Heidenau K60 Scout M+S Winter Tyre?

[Strommer]

Heidis went on today.  PR3s off.  

For clarity, there seem to be five versions of this tyre:
1 - K60 (general purpose tyre)
2 - K60 Scout (no idea why this is different frrm the K60)
3 - K60 Scout M+S - this is the one I am running this should be a winter tyre - no one is sure....
4 - K60 Scout M+S (aka Silica Sio2) (winter tyre -silica compound- with some snow capability)
5 - K60 Snowtex (dedicated snow tyre with fibres woven into the tread)

4+5 May be the same tyre with different names....no one really knows....

Purpose of the change is mainly due to the PR3s not getting up to temp on my short town commute, so the thought occurred that I should try a winter tyre.

Initial thoughts (2 mile 30 mph run) is that they are more knobbly than I suspected.  I have both the front and the 150 rear (the latter has a single central tread to ease road running).  They seem to have three positions, upright, 45 degree left lean and 45 degree right lean, with nothing in between.  It's not too hard to get used to, but a loose grip on the bars seems to be more necessary than on road tyres.

In terms of the winter compound, they are immediately more grippy than the PR3s.  They sound (and feel) like they have octopus suckers on them and despite having release compound on them they were the stickiest tyre I have ever ridden.  Road temp was 6-8c, air temp 11c.  Tyre pressures unknown at this stage.

Will report next week how it goes.

 NB - Bike was given back with a very loose chain and the rear bolt torqued to 50nm....

[2112]

I'm looking forward to your reveiw, it's a brave choice of tyre so I hope it works out for you  

[WeeStromer]

Thanks for the write up.
I look forward to hearing how they perform.

[Strommer]

Day 2 and it's still pretty mild out there - maybe 5c at road level, 8c air temp.  Remember, these are winter tyres (M+S).

I put more air in yesterday as they were 31 f+b.  Now at 33f, 36B as per Suzuki standard rec.

Leaving this morning, they were again very sticky, the extra air has made a big difference and they were much better to turn-in.  On the wet bits they weren't as assured as the PR3s but were fine.  They do of course still have release compound on them.

70mph they were actually fine, I was expecting bad vibes, but nothing more than a faint buzz.  When you do notice the tyre,is when engine braking, as the extra friction at tyre level suddenly comes into play when you roll off the throttle.  I can see this being a benefit in icy conditions,as long as you don't overdo it and throw out the rear.

I did find the front riding higher than usual - I guess as the front tyre has such huge knobbles.  This is unlikely to help with turn-in.  I may drop the forks at the weekend.

So,the major observations to date are:

1-  Def, stickier in the cold than Trailwings, Battlwewings and PR3s
2 - Fine over white lines (better than the PR3s)
3 - Turn-in is noticeably less good than all other tyres but not as bad as feared
4 - Higher speeds are actually fine
5 - Wet use remains an unknown at this stage as they still have release compound on them
6 - Pressures are important and if they are too low you will notice
7 - Bike rides higher at the front due to the extra height of the front knobbles

I had a panic yesterday and thought I'd made a mistake putting these on, but the proper tyre pressures saved the day.  Taking my rear PR3 to be repaired and will consider adopting a summer/winter tyre strategy as per the car.

[mjc506]

Enjoy them Take them down some gravel tracks and see how they fair haha

[Strommer]

Actually I should have said:  

8 - They are a fun injection - the bike loves them.  

[mjc506]

there is something 'right' about them I like trundling along at walking pace having my palms massaged by the front knobs haha

[Strommer]

I have some rubbing on the front I think, as there is a squeak at near-stop speeds -  nothing serious though.

The bike really comes alive with these - even if it is a  bit "loose".  Just so much more fun to chuck about.

[mjc506]

you know what... I had exactly the same. It's gone now, I assumed it was my bash plate (recently fell off during a service...) but perhaps not. I couldn't see it rubbing anywhere, maybe just one of the moulding 'thingys'

[Strommer]

It's such a small squeal, as you suggest, I suspect it's one of the mould nipples....

[Strommer]

I've traced the squeak to the speed sensor.  The external part (looks like a gasket) isn't properly fitted...have squirted some WD40 in there for now, but the wheel will need to come off for a proper greasing.

 

Is this the tool I need to get the wheel off?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_198743_langId_-1_categoryId_255216

[mjc506]

you prompted me to check mine. Veeeery dry in there! greased up nicely now

That'll do it. I use a 12mm allen key and a mallet/rock, but your tool is a touch more refined...

[Swazi sean]

That's the tool I searched for in Swaziland.
The 12 mm worked after initial cracking of the bolt.

[Strommer]

If I ever sell the Strom I'll include the "extra bits" needed to get the wheels off.  The 12mm Hex, the 24mm socket and then there's a socket for the Front sprocket (33mm?).  Bit irritating that these aren't in the toolkit.

[Strommer]

Not sure of they are very porous or it's just a new tyre thing, but they do seem to lose 0.5psi per day.  Bit of a pain as the pressure in the front needs to be kept at 33/34 to stop it wandering at low speed.

Took it to 100 (speedo) a few times today and the front catches the air pretty much as usual but much higher than that and a tank slapper starts to creep up.  This is much the same as on other tyres though the slap felt a tad worse.  I suspect this is just due to the extra front tyre height.  They were stable enough at speed though.

[mjc506]

How're you finding these beasties in this lovely weather we're having Strommer?

[Strommer]

I'm simply not having to think about them, which has to be a good thing.  Next couple of days will be the acid test.  

Most amazing thing was last week when I parked after a freezing run and touched the rear tyre...warm...nice.  

On Monday I was being tailed by a Divvy down a slushy sideroad and was worried he might try a daft overtake - but he was all over the shop and had other things on his mind!

Fancy the idea of getting the full Snowtex version next year.

[mjc506]

Good stuff Glad you're getting on with them. The weather's looking.... chilly the next week or so. It'll freeze tonight here, then not thaw out until saturday... when it snows. Next week's even worse :(

   

[Strommer]

Do you mind checking your tyres for an M+S marking?  It'll be on the right side.  Curious to know how vendors sell this range of tyres as they are so confusingly marketed.

[mjc506]

Both mine have it. The front is from a different retailer than the rear (not that I could tell you who!)

edit: also both labelled up as K60 scout