I have just taken receipt of a brand new SL60. This was my initial thoughts. Good grip but soft and wears down easy.
The Dunlops will (imo) last longer than pirelli as every Pirelli tyre I have ever had has worn rapid.
To be fair there is 700 miles (110km) on the original Vee Rubber tyres and they still look new.
I am going long distance next month with my Monkey (Arctic) and will replace the rear tyre with another brand new Vee rubber tyre before I go.
Simply because of the longevity and hard compound.
I know they get a bad rating but to be honest I haven’t had any real issues with them.
Most of the poor reviews are not for the same tread type either and also the SL60 is MUCH smaller and narrower than the Vee rubber even though its the same 130/80/12 markings.

 

Interesting, I was hoping to go up to the artic circle on a CT 125, but Honda ruined that idea by not importing them to the UK. I have also considered the new Grom for the trip. Ventura are apparently bringing out their rack to fit the Monkey next month. so that would allow a decent/safe luggage capacity. I'm not convinced on the factory chain being reliable over distance.......it has stretched even in the short time I've had my monkey. Are you going to post a travel thread, as I'd be very interested to follow your trip.
Rob

 

The Vee Rubber are not an option. They are more than twice the price and i find them not as sticky as i want. Too much slippery in hard cornering.
I will try the DUNLOP K180 next time. I will see how they do.

 

I have 3300 miles on my Monkey so far, about 50/50 mix of street and dirt.
I ran the stock tires, then ran the Mitas mc19 tires for a while, then tried the Mobbers for 25 miles and put the Vrubber tires back on.
So something like 1500 miles on the stock tires and 1500 on the Mitas MC19 tires and both rear tires look only slightly worn, the fronts look like new.
I have some Pirelli tires but they seem very hard and not very aggressive for off road.
For what I do with the Monkey, the stock tires or the MC19 tires seem to both work very well and seem to hold up about the same.
The MC19 tires may be a little better off road, and they make a little bit more noise on road, and both come in the correct sizes.
One thing you can do is to put a 130-80-12 on both wheels and swap them when the back tire gets half worn, you might get 6000+ miles out of a set.
There may be other tires for mostly street use.

 

The Kenda K761 comes in a 140-70-12 size, I wonder how that would be on the back of the Monkey...

 

Pics of the PIRELLI SL60 :
Mine after a bit less 2000KM.

My wife's after 3000 km.

I bought DUNLOP K180 for next time:

 

PIRELLI SL60 is rated 60J instead of 69J. Same speed (100 km/h) but less load. Not a problem because 60 means 250Kg.
But yes perhaps an issue depending country regimentation.

 

PIRELLI SL60 is rated 60J instead of 69J. Same speed (100 km/h) but less load. Not a problem because 60 means 250Kg.
But yes perhaps an issue depending country regimentation.

I agree not a problem, I wanted to get SL60s myself but my insurance states tyres must be at least the standard spec for speed and load. Shame, I have had SL60s before and really liked them ☹

 

Some news. I change my tire after 3500KM. The PIRELLI SL60 was good but don't last a lot. I put DUNLOP K180 instead. I will let you know how they do.

 

Are these the same as Dunlop K180?

 

Oups... Yes it's DUNLOP K180.

 

Oh I forgot you had them already

 

How are you finding the K180s on normal roads especially when cornering? Did you fit to both front and rear?

 

I've done around 400 km with the K180. They are better than stock and on par with the PIRELLI SL60. I will keep you inform.
In front i have stock tire. Not worn and not too bad for the front. I have SL60 in stock for the front.

 

A bit of an update.
My wife's MONKEY is still on PIRELLI SL60. 4500 KM so far. She is lighter and drives softer.
350 Km for me with the K180. Great tire. As good as the SL60. I will keep you update about the longevity.

 

Update.
My wife's PIRELLI SL60 reach nearly 5000KM. Will do some more.
Mine DUNLOP K180 is 1100Km. Great. Same as SL60. But i'm not sure it will last longer...
I have bought MITAS MC19. They are the cheapest currently.
I will keep you inform.

 

DUNLOP K180 after 1100Km

 

Update.
My wife's PIRELLI SL60 reach 5280KM. Will do some more.
Mine DUNLOP K180 is 1560Km. Great. But wears too much.

I will keep you inform.

 

Update.
My PIRELLI SL60 had lasted 3500KM. Will do some more.
My DUNLOP K180 is now 1880 and very nearly at the limit. Will not do a lot more than 2000 Km. I will not buy it again.

 

2400 Km with the DUNLOP K180.

 

Looks like SL60 is the way to go. Has anyone on here tried Kenda K761, they look reasonable as far as looks go, and are available in the correct size and load ratings

 

Yes PIRELLI SL60 last longer. Next i will try MITAS MC19. The SL60 isn't available actually.

 

2600 Km with the DUNLOP K180 in the rear.
The new one is MITAS MC19.
Put some PIRELLI SL60 in the front. 14000 Km for the original one's. Not totally worn but a bit of cracks.

 

The Mitas looks good, it will be interesting to here how you think it performs

 

Granted I’m new to all this but it doesn’t seem like we have many choices here in the US in terms of street tires for the Monkey. The stock Vees and what else?

 

I won't need tires any time soon but I've been keeping a list of what should be available here in the US. Doesn't look like the stock 80% aspect ratio is a common size so 70% will have to do.
Avon AM63
Bridgestone Battlax SC
Continental Zippy 1
Dunlop Scootsmart
Dunlop 604
IRC NR77
Kenda K761
Kenda KD1 Kwick
Metzeler Roadtec
Michelin Power Pure
Michelin City Grip 2
Mitas MC-19
Mitas MC-20
Mitas MC-34
Mitas Touring Force SC
Pirelli SL60
Shinko SR428
Shinko SR723

 

5880 Km so far for the SL60 in the rear for my wife.
MITAS MC19 are good. 600Km. Will keep you inform.

 

Wow thanks for the updates in tires. Please keep it going. Not many options. I'll pass on the Dunlop for sure now.

 

Mitas MC19 feels soft... Hope it will last.
You don't have real choice... For the time being the SL60 is not availlable...

 

I'm looking at the duro hf903 for my Grom. You have any experience with them?