690R Tyre Selection?

[Rooi Wolf]

Any advice on tyre selection for a 690R?

Got my first 690 a week or 2 ago, and it's in need of new tekkies. Most of my riding is done on backroads, jeeptracks, sand, rocky trails and everything that's off the beaten track. What have you guys had that has proofed suitable..?

[Dwerg]

Tyres I've used on my 640 and 690: Full offroad, Dunlop Geomax AT81, on the aggresive side Michelin Desert, Pireli Scorpion XC. More dirt touring orientated, Mitas E09, Michelin T63, Dunlop D606. Less offroad, Mitas E07, Metzeler Sahara.

Deserts are great but they are pricey. Actually, I like all the tyres on the list which lean to offroad use but I am a cheapskate so my combo of choice is AT81 front and T63 rear. A set will cost you around R1500

[Buff]

Let's be honest, it doesn't matter what you use, it ain't going to last on the 690 so go for the cheapest option   

[Dirt Junkie]

Tyres I've used on my 640 and 690: Full on offroad, Dunlop Geomax AT81, on the aggresive side Michelin Desert, Pireli Scorpion XC. More dirt touring orientated, Mitas E09, Michelin T63, Dunlop D606. Less offroad, Mitas E07, Metzeler Sahara.

Deserts are great but they are pricey. Actually, I like all the tyres on the list which lean to offroad use but I am a cheapskate so my combo of choice is AT81 front and T63 rear. A set will cost you around R1500

T63 rear wow how long does it last

[Dwerg]

Depends on how you ride but like Buff said, most give the same mileage more or less. I usually get around 3000kms on a set of tyres

[Dirt Junkie]

I also get 3k on a E09 so were wondering what I'll get on T63, it might just be more cost affective to use two of them as the E09 is quite costly.

[Dwerg]

I also get 3k on a E09 so were wondering what I'll get on T63, it might just be more cost affective to use two of them as the E09 is quite costly.

My current one is on about 1500kms and still far from done. Initial wear is quick but then it seems to settle. I also like E09s but they are just too expensive

[Rooi Wolf]

Raait. Klomp lekker opsies.

Ek het die bike gekry met 'n E07 agter op, maar ek is ook maar 'n knobly man, so sal eerder kyk na die meer agresiewe opsies.

Voorwiel is huidiglik Maxxis Cross. Dieselfde as wat ek op my XR400 het, en eintlik heel tevrede gewees met die band op die XR, maar weet nie hoe sal hy hou op die 690 nie. Enige van julle die Maxxis al beproef?

[JonW]

At the moment Mitas are my favorite from a performance v value basis.

I am very happy with a CO2 on the back and a C23 on the front.

For what you want that should be perfect.

[Avontier]

I have just fitted the Pirelli MT21 Rallycross rear tyre and like it thus far

[Dwerg]

I have just fitted the Pirelli MT21 Rallycross rear tyre and like it thus far

I've use that rear on my 640. Lasted 1400 km  

[Buff]

Just spun up my rear Sirac cornering away from a traffic light in 2nd. HTF I never got hi-sided I still don't know, need to go check my jocks now  Re-thinking about putting a knobbly on now 

[Richard Smit]

I've used the MITAS E09, and the Perelli MT21 Rallycross tyres (matched sets front and rear) on my 690.

My experience has been that the Perellis handle far better than the MITAS tyres, specifically hooking up better in corners, and on hard surfaces. Drifting out of turns is also noticeably more predictable with the Perelli tyres (over the MITAS E09s).

If I were to plan a long trip, with less technical riding I'd seriously consider a set of Karoo 3 tyres though. I used them on my 990, and was very impressed.

The MT21s are a good choice.

A set of Kenda Big Block tyres would be worth looking at too... Good value, very puncture resistant (Tough as all hell actually), and decent performance.

[MadM]

Have a look at a Mitas C-17 Dakar front and C-02 Stoneking rear tyres, I really like them in all kinds of terrain. Though I can't say how they handle in desert sand as I don't have any to try them out

[Avontier]

I have just returned from a 12 day 5000 km trip with the 990 around SA of which 2000km dirt roads, on Karoo 3 front and rear. The rear is finished, while front shows very little wear. Definitely my new favourites for the 990.

[2StrokeDan]

I use a Mitas E-07 on the rear, good all-round grip and very good kilos. Front nothing but a Pirelli MT21 Rallycross.

This combination I have found to be without vices, except the R1400 rear price.

[Hooli]

TKC front, very good kilo's and grip over all, with a Mitas EO9 rear.

[witblitz]

TKC front, very good kilo's and grip over all, with a Mitas EO9 rear.

I disagree. This was the biggest load of kak I ever had on this bike. Front wheel was drifting all over on the tar roads. The bike would not turn in the sand. Ek het amper my P afgeval met dit. I would be better off riding on the rim than fit this tyre again.

The only option is a Pirelli MT21 on the front. The E07 rear gives good mileage and okay traction in all terrains, but takes a bit more effort to get going in soft sand.

Put on a MC23 on the back now to give that a go.

[Gee S]

I have a TKC on the front and a Michelin Desert on the rear 1.5 bar in both. I like the TKC on the front and have not experienced any drifting or other proplems. Grip is good on tar and dirt and it worked well in the Maraisburg mine dumps.

I had a T63 on the rear and it also had good grip. Only problem I had was that one of the center knobs tore completely out of the tyre when I popped a wheelie on tar at about 3500Ks

[Toors]

Pirelli Mt 21