These Knobby Tires are Unsettling on Pavement

Johnp · 06-10-2016, 12:24 AM

Hey guys, can any of you confirm what I'm feeling? Riding around on my Hawk with the knobby tires, it feels... Well, the opposite of smooth and planted.

They feel like they kind of "drift" a bit on pavement. It's hard to describe. But with other bikes I've owned, street tires leave you feeling really planted and attached to the road. These feel unsure on pavement to me.

Anyone else notice this? Or can you describe it better than I am?

BlackBike · 06-10-2016, 01:26 AM

I predict your next life skill will be motorcycle tire changing.

hertz9753 · 06-10-2016, 01:33 AM

I was going to ask if it is like riding a snowmobile but you live in Texas. The tires that come on the Hawk are full off road tires and the knobs will flex when riding on the street or hard pack like clay.

I was thinking about the Kenda K270 Dual Sport tires after mine wear out.

Entropy · 06-10-2016, 04:27 AM

To each their own, but I don't think I would've made it up 75% of the trails I've gone up if I didn't have knobbies. I'd like a more aggressive off-road tire personally. Any one have some recommendations?

pete · 06-10-2016, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Entropy

To each their own, but I don't think I would've made it up 75% of the trails I've gone up if I didn't have knobbies. I'd like a more aggressive off-road tire personally. Any one have some recommendations?

It's not always about how big yer nob is...
Case construction has as much to do with it , even more so when
the nobs start to get worn & have lost there sharp edges..

I use these.... in combination with Tu-Bliss in both wheels...
216 front / 230 rear
http://goldentyre.co.nz/

But if yer want a real aggressive tyre look at the MotoZ tracknator....

I run these on my ADV bike "XT660R" Shinko 700 - 50/50 tyre

...

SeerAtlas · 06-10-2016, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Entropy

To each their own, but I don't think I would've made it up 75% of the trails I've gone up if I didn't have knobbies. I'd like a more aggressive off-road tire personally. Any one have some recommendations?

if you dont mind the money, hard to beat dunlop 606's for pretty much anything offroad. i personally like the IRC TR8's too. for the OP, plenty of more streatable options than the big hawk knobbies- for more of a 70/30-80/20 tire I really like the JAP IRC GP1's. Still pretty grippy in anything but mud but HUGELY better on the street and hardpack. great all round tire. Has a far better and predictable cornering profile than pretty much any full knobbie but Once worn in a bit, you can really jackrabbit around.

Ron B · 06-10-2016, 07:38 AM

recheck the tire pressure, the hawk tubes are paper thin and seem to leak down over a month. had to replace mine right away and noticed how thin they were.

w0ss · 06-10-2016, 07:43 AM

I am still getting used to the knobbies on the road, I feel the same thing you do. I might change out for a 50/50 tire but I think I will wait till this wear out before I decide.

2LZ · 06-10-2016, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron B

recheck the tire pressure, the hawk tubes are paper thin and seem to leak down over a month. had to replace mine right away and noticed how thin they were.

Yep, you'd swear all stock China tubes come out of a condom factory there...

I prefer the Kenda Tuff Tubes. They're not as easy to install with new, inflexible tires but once installed, they're worth the hassle.

https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Motorcy...otorcycle+tube

Knobbies suck on asphalt and always have....plus they wear rapidly on asphalt use. These are a very popular tire here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0026UEILO...BCG7S938&psc=1

or I have these on Q and like them as well:

https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-K761-Du...al+sport+tires

Of course, neither of these are made for heavy off road use or deep mud but I do about 70/30 road/dirt road and they work great.

kohburn · 06-10-2016, 12:47 PM

the only knobby that I can think of people saying performs well on the road is the TKC80 but they come at a premium

https://www.amazon.com/Continental-T...tkc80+90+90-21

2LZ · 06-10-2016, 01:04 PM

I've heard that the folks who upgrade to the knobbies on the new RX3's say they do good on pavement. I think these are them????
Whoever has them, please post.

http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/TIRE-S...wps87-4704.htm

wilserchinarider · 06-10-2016, 01:21 PM

I don't push the Hawk w/ orig knobby tires on pavement...much prefer not to get that squirrely feeling...

kohburn · 06-10-2016, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2LZ

I've heard that the folks who upgrade to the knobbies on the new RX3's say they do good on pavement. I think these are them????
Whoever has them, please post.

http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/TIRE-S...wps87-4704.htm

don't think you'll find those in a size to fit the rear

but here is the front https://smile.amazon.com/Shinko-E804...rds=shinko+805

Torgo · 06-10-2016, 03:50 PM

Similar experience - they're a little squirrelly on pavement. They're also a little squirrelly even on the rock/gravel that we have around the Hill Country here, if you keep them at the recommended road pressure. If you cut the pressure in half, they're actually pretty nice on the loose stuff. They get better as they age - partly because they wear down and flex less, partly because you get more used to it.

