Atilla Gets the Metzeler Karoo 4 Treatment

OMG! What have I done to my bike? I feels weird now!
In dire need of new tyres for Atilla and unable to get the Dunlop Trailmax Mission that I really wanted to try. I had to settle for the Metzeler Karoo 4"s. After never having ridden chunky 50/50 tyres before, I'm not sure I've made the correct decision!
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My Kit List
Shark Spartan Carbon Skin helmet.
Richa Cold Protect Goretex waterproof thermal winter gloves.
Richa Street Touring Goretex gloves.
TCX S-Speed Goretex Sport Touring boots.
Richa Cylone Goretex GTX textile jacket and trousers.
GoPro Hero 7 Black x 3 (all with separate issues).
GoPro Hero 10 Black Helmet Camera.
Helmet microphone - Røde lavalier go 3.5mm TRS.
Mavic Pro 2 drone with Hassleblad camera.
InstaOne X2 360° camera.
Canon D5 Mk2 (Full frame) DSLR camera body.
Canon 70D DSLR Camera body.
Canon 24-105 f4 general purpose lens.
Canon 50mm prime lens.
Panasonic HC-V720 20.4 mega pixel digital camcorder.
Final Cut Pro (FCP) editing software (video).
Lightroom editing software (stills).
Snapseed editing app for mobile phone.
iPhone 11 Pro for additional video footage and still images.
Gorillapod tripod.
Travel tripod.
Manfrotto 190L Main tripod.
Synco G1 (A2) lavalier lapel mic (x2) with transmitter receiver kit for GoPro, DSLR, PC.
Boya By-MM1 Cardioid shotgun microphone for video.
Auritech Biker, New Generation hearing protectors.
2 x 22400mAh 3 USB Power Banks for dedicated helmet cam power and battery recharging.
GoPro Camera Settings
Helmet camera. GoPro Hero 10.
Video performance - Activity
Resolution - 2.7k
Frames per second - 120
View - Superview
Hypersmooth - Boost
Scheduled capture - Off
Duration - No limit
Hindsight - Off
Timer - Off
Zoom - 1.0 x
Protune
Bit rate - High
Shutter - Auto
EV Comp - -0.5
White balance - Auto
ISO min - 100
ISO max - 6400
Sharpness - High
Colour - Vibrant
Raw audio - Off
Wind - On
Media mod - Camera mics
I use only 256gb Sandisk Extreme for this camera as it consumes space at double the rate of the Hero 7. If you are like me, I try to never turn the camera off when I’m out as you can guarantee that’s when something will happen and you’ll miss it. You will require 2 x 256gb cards for a full days riding if you’re on tour.
GoPro Camera Settings
Handlebar camera. GoPro Hero 7.
Resolution - 2.7k
Frames per second - 120
View - Superview
Low light - Auto
Stabilisation - Auto
Protune - On
Shutter - Auto
EV Compensation - -0.5
White balance - Auto
ISO min - 100
ISO max - 6400
Sharpness - High
Colour - GoPro
Raw audio - Off
Mics - Stereo
I use either 128gb Sandisk Ultra or 256gb Sandisk Extreme SD cards. (I find the quality equally as good whether I use the Ultra or the Extreme cards.)
When using the hand held camera I set the lens view to Wide.
GoPro Hero 10. Settings for ND Filters.
Res/FPS - 4k/25
Lens - Superview
Hypersmooth - Standard
Scheduled capture - Off
Duration - No limit
Hindsight - Off
Timer - Off
Zoom - 1.0x
Protune
Bit Rate - High
Shutter - 1/50
EV Comp - N/A
White Balance - Auto
ISO Min - 100
ISO Max - 100 (This is correct)
Sharpness - Med
Colour - Natural
Raw Audio - Off
Wind - On
Med Mod - Front
GoPro Hero 7. Settings for ND Filters.
Res/FPS - 4k/24
FoV - Superview
Low Light - N/A
Stabilisation - Auto
Protune - On
Shutter - 1/48
EV Comp - N/A
White Balance - Auto
ISO Min - 100
ISO Max - 100
Sharpness - Medium
Colour - GoPro
RAW Audio - Off
Mics - Stereo

[@omercapkinoglu4403]

Do not inflate the front tyre more than 30 psi, that should solve the bike wanting to lean in to corners.

[@motomogul]

Thanks Omer 👍

[@paulchambers2296]

Any new nobby tyre takes a few miles to bed in and round off, will get better!

