I am close to purchasing a Versys, and am curious as to its trail riding abilities, and sourcing more aggressive tires for better dual-surface performance. I am not talking about blasting motorcross style through the trees, but casually exploring unpaved surfaces when provoked.
I am running the MT-60's and they are great, but you won't get more than 3000-miles from them. I am thinking Avon Distancias in 150/70/17 and the 120/17 for the front. Problem is most aggressive 160/60/17 are for motards and are soft. Good luck and as you can see in my aviator, mine has been down trails, but it won't take rough stuff!
Distanzias are the way to go IMHO, gravel OR tar. My friend has had them for about 10 months and rides approx 66/35 tar/gravel. Front lasts about 18000K's, rear about 11000K's. That's REALLY good in my mind for the exceptional grip they give on the tar. His tyres are worn right to the edge. I run the same front but use the 150 (dual purpose) rear and I can get to the edge with no slipping issues. Price is also very reasonable. I won't be changing brands anytime soon!!!
No I haven't yet. I grooved out my original tires for now, and removed about 2 pounds of rubber off the rear, and about 1 pound off the front. Pics soon...
I have seen great reviews about the Maxxis Presa Detour; Great traction and wear. The Presa M6118 medium compund front is also said to be hard to beat in various conditions, and would be well matched to the rear Presa Detour. I will try them at start of next season if nothing better comes up.
I get mine from here. They have good prices, service, and stock. R&S here in Albq is supposed to have smoking prices, I will check it out on my next order.
This is the whole set up if you want to see what it looks like. As far as back to tires, who is running a 150/70/17? Any issues? I like the MT-60's but would like a rear that gets atleast 4500-5000 miles.
I ran the Distanzias on the '94 Ducati Elefant I had and I was always impressed with the grip and mileage. After this first set goes I will probably go back to them unless you guys pave the way for something better.
I guess those would have been "normal" Distanzia's. The ones to fit the Versys are Distanzia SM's which are Supermoto with a rubber compound part-way between normal D's and the full-on race SM's.
The tyre life will be less but the grip will be more.
Ted.
Well, new Distanzias are on and I shoul;d have done this a long time ago! They handle great and by having the taller profile dropped my RPM's at 80mph down to 5850-5900 RPM. Much better!!!!! :clap:
I use to run the Distanzias on my old E900 Elefant but usually got 6-7000 miles. Of course the Elefant was much heavier. Keep us posted on how they do on the V. I would like to go back to them when my originals ware out.
I put an Anakee 150/70/17 on the rear this weekend and it is a great improvement over the OEM. Put a roadsmart on front, great combination so far (also went back to the 15T CS).
Have not gone offroad yet, but expect the anakee to do great!
If the BT021s are available for the V, that'll be my next set... I have them on my VTR... Sticky on the edges and looooong wear in the center... Relatively low cost too.
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