New Tires Coming My Way!

[ajayhawkfan]

I am getting a FREE set of Kenda Big Block tires for my 12GSA!!!

I was asked to test them and then write up a short review by the end of January so that it can part of a larger article for the BMW magazine.

Only draw back, I have to take off brand new TKC 80's.

[Savage]

Nice! I like the looks of them, but I've read they're soft as butter.
Did they ask you to review them since you're king of the hill?

[troy]

Who better than the GS GIANT to review tires?!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZX6mQgfSSs[/youtube]

The Kenda Big Block would have been great for that course.

I loved these tires on my F800GS but the rear wore out VERY quickly. Since they are so low cost, though, the dollar per mile comparison is probably not too bad. I predict you'll like the way it performs on dirt and gravel but on pavement your 1200GSA will destroy that tire in no time. The front tire's soft knobs are squirrely on pavement which can be unsettling in a turn.

I'm interested to hear your review.

[ajayhawkfan]

The Big Block or TKC 80's would have been better on the course. The Scouts wear like iron, until they start flaking off in chunks, but they suck in the mud and sand.

I am a member of this forum http://gsgiants.com/forums/index.php?si ... 1e4ffd569b and they asked for volunteers. I believe I was one of the chosen because I did win the Challenge.

[katbeanz]

Dibs on the TKC's! I did pick up an extra rear wheel in ADV flea market, I think I'm going to fit it with a Kenda big block and a 45 tooth for more road oriented stuff since 908RR's are out of sight.
Looks like the big blocks are comparable in price to a 606.

[ajayhawkfan]

Whoo Whoo my tires arrived.

Normally I get tires at Engles and have them mount and balance. It is too expensive for them to do these because I did not buy from them. Where else around here can I get them done?

[Rusty Jug]

El do cycle charges $20.00 per tire, that should give you a small town view of pricing. That's if you bring them in off the bike. Hope that helps

[troy]

Normally I get tires at Engles and have them mount and balance. It is too expensive for them to do these because I did not buy from them. Where else around here can I get them done?

#1 WTF? How much money have you spent at Engle's?! How many customers have you sent to them?! It's not like you went out and bought tires online to save 10%--you were GIVEN these tires to do a review. Engle's needs to put the tires on for you....and for free now as an apology for being asshats.

#2 Cycle Gear will put tires on for a slightly higher price than if you buy the tires from them. I think it's about $20/tire. BUT...you can't take the bike to them--just the wheels. If I know you, Eddie, you don't even want to take the wheels off. In order to remove both wheels, you either need a big bike hydraulic jack stand or you can use your center stand in combination with a front fork stand like this:
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/pi ... web1011056


I've used my center-stand in combination with ratchet straps to my garage rafters to hold the front end barely off the ground.

Eddie, I have a very heavy motorcycle hydraulic jack stand that will probably work for your 1200. I also have a front fork lift stand. You can borrow both to see what works best to get both your wheels off the ground.

[ajayhawkfan]

Troy, When I buy tires from Engles they knock off about 25% and then charge about that to mount them. That works out to getting tires are about online price. I'm happy with that. But they wanted $75 a wheel to mount and balance my tires. Granted I did not talk to Mike or Adam because both were out and maybe they would have cut me a break but I thought that price was ridiculous!!!

Thank you for the offer to use your life. I might take you up on it. I wonder if I have a tool that will remove the wheel.

[troy]

Troy, When I buy tires from Engles they knock off about 25% and then charge about that to mount them. That works out to getting tires are about online price. I'm happy with that. But they wanted $75 a wheel to mount and balance my tires. Granted I did not talk to Mike or Adam because both were out and maybe they would have cut me a break but I thought that price was ridiculous!!!

Thank you for the offer to use your life. I might take you up on it. I wonder if I have a tool that will remove the wheel.

I'll come over with my lift and tools and take your wheels off. Only thing semi-special you want to be careful with is you should remove the ABS sensor at the wheel before pulling the wheel off. Otherwise you risk damaging the part that sticks out and reads the wheel. I've never worked with a shaft drive---does that impose any complications to removing the wheel? I imagine I can figure it out.

I bet safiri Mike knows...and he lives relatively close to you.

[safiri]

On my 85 K100 (shaft drive, like the 1xx0GS) no special tool was needed to remove the wheel. I changed those tires myself, BTW. Not that hard to do.

To balance by spinning you do need a special tool. Harbor Freight used to sell one, but I just checked and no more. To balance I used a large lawnmower blade type balancer ... something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Mower-Blad ... B000VYFOJM

I also have a moto jack you can borrow, same as Troy's but closer. Or bring the bike and tires over and we will change them in my garage.

[ajayhawkfan]

On my 85 K100 (shaft drive, like the 1xx0GS) no special tool was needed to remove the wheel. I changed those tires myself, BTW. Not that hard to do.

To balance by spinning you do need a special tool. Harbor Freight used to sell one, but I just checked and no more. To balance I used a large lawnmower blade type balancer ... something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Mower-Blad ... B000VYFOJM

I also have a moto jack you can borrow, same as Troy's but closer. Or bring the bike and tires over and we will change them in my garage.

