I used to run the KENDA K270 tires on my KLR. I run SHINKO E705 tires on BOTH my V650s, and have for a few years - probably EQUIVALENT, and I get PDG mileage w/ them.

I agree on the percentages. It has the scorpion trail II on now. Will the dual sport tires like the shinko e705 mentioned above handle sand/gravel on paved roads better?a) don't believe anyone that wants you to stay on street with the versys. (just saying, 'cause you sound decided to cripple your versatility for no reason yet)
b) choose the tire for the requirement, not for the bs % of road/dirt it will see. If you do 1% offroad, then bought a 90/10 then you crash it, get stuck down a hill you can't climb back, or break a leg after askid, you'll have learned the hard way that you should get the tire for the job. Knobbies do work on pavement. The opposite is stupid. I'm on 50/50 tires all the time now, despite doing easily 80/20 of pavement.
IGNORE THOSE % RULES.
Look at the thread pattern and longevity and make a choice.
I don't know jack about tires, or much else related to maintenance for my bike (yet), that's a big reason I joined this forum. What Quad d says though makes sense to me. You didn't say what tires you ARE using though. What are they?a) don't believe anyone that wants you to stay on street with the versys. (just saying, 'cause you sound decided to cripple your versatility for no reason yet)
b) choose the tire for the requirement, not for the bs % of road/dirt it will see. If you do 1% offroad, then bought a 90/10 then you crash it, get stuck down a hill you can't climb back, or break a leg after askid, you'll have learned the hard way that you should get the tire for the job. Knobbies do work on pavement. The opposite is stupid. I'm on 50/50 tires all the time now, despite doing easily 80/20 of pavement.
IGNORE THOSE % RULES.
Look at the thread pattern and longevity and make a choice.
Scorpion Trail II. The front tire is starting to cup and is almost to the wear bars. The back is still good but I would rather replace both since the bike is new to me and I have no idea what sort of care the previous owner took with the tires.I don't know jack about tires, or much else related to maintenance for my bike (yet), that's a big reason I joined this forum. What Quad d says though makes sense to me. You didn't say what tires you ARE using though. What are they?
Hi Automaton25, I was wondering what what tires dddd has. Sorry bout the confusion. He sounds confident about his choice, so I was curious.Scorpion Trail II. The front tire is starting to cup and is almost to the wear bars. The back is still good but I would rather replace both since the bike is new to me and I have no idea what sort of care the previous owner took with the tires.
Ahh okay. No worries.Hi Automaton25, I was wondering what what tires dddd has. Sorry bout the confusion. He sounds confident about his choice, so I was curious.
My two favourite tires to date are the Scorpion 1 (2 is supposedly better and longer wearing, wore fast but griped better than anything else on loose dirt and tiny gravel on pavement - but only during first 50% of wear) and the Metzler Roadtec which I am currently using and is a great feeling, handling and wearing all weather tire. My experience with bargain tires like Contimotions is avoid them. They are cheap for a reason, cheaper rubber compounds that are slippery in the wet and cold. Michelins I have used (Pilot Road 2's and 3's) have been premium priced and good but not really fantastic which I want at that price point. The fronts wore fast and contributed to an unsteady feeling in corners perhaps due to on them wear.Hello Everyone,
I have a 2012 Versys 650 I just bought and it is in need of some new shoes. I will be riding in Colorado for the better part of 3 seasons rain or shine. I'm new to the bike and new to the street but have been riding dirt for a couple years. This bike will be nearly 100% street with a very rare fire road. I've read that it's hard to beat the Michelin road series but I was hoping not to spend that much. Anything close as far as performance/longevity goes for less? I ride and like Kenda tires on dirt but they don't seem to have anything for this bike.
I'm open to any and all suggestions so long as they are primarily a street tire.
Cheers,
Andrew
A lot of members seems to like it but I strongly disagree and I will never put it again. You can tell just by looking at the thread hat it is useless in sand or mud. As for packed gravel, any road tire will work. You either need knobs or you don't. Simple as that.Will the dual sport tires like the shinko e705 mentioned above handle sand/gravel on paved roads better?
I didn't say because the 50/50 knobbies don't seem to answer the question.You didn't say what tires you ARE using though. What are they?
Oh, well, everybody can be wrong sometimes. Don't feel shame.The Versys is a street bike, IMO;
I, for one, clearly said "choose the tire for the requirement", not the %.Once again please READ the OP. He is asking about a bike that will be used everyday on the road. So he should be looking at road tires, not 80/20 or 50/50 tires. Good grip in the wet on the roads would be what I would look for. Do not give him recommendations on how to set up the bike for off road use just because that is the way you ride yours.
Yeah, keep saying it's too heavy or 17" is not enough, or suspension, or etc...That 17" front tire just doesn't cut it. Also, too heavy, not enough suspension travel. etc. ok, if you are doing easy dirt roads, not ok on true dirt. IMO.
My riding style on my '15 is a bit "spirited". I'm on my 14th rear tire with 72k miles. Inflation pressures just 2-4 lbs over factory specifications. I bought the bike used with totally worn out factory tires on it. The previous owner went to the dealer for new tires and left with a new Trans Alp.Hello Everyone,
I have a 2012 Versys 650 I just bought and it is in need of some new shoes. I will be riding in Colorado for the better part of 3 seasons rain or shine. I'm new to the bike and new to the street but have been riding dirt for a couple years. This bike will be nearly 100% street with a very rare fire road. I've read that it's hard to beat the Michelin road series but I was hoping not to spend that much. Anything close as far as performance/longevity goes for less? I ride and like Kenda tires on dirt but they don't seem to have anything for this bike.
I'm open to any and all suggestions so long as they are primarily a street tire.
Cheers,
Andrew
My experience as well. I used the Shinko 005 one time and it was completely worn through to the belts in 3,300 miles, almost half the longevity of every other tire I have ever used.I've had three Shinko rears, average life 3500 miles. Better for dirt than actual road tires, not overly inspiring for road use.