Tyres

[Paul K]

Make sure you take a spare tube(s) and levers.  You know you're going to get a puncture now

[David (tufty) White]

Thanks for that Paul.

[David (tufty) White]

AA and going home in a warm van.

Changing my own tyres, with these hands???

The only reason I carry tools as it would be rude not to have them when someone comes to fix my bike. 

[David (tufty) White]

I think you'll find I'm excellent at offering advice and encouragement.

[David (tufty) White]

I've been out on said tyres at the weekend, along a mix of lanes.

Road:  Take a bit of getting used to, especially on bends, the rear is a little squirmy under firm throtte, but overall, not too bad.
Hard pack: Absolutely great, loads of grip and traction.
Light gravel: Good, gave confidence.
Mud: Better grip than I've ever had before.  Confidence inspiring downhill and very grippy going uphill.
Wet grass/Soft mud:  Again, better than either the TKC or MT43s

Summary, I need more confidence in less PSI.  I was running at 20 and should have been lower.  Will try around 15 next time and see how I get on.  I also need more practise at coping with the tyres slipping around on different surfaces.  To me, it's quite disconcerting when both wheels seem to be choosing your direction, instead of you.  Ultimately you get there but there's a lot of work to be done.

I need to get out more.

[Stephen Bailey]

I have just realised that you are using Mitas tyres. These are the only trials tyres that I have used that seem to (to use your word) Squirm. Even on the Beta Alp 200. I got used to it after a while but only used them until they had to be replaced. Then went back to Mt's.

[Mark Gregg]

to get to the best from your trials tyres you need to be in the 3.5 - 5psi range for the rear. that is the pressure they are designed to work at. i m always surprised to see or not see motorcycles managing tyre pre pressures pre and post sections whilst the cars always seem to be adjusting them.

on motorcycles trials i ve run 3.5 psi in yorkshire /lancashire for over 25 years competing most weekends and only had one puncture in that time. 

by far the preference is in favour of michelin rears or irc for those that like a tube. however the irc are renowned for the squirm at road speeds.. feels very much like the tyre is flat even at 10psi.

longevity of these specialist tyres is an issue especially for MCC events, a 300 mile lands end would be the effective lifespan of a Michelin x11 equally deflating and reflating 14 times in a day could lead to valve issues etc.

The mitas would seem a compromise running at 15 psi should give grip on sections and stability on the road at speeds below 30mph. 

[Stephen Bailey]

A MT on the rear of the 350 Beta used to last 800 - 1000 miles... So a Lands End and back home in reality.

A front MT three times that.

On the Beta 200 almost double the distance fer the rear..... But rather rounded corners by 800 miles....