Knobby Tires?

[revkev]

Can anyone suggest a brand/type of knobby tire that I can put on the 800GS?

The factory ones won't work well off road. I will keep the originals but will go with more grip for woods, trail riding.

I know nothing about them so please advise if you feel led.

Is it also possible to get a bigger sprocket for the back wheel?

Thanks...

[PGlaves]

Can anyone suggest a brand/type of knobby tire that I can put on the 800GS?

The factory ones won't work well off road. I will keep the originals but will go with more grip for woods, trail riding.

I know nothing about them so please advise if you feel led.

Is it also possible to get a bigger sprocket for the back wheel?

Thanks...

I'm not sure what sizes are available - and how available sizes match that bike - but the Continental TKC 80 is a common street-legal knobbie used on dual-sport bikes like GSs, F650 singles, and such.

[dancogan]

The Metzler Karoo's are what I put on my X-Country. I use the bike primarily for dirt roads and the Karoos are much better than street tires on the dirt. On paved roads they have some additional noise and I'm sure they'l wear quickly.

[nyfty]

Well lets see, the front is a 90/90-21 like my Dakar, and the rear is the same size as my R1150GS (150/??-17 can't remember the size, sorry) Both have worn TKC80's. So I think that TKC80's will work.

[revkev]

Checking things out a little it looks like the best options would be:

Continental TKC 80

Metzeler MCE Karoo

Something new is listed - the "Karoo Traveler"

These all have tires available in the proper size. Not sure which would be best. Probably all are decent options. The factory ones are SLICK off road.

[revkev]

Was at the dealer today and asked to switch out my factory tire with some TKC 80s. Owner asked how many miles I had on the bike, which was about 600, in for the first service. He offered to switch for the difference in price, plus labor. Good deal IMHO. The Continentals were a little more than the originals.

He and the service manager wondered why BMW would ship the bike with a street type tire, Bridgestones.

Also ordered a skid plate and hand protectors. Look forward to getting the 800GS back in a few days now that it is broken in.

[MCMXCIVRS]

If I end up buying one, I will be requesting a tire change prior to delivery. That bike needs knobbies. I'm actually suprised they don't offer them at least as a choice if not standard equipment.

[PGlaves]

If I end up buying one, I will be requesting a tire change prior to delivery. That bike needs knobbies. I'm actually suprised they don't offer them at least as a choice if not standard equipment.

Not to start a tire war here - but with the exception of the Rxxxx Adventure GSs, BMW has historically shipped "dual purpose" bikes with "dual purpose" tires rated as 90%/10% or 80%/20% (street/dirt) tires. Most of the tires shipped on those bikes are OK on a hard, smooth, dirt or gravel road, and on pavement. They are nearly useless in anything any softer. They are totally useless in sand or mud, even shallow sand or mud.

Back in the R80G/S and R100GS days they did ship with Metzeler Enduro III tires which were rated 60/40 at the time.

[MonkeyBoy]

You'll like those Tkc's in the muck, huge difference over tourance type. I get 4k out of a rear on my 1200 GS.

[revkev]

I will report back on the TKCs. I took the 800 "off road" just a little a few days after I got it, deciding to go through a bit of mud and water covered mud. The front went out on it almost instantly and I was on the ground. Even getting out of the smallish spot of muck was a bit difficult. When I uprighted the bike it simply spun in place.

I should get it back in a few days and give it another try. It is getting worked on a bit/ straightened out a bit and should be ready for some harder riding now that I have 600 miles on it. It is a fun ride.

[MCMXCIVRS]

Not to start a tire war here - but with the exception of the Rxxxx Adventure GSs, BMW has historically shipped "dual purpose" bikes with "dual purpose" tires rated as 90%/10% or 80%/20% (street/dirt) tires. Most of the tires shipped on those bikes are OK on a hard, smooth, dirt or gravel road, and on pavement. They are nearly useless in anything any softer. They are totally useless in sand or mud, even shallow sand or mud.

Back in the R80G/S and R100GS days they did ship with Metzeler Enduro III tires which were rated 60/40 at the time.