I don't actually know what I'm going to do when they wear out, and they're probably already halfway there. Even though I mostly fart around on roads, I do like having the knobbys for the times I go off-road. I'm leaning towards a set of Shinko 244s just to compare.

Sport Rider · 06-10-2016, 04:30 PM

John, I felt the same way with the stockers. they really were good on dirt/trails, but on street, they took a bit of getting used to. I installed Shinko 244s they are a 50/50 tire. they were much nicer on the street. not as grippy on the trails as the full knobbies though. I have a broken shifter and bent clutch lever to prove it.

06-10-2016, 12:24 AM	#1
Johnp Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 65	These Knobby Tires are Unsettling on Pavement Hey guys, can any of you confirm what I'm feeling? Riding around on my Hawk with the knobby tires, it feels... Well, the opposite of smooth and planted. They feel like they kind of "drift" a bit on pavement. It's hard to describe. But with other bikes I've owned, street tires leave you feeling really planted and attached to the road. These feel unsure on pavement to me. Anyone else notice this? Or can you describe it better than I am? __________________ John P. 2016 Hawk 250 - Black All my mods are documented on my Blog! My Blog \| Google+ \| Twitter \| Facebook
	0

06-10-2016, 01:26 AM	#2
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	I predict your next life skill will be motorcycle tire changing. __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
	5

06-10-2016, 01:33 AM	#3
hertz9753 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 868	I was going to ask if it is like riding a snowmobile but you live in Texas. The tires that come on the Hawk are full off road tires and the knobs will flex when riding on the street or hard pack like clay. I was thinking about the Kenda K270 Dual Sport tires after mine wear out. __________________ 2015 and 3/4 RPS Hawk 250. Most people would call it a 2016 but the MCO didn't.
	1

06-10-2016, 07:38 AM	#7
Ron B Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Tuscaloosa Al. Posts: 433	recheck the tire pressure, the hawk tubes are paper thin and seem to leak down over a month. had to replace mine right away and noticed how thin they were. __________________ Wingless Hawk, 2016 orange RX3, 97 wide glide,2003 KLR
	0

06-10-2016, 12:47 PM	#10
kohburn Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 537	the only knobby that I can think of people saying performs well on the road is the TKC80 but they come at a premium https://www.amazon.com/Continental-T...tkc80+90+90-21 __________________ -whatever you do, just be awesome. - 2008 Kawasaki Versys - 2016 CSC TT250
	1

06-10-2016, 04:27 AM	#4
Entropy Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 98	To each their own, but I don't think I would've made it up 75% of the trails I've gone up if I didn't have knobbies. I'd like a more aggressive off-road tire personally. Any one have some recommendations?
	0

06-10-2016, 07:43 AM	#8
w0ss Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 231	I am still getting used to the knobbies on the road, I feel the same thing you do. I might change out for a 50/50 tire but I think I will wait till this wear out before I decide.
	2

06-10-2016, 01:04 PM	#11
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,095	I've heard that the folks who upgrade to the knobbies on the new RX3's say they do good on pavement. I think these are them???? Whoever has them, please post. http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/TIRE-S...wps87-4704.htm __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	0

06-10-2016, 01:21 PM	#12
wilserchinarider Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 380	I don't push the Hawk w/ orig knobby tires on pavement...much prefer not to get that squirrely feeling...
	1

06-10-2016, 03:50 PM	#14
Torgo Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 93	Similar experience - they're a little squirrelly on pavement. They're also a little squirrelly even on the rock/gravel that we have around the Hill Country here, if you keep them at the recommended road pressure. If you cut the pressure in half, they're actually pretty nice on the loose stuff. They get better as they age - partly because they wear down and flex less, partly because you get more used to it. I don't actually know what I'm going to do when they wear out, and they're probably already halfway there. Even though I mostly fart around on roads, I do like having the knobbys for the times I go off-road. I'm leaning towards a set of Shinko 244s just to compare.
	1

06-10-2016, 04:30 PM	#15
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,046	John, I felt the same way with the stockers. they really were good on dirt/trails, but on street, they took a bit of getting used to. I installed Shinko 244s they are a 50/50 tire. they were much nicer on the street. not as grippy on the trails as the full knobbies though. I have a broken shifter and bent clutch lever to prove it.
	1