Dirt tyres on a Skorpion Tour

Black Panther/Street Moto, Baghira, Enduro, Mastiff, Skorpion Traveller and Tour.

Moderators: DAVID THOMPSON, phlat65

Dirt tyres on a Skorpion Tour

Postby Berniecal » Tue Jun 05, 2012 3:58 pm

What are the most aggressive thread tyres available that will fit on a Skorpion Tour (standard wheels) and not wreck the mudguards?
I'm in Nova Scotia, and am planning a cross-Canada trip including 1000kms north to Inuvik on the Dempster highway, which is gravel and converts to muck in wet weather. So I'm hoping to ship tyres to Whitehorse, get them changed there, and change back on the return.
Does anyone know what make and size fits?
2001 Skorpion Tour. Of about 50 bikes I have owned, this is the one I have kept the longest.
Berniecal
 
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:16 am
Location: Nova Scotia south shore.

Re: Dirt tyres on a Skorpion Tour

Postby Norman Wade » Tue Jun 05, 2012 4:34 pm

A friend of mine fitted Avon Distanzias for a trip to Norway. See: http://mike-thistledown.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/spinning-around.html

He also fitted higher bars and guards to the headlight and radiator to protect them from flying stones. See: http://mike-thistledown.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/finished-product.html

Norman
User avatar
Norman Wade
 
Posts: 134
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:22 am
Location: Renfrewshire, Scotland

Re: Dirt tyres on a Skorpion Tour

Postby Berniecal » Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:48 pm

Not wishing to risk my precious Skorpion, I bought a KLX250 and did the trip in August, starting from Golden BC. Super trip! but that seat was a bit extreme. I did a lot of cheek-shifting :D 7000kms, crossed the Arctic Circle, saw the sun at midnight.
The KLX was the supermoto version with 17" wheels, and I found a pair of Kenda K270 4.60-17 worked very well. The steering has to be got used to, and it bogs down in deep mud, but allround a very good compromise.
So my conclusion is that the Skorpion should stay on hardpack. I met several people using dual-purpose tyres, but they really don't work in mud or loose gravel, and lots of people fall off on the Dempster. I got lucky and both I and my brother-in-law stayed upright. He was on a TW200 and we both got some funny looks from the big-adventure-tourer people! We met one intrepid soul on a huge Suzuki tourer, pulling a trailer with a dog in it. He fell off twice on the road north, and got a hero's welcome when he arrived in Inuvik.
Next trip I think will be the trans-Labrador highway.
2001 Skorpion Tour. Of about 50 bikes I have owned, this is the one I have kept the longest.
Berniecal
 
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:16 am
Location: Nova Scotia south shore.

Re: Dirt tyres on a Skorpion Tour

Postby Old Dog » Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:03 pm

A pair of Heidenau K66 mud and snow tyres arrived today - 130/70 and 110/70. Will get them fitted this week and report back
All the best

Old Dog

He hath no grave, is covered with the sky and the way to heaven out of all places is like in length and distance
Old Dog
 
Posts: 322
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 4:09 pm
Location: UK

Re: Dirt tyres on a Skorpion Tour

Postby Berniecal » Thu Nov 22, 2012 10:20 am

Hi OldDog,
I googled your signature to find the origin, but I think it should read: "He that hath no grave, is covered with the sky, and the way to heaven out of all places is on 2 wheels, on a sunny day." :D
Good Luck with the Heidenaus.
Bernie.

Old Dog wrote:A pair of Heidenau K66 mud and snow tyres arrived today - 130/70 and 110/70. Will get them fitted this week and report back
2001 Skorpion Tour. Of about 50 bikes I have owned, this is the one I have kept the longest.
Berniecal
 
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:16 am
Location: Nova Scotia south shore.

Re: Dirt tyres on a Skorpion Tour

Postby Old Dog » Thu Nov 22, 2012 4:43 pm

Cheers Bernie, old Tom More is one of my heroes.
All the best

Old Dog

He hath no grave, is covered with the sky and the way to heaven out of all places is like in length and distance
Old Dog
 
Posts: 322
Joined: Mon Mar 07, 2005 4:09 pm
Location: UK


Return to 660 cc

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 129 guests