Metzler - Sahara 3 vs Karoo 2

[m25443]

This thread is about front tire only, 90/90-21.

I have an XR650R that I ride 50/50. The Sahara is about twice the price of the Karoo, and looks to be more of a 70 street and 30 dirt. The Karoo looks to be 70 dirt and 30 street. Assuming this is true (or close), what else do I get from the Sahara for the extra $50?

I'd rather lean slightly toward dirt if I have to make a sacrifice. Any chance that the Sahara is equal to the Karoo in offroad situations? The Sahara looks to be a clear winner for the street (but not sure).

Is it possible that the Sahara, being $50 more expensive, is better than the Karoo both on the street AND in the dirt?

Mike.

[husky123]

This thread is about front tire only, 90/90-21.

I'd rather lean slightly toward dirt if I have to make a sacrifice. Any chance that the Sahara is equal to the Karoo in offroad situations? The Sahara looks to be a clear winner for the street (but not sure).

Is it possible that the Sahara, being $50 more expensive, is better than the Karoo both on the street AND in the dirt?

Mike.

No way. The Sahara IMO is not near as good as the Karoo off-road. I'm SURE others will differ but my Saraha didn't want to do anything off-road except straight up hard pack. The Karoo is decent in a lot of off-road situations with the exception of mud. And I found the Karoo to give some really good, predictable grip on-road. My 2.

[MartinDKtm]

Only downside of the karoo is that they melt like butter. Shortest life tire I ever saw on a bike. I did 1500km (930miles) on mine on a back of a 640E. I won't buy one back ever.

[m25443]

I just put a mefo explorer on the rear and would like something to go on the front. The Mefo's supposedly last a very long time, and I'd like something similar in on/off road ability but have heard some handling quirks of the mefo on the front that are causing me to look elsewhere.

Would the Sahara 3 on the front be a reasonable match for the Mefo on the rear? I do ride in mud a little and gravel roads fairly frequently.

Any additional choices I should consider? Probably not looking for a knobby.

Mike

[MartinDKtm]

Continental Tkc80 a very good 50/50 tire I would look at. The sahara 3 is great and last a long time but is pretty bad in mud and sand.

[goblin127]

I'll second the tkc80. This would be a good match for either the mefo or the metzler. I have run the saharas before and they are by no means meant for mud.

[m25443]

The Mefo Explorer Looks like a dual sport while the IKC80 is clearly a knobbie. Will I have problems with teh Mefo in the rear and TKC80 in the front? Are they similar enough on road, dirt, wet, and mud that the front end and rear end of my xr650r will still get along?

Mike.

[MartinDKtm]

Despite its knobby apearance the tkc80 is a 50/50 and exellent on pavement. One of the best I've rode on pavement, almost similar to the Sahara3