Heidenau K-60s

[offworlder]

Hi All,

I finally got a pair of Heidenau K-60s mounted on my BMW F650 GS (twin). While I'm a relatively new rider (started this year), I'm pleasantly surprised in that they arent that much noisier than the stock Bridgestone Battle Wings, and while they certainly feel different - ie: softer, less even due to the far more aggressive tread pattern (60/40) than the street oriented Battle Wings, they seem fine at the same tarmac speeds (120km/hr), although I am taking it easy for now, as I need to wear them in.

Next up, off road testing !
(will report back soon after)

[offworlder]

The Heidenaus are truly amazing ! I've been off road a couple of times now, and am still playing with the tire pressures, but am able to go where other (off road/DS) bikes go without issue; Logging roads, dirt, gravel roads (have been up to 90km/hr on gravel !) - all with confidence and control ! Have even done a few deep (couple of feet) water crossings too !
Note: when installed at the dealers, they were over inflated (42R/32F), and perform much better at lower pressures. I've been trying 38R/30F on road, and 32R/24F off-road, but still likely need to go much lower when off road...

Highly recommended !

[prime]

Just put a set on my 09 klr. Love 'em too! Curious to see what kind of km's they will be good for. It's like a new bike on the pavement!

[Redhed]

I put over 12,000 K on a set of Heidenaus this summer. Mostly slab riding with a heavily loaded 800GS. I was very pleased with them.

[Bayner]

I ran mine for 18,000 kms on my 800GS before I swapped them for new knobbies. They would have made 20k kms I think. Amazing value and very good performance. Easily the best tires for all around that I have tried.

[Mollygrubber]

How do they fare in rain? I commute every day rain or shine, so this is a critical issue for me... especially Nov. through April!

They sure seem the business, and the tread life will be welcome. I have just over 3000km on a new F8GS, and the OEM Pirelli Scorpion Trail's already have a significant flat spot... guess I've been spoiled with the dual compound street tires I used to run.

[Bayner]

I didn't notice any difference in the rain. Slippery as any other when you get 'em on a oil patch!

[offworlder]

My K-60s have been solid in the rain.

However, I am noticing excessive wear on the rear, while the front still looks like new - which I'm quite concerned about. I've taken them off-road, and ride em as fast as 120km/hr on road, but the amount of wear seems too much (for the few thousand km I've put on them), and the tread is starting to fall apart, in thats its cracking, and corners of the knobbies are falling off ! Anyone seen anything like this ?

[04klr]

surely you weren't buying into all that million km's per set nonsense were you. if it handles well, the cost of that will be in the wear. you've got to pay to play.

[TOHC2]

surely you weren't buying into all that million km's per set nonsense were you. if it handles well, the cost of that will be in the wear. you've got to pay to play.

unfortunately that's mostly true

OFFWORLDER: though I did notice in one of your post that your were running 38 psi rear on road... I use the Pirelli Scorpion AT on my KTM 990 (a fairly similar tire to the Heidenau) 32-34 psi on road is about optimum. I ran a set at 38 psi last summer on a trip to California. Flat spotted a narrow strip down the center. The uneven wear ended up killing the tire about 30% less then normal. Well just a thought anyway

[push2play]

i am interested at what stage of offroading the battlewings become tractionless- is it wet dirt, clay, mud or gravel that they do not handle? I am looking to explore the gravel roads and in BC there is almost always rain or a creek overflowing across your path.

[Mollygrubber]

I assume you're running the 140 rear? I think the 150's are unavailable for "some time"... I read that the 140's have significantly less tread depth than the 150's, so I'm going to hold off until the big'uns come in.

[soph9]

we just mounted our new sets of K60's on our F650GS bikes. My first set of K60's had 18700 KM on them and could have gotten another 4000. WE ride with the rear between 40-42 PSI and fronts at 34-36. Took these tires cross country this summer...see my RR

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=47909

did 140KM on the tar and did lot's of off road...they handled great in the rain, hail, heat, cold etc....very impressed and we see no reason to get any other tire for our type of DS riding. Oh yeah, I commute to Vancouver every day from Maple Ridge on this bike and tires!

[prime]

Nice report!! Glad to here good things about the tires. Which direction are you heading next year?