Dunlop K750 6K
Setting the Stage: When I did my research on the KLR650 just about every post I could find mentioned that the stock Dunlop K750 rear tire (130/80 R17) would wear quickly and need to be replaced between 5,000 km and 6,000 km (approx 3,100 miles). Turns out there’s no substitute for experience. I currently have 5,500 and my rear tire is completely shot. You can tell by the picture that the center tread is completely worn out but the side treads look brand new. The wear on the Dunlop K750 was consistent until I reach the 5,000 km mark then they deteriorated rather quickly, leaving me scrambling for a new set of tires (subject of my next blog entry). The Dunlop K750 rear tire is now next to useless in the rain and can get squirrely when riding on gravel. I’ve also been experiencing a few mid-corner wobbles, the kind that cause you to grit your teeth and grip the bars a little tighter.
Performance review: Overall I would give the Dunlop K750 rear tire a “Good” rating and here’s why:
The good stuff:
- Great on-road performance;
- Good traction off-road (not great in loose sand);
- Excellent in wet weather; and
- Tolerable noise levels;
The bad stuff:
- The Dunlop K750′s life expectancy;
- Uneven tire wear; and
- Extremely fast wear after 5,000 km (almost got caught on a long trip)
If not for the Dunlop K750′s short life I would have given it an “Excellent” rating. I won’t be purchasing this tire again and I’m currently researching suitable replacement tires and plan to update this post as soon as I’ve made a decision.
UPDATE: I’ve just ordered a set of Kenda K761 (click to read the post) from aviciouscycle.ca and will provide a review once I’ve put a few miles on them. Stay tuned for more.
Feel free to post comments or leave question. Stay obsessed my friends.
