Tire recommendations

[ditton]

Hi all.
Just wondering if I could get a few recommendations from you with regards to tire brands/types that you either like or dislike.
Looking at getting a new front and rear for my 03 '220 and most times it is riding trails that vary from sand (lots here in mid Ontario, CA) to what I would call semi-hard.....and the odd time rocky (Muskoka).
Current tires are Kenda which were on when I bought but I know they need changing so I can't comment on how they are if they were new, they are currently terrible in sand but still get the bike up those nasty little hills.
Was looking at a set of Dunlop D756 and read some positive things about them.
Also, noticed some brands/types don't come in the size 100/100/18 that are on the bike, I would suspect going up would be better than going down in size.
Any info would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance
Ditton

[Julien D]

for the rear
dunlop d803
mich x11
pirelli mt43

Yep, trials tires baby!

I've been running a d745 on the front and so far I'm really happy with it. They are on clearance at several places right now for under $50.

[SS109]

Maxxis SI up front and a Maxxis IT in the rear. They work great here in the desert Southwest which includes lots of sand, rocks, soft and hard pack. No chunking and they last a long time. They don't last as long as a trials tire but better than other knobbies. I have had my current set on since January and I'm just now getting ready to change them.

[barryadam]

What Juliend said.
4.0 x 18 trials on the back

On the front, Dunlop D739, D745 or Maxxis IT, whichever is on sale.

[KDX220rser]

Maxxis SI up front and a Maxxis IT in the rear. .

+1

[Julien D]

I'll never go back to a knobby on the rear.

[heckler]

I'll never go back to a knobby on the rear.

what kind of conditions are you riding? are there any conditions where you regret a trials tire?

[Julien D]

I think I ride in every condition you can imagine. Mud, rocks, roots, hard pack, clay. Depending on where we go conditions vary a lot. I'm in the mountains of NC, so rocks and roots abound, so does mud. The only time I have difficulty was when there is still snow on the ground, but the knobby guys fare no better than me in that mess either. I haven't put a new rear tire on in over 2 years, lol. The MT43 just lasts and lasts and lasts. I think I'll get most of next season out of it too, then I will try a mich x11 or dunlop d803.

If you do much asphalt riding, def the mt43. If it's all woods, the d803 or x11 are supposed to grip even better.

[doctord23]

I have been very happy with a Dunlop D803 in back and a D739 on the front. I agree that the trials rear tire wasn't the best in snow, but it hooks up in really well in most conditions.

[OLHILLBILLY]

Haven't found any trail riding condition my D803 doesn't work good in. But we don't have any really bad mud either, just rocks, roots, and gravel. I use a D756 or a B-Stone 403 front. Tried Maxxis IT and SI fronts, for me, they pretty much sucked.
If I go back to a knobbie rear (racing), I'll use a B-Stone 404 or maybe an MX51.

[Julien D]

if you're racing on an mx track, the trials tire is not a good choice. Everywhere else though.....

[Slick_Nick]

I run the pirelli scorpion mx tires. LOVE them! Supposedly the Bridgestone mx51's are the best "all around" tire according to many.

[frankenschwinn]

MX51 is a Dunlop. I am not that impressed with it as I am starting to have a problem with the side knobs on the front tire...

[barryadam]

MX51 is a Dunlop. I am not that impressed with it as I am starting to have a problem with the side knobs on the front tire...

Several of the local shops don't carry the D745 or D739 any more and just carry the MX31 / 51 / 71. The knob pattern is much more "sparse" than the D745 / D739 's. The side knobs you mention prolly carry much more of the load.

[Slick_Nick]

My mistake. MX51's are a Dunlop tire.

[OLHILLBILLY]

I've not used one myself, but have read things on TT of people not being real happy with the MX51 front. When my stock of D756s runs out, I'll be switching to B-stone 403 fronts. Lotta locals use them, say they are better than the MX51, and comparable to D756s for grip on our terrain.

[Julien D]

I have a brand new d739 front if anyone is interested. Put it on, got 2 rides on it, hated it. I pulled it off and put a d745 on there.

[barryadam]

I'm up for a new rear on at least one of the KDXs very soon, like in the next month or so. The Dunlop D803s have been great, and are very soft rubber, but have cracked all the center knobs almost all the way through and shed one or two. After a reletively few number of rides. Fewer than I'd have liked.

I might go with one of the other trials tires (Pirelli or Michelin) which might be a bit harder compound, or go back to a Maxxis IT knob whichever is on sale at the time I need it. I like the trials tires, but if the cost difference is enough, I'm OK with a new knobbie as well.

juliend, if I hadn't bought two new fronts last week in a rush panic before our trip, I'd prolly have taken up your offer. Sorry.

[jlove1974]

im thinking about taking a spare hub I have and lacing up a new 18" rim and putting an X11 on it just for "testing" LOL

[Julien D]

np barry, i couldn't recommend that tire anyway. I hear it does well on hard pack though. Sucks in the soft places where I ride. Front end washes out too easily. I planned on throwing it on my F11 if I ever finish with that motor.