Heidenau K60 Scout M+S Winter Tyre?

[Strommer]

Probably the same as mine then I guess.

[mjc506]

I'm as confused as you are. Ah well, we're both still upright, so it can't be all bad haha

[Strommer]

Had a look on the website and there are def. versions with no M+S, so I guess we are in a better position.  I suspect the "Silica SiO2" is a change to marketing blurb as it seems to cover our tyres not the snowtex.

I emailed a supplier for winter specific tyres and the M+S is what he suggested.  Oponeo though sold me these as winter tyres, but this week have them marked as summer tyres....nuts.

Will email Heidenau if I can find a contact.  Ideally if someome could call and talk German...

[hookie]

Pneus on line stock Heidenaus. The only ones listed that fit the Vstrom are the K60 Scout M&S. They list a K60 M&S Silica, which is described as a winter tyre, but is not listed in Vstrom sizes.

[Strommer]

It's blooming confusing.  I know that if I go for snowtex I will have to go for a non-standard sizing.

On the Reifenwerk website there is no mention of Snowtex - so it may be that "Silica" is an alternative/older/newer name...?  This would mean there are four types:

K60
K60 Scout
K60 Scout M+S
K60 Silica/snowtex

Alternatively there are now five types!

K60
K60 Scout
K60 Scout M+S
K60 Silica
K60 Snowtex

Confused....  I've emailed Reifenwerk and Heidenautires for an answer....

[mjc506]

Perhaps they're just different names for the same thing?

I know you get different tread patterns depending upon the size you want (and I can understand the snowtex stuff only being available on a limited range of tyres)...

mind = blown

[Strommer]

Found this on Wikipedia

1 M+S, or M&S: Mud and Snow; A tyre that meets the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) all-season tyre definition.[20] These are all-weather Tyres, with self-cleaning tread and above-average traction in muddy or very light snowy conditions, and for low ambient temperatures. Spike Tyres have an additional letter, "E" (M+SE).

2 Mountain Snowflake Pictograph: Winter passenger and light truck Tyres that meet the severe snow service requirements of Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and Rubber Association of Canada (RAC).[20]

On that basis M+S would be an All-Season tyre, which is probably OK.....

My car tyres have M+S and a snowflake though as these are def. winter tyres.

[mjc506]

snip:

2 Mountain Snowflake Pictograph: Winter passenger and light truck tyres that meet the severe snow service requirements of Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and Rubber Association of Canada (RAC)..

looks like m/c's don't have this bit then? would make some sort of sense I suppose.

[Strommer]

OK. got a reply which seems to make sense.

"...There are 3 version of the K60.
1. the "normal" K60. That's the old pattern of K60. This tyre has an medium compound.
2. K60 M+S Silica. That's a winter tyre. Because of its soft compound (including a high part of Silicium)
   we recommend to drive the tyre only in the winter.
3. K60 Scout M+S. That's the further development of the "normal" K60. The tyre has a soft-medium compound.
   On wet roads the grip is better than by K60. The pattern is a little bit different for better grip off the
   road.

Our recommendation... if you only drive less kilometers on cold days without snow take the K60 Scout M+S.
If you drive many kilometers on cold days with (on) snow take the K60 M+S Silica."

I'll ask him about the snowtex as well - as it still isn;'t clear if the silica is a new name for that...

[mr_diver]

does anyone know what the construction of the tyre is?

I've got anakee 2's fitted but the rear is on it's last legs. looking at getting a K60 to replace it, but I don't know if it's a radial, cross-ply or bias-ply ????  

If they're not Radials I'm screwed and have to opt for another Anakee 2 until the front dies or throw away a barely half worn Anakee front.

[2112]

If they're not Radials I'm screwed and have to opt for another Anakee 2 until the front dies or throw away a barely half worn Anakee front.

You are legally allowed a cross-ply front and radial rear on a Motorcycle. Africa Twins used to come with this set up as standard and years ago some models of GSX-R 750 came with this set up also. Strange but true.

[mr_diver]

I knew what you said all ready 2112, but I can't have radial Anakee 2 front with ply rear. that's my problem if the K60's are ply.
but I can't find info on it's construction anywhere  

[mjc506]

They're bias ply.

Personally, I'd get another anakee2 rear. Or, a set of k60's and keep the front for later

[mr_diver]

ah bugger

Anakee 2 it is then for the time being  

thanks for the info  

[2112]

You could always whip the Anakee off the front and flog it on here. Plenty of Anakee lovers who could always use a spare ?

[mr_diver]

I'm not hateing the anakee, so won't go throwing a god tyre. atm with the mrs out of work after finishing a nursing degree, I don't have money to go throwing at 2new tyres. one rear is needed and the anakees have handled everything I have thrown at them, I just thought that if I could get a k60 mixed with anakee front it would be ideal to change before ST6.
I'll change both anakees for k60's at the next change.
thanks for the info blokes

[mr_diver]

OK as it turns out, on closer inspection the front has scalloped badly and I was starting to feel the uneven surface from the bars. as the rear was toast and the front would need changing soon, I opted for 2 new K60's (M&S)

Ordered from openeo - £171 delivered and cost me £5 per tyre for fitting in the local car tyre place.  

first impressions are good, good grip, smooth at higher speed (40mph+) at 15-20mph there is a very noticeable vibration felt on the bars from the blocks on the front tyre. this I expected and after a few miles I got accustomed to this. I could feel the blocks on the front biting when cornering hard, but nothing scary.
Rear felt no difference from the Anakee 2's on the move but a little noisier around town.

scrubbed the tyres in this morning and took a mile of dirt track and gravel. the tyres gripped well in the dust and loose gravel, she did slide a little in a patch of mud, but was a controlled slide. I fairly sure I would have been on my arse with the Anakee's.  

I'm very impressed so much so I took the mrs for a spin this evening to Porthcawl and was scraping the crap out of the Moto Agora bash plate- more than the normal when fitted with Anakee's. looking at my bike parked by a load of sports bikes and noticed mine had the smallest chicken strips around  
I'm liking these tyres.        

[Locky]

I think these will be my next tyres , I'll have a look at them on ST6 .

[Ptarmigan]

I have just the lane for you to try them out properly Mr. D      

[2112]

They're chunky buggers and no mistake