Traction

[keatron]

So I ride alot of tight technical terrain, like were talking tough ****, and Ive owned my kdx 220 for about a month now and really love it, it's low end grunt is amazing and I never feel like I need more power, but ive been stuck in a few situations where I just don't get traction, like on roots and mud, but the buddy I ride with has a 250x and he somehow just putted through alll those sections. I lowered my tire pressure and that seemed to help, but have any of u tried trials tires? And can uu still roost bends with the trials tire?, and for pressure what do u guys run?[/list]

[Julien D]

You can do a search here for trials tire, and you'll come up with plenty of hits I'm sure. It requires some adjustment in riding style for sure. I personally will never go back to a knobby. Seems like at least 90% of the guys who have tried one will say the same thing.

Congrats on the 220 and welcome to the forums!

[Mr. Wibbens]

You want traction?

[scheckaet]

[swatts]

I just got the Pirelli MT43 and love it, it has great traction. You will notice that when you lean over on bermed turns it loses some. Otherwise I think it would be great for the terrain you described you ride. I run 9 psi (210 lbs) and my friend runs 8 psi (180 lbs).

[kawagumby]

A stealhy flywheel weight will help most on slower, slippery stuff IMO. As you probably know, a four stroke hits every other crank revolution making it more tractable than a 2-smoke when traction is poor - but more flywheel weight on a 220 will tend to smooth out the power pulses some, so the rear tire doesn't break traction so easily.

Check out your buddy's tire marks after some light acceleration, you'll see an off-again, on-again break in the traction compared to your bike which will show a constant slight breaking of traction. No matter what brand of tire you use, once the knobs begin to round, snotty rocks and roots are a problem if the engine revs up too much during the tire slipping that will ultimately occur. Trials tires don't make good mud tires IMO, the knobs are too close together and don't throw clay muds off well at all.
Also, make sure your jetting is spot on at low throttle settings so you don't get a non-linear hit as you open it up.
I owned a crf250x, and my 220 with a common dunlop intermediate rear tire works every bit as well in the worst trail conditions - but it takes more throttle control.

[Julien D]

Trials tires don't make good mud tires IMO, the knobs are too close together and don't throw clay muds off well at all.

I'm guessing you haven't run one. They clean out better than any knobby I've seen. The knobs being closely spaced along with the flex of the tread patch actually squeezes mud out from between the lugs. IF a trials tire isn't a "good mud tire" (I quite strongly disagree, btw), it isn't because they don't clean out as well.


J.

[Indawoods]

Also the thin profile tends to pull the tire down to solid ground.

[kawagumby]

Juliend, I have tried a trials tire, but...where I ride the clay is very slick sticky stuff - you notice I limited my discussion to clay-type mud only- as I never tried a trials tire elsewhere.

Inda, I've noticed that smaller profile tires do work better, as you noted - especially with the KDX's.

[keatron]

Okay thanks for all the help, on a side note I road the 250x it felt like a slug In the bush, but f#ck he is fast on it!

[canyncarvr]

There's a big difference between a machine that puts out a power pulse every 720º and one that has one every 360º...and when traction is minimal, that difference shows up big time!

Pressure? I was runing 6psi in my Michelin trials tire when I first put it on..the last several rides have been at 4psi.

[IdahoCharley]

There's a big difference between a machine that puts out a power pulse every 720º and one that has one every 360º...and when traction is minimal, that difference shows up big time!

Pressure? I was runing 6psi in my Michelin trials tire when I first put it on..the last several rides have been at 4psi.

Now your talking real trials type tire pressure. Trail bike guys I use to know always were in the 3 1/2 to 5 psig range. When we tried trial tires a few years ago I did drop the tires down to ~5 psig a few times but banged the rim way too often.

[canyncarvr]

Geez....I said it was a trials tire. I wuz just answearing the question, '..whut do u guyz run?'

I don't hit the rim too much..but that has to do with being old, infirm, and riding absolutely never over 3mph!

.
.
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.unless I'm thirsty.

OK..just kidding. Kids...NEVER drink and ride!!! I meant it!! Don't make me come over there!!

[skipro3]

Hey Wib, put up some photos of us not drinking and riding, O.K.? Do as I say Mr. Carvr?

[Mr. Wibbens]

Honest it's just Listerene

We likes fresh breath

I like the "Fro" Ski

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/zhugXNkWZFGQ2LFU

[canyncarvr]

Oh my!! I've got a cute butt!!

Re: 'Do as I say Mr. Carvr?'

I clearly said, 'Kids....'

Not YOU old man....and not me neither. Pay attention.

[Colorado Mike]

nice rack too.

This crap is getting out of hand.

[Julien D]

I think this crap has been out of hand for quite some time. Probably the biggest reason this has quickly become my favorite forum.

Anyhoo, to anyone who has not tried a trials tire, you really really should. Not only is the traction incredible, you'll save big bucks by not replacing the rear tire twice a year.

[gregp]

This is the only way I can get any traction now:
[/img]

[Brian]

What's that exhaust setup all about? I've never seen that before.