Which tire should I buy?

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dave04kdx
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Which tire should I buy?

Post by dave04kdx »

I need some recommendations on a rear tire choice. I ride in varied terrain here in Arizona. We have sand, smooth round rocks to sharp small rocks that tend to shred the knobs right off the rear tires. The stock Dunlop didn't hold up well at all. :shock:

Thanks

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Post by m0rie »

I'd look for an intermediate or hard terrain tire. The Kenda Millville on the intermediate side has been good to me on my trips to the desert. TrackMaster II's also seem to wear pretty good. Get ready for a flood of tire choices :wink:

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Post by bradf »

On another site, not the "nasty" site, there is a GNCC Pro in Arizona that uses both Maxxis IT's and Dunlop 756's. He says for his area these are by far the best for both traction and holding up well in your terrain.
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Post by motorider200 »

I'm running a maxxis IT 110x100x18 rear and wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. Although I might try something different for my next one just to try something new.
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Post by quailchaser »

I ride mostly nasty rocky sand washes and single track. Occasoinally running the softer stuff out near Bartlett lake.

I've run the Maxxis IT in the rear. I was not real impressed. Tire felt scatey for the first 90 miles (3 rides) and then finally became predictable. Unfortunatly with the rocks it only lasted about 4 more rides. Plus the tire weighs a ton.

Contrary to the IT rear...I've been running the Maxxis SI front and I really like it. Wear is ok, after all it is a soft terrain tire. Hooks up great on the rocks as well as the sand. I think I'm going to try the Metzler MC4 up front next time just to have a comparison among soft terrain tires. (or maybe the mich. S12...hmm, or maybe the pir. MT44)

I was talked into trying the new Metzler MC6 on the rear. Huge lugs on a hard terrain tire. I've been impressed so far. I've been on 5 rides in the rocks with it and the wear and traction has been great. (These rides would have worn out the Maxxis IT or Dunlap 739) Works well in the sand too!

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Post by skipro3 »

I just removed a Maxxis 6001 (a directional tire). It worked great, for about 3 rides!!! (150-200 miles) Then it was wore out. Next tire is an IRC M5B. The shop I go to said the new Maxxis M7305 (I think) is what all the crosscountry riders in my area are going to. I've never heard of it. Has anyone else?
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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

Let me know how the M5 works out

Thats an awesome tyre, buddy of mine had one on his CR500, threw an amazing roost!
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Post by Indawoods »

Ah grasshopper... Wise man say... "Good roost mean bad traction" "When tire spinning, wheel have no traction" :wink:
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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

Oh it got GREAT traction!

I rode it a few times, ( doing DEATH defying wheelies) :twisted:
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Post by KDXGarage »

I think an Open bike throws up roost even without spinning the tire. I had an awesome 2 minute test ride on a 1984 KX500 back in 1987. I still know to respect one! I did some dumb things as a kid, but I am glad I was smart enough not to try to get that bike. A KDX200 was all I needed.
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Post by Indawoods »

Mr. Wibbens wrote:Oh it got GREAT traction!

I rode it a few times, ( doing DEATH defying wheelies) :twisted:
Was it roosting while you were riding wheelies? Proly not. (if it was...you were not getting maximum traction)

My experiece with traction and roosts is that they are not used in the same sentence. Thanks to Maxxis C6001's.... I could throw a roost until the cows came home... but I sure wasn't moving as fast as the tire! :wink:
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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

Indawoods wrote:Was it roosting while you were riding wheelies? Proly not. (if it was...you were not getting maximum traction)
Well since at the moment my eyes are not on the back of my head, who knows if it were roosting?

But I've followed that 500 enuf to know that it is throwing a roost most all the time, even just casually cruising down a road I get showered by golf balls sized rocks
Indawoods wrote:My experiece with traction and roosts is that they are not used in the same sentence.
Ever run a paddle? :mrgreen:
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Post by Indawoods »

I don't run paddles but I can see what you mean about the 500.. my bike is no KX500 though.
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Post by skipro3 »

Doug is running a M5B on his 500 he hits me so hard with rocks that I have to stay well out of the way. I agree, wheel spin is wasted energy, but that 500 can throw a roost 6 feet high, while pulling a wheele at 75 mph!!!!
Scary when he passes me like that!!

Anyway, that tire is wearing like iron with the abuse he throws it. I think it would handle a KDX power even longer. Ha!

I ordered it from rockymountainmc.com on Wednesday, it was on my doorstep this morning!!! $47 plus about 8 bucks shipping. Dealer wants $72 plus tax. Right!!

I'll let you know how it works, Doug picks me up in 6 hours, got to get some sleep!!
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Post by Indawoods »

I know what you mean about tire prices.... I checked the prices locally cause I WANTED to give 'em my business..... but at twice the price of rockymountain.... I said the same thing.
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Post by Mr. Wibbens »

Isn't Rocky cool!

Great prices and FAST shipping! (on the west coast at least)
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Post by KDXGarage »

Chaparral-racing.com is pretty cheap on tires, too. I think they are cheaper than Rocky Mountain right now.
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Post by skipro3 »

MX-Sales is out of Reno and shipps fast too, but are higher priced than Rocky who is out of Utah.

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Post by Tim_from_AZ »

I've found the Maxxis IT to be a decent tire however they're HEAVY. Another one you might try here in AZ is the Kenda Carlsbad. It's a harder compound then the Millville so it won't wear out as fast and it's lighter then the Maxxis.
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Post by m0rie »

Tim_from_AZ wrote:I've found the Maxxis IT to be a decent tire however they're HEAVY. Another one you might try here in AZ is the Kenda Carlsbad. It's a harder compound then the Millville so it won't wear out as fast and it's lighter then the Maxxis.
I was thinking about giving the Carlsbad a try for our next desert trip, I think you just sealed the deal :mrgreen:

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