Michelin T- 63 how are they working

m800mm · 09-29-2012, 07:05 AM

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

Alleycatdad · 09-29-2012, 09:02 AM

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

dogsslober · 09-29-2012, 02:33 PM

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

AdvRonski · 09-29-2012, 07:30 PM

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!

mjlang · 09-30-2012, 10:52 AM

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.

Brown Dog · 10-01-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m800mm

... I need a new front to replace my scorp..
I have a mefo SE on the rear ...
I spend alot of time on the slab...

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

traveltoad · 10-01-2012, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brown Dog

The stock (SE) front Metzeler Karoo TRAVELER knobbie has outlasted ANY front tire I've found for true 50/50 dual sporting.

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.

Brown Dog · 10-01-2012, 06:23 PM

The Expen$ive Karoo "traveler" Front - NOT the regular cheaper Karoo front.
All rear karoo rears is DOO DOO IMHO.

traveltoad · 10-01-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brown Dog

The Expen$ive Karoo "traveler" Front - NOT the regular cheaper Karoo front.
All rear karoo rears is DOO DOO IMHO.

Ahh... . Ok.

genghis9021 · 10-01-2012, 06:36 PM

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.

dogsslober · 10-01-2012, 07:12 PM

How you like a T63 front. That is if you have ran one. Not what your favorite tires are

avocadofarmer · 10-01-2012, 07:22 PM

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!

genghis9021 · 10-01-2012, 08:13 PM

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.

m800mm · 10-02-2012, 02:48 PM

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.

genghis9021 · 10-02-2012, 09:01 PM

The soft sidewall will be especially noticeable (!) when you flat . . . ever moreso on a heavy bike.

09-29-2012, 07:05 AM	#1
m800mm ^OP Adventurer Joined: Oct 2010 Oddometer: 65	Michelin T- 63 how are they working 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

09-29-2012, 09:02 AM	#2
Alleycatdad Unbunch yer panties! Joined: Feb 2008 Location: True Norcal, not that Bay Area/Sacto Crap... Oddometer: 1,104	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 __________________ When in doubt, PIN IT! It may not help, but it'll sure end the suspense... Wretched Exce$$ See ADVr's around the world-ADV spotwalla page Riding Wretched Wretched Passes Bad decisions make good stories.

09-29-2012, 02:33 PM	#3
dogsslober No neck tie, Ti neck Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Morgan Hill Ca Oddometer: 571	T63 front 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

09-29-2012, 07:30 PM	#4
AdvRonski They call me......Ronski Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Wishing I was back in Grand Junction Oddometer: 556	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! __________________ Ronski Enduro Racer & Google Earth Adventurer

09-30-2012, 10:52 AM	#5
mjlang Man Caves Rule! Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Escondido, CA Oddometer: 151	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. __________________ If it flys, f*cks, or floats... RENT IT! '06 KTM 950 Adventure S '07 KTM 450 EXC

10-01-2012, 06:23 PM	#8
Brown Dog North Georgia Dual Sportr Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Calhoun, GA. USA Oddometer: 1,693	The Expen$ive Karoo "traveler" Front - NOT the regular cheaper Karoo front. All rear karoo rears is DOO DOO IMHO. __________________ 2008 KTM 690 ENDURO with 2009 suspension & 950 SUPER ENDURO http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...postcount=1784 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...postcount=8594 http://advrider.com/forums/showpost....&postcount=683 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnFCdoc_IDE

10-01-2012, 06:36 PM	#10
genghis9021 Arak Connoisseur Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand & NORCAL Oddometer: 206	Karoo 2 (not Brown Dog's 'T') and K60 Mefo/Hidenau 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. __________________ 2011 Husky TE 630 2011 Husaberg FE 570S 2006 KTM 950 'S' ADV 2005 Suzuki DRZ 400 SM "The perfect is the enemy of the good." Orange, it's the new black Tour.

10-01-2012, 07:12 PM	#11
dogsslober No neck tie, Ti neck Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Morgan Hill Ca Oddometer: 571	The question was How you like a T63 front. That is if you have ran one. Not what your favorite tires are

10-01-2012, 07:22 PM	#12
avocadofarmer Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Southern California Oddometer: 161	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!

10-01-2012, 08:13 PM	#13
genghis9021 Arak Connoisseur Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand & NORCAL Oddometer: 206	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. __________________ 2011 Husky TE 630 2011 Husaberg FE 570S 2006 KTM 950 'S' ADV 2005 Suzuki DRZ 400 SM "The perfect is the enemy of the good." Orange, it's the new black Tour.

10-02-2012, 02:48 PM	#14
m800mm ^OP Adventurer Joined: Oct 2010 Oddometer: 65	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.

10-02-2012, 09:01 PM	#15
genghis9021 Arak Connoisseur Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand & NORCAL Oddometer: 206	The soft sidewall will be especially noticeable (!) when you flat . . . ever moreso on a heavy bike. __________________ 2011 Husky TE 630 2011 Husaberg FE 570S 2006 KTM 950 'S' ADV 2005 Suzuki DRZ 400 SM "The perfect is the enemy of the good." Orange, it's the new black Tour.

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