Karoo-T for 690?

[DiscoBiscuit]

Anyone tried these on a 690 Enduro R?

http://trac-mac.com/store/140-80-18-rear-tyre/1715/metzeler-karoo-t.html

[Martin Groenewald]

I've only used Mitas e 09 but the price looks good on this two for the price of one

[yogidabear]

Never tried the Karoo-T but E09 rock! Big up for service from WFO bikes. They only sell to agents but any question I have ever asked got a fast, sensible response. Would be a dealer of theirs if I was in the industry, and had no issues with the brand they sell.

[DiscoBiscuit]

E09 are good, but comes in at double the price for only 1300 km? Bought a Karoo-T and will give it a try.

[Xpat]

Not sure what you mean by 1300 km - do you mean that is how long E09 will last on 690? My (but I use the harder E09 Dakar) last easily upwards of 3500 km on mine. Used them for my last two trips through Moz/Zim and Bots and then through Okavango delta - each trip over 3000 km and there was still thread left for probably 1000 km. I'm talking rear of course - they are useless upfront. For the front I would recommend some long lasting hard-core knobbliest, none of the 50/50, 80/20 whatevers like E09 or TKC or some such.

[Xpat]

Oh, and I may be wrong, but I believe Karoo T are not being made anymore. I think they got replaced by Karoo 3 which I wouldn't touch with a stick for my riding - they are road tyres as far as I can see.

[DiscoBiscuit]

Yup Xpat, only got 1300 on my previous E09 Dakar . I will have to adjust my right hand to get better mileage
I don't travel with the bike, used on gravel, dunes and in the bush tracks. Lots of spinning and drifting action 
I am not expecting to get great mileage from the Karoo-T, if it is close to 1300km, I am happy.

[DiscoBiscuit]

First impressions of the Karoo-T's are very good.
Great grip on all surfaces. Still running it on 2 Bar, but will let some air out today. 1.5 Bar. Took it up and down the dongas and into the river clay, performed well, could not fault it. Difficult to peg it to the Mitas E09, as my E09 were worn pretty bad towards the end and grip in all situations were dismal.
Showing normal wear on the blocks, I did notice chipping on the front of the blocks. Will keep an eye on it.
Tyre is more "rounded" than the Mitas E09. Will test on tarmac today, sun is out and the rain has stopped.

Cheers!

[witblitz]

Once you burn through that tire, you can try the Mitas MC23. I got just over 6000km on the tire on the left. The one on the right has just been fitted. I rode all terrains expect snow and ice with it. Always ran it at 2.5 bar unless I was in the dunes. The MC23 gets chowed when you run it at low pressure on the tar.  Combine it with a Pirelli MT21 front.

[DiscoBiscuit]

Hi Witblitz,

Do you get them in 140-80 18's? Who stocks them in Cape Town?
Sure looks the business. Will definitely give it a try.

Cheers! 

[witblitz]

Hi Witblitz,

Do you get them in 140-80 18's? Who stocks them in Cape Town?
Sure looks the business. Will definitely give it a try.

Cheers!  

The tyres in the pic is 140/80-18's. I got them from Eddy2Race. You just need to phone them so that they can order one for you. Any shop that stocks Mitas tyres should be able to order you one with their next batch.

[DiscoBiscuit]

Hi Witblitz,

Thanks, will contact them.

Cheers!

[DiscoBiscuit]

So the Karoo-T has done its first longish trip last Saturday. I was very impressed with its road holding manners on tar.(We did about 15 km on tar) Was able to sprint to 180 km/h without any head shake and the bike felt very stable. We traveled 380 km through the Cederberg mountains on gravel, rocky bits and sandy "tweespoor". I can see some cracks forming on the front of the knobs, but nothing serious. I must say I'm very impressed with the overall grip.

If anybody see one for sale somewhere in 140/80/18, please let me know. It is a winner for weekend trips. Will use the Mitas MC23 for the rough stuff during the week.   

Cheers!

[aka.Goliath]

I see off-road cycles have a few sets at a bargain price.