Looking for tire and tube suggestions

I have the 4.10 k270 on my bike and I'm impressed with it. I run the heavy duty tube also. The 270 seems to throw up quite a few rocks and gravel.

I've got the 5.10 K270 on the front. It's slightly taller and wider than the stocker. I use the Bridestone heavy duty tube. TW34 in back, stock tube. They don't make the TW32 anymore. The K270 is better than stock in any situation, although it is twice as heavy (14 lbs versus 7 lbs). K270/TW34 is an excellent combo if you're truly doing the 50/50 thing.

Unfortunately I'm on the road most of the time but I get in the dirt as much as I can. Any pro's or cons between 4 - 4.6 - 5.10 besides the weight. Well if it handles as good on pavement it's a win win situation.

Anyone have any experience with the shinko 244?

I just replaced the stock front tire on my '01 TW to the K270 5.10. One thing I noticed right off is that is a much heavier tire. Seems to have good traction but I definately noticed the "gyro" affect from it.

Shinko 244 works well. Not as good on gnarly terrain as a Kenda Trackmaster, but better than stock.

Thanks guys now I just have to start shopping for a deal and tubes.

azwheelin said:

I just replaced the stock front tire on my '01 TW to the K270 5.10. One thing I noticed right off is that is a much heavier tire. Seems to have good traction but I definately noticed the "gyro" affect from it.

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I suppose one could reduce the gyro effect by going to a lighter tire, but then it wouldn't be a TW, would it? TWs don't really go fast enough the gyro effect is a problem, it just takes a little more muscle to countersteer. Anyone with insufficient strength to countersteer shouldn't be riding in the first place. Yes, the "feel" is different, but it isn't really a problem, and one grows accustomed to it after a few curves.

I went with a Kenda 784 with a heavy duty Michelin tube. I did a review elsewhere on this site with photos.

I found the 244 shinko for $48 and the k270 for $61. Heck the stock one is as much as the k270. It's worth $50-60 bucks for a good tire for the trip. I'm guessing we will do between 700-1000 miles of dirt and gravel. Man I'm already getting excited!

How much pavement? How gnarly the dirt and gravel?

I'm not exactly sure. Most of our trip is gonna be on dirt/gravel roads but I'm sure we will do some pavement. We are gonna hit most of the same passes as a few guys on advrider under ride reports did. I think it was "two flatlanders from texas" was the title. They took a bunch off picks and did a really good report. I'm not really disappointed with the stock front. It's just half wore out and has dry rot cracks around the nobbies. But I like the way it corners on the street. The bad thing about indiana is that you really have to search for gravel roads these days or ride alot of road to get there. It makes me wanna move out west. Oh is the year a tire was made stamped on the tire? I see it has a pulled shaped little indention in the tire with a letter and I think a497. I was guessing that was right since it's a 98 bike. But the rear tire has a letter and a number then 87. Just curious how old these girls are.

qwerty said:

I suppose one could reduce the gyro effect by going to a lighter tire, but then it wouldn't be a TW, would it? TWs don't really go fast enough the gyro effect is a problem, it just takes a little more muscle to countersteer. Anyone with insufficient strength to countersteer shouldn't be riding in the first place. Yes, the "feel" is different, but it isn't really a problem, and one grows accustomed to it after a few curves.

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Again, another ignorant one asking the question...but is the gyro effect aka speed wobbles?

I just put on a new kenda (270) and it seems tougher to steer but it also seems like it is because there are knobbies farther out the edge of the tire...of course, this is the ignorant one speaking...so I may be completely wrong on my analysis...

Gyro effect will reduce speed wobbles, all else being equal. Tread pattern and suspension geometry and settings affect speed wobble tendency.

Sounds like an awesome trip. Moab rawks. But have you ever been to Moab in July?



Nuttin but us lizrdz out there. And a few catfish hitch-hiking with canteens.

I went to Zion and Bryce in southern Utah in late august and it was a smoker. Utah hot and Indiana hot is way different. Here if it's 90 and humid it's miserable but out in the desert 105 doesn't feel all that bad, but you get dehydrated and fall over dead if you aint used to it and you have to drink water all the time. Highway 12 was beautiful and it would have been better if I was on a bike. It would be cool to ride with a bunch of tw'ers out west someday.