Knobbing it...

[Alien]

I have a few extra bucks in my pocket and would like to get new tires for my Ulysses so I am fresh and ready to roll in the spring. I have been considering getting knobbys. I don't do much off-road riding but I would like to hit some of the local fire roads this season. Most of my riding will still be on pavement and I know a bunch of guys here will suggest i stick with a more street oriented or dual sport type tire. But I have used several sets of Dunlop 606's and similar tires. I want to try set of knobby's just for the hell of it this time around. I realize it might not be the smartest expenditure of money but it's just something I want to try.

So with that said, I have a few questions for those of you in the know:

Other then TKC 80s, what are other brands and models that I should consider?

Will standard 120 front and 180 rear fit or should I alter sizes?

For street use, do those of you who run nobby's feel comfortable at a typical Street pace on winding roads, during braking and acceleration, etc.?

Where's the best place to order from?

Is there anything else I need to know before purchasing a set and riding on them?

 

[pos90]

The standard 120-180 sizes fit perfectly. In my opinion the TKC80's work fine at a reasonable street pace.

 

[Bullettooth023]

2nd the tkc80s

 

[heagachongoose]

LOVE that bike [cool][up]

 

[go cytocis]

I have been considering getting knobbys...I know a bunch of guys here will suggest i stick with a more street oriented or dual sport type tire...Other then TKC 80s, what are other brands and models that I should consider?

Just to be clear, if you're considering TKC80s (a wise choice based on your description of how you ride BTW), you're not really considering real knobbies, you really are just sticking with a more street-oriented dual sport tire.

Will standard 120 front and 180 rear fit or should I alter sizes?

I'd stick with the stock widths as close as possible to maintain street handling, but the 17" wheels on the Uly is really going to limit your choices.

For street use, do those of you who run nobby's feel comfortable at a typical Street pace on winding roads, during braking and acceleration, etc.

At reasonable speeds, dual sport tires like the TKC80's you're considering will be fine, though you should be prepared for more vibration & some reduced braking & cornering performance as compared to a pure street tire. Real non-DOT knobbies however (which you'll not find in sizes that'll fit on a Uly) would be a significant compromise in terms of street handling & wear.

 

[Cooter]

They look like knobbies to me?

I really like those tires and want to put them on a XBSs with RC bars, handguards, and a mount for my AR-15[cool]

I wonder what a CR would look like with TKC80's? All flat black of course.

 

[go cytocis]

They look like knobbies to me?

If you compare a dual-sport tire, like the TKC80, to a true off-road knobbie, you'll find the dual-sport tire has much less open area between the tread blocks, & much less tread depth. Generally, true off-road knobbies are composed of softer compounds, narrower, don't come in 17" sizes, & are non-DOT approved (ie illegal for road use).

 

[AZmidget91]

I rode a dirt bike with brand new tires about a mile on pavement, and the tires were half gone.

 

[Cooter]

And the term "dual-sport" tire is very, very broad. Some MFG's believe a dual-sport tire is a street tire with slightly open tread, while others see a dual-sport tire is a race knobby with a slightly harder durometer. The TKC80's seem more 'dirt' than 'street' to me. My 2¢…

AZmidget91, what tires were those? That's pathetic for even a soft competition compound!

 

[Alien]

I use the term "knobby" more as an appearance adjective than anything. I won't be doing as many miles this year as I usually do and I just want to try some local fire roads and have that bad ass look. Next year I'll likely go back to more of an 80-20 type tire when I'll be able to ride more.

 

[go cytocis]

the term "dual-sport" tire is very, very broad

Yup, agreed, that's why dual-sport tires get categorized by ratio on/off road (50/50 to 90/10). The TKC80s definitely tend towards the 'on-road' end of the spectrum & they are definitely not the tire I'd want to encounter any mud, sand, or even grass with.