Tire recommendations?

[Jeeks]

So what I thought was a tuning problem with my 250, turned out to be a traction problem. (smack across the forehead).

First off, I do not ride on pavement.  I've been running a Dunlop 752 on the rear and I just installed a 773 up front (which is an awesome tire).  My bike EATS rear tires.  This 752 looked new when I bought the bike 2 months ago.  The terrain I ride in is usually 25% dirt to 75% sand. I now have about 1/3 of the tread left.

It seems the soft terrain tires have a soft compound.  I'm a pretty aggressive rider and prefer the somewhat paddle design on the soft terrain tires.

[don46]

Actually thats not true, Soft Terrain tires have a hard compound and hard terrain have soft compounds. The old Bridgestone I think M22 was an awesome hard terrain tire, but could be melted off in a race. My experience with soft terrain tires is they peel the lugs off because they are so hard. By the way I run primarily Bridgestone tires so I can't comment on your dunlops.

[stewart]

i like 120 -90 -19 dunlop 756 rear

[Good]

Been running that same 756 rear and it's a great tire.  I am very impressed.  I don't like my Maxxis front though...  I'll try something else soon as my edge knobbies are almost all broken off but there's still good tread down the middle...

What's a good front?

[stewart]

i like dunlop 490

[Jeeks]

I'm not experiencing loosing knobbies, just wearing the tire out.  Any brands/models you recommend?

[Platypus]

Maxxis Desert IT seems to be a long wearing tire.  I have not tried one on my 500 yet but it will be the next tire to go on it.  I have them front and rear on my 250 but I would like to try out some other fronts.  Also don't confuse the Desert IT with the standard IT if you decide to try one out.

Oh I should probably mention I do most of my riding in the high desert of Southern California which is rocky, sandy, silty, hard pack, rocky and rocky.  Well, if you like looking for rocks. 

[The Flyin Hawaiian]

The terrain you described sounds similar to what I ride. I use a tire that is relatively new here in the states but popular in the european world enduro competition. They are Mitas tires. I use the EF06 front and the C10 rear. They last a long time and the traction is excellent. They are reasonably priced also. Dont let the obscure name scare you, they are really great tires! I get them here. http://www.werproducts.net/cs.php

[Hammer 4]

Actually thats not true, Soft Terrain tires have a hard compound and hard terrain have soft compounds. The old Bridgestone I think M22 was an awesome hard terrain tire, but could be melted off in a race. My experience with soft terrain tires is they peel the lugs off because they are so hard. By the way I run primarily Bridgestone tires so I can't comment on your dunlops.

Don, do you have any experience with the 401/402 Bridgestone combo..? Presently I have the 601/602

[kawish]

try michelin MH3 or MS3, their very good, on my 250 i love the MH3(meduim hard) lot of grip on hard pack and good traction in sand. their long lasting too. my last 6 tire was the MH3.

[maddoggy]

jeeks, I ride almost exclusively in very soft fluffy material and have excellent results with the IRC brand rear M5B tire. great traction and lasts real well. by the way, my friends all run this tire as well and all our bikes are 500's and 550's. even the big bikes don't seem to eat these tires. hope it helps,  MADDOGGY.

[MadKaw]

I've found the Dunlop 756 to be good as well.

[Hillclimb#42]

 I like Kenda tires now. I have run Michelin, Dunlop and Pirelli. I like a new Dunlop, but they seem to wear fast. Michelin is a good tire also. A Pirelli MT-44 is an awesome traction tire. It is a nobbie tire that resembles a paddle pattern. Dollar for dollar the Kenda's are great tires that hold up well. I have been running the Washougals all season and just now showing any wear. The Millville and Carlsbad are also good tires. The best part is the price. You can get a Front/Rear combo for under 100 bucks. I ride in all conditions so I always get Intermediate terrain tires. To be honest though, I don't know the difference between Intermediate and mixed terrain tires. Good Luck!

[eprovenzano]

I like the Dunlop 773.  Its "designed" for mud / wet conditions, but I've found it performs very well in all conditions.

Stupid question, since a lot of us ride single track, has anyone tried a set of tires for a trials bike.  Its truly amazing what those guys can do, so I was wondering how their tires would work on the single track. 

[don46]

Actually thats not true, Soft Terrain tires have a hard compound and hard terrain have soft compounds. The old Bridgestone I think M22 was an awesome hard terrain tire, but could be melted off in a race. My experience with soft terrain tires is they peel the lugs off because they are so hard. By the way I run primarily Bridgestone tires so I can't comment on your dunlops.

Don, do you have any experience with the 401/402 Bridgestone combo..? Presently I have the 601/602

I must have been sleeping, I missed this altogether, sorry Hammer,I like the 401/402 combo hate the 601/602 but thats my opinion. wish they still had the 77/78 combo those were good.