dual purpose tires on R1150rt

Im planning a trip to Mexico with a friend who rides a GS. I ride a r1150rt. Im wondering if my Me880s are up to a little dirt road riding as in Creel to Batapolis or should I consider some kind of more agressive tread pattern?

My personal opinion is that the typical dual sport tire for oilheads don't add much to the dirt equation. And nothing, when you're talking mud.

You will probably have trouble finding a front to fit your bike.

Also... these bikes are *heavy* and their dual sport tires are specially designed for the load range. Just because the tire fits doesn't mean that it's designed to support the load of your bike and gear.

You'd probably do just fine with the ME880s. Unless it rains....

Ian

You ought to be able to wrestle an RT down that road and back, but I don't think I would enjoy it much. The road is in pretty good condition, and not as steep as other roads in the Sierra Tarahumahara. But the inevitable sudden confrontations with traffic will make you wish you were on something lighter. You could find yourself forced onto a soft edge where something with some tread could make a difference. If you can get TKC80s or Karoos to fit that bike, do it. Don't expect them to last long, though.

If you decide to go past Bato, expect a challenge. You will be getting into country where good riders who go there on a KLR will often pick something lighter for the next trip.

You both make good points, I just don't want to give up the comfort of the RT for a very limited amount of dirt road riding.

The Buell Ulysses wears the same size rubber as an RT. They come with the Pirelli Scorpion Sync. Not sure whether that tire would be much better though...