I love my 2002 R1150R Yellowjacket.
But after thousands of miles, and many an adventure... I need more. More off road, more adventure. And I don't need no stinking GS. Why spend $10-15k, when the roadster can do it all. I tell my little brother with the $9k RT, my little roadster has done everything his cruiser has for 30% less the cost. My Yellowjacket does it all.
But I fear if I can't get some better tires to take me to the end of the earth, I will be forced to sell my roadster and get another bike.
I need off road tires. I have searched re:tires and seen some posts on winter tires, but not much else. My own research shows little options for dual-purpose or off road tires for the R1150R due to tire size.
Am I missing anything? Are there any offroad tires for the roadster?
Say it ain't so...
The best option I have determined in a similar search is to swap the front wheel for a GS front - if you match the correct brake style - 12.6" EVO w or w/o ABS as needed - the only incompatibility is the speedometer gearing. Adds 2 inches to front height and changes rake/trail.
On the rear, no such swap possible, but you can find some more aggressive treads in 160/60R17 profiles.
Whether you go GS or not, the Pirelli Scorpion MT60 or MT90 is the only decent choice for all-purpose tires. If you're going trail riding, get a GS or KTM Adventure.
The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
There are choices which could be fitted to the stock rims, you say you have a yellow jacket which I assume to be a rockster. The tire sizes being 120/60-17 front and 180/55-17 rear? Avon is producing the tires for the Buel dual sport in those sizes and pirelli makes the scorpion sync (orignally designed for the ducatti multistrada) in those sizes as well. Both of those tires are 90% road/ 10% offroad but for dirt roads and light off pavement use they will be fine. A bash plate would be an excellent choice as well.
My Yellowjacket is the 2002 R1150R with dakar yellow/granit gray color scheme, not a rockster. That year, color scheme was limited edition, and yellowjackets came with ABS standard. The tires are same as R1150R roadster.
Now will 160/60-17 fit what normally takes a 170/60-17. Seems like the Distanzia is the tire to go with, as long no problem with the narrower tire.
You might not need knobbies and long travel suspension, dependant on just how of "off-road". Anyone recall the guy that road his Yamaha R1 around the world? Check out the tires he used.
Last edited by vinman on Sat Jan 21, 2006 9:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Be a man and face the fire. Make something ugly into something beautiful." Unknown taxi driver.
vinman wrote:You might need knobbies and long travel suspension, dependant on just how of "off-road". Anyone recall the guy that road his Yamaha R1 around the world? Check out the tires he used.
Wow...they look like MEZ 4's
I have travelled gravel on MEZ 4's (2-up in many cases). Same rules apply to these - no abrupt movements.
07 R12GS - Granite
04 R1150R - Black (sold)
Member #468
Tires can be confidence inspiring and can make a difference, but a rider who is comfortable off-road will make an even bigger difference. I've taken my R down more than it's fair share of fireroads and in some instances worse on the MEZ6's and have never once felt uneasy. Why? I grew up riding off-road and this past spring I got the itch to do so again, so I picked up a used dirt bike. The smaller lighter bike has helped my riding more than I could ever describe. So before you start asking yourself, "Do I have a do it all bike?"... First, ask yourself, "Am I a do it all rider?" I see a lot of guys on big duallies, who started big, and never learned the proper techniques. Those same guys blame their "big" bikes for their shortcomings. I was at a local MX track just a few weeks ago and saw a guy with a full blown dual sported supermoto KTM with racing slicks hitting triples and passing pretty good riders on bikes with knobbies. Just some food for thought...
I was just giving a word of caution. I don't know your skill level, so I would hate to see you mess up a beautiful Roadster!
As far as tire recommendations, I would go with the Pirelli MT60R. Pirelli is far more established in making true off-road tires. The MT60R is a pretty aggressive (50/50) compound and comes standard on the KTM Duke. It is also a direct fit for the size requirements...
cmack wrote:I was just giving a word of caution. I don't know your skill level, so I would hate to see you mess up a beautiful Roadster!
As far as tire recommendations, I would go with the Pirelli MT60R. Pirelli is far more established in making true off-road tires. The MT60R is a pretty aggressive (50/50) compound and comes standard on the KTM Duke. It is also a direct fit for the size requirements...
; yada yada yada....thanks.