From Baja Champion to Factory Test Driver Joe Bacal Talks Tires

[@allenhuling598]

Interesting and knowledgeable perspective, I appreciate that! When Joe mentioned a 5 PSI range I believe it was a suggestion for how much range a person should start out playing with, as in dropping or adding pressure for the intended surface, not how low a person should or could go overall. Great discussion overall, thanks for that!

[@sanddrifterjb]

Correct 👍

[@RIDEAdventures]

Oops, yea, I think I was misunderstanding something on the video call. - Eric

[@bajamcguide]

Most OEM tires on most Big ADV bikes come with 90/10 street tires because of liability concerns on the street. Some R versions come with 50/50 , or even more dirt oriented tires..think ktm. Most 50/50 tires will out perform most peoples riding ability on the street, and are so much better in the dirt. Thanks for the interview. P.S. Hi Joe this is Tim Tascione from Baja.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Tim, thanks for watching. Your name just got mentioned, something about Guerrero Negro this time. Baja season ahead!

[@bajamcguide]

@@RIDEAdventures yes, I'm now in Guerrero Negro, opened up a moto shop to support moto guys in central Baja.. I've been on a few trips down here with Joe.

[@sanddrifterjb]

Hey Tim. Hope all is well my friend 🙏

[@billroberts9182]

I choose a tire to avoid an unexpected washout especially the front tire. Since I ride on gravel or mud, I choose the tires that are optimal for those surfaces.

[@sanddrifterjb]

I agree, the extra weight of these adventure bikes and the front tire feedback and bite is critical in these conditions.

[@kawabungah20]

This is a fantastic primer that all motorcyclists should study. We each take responsibility for our contact with and performance on the road. This presentation is brilliant. I learned a lot! I now appreciate my OEM (stock-off-the-showroom-floor) tires more than before. Thank you.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks for saying so, more ahead!

[@carlmccarty9641]

Get the most aggressive tyre you can and always lower the pressure when offroad. Do whatever it takes to minimize dropping it offroad. Most adventure riders are older and will not be able to pick it up more than a few times in row and once that happens you'll be too afraid to take risks. It doesn't matter what tyre or pressure you have on the pavement because you will never drop it anyway, suck it up and buy earplugs

[@CycleGeezer]

Great information. Thank you.

[@GS_Johnny_ADV]

Super helpful thank you

[@MotoMission.]

Enjoyed this vid. Thanks for such good content This is helpful for the adv dudes

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks, and look for more ahead.

[@sf10pilot98]

Great content as usual. Thanks for the info.

[@RIDEAdventures]

You bet, thanks for watching and helping confirm what we're working on next.

[@johnroethel5527]

Picking a tire is much like a partner. Some like them big some like them small others like short or tall. 95% of riders dont have the skills to out ride a tire or suspension. My opinion has always been its 80% rider and 20% bike. Cheers

[@sanddrifterjb]

I like it!

[@sf10pilot98]

24.7% of all statistics in the comments section are completely made up.

[@sanddrifterjb]

Just to clarify, my background started on the tire development side working for Toyota NA. My experience as a test development driver and evaluator, has allowed me to focus on tire feel and feedback. My off-road racing background came later but enhanced my ability to pull subjective data in most all conditions and surfaces. As an avid motorcycle rider, I am able to correlate the feedback, terminology and evaluation feeling going from 4 to 2 wheels.

[@soilsmanadv6673]

I think on fire roads the TKC 70 is better in thick gravel and embedded stones than a knobby. It doesn't climb the sides as bad and tosses the stones out better.

[@elgringoec]

Great info, though common sense. I can't count the number of times I've seen claims of this tire or that tire or such as such combination is just the best - and the only way to go. 😂 It's true. And others thanking them profusely and stating that's what they'll do because of hearing it from a source that they trust to never lead them astray. Then someone chimes in with something akin to experiment for yourself and subsequently gets flamed. It comes down, I believe largely, to two types of people, those who follow recipes, and those who make their own recipes. The former like to stick to what others have shown to at least work for somebody, while the latter are driven to figure out what they like best for themselves. There's nothing wrong with either, but it's clearly two different approaches which suit different types of people. And it seems like one type understands the other moreso than the reverse (just based on commentary over the years).

[@tsconver]

Disagree on oem tires being the best for a bike. Bike manufacturers are buying tires based on best price. Not necessarily on best performance.

[@sanddrifterjb]

When an OEM develops tires for a motorcycle they are tested by several test riders and in different categories. Therefore, the factory tire is the best when it comes to being an all around tire for that particular model. Sure an aftermarket tire will outperform the OE in some areas, but after testing tires for 20+ years, normally I find aftermarket tires tend to not work well in some situations. As for manufacturers buying tires based on best price, well I am sure they are working with suppliers to get the costs down, but sacrificing performance especially on a motorcycle is unlikely.

[@JustAnumbr]

When they buy thousand of tires at once price is less of a concern.