Hi, Travis Neel from Philly here. I just bought a '13 HS and was thinking to do a min set of mods so I can hit the dirt roads for the 2019 Michaux Dual Sport event - they are adding a 2 day Adv Bike ride on Michaux dirt roads and surrounding pavement. What do you all think? (Tires) I don't want knobbies - but these look like they would work 180-55R-17-Pirelli-MT60RS-Dual-Sport-Radial-Rear-Tire/.
Joined Mar 2013
3K Posts | 161+
Naples, IT
Hey, Travis. Welcome.
Those look like a pretty good trade-off. The adventurous ones on here do say the TKC-80's ride pretty well on pavement.
I'd reckon you'll need crash protection on the vitals (belly, radiator, cases). Stock handguards aren't up to much more than a sapling slap. Suspension job would go a long way.
Those look like a pretty good trade-off. The adventurous ones on here do say the TKC-80's ride pretty well on pavement.
I'd reckon you'll need crash protection on the vitals (belly, radiator, cases). Stock handguards aren't up to much more than a sapling slap. Suspension job would go a long way.
Thanks gatdammit! If you know of any sources for protection or suspension tuning please let me know. You are from Napoli? I was there ten years ago and loved it. I lived 5 years in Milano back in the late '80's and developed Ducati envy. Finally, 30 years later got one
Joined Mar 2013
3K Posts | 161+
Naples, IT
My bike is all street but you can search for setups. Crash protection is relatively cheap and easy but you'll drop at least $500 on front suspension upgrade. Search post from user 'Jerdog' - he's got a pretty serious off-road setup. Andreani and Mupo are the most common suspension upgrades.
I'm in Napoli. I'm guessing the roads were **** 10 years ago when you lived here. Anything beyond 30 miles changes dramatically. I actually bought my Duc in the states before I had any idea I'd be moving here. I am lucky there's an official mechanic in literally every town. I drove her across the waist to Bari last year. Hit Matera and Positano on the way back...amazing ride. Like Montana roads with castles and centuries old villages dotting it.
Cheers!
I'm in Napoli. I'm guessing the roads were **** 10 years ago when you lived here. Anything beyond 30 miles changes dramatically. I actually bought my Duc in the states before I had any idea I'd be moving here. I am lucky there's an official mechanic in literally every town. I drove her across the waist to Bari last year. Hit Matera and Positano on the way back...amazing ride. Like Montana roads with castles and centuries old villages dotting it.
Cheers!
Take it from me, the HS is not a trail bike. I gave up taking her down trails and stick to dirt roads now. I don't know what sort of terrain that event will take you down so you may want to find out how much trails and mud are involved. The HS doesn't do well in mud either.
That said, the TKC80 has performed admirably on my HS. Between the crater blasted streets of Philly and the dirt roads I ride out in farm country I have no real complaints. On wet pavement they can be a wee bit unpredictable depending on how worn they are and the TC level used.
That said, the TKC80 has performed admirably on my HS. Between the crater blasted streets of Philly and the dirt roads I ride out in farm country I have no real complaints. On wet pavement they can be a wee bit unpredictable depending on how worn they are and the TC level used.
I think it is all about expectations.
I don't expect it to be able to take obstacles as fast as the drz-400 I used to have, but I do expect it to get let me get out there and have some fun which the M696 it replaces couldn't do at all.
I took my HS out to the pine barrens in NJ every few weeks last summer and ripped around some sandy trails. It does just fine for what it is and I have fun.
