
thoughts.  

-Jeff-

---------------------------------------

From convact!couyant@convex.convex.com Mon Apr 13 03:01 MDT 1992
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Subject: Dirt tyres
To: jld@hpfcla.fc.hp.com
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 92 18:08:41 EST
From: George Couyant <convact!couyant@convex.convex.com>
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL0]
Status: R

> 
> Does anybody have a good suggestion for an intermediate terrain rear tire
> for an XR600?  I've been using Dunlop K490s, but they get eaten up pretty
> quickly (6-8 rides).   How does  the K595 work?  Does anyone use the
> Brigestone M22?  I just ordered an IRC VE33, partly because I remember
> having pretty good luck with them on my 500.  At the rate the rocks around
> here eat tires, price is important.  I simply can't afford Metzlers. 
> Actually, I could afford Metzlers, but then I wouldn't have any money left
> over to feed the family.  ;-)  
> 
> Ride fast.  Shred Llamas.  42 days til Moab '92.  
> 
> -Jeff Deeney-           DoD#0498    NCTR    '88 XR600(Shamu)
> jld@hpfcla.fc.hp.com    AMA#540813  COHVCO  '81 CB750F(Reconstructionating)

Ya know, the biggest mistake I ever made was to buy a big 4 stroke. Don't
get me wrong.....I love it, but I just cannot keep up with tyres...

Most of the riding we do in Australia is in our High Country (Colorado type 
stuff) where the terrain will vary from sharp tyre chewing rocks to bottomless 
mud pits that never ever see daylight...It really tests tyres because (usually)
the tyres that grip don't last etc...Our rides are usually quite long too...
150 - 250 Km.

Oh yea, since most of the good tracks dive down into the valleys and then 
climb out, you can never resist gassing it up and say to hell with the
tyre....especially when your social standing amoungst your riding mates
is at stake...It's always 11 tenths.

We all ride big bores (KX500, CR500, KTM500 540 550, Husky 510 & 610,
XR600 & 630 etc.. etc...) and I currently have ...let's see...an 85 CR250,
86 CR500, 88 KX250 (one of the sweetest bikes I've ever ridden), 90 KX500,
PW 50 for the kids and my favorite, 86 TT600. I'm thinking of selling the 
CR's and maybe the KX500 and stay with the KX250 and the TT (wife has 
finally put the foot down). 

Back to tyres.....The 2 strokes are quite easy on tyres compared to the TT.
The TT eats them especially after the motor mods I made (porting, cam etc.)
It's harder on them than mates XR's and Huskys (actually, Husky's are good
on tyres....) I'm convinced that it's low end grunt that kills the TT's 
tyres. You can rev and spin all day and it's ok. Get a big rocky hill when
you're tired and keep it in the meaty low to mid range with heaps of
traction and drive and you can count the knobs breaking off.....sigh....

Anyway, here are my random experiences with some TT tyres...

K490.....1 ride if it's rocky, 4-5 rides if I'm lucky. Grips ok.

K88.....forget it...1 ride.

M22.....Best fun tyre I've ever used. Really "slideable" and no surprises.
	If I want a real blast, I put one of these buggers on...1-5 rides.
	.....but it's worth it. Don't go too big in size though...

K595....Hated this tyre. Lasted 2 med. rides. Knobs just flew off this one.
	They didn't get a chance to wear.

Any Metzlers (PC, MC etc.) 1-8 rides. Good all round, especially when it's wet.
	Chew out badly if they even smell rocks...Haven't tried their mud tyres
	though. They cost mega bucks over here ($120+) and just aren't worth it.

VE33....Lasts much longer than most. Grips as good as Metzlers though
	a bit nervous when you're cranked right over with the throttle pinned.
	I sometimes found myself on my bum because it would let go without
	warning....They are sensitive to temperature as well (much better on
	a hot day than say a cold dry morning.....really noticeable).

IRC mud & sand ....can't remember the code....BEST tyre by far...Believe it
	or not, it's been on 4 *hard* rides including one (150km) over mostly
	sharp stone tracks. I'll get another 5 rides out of this tyre and
	have already ordered another 2.  It's the only tyre I've used that
	doesn't lose knobs or have chunks torn out of it.  Doesn't make
	sense because it's a mud and sand tyre.  Grip on hard stuff isn't
	great because the long knobs flex quite a bit and the rubber
	compound is quite hard.....but who cares, they work well in the mud.
	Another problem is that it's uni-directional so you can't reverse it
	to get a fresh edge on the knobs.

IRC Inter....Again can't remember the code but it's not the VE33. I don't
        have this on the TT but it's worked well on the KX250. The 2 stroke's
	tyres usually last twice as long as the TT's and this one has done
	7-8 rides and it still ok. Only problem is that we can't get it in
	big sizes in Aus.

ChenShing 755 and 760(??)  Ok...Don't grip great and don't wear great but
	they are real cheap here in Aus. The 760 comes in *BIG* sizes too.
	The 560x18 just fits in the swingarm though from memory, it may
	not fit into the XR. You have to trim the side knobs. It certainly
	didn't fit into any of the 500's. Both lose chunks from knobs on
	rocks but at least they didn't tear off completely..

Trelborg....Can't remember the codes but I tried two of their tyres. One was
	the MX tyre and it gripped well but didn't last. At the time I 
	thought it felt and wore the same as the M22.  The other was one
	that the Swedish army used. It had fairly large knobs but were more
	closely spaced than normal. This lasted the longest of any tyre on 
	the TT. Grip as below average in hard stuff and mud (it didn't clog 
	though). Sand was a problem. It would just sink.

Can't think of any more right now but if I try something great (or poxy), 
I'll drop you a line. Maybe you would do the same (anything to save a buck).

Keep roost'n Jeff
George Couyant

Senior Systems Engineer
Convex Computer Pty Limited
Melbourne Australia
couyant@convex.com