[@motomogul]

I did get used to them soon after that. Ended up riding it the same way as normal road tyres 🤷🏼‍♂️😁

[@mg2959]

I had exactly the same experience, went from Karoo Street to the Karoo 3. Took a little while to get used to them, but after a week or so I really didn't notice at all. Stick with them, you'll be fine 👍

[@motomogul]

I reduced the pressure in the rear as it was a bit high, had a long ride out today and it felt much better, hopefully I’ll just get used to them now 👍

[@davewash50]

Great video Jack. Im sure youll crack it on the road with the new tyres. Looked very sharp on the dirty stuff!! Good luck with your chippy run. Thank you

[@seitman]

Had the exact same feeling on these tires on my GS. Great off road, but really weird on the pavement. They tipped in the turn too fast and the felt unpredictable. What tire pressures did you settle with to get a good feeling? And what are the “normal” tire pressure you use on previous tires?

[@motomogul]

I double checked the pressure and found the rear was a bit high so set the tyres to the bikes book pressure and eventually I got used to them. I actually really rated them in the end both on tarmac and off road. The biggest issue was lack of mileage, about 2.5-3k.

[@ADVBrett]

Great video amte, I'm very keen on these but already have another set of MotOz Tractionators ready to go. I'm very keen on the new Metzelers though. Nice run to try them out. I'm sure you'll get more used to them over time, will be keen to see how you go in the next few thousand kms!

[@motomogul]

Cheers buddy. Not sure what to make of them on the road, like riding on marshmallows. They give massive amounts of grip in the loose stuff though.

[@ADVBrett]

@@motomogul ​ @Moto Mogul That's one thing I'm missing right now, grip on the gravel roads. can't wait to give that a shot!

[@RichyVida]

Just wait til you're putting those to work on that INCREDIBLE trail in Spain!

[@motomogul]

Cannot wait! Found out the rear was over pressure by about 5 psi. They feel much better now, confidence building in them. I’m still going to put the Dunlop Trailmax Missions on if I’m not totally happy before Picos. 👍

[@craigporter337]

Hope the chippy run goes well tomorrow. Hopefully you can pull another one in this season that I can get on.

[@motomogul]

Thanks Craig. Yes, I’ll definitely look at doing another one, there’s a few people disappointed they can’t make this one 👍

[@XtremeCoke]

my 890 adv r came with karoo 3， it's better on the road than off. It served me a good 2000 miles to familiar my 890 before it worn out and now I've put a set of Motoz Rallz (either Two Tyres / Rugged Road seems to have stock from time to time) on and it's a lot better off road but that front wheel is significantly louder from 25mph+. Depends on your preference and get a tyre that compromised suits your usage. I'd go for another Rallz for off road or ax41 for 50/50 on & off road myself.

[@motomogul]

Since I let pressure out of the rear I’m finding it much more predictable on tar. The turn in is less aggressive but the grip, even on shiny, worn tar is impressive 👍

[@tonystark-gh3cw]

Hello jack! Nice video! Do you have any experience with this tyre on 🌧️ road? Thanks

[@motomogul]

The tyre was excellent on tarmac, also never had any issues in the wet. My only issue with the tyre is that they don’t last 3k max.

[@tonystark-gh3cw]

@@motomogul thank you for the answer ! I buy this tyre today….let’s see 🤔

[@motomogul]

@@tonystark-gh3cw Let me know how you find them?

[@MOTOUK1]

Maybe Karoo Street is more suited as it’s what they put on the new TRIUMP Tiger Rally Explorer, I think the Karoo 4 is more off road biased

[@motomogul]

Yes, it is a 50/50. I reduced the pressure in the rear as it was a bit high, they feel surprisingly good now. 👍

[@aln74]

I have the K4 on my Tenere 700 and they are fantastic on and off road, they even offer good grip in the wet , you just need to get used to them but that was easy for me as I also ride enduro on my Husky. The only thing wrong with the K4 is the crap mileage you get , 1500 mls and my rear is done , I have just today managed to find a rear on line as they are in short supply. Ho and you need to go faster off road or you will fall off especially on the larger lose stone

[@motomogul]

I’m used to them now, I ride them like road tyres. They do shimmy around at speed on the road which takes some getting used to. I can see they’re not going to last too long though, especially on the heavyweight ATAS. Thanks for the advice on the large loose stones, I’ll give that a go. It’s that confidence thing isn’t it? I don’t ride off road much so it’s quite a lot to take on board when I do. Thanks for commenting though, really appreciate it 👍

[@aln74]

@@motomogul you should go along to an off road skill development day you will learn so much a how to deal with different ground conditions 👍

[@motomogul]

I will get around to that one day. It’s on my extensive list of things to do! 🤔🙄😂👍

[@61defender]

Is this part of tomorrows route to Skegvegas ?

