Metzeler Karoo Extreme

Recently I attended the Horowhenua Motorcycle Club's Sand Country Run event, and had the most enjoyable ride I've had on a dirt bike in around 2 years.
One of those rides where you come away grinning from ear to ear. Why was this ride so much fun? there are so many factors, but every now and then, all these factors come together perfectly, the best weather, the best terrain, on the best tyres for the terrain, with the best engine/bike.

I was running the Karoo Extreme on the rear of the Beta RR 430, and had an absolute blast. The trails were mostly wide open and fast, with a sprinkle of tight flowing sections, a few rolling hills, and just below the surface was a whole lot of soft sand. Approaching a few hill climbs, I had moments where I didn't know if I would be able to get up, but dug in and wound on the power. Surprising myself at how much traction I had and how easy it actually was to get up the hill. The Metzeler Karoo Extreme looks a lot like a sand tyre, with large knobs arranged in straight lines across the tyre and equally large valleys. Couple this with the 430cc engine in the Beta, and I had an epic combination.

Although it resembles a sand tyre, with most of the trail riding around the Wellington region being rocky trails with patches of clay, or pine forest with loose topsoil, I've had plenty of time to test the Karoo Extreme on all terrains. and even in the rockiest conditions, I have been impressed at just how much forward traction I had.

Sand Country Run is one of the last of a dying breed of trail riding events in NZ. Located around 1 hour north of Wellington, off the western side of SH1, just north of Levin, at Lewis Farm. It's a classic country fundraiser. Costing circa $40, (and that includes a BBQ lunch) these events are fantastic value, and given just how much fin I had this year, and the number of other riders in attendance, Fingers crossed it returns for the 2025 riding calendar.