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R nine t classic off road

D

dimitri0411

New member
hi I have a 2018 R nine T Classic. I wanted to start doing a bit of trail riding. What tires would you suggest. Also would you change bars etc
 
You could start looking at all the brands, does the Continental TKC 80 come 17", I've known guys to run rear tires front and back but you might not have room for that. Whey didn't you buy the Urban G/S?
 
dimitri0411 said:
hi I have a 2018 R nine T Classic. I wanted to start doing a bit of trail riding. What tires would you suggest. Also would you change bars etc
Click to expand...

TKC 80 is probably your only decent trail option for a 17” front tyre. Take a look at Honda CB500X forums for 17” front tyre discussions (only up to the 2018 model, Honda put 19” fronts on the 2019- bikes).

I used to run TKC 80s on my old GS, they don’t last as long as street tyres, but do perform really well on trails and pavement.
 
I run DOT full knobbies on my 640 all the time, I have zero issues on pavement or dirt.

The Dunlop 908 rear is my favourite but probably not what you need.
IMG_0070-L.jpg
 
skibum69 said:
you could always trade it in
Click to expand...

That is not necessary. I'm old enough to have enjoyed rideing a standard motorcycle not much different than yours all over back roads, dirt back roads with the stock street tires of the time. Adventure riding cliche had not yet been coined. No dual sport bikes existed.

My longest ride was from Vermont around New Foundlland. Camping on river banks (fewer bugs in the wind) 4000 miles with over 1000 dirt. (Honda CX500)

Enjoy your bike, don't let marketing and the "look" drive you to spend unnecessary money.

It is the rider and not the bike that makes the adventure.

Most of the 80/20 or 90/10 adv tires are really road tires with slightly more open tread...still worthless in mud and wet grass. Don't waste your money.
 
vtbob said:
That is not necessary. I'm old enough to have enjoyed rideing a standard motorcycle not much different than yours all over back roads, dirt back roads with the stock street tires of the time. Adventure riding cliche had not yet been coined. No dual sport bikes existed.

My longest ride was from Vermont around New Foundlland. Camping on river banks (fewer bugs in the wind) 4000 miles with over 1000 dirt. (Honda CX500)

Enjoy your bike, don't let marketing and the "look" drive you to spend unnecessary money.

It is the rider and not the bike that makes the adventure.

Most of the 80/20 or 90/10 adv tires are really road tires with slightly more open tread...still worthless in mud and wet grass. Don't waste your money.
Click to expand...

Somewhat to your point.........

https://turtlegarage.com/motorcycles/bmw-r69s-isdt-the-first-gs/
 
Examine the tread pattern of the Continental K112 and RB2 and compare those to a modern tire like a Michelin Pilot Road and become amazed at the difference. We have gone from tread that works on gravel and grass to slicks with a few rain grooves. So using a "sport touring" street tire today is not the same as way back then in the darker ages. Which argues for a more dual sport tire to do what the OP said he wondered about.
 
Regarding tread patterns ...

... a few years back we had a nice presentation from the Parts Unlimited Metzeler rep where he noted rubber compound is way more important than tread pattern for off-road tires. Methinks that much like farm tractor seat mimicking motorcycle seats, many off-road tires may mostly just look the part.
 
PGlaves said:
Examine the tread pattern of the Continental K112 and RB2 and compare those to a modern tire like a Michelin Pilot Road and become amazed at the difference. We have gone from tread that works on gravel and grass to slicks with a few rain grooves. So using a "sport touring" street tire today is not the same as way back then in the darker ages. Which argues for a more dual sport tire to do what the OP said he wondered about.
Click to expand...

I fully agree. The TKC 80 is a great tire for dirt. I was/am disparaging the 90/10 80/20 tires when much better dirt tires are available that perform OK on pavement

PS I have Road Pilot 5s on my RS and routinely do dirt roads even an occasional Class 4 (not maintained by the state or town). Slowly of course and with some care. Not when wet!
 
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