Good 80 /20 crossover tires for V7 Classic?

[sstone14]

I want to slowly, over time, mod my V7 Classic into being just a bit off-road capable--basic gravel, dirt, grass, fire roads, etc. This will most likely be a very slow, patient, years-long project. But I am at a point where my tires need to be replaced anyways. So what do y'all more experienced folks think would be good for this?

The tires specs on the '10 V7C are:

Front: 100 / 90 - 18 56H TL
Rear: 130 / 80 - 17 65H TL

Though I can't seem to find out if the OEM wheels (which I'm going to keep, since they're spoked) are designed for tube-type or tubeless. So any info there would be helpful, too.

Thanks, yo!

[twowheeladdict]

They have tubes.

Pirelli MT-60s came on the V7 rough when I looked at it.

Shinko 705s work well.

[Guzzistajohn]

I run shinko 705 on my Tiger 🐅 and Tenere 700. I dig ‘em👍

[Turin]

I really liked the Pirelli MT60 tires I had on my old KTM SM

[john fish]

I use the Shinko 705s on my KLR.  Good tires.  Among the more hard core dual sporters, they are known as good tires for road and most off road conditions except mud.

[Brand X]

MT-60 RS on my Stonello front.. RS has the good compound in them..

[DesertPilot]

Has anyone here used both the Pirelli MT-60s and the Shinko 705s so they could compare them head to head?  How did they compare?

[twowheeladdict]

Has anyone here used both the Pirelli MT-60s and the Shinko 705s so they could compare them head to head?  How did they compare?

My Himalayan came with the MT-60s, and I replaced them with the 705s.
IMO, both good on the street, and the MT-60s are better on looser “road” surfaces.
Both are not to be considered off-road tires. They both cake up quickly and don’t bite well in sand, etc. 
To contrast, I have run 10/90 tires on dual sports in the past. They are all a compromise so decide where you are going to ride the most and where you are going to turn around or avoid riding.

[tommy2cyl]

705's on my V 85 and for 28 years on my VStrom.  Never had a complaint and I feel they are quite good in the rain as well on pavement.

[tommy2cyl]

18 years (not 28) on VStrom.  Correction.