TKC 80's

[sstewart]

How do you use a set of knobbies on a properly tuned 950? My recent project will skate around like it's on ice. I would skin my ass if I ran these very long on the street. How do they handle at a fast pace in the curves?

[torinreality]

Squirly on the street for sure. All (half-way) knobbies I've tried are like that.

[Qwik]

I dragged my pegs in the twisties with a TKC80 front and a Mefo rear.

[xcflyn]

Think they suck on the road- take em for good ride off road- I personally hate em. Cant air down the front because of the soft side walls, and the rear sucks in loose rocks and mud. I swapped the rear to a Kenda BB- it mounts harder and is no better for traction. People say they last a little longer but mine is dicing up up pretty bad from sharp rocks.

[sstewart]

I'm use to Mefos too.

[Chuckracer]

Originally Posted by Qwik

I dragged my pegs in the twisties with a TKC80 front and a Mefo rear.

Were you anywhere near the bike when this happened?

[Unkgd]

I have TKC 80 front and typically a 908RR rear. It is a great combo for the dirt (except really loose sand or deep mud) and the combination is acceptable on the street - after the tires are worn in (100 miles or so). I definitely don't get to dragging my foot pegs on the street as the front tire let's go long before that.

I have found that I typically go edge to edge on the front and still have about 1/4 inch on each side of the rear tire when I ride on the street. That is pretty much opposite of what happens on my sport and street bikes.

I did find the limit the hard way and almost high sided. Got it back - but still crashed into a guard rail.

[Qwik]

Originally Posted by Unkgd

I definitely don't get to dragging my foot pegs on the street as the front tire let's go long before that..

You would be surprised how far that front will go over. I do have CJs Medium peg extensions though.

[nomad guy]

Originally Posted by Qwik

You would be surprised how far that front will go over. I do have CJs Medium peg extensions though.

Its not the TKC that's surprising its the MEFO, one of the less grippy tires I've ever had.... loosing the rear is a constant issue.
The TKC is actually not a bad front tire for mixed road and easy gravel.

[Goti]

Originally Posted by Qwik

I dragged my pegs in the twisties with a TKC80 front and a Mefo rear.

I didn't drag mine but I swear I was close TKC front AND rear.
I really trust the front TKC and plan to keep it with my new K60 rear.

First time I saw my TKC front mounted on stock rim I didn't like the "square" profile, it looks stretched on that wide rim so my thoughts were that it wouldn't be good for aggressive leaning angles.
But it was a matter of time getting confidence, guess the compound it's making his work.

[MotoTex]

Currently running a TKC 80 front and Conti Trail Attack rear.

On a recent trip I was dragging toe, not quite peg, riding two-up touring BBNP pavement. Never felt close to letting go on either end.

On the same trip I did some solo rides on dirt roads and was equally impressed with both tires in that environment. Especially surprised with the fact that the Trail Attack rear gripped so well off pavement.

Just my two cents.

[nibby]

If you are doing mostly street riding then swap the TKC's for something else. They are very capable and so is the bike but not sure if I would want to test them for really fast street.

Go and get them dirty you will have more fun

[Sumi]

I was running TKC 80 front and rear on the 950.. For me it wasn't better than the stock Scorpions offroad:( (sand + gravel) It was a major disappointment for me.
It was OK onroad, but the rear wears faster than the scorps, plus on the road I always had to worry about the speedometer, not to overshoot it's speed rating (Q - 160km/h) + it's scarry on wet tarmac. I would never buy them again..

I don't know how it performs in mud, but as I've read it's not a champion there as well.

I'm using Michelin Desert on my 640, and I'm in love with that tire (off road and dry onroad).
If I wear out the current (scorpion mt90) set on the 950, I'll try the Deserts on it as well, or maybe the Pirelli Scorpion Rally is, that looks quite promising to me as well.

[xcflyn]

Originally Posted by nibby

If you are doing mostly street riding then swap the TKC's for something else. They are very capable and so is the bike but not sure if I would want to test them for really fast street.

Go and get them dirty you will have more fun

Ya but if your running them in the rocks you wont want a TKC front. I think its o.k. for dirt and mud but no dice for rocks or fast desert riding. Michelin Desert up front for me next. We will see how fast I can trash that . In defense of the TKC up front ,the knobs hold up well-as mentioned before- its the soft side walls that will get ya.

[Unkgd]

Originally Posted by xcflyn

Ya but if your running them in the rocks you wont want a TKC front. I think its o.k. for dirt and mud but no dice for rocks or fast desert riding. Michelin Desert up front for me next. We will see how fast I can trash that . In defense of the TKC up front ,the knobs hold up well-as mentioned before- its the soft side walls that will get ya.

Is the issue with the TKC front in the rocks, pinch flats or...? Haven't spent much time in rock gardens with the 990 yet so not much experience with that. Mostly dirt, sand, DG, with rocks mixed in.