Thank you very much. Would sometime between Christmas and New Years work for you?

[ajayhawkfan]

I got the tires mounted and balanced. Today I got out and played a little this afternoon.



The Big Blocks hooked up well on the soft gravel.



They gave me a little extra confidence on snow/ice:





But even the Big Blocks were not a match to a large snow drift: (No kickstand needed )



My initial impression of the Big Block tires compared to TKC 80's, Keidenau K 60 Scouts and Metzeler Tourance. 10 pt scale with the best tire I have used has to be a 10.

Traction on soft gravel and mud gravel mix:
B Block 10
TKC 8.5
Scouts 4
Tour 2

Traction on hard pack gravel:
B BLock 10
TKC 9
Scouts 7
Tour 5

Traction in turns in soft gravel and mud gravel mix:
B Block 10
TKC 9
Scouts 7
Tour 2

Traction in turns on hard packed gravel
Big Block 10
TKC 10
Scouts 7
Tour 5

Smooth ride on black top:
Tour 10
Scouts 8.5
TKC 7
B Block 5

Road noise (When I wear ear plugs the only tire whine I hear are the Scouts).
Tour 10
TKC 7
B Block 5
Scouts 1

Traction on snow and ice
B Block 10
TKC 9

Not enough miles to comment on cornering, climbing, mud, sand and wear

[ajayhawkfan]

I have now put over 1,000 miles on the Big Block tires. The above comparison stands.

In a summary, The Big Blocks are a slightly better tire for off road riding than the TKC80's. On the black top the performance is similar. The one biggest difference is wear. The Big Blocks wear twice as fast as the TKC80. I get 3000 mile on the rear TKC80 and it looks like I will only get 1500 miles on the Big Blocks. I will double that for the fronts.

The big blocks are less expensive so I did a quick comparison. I got prices from Motorcycle Superstore:

Big Block
Rear $132/1500 miles = 8.8 cents a mile
Front $98/3000 miles = 3.3 cents a mile
8.8+3.3=12.1 cents a mile to ride Big Block Tires

TKC80
Rear $191/3000 = 6.4 cents a mile
Front $144/6000 = 2.4 cents a mile
6.4+2.4 = 8.8 cents a mile to ride TKC80's

The above is the cost for just the tire. Mounting and balancing the Big Block would cost twice as much as the TKC80 because the tires having to be replaces twice as fast.

I'm sticking with the TKC80 for my main all around dual sport tire. The slightly better traction off road and the lower cost per unit for the Big Block tires does not warrant switching brands when you take into account the wear.

[troy]

Thanks for this comparison, Eddie!

[Drz Charlie]

Well done Eddie, great comparison.

[katbeanz]

Thanks for this comparison, Eddie!

+1, Thanks Eddie!

[kendall_smith]

I had completely forgotten about this comparison, but I'm glad katbeanz brought it back up to the top. I just put a new TKC 80 on the rear of my 990 to match the 1/2 worn TKC 80 on the front and according to Eddie it looks like I made the right choice of tire.

I will add that I had to remove a (only) half worn Heidenau K60 to put my new TKC 80 on. The K60 was fine as an all-around tire, but lacked in the off-road department too much for me to leave it on the bike. I could live with most of it's behavior, but when I rode with it on the big, chunky, loose rock found here in AR, the rear end got scary with how bad it would deflect when hitting those rocks.

I hope I like the TKC 80 rear. I think I can live with the wear as long as the traction is good and I really like how the front TKC I've been using for a few thousand miles works.

[stimmer6253472]

I hope I like the TKC 80 rear. I think I can live with the wear as long as the traction is good and I really like how the front TKC I've been using for a few thousand miles works.

I always liked the TKC rear as well but man they just don't last. The longevity of the front is much better of course. I would say two rears to a front. My last couple sets of rears have been the Mefo Super Explorers (still run a TKC up front). They last MUCH longer. Maybe not quite the dirt tire but perfectly fine for a 990 on what I drive 99% of the time. If you haven't tried one yet give it a try some time.

BTW
I was the guy at WUDI you talked to that was camped right next to you when you came back and your toy hauler had the moat all around it and you packed up and moved. I didn't realize who you were until Troy came by the next day looking for you. Nice rig you had there. I'm jealous.
Jim

[kendall_smith]

Ah, you were the neighbors outside my moat? I wish we could have stayed in that spot, but I figured I'd better pick a different spot while I still had the chance just in case we got more rain. If I would have known that was you, I would have introduced myself. Maybe next time!

As for the TKC 80 rear, I'm actually glad to hear about the 2 rear tires to one front tire rule. I was actually hoping that might be the case, so hopefully I won't be disappointed. I'm really trying to get the 990 set up about 50/50 since it is my do-it-all (maybe do-it-most since I still have my 350 for actual trail riding) bike. It has to be my street bike, touring bike, and dual sport all in one since I am limited to how many bikes I can fit in the toy hauler. The Heidenau seemed to favor the paved side of the spectrum at the expense of some dirt-worthiness.