The 90/10 tires do wear much better and are decent in most riding conditions, and will work well for how many GS owners use their bikes. But, you're right on the mark about them being usless in anything soft Paul. I had the original Tourances on my F650GS when I bought it and quickly swapped them out for TKC 80s after a couple of incidents in some light mud. I can accept that most of the GS line is suited to those type of tires, as most people won't ever really require the knobbies. The few that do want them can switch.

The thing about the F800GS though is that it is marketed as a fairly serious dual purpose machine, much like a little brother to the Adventure. Even in most of BMWs promotional literature, it is shown wearing knobbies. Certainly the F650GS (twin) is suitable to ship with 90/10 tires, but not the 800. FWIW, the F650 Dakar, which the F800Gs is the replacement for in the line, had Metzeler Sahara 3s fitted as original. Though not a true knobbie, they are at least a lot more aggressive tire than what the 800 comes with.

[revkev]

MCM wrote...

The thing about the F800GS though is that it is marketed as a fairly serious dual purpose machine, much like a little brother to the Adventure. Even in most of BMWs promotional literature, it is shown wearing knobbies. Certainly the F650GS (twin) is suitable to ship with 90/10 tires, but not the 800. FWIW, the F650 Dakar, which the F800Gs is the replacement for in the line, had Metzeler Sahara 3s fitted as original. Though not a true knobbie, they are at least a lot more aggressive tire than what the 800 comes with.
__________________

This makes sense and I can see why the F800 comes with the road type tires. However, as you mention, I bought it for more off-road, having the 1200 for the more highway and gravel usage. I addition to the tire switch to the TKC 80s I have asked for a smaller sprocket for the front to allow for lower gearing. As it is, it will run quite fast at top end but seems to be needing a lower end bite.

My two cents...

[danalbertson]

I think the TKC's are the way to go. On my KLR I have Dunlop D606's, good in the dirt but hum like a jacked up 4x4 on the street.

Lately I have been reading that if you do a lot of dirt or mud, TKC's front and rear, but if you do a mix with a lot of pavement, TKC 80 on the front and a dual sport tire on the rear.

The TKC's handle pretty well on pavement (better than the D606's) but the rears wear out really fast. Since the front needs the knobs more than the rear, this could work well equalizing the wear of the front and rear, and still giving a pretty good advantage on fire roads etc.

My friend Deano has this combo on his KTM 950 and he says it works well.

[revkev]

Thanks for the thread and for the other suggestions. My F800GS is still at the shop, TKC80s are on but I am waiting for the arrival of the skid plate and protective bars and a few other add-ons. The dealer is nearly three hours away and I don't want to go back several times. So, I am waiting...

Looking back I perhaps could have worked an even trade of the TKCs for the Bridgestones before I put the first 600 miles on but I didn't realize how helpless the bike would be in the mud and water with the factory tires. Live and learn.

Peace...

[danalbertson]

Thanks for the thread and for the other suggestions. My F800GS is still at the shop, TKC80s are on but I am waiting for the arrival of the skid plate and protective bars and a few other add-ons. The dealer is nearly three hours away and I don't want to go back several times. So, I am waiting...

Looking back I perhaps could have worked an even trade of the TKCs for the Bridgestones before I put the first 600 miles on but I didn't realize how helpless the bike would be in the mud and water with the factory tires. Live and learn.

Peace...

Yes, but it is nice to have a set of road tires to throw on if you need them. You can hang them in the garage for that road trip you might take.

[jasonTDI]

This is why I jut bought a nice used DR650 all set up buy the prior two owners. SERIOUS off road tires and suspension for the off road. Just don't want to damage the GS....It's too nice of a highway cruiser for me. I've already crashed twice EVEN with the knobbies. I couldn't imagine the Anakees or similar.....Been a long time since I rode seriously off road....20+ years. Well going to be in SD with friends on a 10K acre ranch thur, fri, sat. Should interesting, or painful. :D

[revkev]

Don't get yourself hurt, Jason. I need some work done on my car next month.