How are the t-63 working for you guys. I need a new front to replace my scorp.. I have a mefo SE on the rear and thought that might be a good combo for the 990. I spend alot of time on the slab. Thanks
I tried the T-63 and took it off. It was slightly better for me in the dirt than the TKC-80, but leaned over on the slab it was unpredictable and uncomfortable. If you compare them, the TKC has about 4x the side knob area so it makes sense. For my uses and terrain, the TKC is a better choice. Steve
I like them on my SE. Theres better tires for more street. I'm not trying to drag my pegs on the street so they work good enough for me. The knobs don't wear as funny as 606 or MT21 on the street. I can get them real cheap.So i'm happy
I had the opposite experience from alleycatdad. I could push the T63 very hard on the street, as in going on a sportbike ride on twisty WI backroads, while keeping up with R1's and Ducatis. The TKC80, with it's taller knobs, will squirm and walk a bit at the same pace. Plus, the T63's are cheaper!
I ran a set of T63s on a 1100 on/off road ride in Mexico last year. I snowed on us in the mountains for the first 200 miles, so wet and a little slimy; they worked better than I anticipated. Further south, it was hot with lots of deep sand. As long as you kept moving, the rear worked OK. The front was fine in all conditions. The only flaw was that the rear started to rip at the base of each knob. It didn't rip through the carcass but I really had to be careful for the last 300 miles as not to destroy the tire. Bottom line; I don't think the rear holds up well on a 950/990 due to the HP and wheel spin. My buddy has a set on his KLR and they worked really well so I'd say on a lighter lower HP bike, no problem. I don't know how they would do on a street-going ocean liner GS 1200.
The T63 fronts have too Flimsy of Sidewalls for a big bike. The TKC has short tread depth & also thin sidewalls. The stock (SE) front Metzeler Karoo TRAVELER knobbie has outlasted ANY front tire I've found for true 50/50 dual sporting. I love the REAR Mefo Super Explorer High air pressures is the key to longevity & less likely flats on big bikes
You're serious? I think I got 1000 miles out of the stock front and fewer out of the rear. It was great on the street though.
The Expen$ive Karoo "traveler" Front - NOT the regular cheaper Karoo front. All rear karoo rears is DOO DOO IMHO.
I got 6500 miles out of a Karoo 2 (with a Tubliss insert) on a ride from Beyneu, Kazakhstan to Ulaan Bator, Mongolia. There was alot of bad tarmac and a helluva lot more dirt/sand/gravel. The Karoo 2 is CHEAP, like the T63. The Tubliss extended life, in my experience, another 2000 miles. The Karoo (T) on my Husky TE630 is fantastic on street and I chase sport bikes into every corner I can. It's hard to add to the K60's reputation. On this run, 12,000 miles and I'm still a long way from the wear bars. That's on a 2.5" rear rim with a 140/80.
I've got one on the Adv now and it's been good...haven't had a chance to run a lot of dirt lately, got about 3k on the tire and it looks good. Very little cupping and good tread left. It feels way better on and off road than the Mefo Explorer it replaced. Keep the PSI up!
I like the T63 on a Husky 630, etc. The ADV is a little heavy. PSI has to be kept up. The sidewalls are not stiff, just like the 21" TKC (the 19" TKC is relatively stiff). The Michelin Desert, which the T63 is based is not cheap but is great on the ADV, on front.
I guess I will just have to try it myself as there are so many opinions. I think the scorps have very soft sidewalls so I don't know if thats a problem. After having a rear flat on the stock scorp it was a breeze to change by the side of the road but the new Mefo has a stiff sidewall and probably be a bitch.
I also took the T63 front off of my 950 when it was not even half gone because I didn't like it. Too much squirming when riding hard... especially on downhills with the tire loaded up. Not confidence inspiring. I'll throw it on my 500 and use the other half there. YMMV
For the price it is a decent tire. It has a tread pattern similar to a TKC80 but the tread does not go as high on the sidewall nor are the lugs as long. Unlike the TKC it did not exhibit the cupping normally found on that tire. It is physically smaller and narrower than the TKC. Works fine on pavement and did not have the wanders that the TKC has at speed, but not as good off pavement, especially in the loose stuff IMO. I have run the front on both a F800gs and a KLX680. I do like the rear tire on the KLX.
T63 front and rear, Yuma to LaPaz and back. Lot's of dirt and rocks, XR650r. 2 front flats - pinch 2 rear flats - nail and pinch Probably will not put on another set on current 690 and 990. Heard mention of flimsy side walls? Not good for rugged, bigger bikes......