There is likely no greater differentiator in the capability of adventure touring bikes, apart from rider skill, than tires. Adventure touring tires are asked to do a lot?long distance on the superslab, handling twisted tarmac like a superbike and still provide adequate grip in all dirt-related conditions. The selections have gotten so numerous, adventure bike riders have begun assigning values to the tires as to their road/dirt worthiness. Typically, new adventure bikes come with a 90/10 (on-road/off-road) type tire. Some manufacturers have started installing more dirt-worthy tires on their bikes in the 70/30 range and some even into the 50/50 range.
Enter the new Kenda Big Block Pavers K678F/K678. These tires purport to be 90/10, or as Kenda puts it, ??designed for adventure riders with an on-road focus.? Loosely translated, I think this means ?I pity the fool who tries to take this tire off-road.? (Thanks Mr. T.) Shortly after getting the Kenda Big Block Pavers mounted on my Triumph Tiger 800 XCx, replacing more dirt-oriented 70/30 tires, I had the opportunity to tackle the infamous Angeles Crest highway and then do some dirt road/trail riding in Big Bear, California.
The Angeles Crest highway is notorious for being shut down often due to rock slides, leaving boulders, gravel and debris in the travel lanes. Fortunately for me, on this Friday excursion the entire route was open and available. Smaller bits of rock and debris were on the road. The Pavers handled very well up...