Off-road tires

[Justin B.]

Seems somebody a while back was lamenting the unavailability of off-road tires in our old Beemer sizes.  An e-mail from Bike Bandit caught my eye today and it appears they carry a tire with a pretty aggressive tread pattern in 3.00x18 front and 4.00x18 rear:

http://www.bikebandit.com/product/3594?WT.mc_id=803142

[scarygary]

Seems somebody a while back was lamenting the unavailability of off-road tires in our old Beemer sizes.  An e-mail from Bike Bandit caught my eye today and it appears they carry a tire with a pretty aggressive tread pattern in 3.00x18 front and 4.00x18 rear:

http://www.bikebandit.com/product/3594?WT.mc_id=803142

they would look great on a olive green R65.

[Ed Miller]

I was thinking of going with those when I wear out my current Spitfires.  I didn't notice the 3.00 x 18 front; I was going to try the 3.50 x 18 rear on the front.  I looked at one in a local shop, and there's no direction arrow on it so I don't know why it won't work as a front tire.  Which size would be better?  One's thinner than stock, and the other is about the same amount fatter.

Edit:  hee hee, Justin started a tire thread!  

[Justin B.]

The 3.50 would be closer to stock, fit the rim better, and stand a less chance of rubbing on stuff.  I think 3.50 works out close to a 100/90...

[Semper Gumby]

I was thinking of going with those when I wear out my current Spitfires.  I didn't notice the 3.00 x 18 front; I was going to try the 3.50 x 18 rear on the front.  I looked at one in a local shop, and there's no direction arrow on it so I don't know why it won't work as a front tire.  Which size would be better?  One's thinner than stock, and the other is about the same amount fatter.

Edit:  hee hee, Justin started a tire thread!  

I was just thinking that I would also use the 3.50 rear on the front.  You might have to mount the fender a little higher otherwise the mud will stop the tire and then you will be on your side.  Ask me how I know this...

[Bengt_Phorqs]

OK, how do you know this?  There has to be a good story here.  How does the R65 ride on gravel roads?  Obviously not a dirt bike but does it have the potential for some Big Bend type riding?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

OK, how do you know this?  There has to be a good story here.  How does the R65 ride on gravel roads?  Obviously not a dirt bike but does it have the potential for some Big Bend type riding?

IMO, yes.

You are not that likely to run into any serious mud, but if you do, you may want to consider a high-mounted dirt fender.  It is not hard to do, I have done it.  Sorry, long ago, and no pictures and I sold the fender...

I also don't recommed using Euro bars, as I insisted... I hear the GS bars are nice, or another favorite bar of mine with a crossbar, is the US bar for the pre-70 bikes!

I think that would give you plenty of leverage.



Make sure your forks and shocks are up to the task.

Make sure you can fix a flat on the side of the road....


I think Big Bend would be a lot of fun.

[Semper Gumby]

Ran through a mud bog on a dirt road on the way to Augusta GA with the big tire on the front (110/90 H18).  Mud stopped the front tire after 6 feet.  The next thing I knew I was laying on the side thanking God for the fairing and the side bags otherwise my leg would have been pinned.  This was the week after Skirt showed me how to pick up a motorcycle.  Picked it right up.  Then I had to use sticks to clear the red Georgia clay out of the front fender.  To get the bike out of the mud I walked the bike out of the bog in first gear.  Great fun.

Moral of the story - raise the fender.  Probably need an inch or an inch and a half.  One of the world trekkers who uses the R65 just removes the front fender when it comes time to go in the dirt.  Live and learn.

[Motu]

 How does the R65 ride on gravel roads?  

My R65 is one of the best bikes I've ever used in gravel,and I've been riding gravel roads for 39 years.I am using 4.00x18 Dunlop K70 tyres front and rear,and flattrack handlebars.



Different roads,but both are marked as not suitable for trucks or trailers - both very narrow,twisty,steep and rough.

[Semper Gumby]

Motu - Cool!  But not in the mud!  (that fork brace is awfully close!)


IRC Tires - Is there a manufacturs web site where I can get dimensions???

Found it!  The application guide has lots of small displacement bikes listed for the GP-1.  So perhaps a GP-1 3.50 rear tire would be good enough for the front.  And then a S-rated GP110 on the back in the 4.60-18 size.  Just a thought.

http://www.irc-tire.com/mce/

Seems there are lots of rear tires available - it's the front tire in the 18 and 19 inch sizes that are hardest to find.

[Motu]

No,not mud - the bike is set up for gravel,but I hope it will be ok in winter when some of these gravel roads get muddy.

Stay away from the GP110 - it was one of the worse tyres in gravel I ever used on my XT600E,and totally hopeless off road.Not even good on seal,slides around a lot....although pretty controllable for a tyre that's losing grip.

[Semper Gumby]

Copy that.  I may try a GP-1 on the front (3.50-18 rear tire turned around).

TTFN,

[Ed Miller]

Copy that.  I may try a GP-1 on the front (3.50-18 rear tire turned around).

TTFN,

Judging by the one I looked at, you won't be able to tell which way is turned around.    I couldn't find an arrow on the side wall.

[Semper Gumby]

Whoa!!!!  Went out to my BSA enabler today on the A65 Thunderbolt and saw a 21" IRC GP-1 on the floor.  Told Beno Rodi that I was thinking about putting the 3.50-18 on the front of the R65.  He then let out that the one on the floor had come off a bike and was being thrown away because it was a peice of SH^T.  I picked up the tire and sure enough the rubber felt like plastic!  Aparently on the road the tire washes out in no time (has no traction).  Has anybody else had this experience??

Caveat Emptor!!!

Greatings from Windy Cold Atlanta 35'f

[Justin B.]

Well, it does look like an off-road tire although the customer reviews on Bike Bandit indicate it works well on the street, too...