Touring - Reccomend me a touring tyre (please)

First off - great site. I've been lurking on here for a while now and am finding it, and all your posts, a vaulable resource for my tour across Southern Japan next month.

Anyways - i have the defacto Brooks seat for touring and very nice its turning out too. I was wondering what tyre experienced tourers prefer. From my viewpoint i would want one that has puncture protection, good grip but still allows me to motor along. I have a Kona Dr Dew which hasvery thin rims (similar to a road bike) - am i looking for the holy grail or does such a tyre exist?

Currently i have conti tyres on the back and front - they are nigh on slicks as i use the bike for commuting. I am pretty heavy and feel every bump in the road on them and was wanting my touring tyres to help counteract this.

Many thanks

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. No flats. Ever.

Schwalbe Marathon XR's if you need some tread (like on rail trails). I got mine here: http://www.wallbike.com/tires.html

They have a folding model if you are needing to carry a spare but you'd likely only need that in very remote places.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus if you want bombproof, but HEAVY. I like them or Continental Ultra Gatorskins if I want something lighter.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. No flats. Ever.

X2

This page at www.biketouringtips.com has 4 links to information about touring bike tires (http://www.biketouringtips.com/searchTips.html?country=&state=&place=&id=Bike%20Touring%20Equipment&subtopic=17.5).

Ray

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. No flats. Ever.

X3

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. No flats. Ever.

X3

x4. i've never had a flat with these. ever.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus.....

There is nothing better!

thanks everyone for your advice - however i just had my bike stolen so looks like the tyre purchase can be put off for a while!! (is that a record for a newbie on here - i've only been a member for a few hours!). I will take your advise when i get a new bike tho..

I really like Marathon Racers. The Plus Marathon's were way to heavy for me, and a royal pain to get onto my rims. I've had two or three flats total on my racers after 3000 miles of touring and a couple of years of commuting everyday. I'm sure the Plus is tougher though, just heavy.

Sorry about your bike, Vince. Hope you find another bike you like. Keep riding.

Forget the Schwalbes, they're overpriced. Vittoria Randonneur Cross is the tires you want to use.