Heidenau K60 or Mefo explorer

Anyone tried these:

Mefo or Heidenau

I'm looking for a tyre that will do 8-10,000miles on a WR.

I'd regularly get 8,000 on a Mefo Explorer on a DR650. Never tried them on the WR, but I wouldn't hesitate to. That is one tough tire. Keep in mind it can be a b**** to mount, so make sure you have a good set of tire irons and your technique down pat.

Sarah

greer wrote:

I'd regularly get 8,000 on a Mefo Explorer on a DR650. Never tried them on the WR, but I wouldn't hesitate to. That is one tough tire. Keep in mind it can be a b**** to mount, so make sure you have a good set of tire irons and your technique down pat.

Sarah

Thanks - it's a similar size too. I managed to fit a cold Michelin Desert (rear admittedly) to a 140 rim with short tyre irons so hopefully I can manage a Mefo. Let's see how I get on

Just a note--if you decide to run a set of the Explorers, you may want to mount the front backward. Most folks do, seems to wear/ride better that way. Lots of discussion on that over on Advrider if you want to search a little.

Sarah

Good ADVice (get it?)

I'd like pictures (mounted) and a review/update here on the tires you chose please

I chose the K60 front 90/90 and 120/80 rear. I'll post a picture when I have a chance.

Currently in Kazakhstan and about 8,600miles into the journey. Both tyres are wearing well. I estimate that I have got many thousands of miles left in them but looking to change to the 90/90 and 130/80 Mitas E09F tyres (meant for big bikes but should last excellently out to Magadan).

Feel-wise the front is not a great offroad tyre. The back is great (considering how small a tyre the 120 is) but the front just doesn't feel that special. It's not bad but just not great.

Price was an amazing GBP89 for A PAIR from Poland (no shipping cost to the UK). I used WWW.OPONEO.COM

Possibly the best value to performance ratio of any tyre for the WR...

greer wrote:

Just a note--if you decide to run a set of the Explorers, you may want to mount the front backward. Most folks do, seems to wear/ride better that way. Lots of discussion on that over on Advrider if you want to search a little.

Sarah

Yes, the K60 is basically the same tyre. Run the front backwards, wear is great and it DOES reduce the noise. Period.

Thought you might like to see what Heidenau K60s look like on a WR250R. I have a giantloop with ortlieb bag on the rack and the luggage weight is less than 25kg fully packed.



This is the 90/90 front tyre after 9,900miles of tarmac across Europe, Iran and Central Asia..




This is the 120/90 front tyre after those same 9,900miles...




Conclusions:

The front IS noisy and should be run backwards

They are cheap here in Europe (GBP87 for a SET)

They give great road holding and encourage good lean angles on my R

They lack the proper drive of a knobblie tyre offroad but maintain control offroad when laden

These tyres DO need to be balanced. They needed a fair bit of weight to balance.



They are a versatile choice for long journeys where it's mostly tarmac/piste with a little rough stuff.



Any questions?

Man, what a test of a tire! Thanks for the pictures and hope you're having a blast on your tour.

Sarah

greer wrote:

Man, what a test of a tire! Thanks for the pictures and hope you're having a blast on your tour.

Sarah

You're very welcome. It's completely understandable that a lot of the tyre testing on the forums focuses on the fun stuff but for those who are interested in tyres with ultimate wear for RTW's etc. I hope this helps them to choose something with more 'wear life' than just 'performance'.

I would say that there was still life in the front and definitely in the rear (although the wear marker shown looks pessimistic, the rest of the tyre had plenty of tread depth).