Was very interested in this tire a year or so ago, went through all the posts regarding it and the lack of sizes for the GS. That was disappointing and I settled for some scorpions again and sulked off.
However I remembered reading on micapeak.com about alternative tire sizes which was a solution to the absence of the Karoo in GS sizes way back when. Well, I took the alternate size options and found that the Continental Conti Escape was available in those sizes. They are Tubeless front and Tube type rear which concerned me as putting a tube in a tire will create problems witha bike the weight of the GS on high speed transport sections. I contacted the continental distributor here in OZ and spoke at length regarding the need for the tube in the rear etc. Long story short, he said the tube type was true but only in that the inside surface of the tire was smooth and would not 'damage' a tube so those with non tubeless rims could fit a tube. However the tire construction was the same as a tubless and would hold air AND the bead moulding was the same as a tubeless tyre so they won't roll of and deflate as true tube type tires will.
So on the strength of his word I ordered a set when I next needed tires and ran them both without tubes in the alternate sizes noted on:
http://micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_tel2.html#tires
and have just worn the rear out so I've ordered another set! My report in short is:
Offroad grip => much better than the 90:10 80:20 tires I've tried
Onroad grip => Very impressive after you get used to the quick turnin from the narrower tire.
Wet grip => As expected are slightly less grippy on the front, not as scary as a TKC or Karoo. Let them warm up and you can poke along quite nicely. They give plenty of warning and push controlably, just don't go burko'
Mileage => I have got 7000km from the rear and I could just change that one, but I am doing both. The front won't do 2 to 1 as with a tourance or anakee so I figure its easier to do both now.
Cost => I just paid $320.00 for the pair fitted and balanced. So they are cheaper too.
Pressure => I have run them down to 22psi (which is as low as I will take a tubless tire off road) and have had no trouble with rim damage and at that pressure they are a lot better on sand than any non knobby tire.
Summary:
I am putting them on again so obviously I'm happy. I can scratch on them and chase R1s and the like nearly as good as I can with a tourance etc. In the wet I don't have a sphincter clench OR sweat bullets. I just ride like I'm on a wet road that I have not ridden on before. Off road I find the front there when I need it and more traction. They still clog in clay and thick mud but hey, you can't have it all. I know you all want to know about sand right!! well they are much better BUT they are narrow and require a little more speed to get up on the plane. I can now carry more speed and can easily spin up the rear when I need to without it hooking up too aggresivley and high siding me.
I'm sold. Hope this helps.
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