Traction
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Traction
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]
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- Julien D
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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!
Congrats on the 220 and welcome to the forums!
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You want traction?
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- scheckaet
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- kawagumby
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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.
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.
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- Julien D
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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.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.
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Also the thin profile tends to pull the tire down to solid ground.
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- kawagumby
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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.
Inda, I've noticed that smaller profile tires do work better, as you noted - especially with the KDX's.
1994 KDX200, Beta 200rr, yz125, yz250, kx100 modded for adult, gasgas contact 250.
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- canyncarvr
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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.
Pressure? I was runing 6psi in my Michelin trials tire when I first put it on..the last several rides have been at 4psi.
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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 wrote: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.
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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!!
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!!
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Honest it's just Listerene
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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.
Re: 'Do as I say Mr. Carvr?'
I clearly said, 'Kids....'
Not YOU old man....and not me neither. Pay attention.
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- Julien D
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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.
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.
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