[@motomogul]

A few more muddy puddles tomorrow. Bring your trunks. 😆

[@fonso1961]

I've just won a set of metzeler tyres of my choosing for my gsa ralley not sure what to get going touring around Spain with the mrs not really off road so just checking out the video, not sure what to get now lol Advice anyone.

[@motomogul]

If you’re not going off-road I wouldn’t suggest the Karoo 4’s they are really a 50/50 and although they ride amazingly well (once you get used to them) on tarmac, they wear very quickly, especially so on a heavy bike. Try the Karoo Street, they’re stock tyres on Africa Twins and you should get 4.5 to 5k out of the rear. Hope this helps, I don’t have any experience of other tyres in the range. 👍

[@jesseonamotorcycle]

I’m thinking of buying these for my new tiger 1200 hmm 🤔 do you recommend?

[@motomogul]

Now I’m used to them I ride them almost like a road tyre. Yes, I’d recommend now 👍

[@jesseonamotorcycle]

@@motomogul ok thanks I purchased them

[@Carlnewman68]

Not sure I can jump to that kind of tyre , but they do look great , p.s have a great chip run today . Carl uk 🇬🇧

[@motomogul]

Thanks Carl. Settling down with them now 👍

[@Carlnewman68]

@@motomogul how did it go and was it a great turn out

[@motomogul]

I was happy with the turnout, around 15 riders I think. Glad it wasn’t more for my first organised ride. Fabulous day apart from a rider who I invited to join the group at Spilsby, abandoned his mark on a tricky junction and it completely broke the group up. Had to meet up again in Skeg. I was really kicking myself for letting him join us, we all met up eventually and ate chips 👍 Possibly a ride out to Mablethorpe towards the end of August if you’re free?

[@Carlnewman68]

@@motomogul would love to very much so , many thanks and glad your all home safe and well , how did you get on with your new tyres ?

[@motomogul]

I let some pressure out of the rear tyre as it was over pressure and it felt immediately better. Not so aggressive on the turn into bend’s. Hopefully I’ll settle down with them now.

[@boblynch7535]

That quarry stone doesn’t look like much fun. I don’t think there’s a tire out there that would make much difference. I’m in Idaho where they grade the roads and put down 1” to 2” round gravel. It’s just not that much fun. I just have to slow down and ride my own speed. I’m on a 900 GT pro with Dunlop Trailmax Missions. They’re ok, but I don’t trust them in dirt corners. Went out with a friend on his KTM 790 and got my heart rate up too many times trying to keep him in sight. I’m 68 and I promised my wife I wouldn’t go to the emergency room ever again. She threatened to leave me if I did. I guess the point is ride your own pace. And maybe check out the Dunlops.

[@motomogul]

The new quarry stone was just too deep, I could feel it moving around as I was riding over it which made it quite scary on a heavy bike. I reduced the pressure in the rear tyre and it is less eager on the turn in to bends now. I also lead a group of riders out to the coast yesterday at lower speeds which gave me time to adjust to the characteristics of the tyres and I’m beginning to enjoy them now. Other people have commented saying they had a similar experience with the Karoo 4’s. Stay safe Bob and stay out of that emergency room buddy 😉👍

[@JIMWSMITH]

Nice to see you on the dirty stuff. I also do offroad Derbyshire green lanes with a group. If i dont go out for a couple of weeks it makes me nervous at first but soon get back into the swing of things.... see you on the chippy run 😀

[@motomogul]

See you tomorrow Jim 👍

[@andrewharrop7932]

👍👍

[@motomogul]

Thanks Andrew. Not sure what I make of these tyres yet. I’ve ordered some Dunlop Trailmax Missions to put on before Picos. I really don’t want to compromise that experience because I’m not happy with the tyres 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@andrewharrop7932]

@@motomogul didn't RichTvida (🤣🤣) say the nobblys felt funny at first but he grew to love them, you will get the right one's. Enjoy the chippy run tomorrow, take care stay safe 🏍 👍

[@motomogul]

Cheers Andrew, same to you fella 👍

[@ruthiegrunst28]

【p】【r】【o】【m】【o】【s】【m】 😝