+1 for Battlewings

I've had both Shinko 705 radial and Battlewings. Both back tires lasted about 5K but the shinko was much better off road and would stick better in the corners on pavement. The front tire of the Shinko made some noise at about 45 mph and the Battlewing front tire had very little tread depth.

OP - I too ride 90% pavement but also hit fs roads in the cascades every other week or so. I wanted a tire that was more aggressive for that reason, as well as one that would fit the look of the bike better. I really wanted the k60's but just the rear was more than a set of 705's. I got the 705's but havent put them on yet.

+1 on the Battlewings

I put a set on before my 4500 mile trip last summer. I have about 7000 miles on them now and will be replacing the rear tire - front still looks good.

They performed well for the type of roads I have ridden on. The only surprise I had was after cresting the top of a hill on what I thought was a sand road at speed only to run into some slick Alabama mud on the downhill side of the hill. The resulting dismount was spectacular in both appearance and lack of damage (those SW Motech crash bars really work). The only thing that got nailed besides my pride was my gear shift lever.

I did feel better when I got up and saw that my buddy was stuck at the bottom of the hill on his Wee with his Kenda Big Blocks - the mud had packed the front fender.

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2009 Suzuki DL650 - Kanga
2012 WR250R - Rowen
2003 KTM 450 EXC - Tigger (2)
1995 Honda VFR750 - Tigger Traded
2002 Suzuki DR650 - Big Bird Sold
1988 Honda VTR250 - Roo Sold

Being a relatively new VStrom (bought a 2012 DL650 in 4/12 but 35 year Suzuki Rider), I'll share my limited knowledge on V Strom tires.

The factory tires were great handling tires on the road and ok off road - for about 7000 miles on the rear, 7500 on the front. Then having had excellent luck with Metzler I installed a pair of Metzler Tourance tires, and I have to say they get great mileage, are very good on hard pack but are slippery as the day is long on cold roads and on the crack filler in the roads. I may try the EXP as mentioned above on the front to see how that does.

I wore the rear tourance off in about 11,000 miles, but that included an 8500 mile cross country ride including riding from FL to CA in 2 days across I-10 which isn't a fair test on the tires, as it was mostly straight for 2300 miles. Since then I wore the chicken strips off. The front tourance is still on the bike and has about 14,500 miles on it. I think it lasted as long, partially because of the heavy load on the rear tire during the 8500 mile ride. I have another Tourance on the rear with about 3500 miles on it, so I should get a good reading on longevity with this one as I'll be doing mostly local (300-400 mile) day rides, and some off road (fire roads, etc.)

When crossing somewhere in the southwest the bike picked up a hell of a gyration at 90 MPH when coming up behind a semi or just keeping up on those texas roads. It could have been the load (camping gear, tools, clothes, etc for the ride). Who knows, but the wobble was fun anyway.

This spring I'll be riding the dirt roads & trails from CT, thru MA and VT to Canada (I live in upstate NY) to enjoy the reason I bought this bike in the woods so most likely will look at a tire more geared for those conditions. And share my findings.

Anyone have a good tire changer and wheel balancer they'd donate to my cause, as this bike keeps going down the road and I'm wearing out tires faster than I can keep up with these posts! Six months and 20,000 miles and I'll have to say this bike is serious fun to ride!

Hi, What are you runnig for tire pressures on your Battlewings for hard top conditions?

Best regards,
Blair

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SV Racing Parts
www.svracingparts.com
b.layton@svracingparts.com

I ran original tourances for a bit, good tires but the front got a little noisy.. and they got slick nearing the end... and switched to a PR3 front and tourance rear. PR3 sticks like glue in the wet and tourance gives me some oomph if i venture off the pavement. I may eventually just do PR3 on both ends.

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+1 Tourance! Get em'!

Just before I traded my 08 Wee, I put Battlewings on it.
They were much nicer then the OEM Trailwings...not that they were really bad.
I now have Michelin PR3's on my CBF1000 and they are outstanding, especially in the rain!
If you arn't going offroad...you might want to check 'em out.
I take the CBF on gravel roads occasionally and no big problem.

Look at Heidenkau K60 Scout
A set of three (two rear) Shinko 705 or Full Bore Adventure Touring
Michelin Anakee II (bit more open tread for an 80-20 dual sport)
Mitas E-07 or E-08 from MX-1 in Richmond, B.C. Mitas Dual Sport and Adventure Tires - MX1 Canada

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2007 DL650A Whee! (SV cam transplant)

Manage the unavoidable.
Avoid the unmanageable.