Author Topic: Best tires for the 5  (Read 6750 times)

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Offline stock500

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Best tires for the 5
« on: November 08, 2007, 03:55:24 PM »
I am in need of some new rubber on my bike, and I was wondering what the best tires were.  I don't have much money so they have to be pretty low cost.  I know that may rule out the best tires.  I ride in desert conditions, and dunes.  For the dunes I will throw on a paddle.  8 paddle vs 10 paddle for my stock bike is still up in the air, because everybody I talk to has a different opinion on that.  My friend really likes the Cheng Shin 755 even though it is a hard terrain tire.  Any thoughts  would be great.  My bike takes a 120/90-r19 size tire on the rear.
It's all in the wrist!  Save a tire, shift early!

Offline hughes

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2007, 01:27:21 AM »
For price and wear get a Maxiss IT Desert tire.
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Offline Danger4u2

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2007, 02:40:20 AM »
First off, I can say I've been real happy with buying tires at this place.
http://www.tiresunlimited.com/default.htm
I just got the Bridgestone M 201 & M 202 so far I have been happy with them.  http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Bridgestone/Bridgestone%20MC/bridgestone_m201_m202.htm  Seem to work well at the river riding area we go to.  Lots of sand, soft dirt, and hard packed dirt when we get 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the river.  Held up great at the Clayton Okla. ride I went on a few weeks ago.  That ride has nothing but rocky trails from small chat like stuff to rock "fields" that made us turn around.  The Bridgestone's didn't have chunks torn from the knobs like some of the other guys tires.
I'm setting up the K5 for Dual Sport use.  I'm going to run the same tire as my KLR650 just the next size bigger on the rear.  http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Continental/continental_tkc80.htm  They work well on the KLR, I'll be glad when I get to try them on the K5.  Still lots of work to do on the conversion.
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Offline Good

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2007, 03:23:24 AM »
I don't know how they compare in price, but I really really like the Dunlop 756 rear.  Very nice in all situations but sand.  I can't get any hookup in the sand.

Offline pmskreta

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2007, 12:51:24 PM »
My next rear tire will be the Dunlop 739 A/T. It's heavier duty for desert riding.

Offline MadKaw

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2007, 02:17:58 PM »
just got my 120/90/19 Kenda Millville...looks good we'll see!
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Offline KXcam22

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2007, 01:41:58 PM »
I've settled on the Kenda Millville and that's all I run now, F & R.  The Maxxis IT is longer lasting, but I really like the feel of the millville. Cam.

Offline kx666

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2007, 03:30:04 PM »
i have always liked michelin tires, but they have a shorter life then anything else. the kenda tires are the only tires that i know of that i have not tried. i think i may do the millville next...

Offline Polar-Bus

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #8 on: November 13, 2007, 07:08:24 AM »
I had a Maxxis IT last year, excellent tire especially in the wear performance. I am not good enough to tell tires apart from a traction aspect so to me they are generally about the same. KX500's just blow the rear tire off anyway, so I will more focus on "longevity". I've run Maxxis for years now. AWESOME tire and an awesome tire for cheap money. Dunlaps are overrated IMO. Yes they are a great tire, but they are a great tire for a month, then they are junk.
Right now I am running a Dunlap 739G it's a 120/80-19. I specifically wanted to see how an 80 series profile tire would behave cornering wise on my 500, and I must say I like it a little better. You get a little less traction, which is actually a good thing when cornering a KX500. On the downside, I don't like the 739G in the woods, as it bounces hard off obsticles from less sidewall flex vs. a 90 series tire. And just like all my other Dunlap's the longevity is ok, (but nuthin' great for a $90 tire). So probably going back to Maxxis next time around, maybe Maxxis might produce a 120/80-19 in the IT........ (Hey Maxxis, you listening ?) LOL
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Offline stock500

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #9 on: November 13, 2007, 09:38:23 AM »
I found the Maxxix Maxx Cross Desert IT.  It looks like a pretty beefy tire, and one of the reviews came from a 500 owner, and he said it lasts longer than any tire he has ever run.  The 60.00 price tag is pretty nice also.  If you want to check it out here is the link.

http://www.rockymountainatv.com/productDetail.do?navType=type&priceRange=allPrices&navTitle=Tires+and+Wheels&webTypeId=139&webCatId=8&brandId=161&prodFamilyId=3242 
It's all in the wrist!  Save a tire, shift early!

Offline BigGreenMachine

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2007, 03:42:10 AM »
mt44 laguna cross tire anyone?

Offline FactoryPhil

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2007, 06:31:05 AM »
Dealers usually have large piles of used tires or Cheng Shin
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Offline gowen

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #12 on: November 19, 2007, 07:11:36 AM »
For the price, Kenda Trak-Master 2's are the best. They last forever. Infact, they would last me so long, that I started removing every other row of rubber to get 50 times more traction. They are heavy though.

2000desertkx500

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #13 on: November 19, 2007, 09:51:49 AM »
 I run the Dunlop 739A/T. It is an expensive tire but i find that it lasts longer and wears better than others. I have also ran the maxxis Desert I/T It wears good for awhile then it goes really fast. I live in Yuma Az the terrain iis wash sand with hardpack and rocks. 

Offline Hillclimb#42

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Re: Best tires for the 5
« Reply #14 on: November 19, 2007, 10:04:30 AM »
Pirelli MT 44 Luguna cross does hook up, Big Green. Mud wheelies
Also try Kenda Washougal. Arm stretcher. Cheaper and better.