Thank you so much for taking the time 🙏🏼. I'm currently shopping for tires for my '11 vstrom 650. I've noticed another reviewer or two mention how these tires might be on the heavy side for 650 bikes, possibly robbing power: if I may ask, what is your take on that? I mostly ride out of town 2-lane asphalt highways, with a little expressway to get to them . Once I'm out there, occasional exploring on gravel and sand. (South Texas/Mexico border). I'd like to be prepared, and from your explanation, these sound right for me. (Currently running Anakee III). Thanks again, and safe travels! 🙏🏼

Thanks!

These are great off-road they climb like a goat, on the road in the heat the rear gets a little wobbly, especially under throttle on hot roads, however, I'm running close to 800lbs with panniers, gear, and a hefty rider. But adjusting to that it's easy to build road confidence once I understand what they will do. Also tar snakes are jarring, i thought i had a flat or some suspension component loose when i hit too many in a row.

They wear like IRON. If not doing super deep sand or nasty mud, they are a great tire.

How do these do on pavement in the rain? I ride a Super Tenere cross-country and do light BDR-style riding, mostly in Utah. But I have to get there first and that means long days on the interstate through whatever weather there happens to be. A long-wearing tire with moderate off-road chops like this sounds perfect, but not if I'm risking an incident in rain (I always hit rain, never fails).

60/40 mostly

I wish the speed rating was higher on these tires