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Some of my KLR friends tell me this is a very popular tire combination. The feeling seems to be that the K60 has good longevity while the TKC better on the front where it lasts longer. My sense of it is that the TKC has generally better grip but doesn't last as long as the Heidenau.
Has anyone run this combination on a Varadero? What do you think of the idea? I'm thinking about going this route and would love to hear about anyone's experiences.
I recently purchased my Dero and it came with Avon Distanzias front and back. Since I've only had a couple of (very cold) rides before the snows came I would also be happy to hear if anyone has had any experiences with them (good or bad). -
Hey sleepy...
I have experience with Heidi´s (K60 Scout).
They are good for tarmac, gravel and light terrain.
But you must know, that the Scout is a allrounder, there are specialists for all the three areas and these specialists are in their environment better than the Heidi´s are.
So if you can live with such an highend allrounder, good for the whole spectrum, take this tire.
Edit:
The front tire I drive for now 10000 km and I think it will take me another 5-8 tkm. The rear tire did ~ 10000 km. So that you can use your front tire twice as long as the rear tire.
I drove most of the time solo, about half the distance with luggage.
Greetings from the South of Germany ...
Rainer -
Sorry, Rainer. the current front tyre, is that the K60 ?
JK -
No not a K60 but a K60 Scout.
Rear and front tyre is a Heidenau K60 Scout.
Rainer -
I used Kenda 270 knobbies on my KLR. TKC 80's were very good for compromise on/off road but wear very quick.
Not sure that I would run TKC's on the Vara due to the wear factor (+ heavy Varadero)
The Heidenau's sound like a good compromise for both road and modest gravel and FSR (forest service road) ....I've been using Anakee 3 and don't have much confidence on rough/loose gravel or FSR's ...good offroad (dry) is ok, but...
I've seen a few KTM Adventure fitted with Heidenaus and the owners are quite happy but I've read some comments about sidewalls popping ...probably when really pushing it offroad ...check ADV rider forums
I don't know about mixing Front & Rear but I ran TKC front & rear on the KLR no problem ...as you probably =know by now the VAra is a big beast as soon as you get off-road and, personally, I find it a handful so I tend to stay on "good" off-road ...it doesn't like wet/mud
You need to decide what you will be riding ....lots of off-road (=TKC'c) ...if you need to ride on road to get there ...then probably something like the Heidenaus ...occasional off-road adventures on good (dry) trails = Anakee 3 (or similar)
I'm tempted to try the Heidenaus (front & rear)
Let us know what you try...
Anyone tried the Kenda Big Block? ...probably cheap and fast wearing (..and noisy on road) ...but digs into the dirt
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That's the combination I'll be running this year, rear will be new and 2nd season on the front.
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let me know how it works for you. I am to cheap to buy new ones until I wear out the tires on the bike (which are almost new). I think that is the combo I will replace these with I think.
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4000 km on the conti's and about 25% life left, so although they are a great tire handling, I just ordered the hedineau scouts. A tire a month is too rich for my blood.
Cheers -
That's the combination I'll be running this year, rear will be new and 2nd season on the front.
Replacing the TKC80 with a K60 Scout to match the rear heidenau... The TKC worked well just wore really weird, it cupped very bad like the tire was underinflated.
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How do you find the heidenau grip wise. A friend of mine in Australia run heidenau front and rear and didn't like them. He took them off after about 2,000km and threw them away. He found their grip lacking both front and rear.
Interested in your views. -
At the moment I ride the third pair of Heidi´s and I´m happy with.
Front ~ 20000 km; rear ~ 10000 km per tyre.
My region to ride my MC is the Black Forest and the Palatine Forest as well as the Vosges.
All curvy terrain.
Rainer