V7ii front and rear knobby options

[helipic]

Hi all, I am planning to replace my Stornello tires.  I like the tkc80s.  However, I am having a hard time finding a 100/90/18 size front.  I would like to stick with the stock size so that it would not upset the traction control.  Any suggestion is appreciated.

[BoatDoc]

I also have a Stornello and the options seem slim if you don't want to mix bias and radial or put a tire on backwards. The two closest options I found, and neither are knobbies, are the Shinko 705 (4.10x18 front and 130-90/18 rear) and the Pirelli Trail Attack 2. Next week I will have a set of the Shinkos installed.

[Zoom Zoom]

With regard to traction control:

I'm not familiar with the V7 line, but on my 1400, there is a calibration setting in the menu that you are supposed to go through when you replace tires. You have to get into that mode, ride a certain distance, and cycle the ignition to save it. (Or something like that.) Anyhow, once the ABS and traction control know the setting, things ought to work correctly. I cannot speak to a radical disparity between the front and rear tires. Perhaps someone knows and can chime in, but I'm guessing whatever you decided would not be an issue???

John Henry

[Green1000S]

Same issue, Im heading into mud, gravel and sand. The stock tires will not get the job done.
Got Heidenau 60s. 4.10-18 front and 130 rear. Will mount in about 1 week, so I cannot comment how they work. Only true problem might be that they are slippery as hell on wet. However Julao used same tires on 18.000 mile trip through North and South America, so if it works there, it should work for me too....

[Toecutter]

Heidenau Scout.

Get the front in a 110/80-18. If you're worried about it, note that it's listed as an alternate size in the manual.

[BoatDoc]

I should have mentioned the Heidenau K60s. I didn't for two reasons. First was because all the sources I looked at said they were not available locally in the sizes needed, and the memories still hurt of one day trying to swap some out! I usually change my own tires using tire irons and I can't recall a stiffer sidewall! I ended up cutting them off. They did work fine, although I preferred the TKC80s on my 12GS.

Follow up. I've now put about 300 miles on the Shinko 705s. They turn in faster than the OEM Golden Tyres and seem to have the same grip on the road. I went off pavement on some hard packed dirt with a little bit of mud and the front does not wash out as much as the OEM. The front tread is definitely chunkier. The back is about the same. They are not up to the TKC80 standard for adventure riding but appear a bit better than the Tourances. One hiccup, the 130/90-17 rear is just a bit wider than the 130/80-17 OEM and does not fit in the HB centerstand.