The Bivouac

[Brimstone]

Wow, those Husky rear tanks look nicely integrated! a little red anodizing and they would look totally factory!

[JayBo1]

Originally Posted by italrally

no problem, call Daniela Leidl from KTM, put min. 25.000,- Euro on the table and you can get one ..... !

Can you PM her phone number and your bank account numbers please

[skibum69]

Originally Posted by Brimstone

Hey Skibum69,

Are you planning on plating your Honda Rally bike? What are the laws like out there on the east coast?

but of course! The law 'round here when it comes to plating is notoriously sketchy-all depends who you get when you walk in. My buddy has a plated 300 EXC too

[Pilbara]

Last year there was some drama around tyres. Michelin had long had a hold on the Dakar, but the last two years saw some of the top riders trying other brands and tyre support systems. Nothing was said of tyres this year that I picked up on. Is it that they all went back to tried and true Michelins and appropriate mousses? Any one have intel on what tyres the teams were using and any issues? Was the tubeless system used by anyone?

Cheers
Pilbara

[JayBo1]

Originally Posted by Pilbara

Last year there was some drama around tyres. Michelin had long had a hold on the Dakar, but the last two years saw some of the top riders trying other brands and tyre support systems. Nothing was said of tyres this year that I picked up on. Is it that they all went back to tried and true Michelins and appropriate mousses? Any one have intel on what tyres the teams were using and any issues? Was the tubeless system used by anyone?

Cheers
Pilbara

Good thought there Pilbara. I also wondered if the drop to 450cc means that there were less tyre drama's due to lighter weight and lower speeds. I did see a close-up of Coma's or Depres' rear tyre after one fast stage this year and it was well stuffed! Like you, I'd be interested to know if others brands are still being tried there though.
Cheers
JayBo

[skibum69]

I saw a few pics of totally roasted tires from different riders and not all pros. I'm interested to see what comes out of it for selection for the average joe

[Hayduke]

I remember seeing that both Jonah and Quinn Cody were using Dunlop 908's.

[skibum69]

Originally Posted by Hayduke

I remember seeing that both Jonah and Quinn Cody were using Dunlop 908's.

my next choice for my 640A

[JMo (& piglet)]

Originally Posted by Hayduke

I remember seeing that both Jonah and Quinn Cody were using Dunlop 908's.

I used 908RRs on my XR650R,and I really liked them - the last a very long time. They may not be as grippy in wet muddy conditions (like the last couple of days Dakar this year), but in the dry they are very progressive and confidence inspiring...

I spoke to Niles about using the 908s on Jonah's bike, and he said they worked perfectly well with Michelin BiB Mousses - so at least that's a combo you can trust?

As for Pilbara's question abut Tubliss - I don't imagine anyone bothered with that system - it's too much a faff to change (quickly), and there is still the potential of getting a flat... you might be able to ride home off the trail with a Tubliss holding the bead to the rim, but on a rally stage I imagine the tyre would be destroyed in a short while - it's not worth the risk. Better not get a flat in the first place and use a mousse.

Jx

[schattat]

KTM was forced to use Pirelli tires since Stefan Everts decided to use their tires in the MX series (Michelin previously supplied them with the stuff). Michelin got pissed off and told them they should find somebody else to equipd them with tires
In 2010 Despres made the "inofficial" move the Michelin as he only had drama with the Pirelli "Deserts".
This year Michelin is back "officially" and not only supporting KTM, but BMW, Yamaha, Aprilia and Sherco, so pretty much everybody Earlier KTM was able to get hands on special Deserts that were of better and longer lasting compunds whereas everbody else had to live with the off the shelf stuff.

For 2011 and onwards, Michelin has designed a new Desert Race and Marathon tire, as they call it, to suit the 450 more. Looks like they did an excellent job, as always

http://www.michelin.com/corporate/co...TO_2011_EN.pdf

[yety61]

49 weeks and counting.

[JMo (& piglet)]

I found a good way of preserving the front tyre - and the perfect excuse for a gratuitous self-promotion shot:



Jx

[Pilbara]

Originally Posted by schattat

http://www.michelin.com/corporate/co...TO_2011_EN.pdf

It seems Despres had quite a capacity advantage (according to Michelin) in 2007 and 2010

Seriously bored out engine

Cheers
Pilbara

[roadchick]

Thanks for the tip on tire preservation Nice shot!!!

Originally Posted by JMo (& piglet)

I found a good way of preserving the front tyre - and the perfect excuse for a gratuitous self-promotion shot:



Jx

[crankshaft]

Originally Posted by JMo (& piglet)

As for Pilbara's question abut Tubliss - I don't imagine anyone bothered with that system - it's too much a faff to change (quickly), and there is still the potential of getting a flat... you might be able to ride home off the trail with a Tubliss holding the bead to the rim, but on a rally stage I imagine the tyre would be destroyed in a short while - it's not worth the risk. Better not get a flat in the first place and use a mousse.

Jx

Been running Tubliss on my 950 SE for a year now and I find the opposite to be true, I can change them faster than a tube. I have eliminated the possibility of getting pinch flats and when I ran tubes, I would get them on the SE all the time while running hard in rocky terrain. I've also ran them on Rally stages with no problems at speeds up to 116 MPH and I'm still sitting here typing

I usually carry a spare Tubliss tube in my pack but I've never used it.
Try them sometime.