sparklr
New member
The stock Dunnies on my 08 KLR finally became a hazard after about 5600 Kms, actually marginal earlier than that. The rear is near bald, the front maybe would have done the rest of the year. Not knowing much about tires and longevity, I suppose what I put them through I got my moneys worth. Nasty rocks, slop and tarmac, no flats. So I did as much homework as possible on replacements, and opted for what I could order locally and suit my needs. Thanks to everyone who rated and opined their rubbers, it helped. Seems it'll be a trial and error thing, but I ordered the Kenda 270's to start with. Cheap and seemed to be in the neighbourhood of what I need for now. The GP1 was a close candidate. DOT knobbies would have been fun but probably not practical.
5.10 goes behind and gets a test drive on the tarmac. Didn't seem to bother me at all while prancing around the street at modest speeds. Slips the 3.25 ahead of me and stumble out of the driveway. Crap I forgot to cinch the axle. Nope. Tires flat already. Nope. Feels like the steering head is going tight, yikes the rubber bites at slow corners and tracks like a mule carrying Cervezas up the mountainside. I had heard this and can now attest that the front soft knobbies give the front end a mind of its' own. 25 years since my last tire exchange, amazingly it went flawlessy, the beads popped by hand, and new skins nearly went on by hand, no cursing ( a first I might add), no tools flying about, no pinchers, 1 pint of sweat to 3 pints intake. I did learn that soap is better than Windex. I did learn that getting the valve stem back in was the hardest and most annoying transaction. Note to self: Insert old core with a fishing line noose to preserve knuckles and sanity!
Note for Piggers: The 5.10 will keep your inside exhaust slighty cleaner than the other side with stock Noise Can and runs a hairs width from the chain guard.
The test ride. Armpit to Fraser Lake for a break in (almost 500 Kms). A modest highway scoot to clean them off. 60 Km'ish FSR/Double Track. 14 Km of that was stone covered FSR, some very loose marble. I don't think it was the front tire so much, more of a combination of Pig and tire. Survivable, but would like some feedback with your Pig and DOT knobs up front. Is it better in the marbles? Nonetheless not much real testing as Hangover Remediation was the predemoninant theme for the day. The back end liked to grip on roost, even on slick stuff. The front, tracked a little oddly in ruts and crests, and likes to grab hold going slow, feels odd sometimes but definitely grips. I discovered that going faster seems to negate the odd front feel, so I just keep going fast. Managed to test the Twister performance on the swervers on the shores of Francois Lake, both ends felt under control and stable while assaulted.
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Conclusion so far after 1300 Kms: No wear to speak of, minimal at best. High speed highway cornering, no problem. Rear traction offroad was fine, a 4.60 would be fine. Front traction is good, tracks weird at slow speed. Front probably will get better with age, but I wouldn't get another 270 front.
Part 2 after more serious butchering.
5.10 goes behind and gets a test drive on the tarmac. Didn't seem to bother me at all while prancing around the street at modest speeds. Slips the 3.25 ahead of me and stumble out of the driveway. Crap I forgot to cinch the axle. Nope. Tires flat already. Nope. Feels like the steering head is going tight, yikes the rubber bites at slow corners and tracks like a mule carrying Cervezas up the mountainside. I had heard this and can now attest that the front soft knobbies give the front end a mind of its' own. 25 years since my last tire exchange, amazingly it went flawlessy, the beads popped by hand, and new skins nearly went on by hand, no cursing ( a first I might add), no tools flying about, no pinchers, 1 pint of sweat to 3 pints intake. I did learn that soap is better than Windex. I did learn that getting the valve stem back in was the hardest and most annoying transaction. Note to self: Insert old core with a fishing line noose to preserve knuckles and sanity!
Note for Piggers: The 5.10 will keep your inside exhaust slighty cleaner than the other side with stock Noise Can and runs a hairs width from the chain guard.
The test ride. Armpit to Fraser Lake for a break in (almost 500 Kms). A modest highway scoot to clean them off. 60 Km'ish FSR/Double Track. 14 Km of that was stone covered FSR, some very loose marble. I don't think it was the front tire so much, more of a combination of Pig and tire. Survivable, but would like some feedback with your Pig and DOT knobs up front. Is it better in the marbles? Nonetheless not much real testing as Hangover Remediation was the predemoninant theme for the day. The back end liked to grip on roost, even on slick stuff. The front, tracked a little oddly in ruts and crests, and likes to grab hold going slow, feels odd sometimes but definitely grips. I discovered that going faster seems to negate the odd front feel, so I just keep going fast. Managed to test the Twister performance on the swervers on the shores of Francois Lake, both ends felt under control and stable while assaulted.
.
Conclusion so far after 1300 Kms: No wear to speak of, minimal at best. High speed highway cornering, no problem. Rear traction offroad was fine, a 4.60 would be fine. Front traction is good, tracks weird at slow speed. Front probably will get better with age, but I wouldn't get another 270 front.
Part 2 after more serious butchering.
