KX Riders
Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: teamgreen500 on February 29, 2004, 06:01:07 PM
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I wanted to touch on something here.
Tires dry out and "go bad".
I broke in a new motor today and decided to run a set of wheels/tires that have been sitting since November '98. Actually, the rear had been run a little in '99-'00.
Man, the stock 695/490 combo ain't all that bad....well, at-least when they're still new enough to work.
The tires I rode on today were scary! Especially when it started to rain...that's when I realized how bad they were. You see, I knew they'd be stiff and non-responsive (Tires/Knobbies "Flexing" is one VERY Important feature in the "Hard-Packed" environment that these tires are designed for) on hard-packed; But, I was gonna be on damp trails and Fresh "Loam"...no problem...right?
NOT!
They were fine in the loam...but, on the afore-mentioned "Damp" trails...Ice-Racing without Studs! :oops:
I'm taking the time to type all this to remind you that these are Really Demanding Powerful bikes...and I was breaking-in a really GOOD Motor...they REQUIRE good rubber.
Don't skimp. Get your money's worth by not trying to make your money go TOO FAR!
Tires, and most other rubber products (Don't worry, your KX intake boot is polymerized like vinyl...) dry out. Think of a thin petroleum type solvent/oil evaporating. That's what happens to tires that sit around. Ever seen grips that have been sitting for a few years?
The only thing I got to practice today was "Throttle Control" :lol:
Learn from my Stupidity...please,
Manny
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On my last set of tires I thought Id make my wife happy by getting the Maxxis IT's(cheap),the rears decent for the money but the front tire is definitly what you pay for!OK for trail putting,but not for going fast!Any one try a Dunlop 742?
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I still love, and pay for, a fresh S12 up front but that I/T on the rear is pretty d**n good :wink:
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Do you only run a s12 on the front(not a m12)?I just wonder how it is in mud/sand to hard pack/rocks?Never ran one,but need a do it all tire and wonder how well it works?
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The S12 doesn't last as long as the M12 in the Sonoran Desert - not much mud though :lol:. I can tell you it's a good tire in sand, hardpack and rocks. For the gription this tire has I pay the extra to pop one on more often.
I am lined up to try a set of Kenda Millville's and will report back on thier performance.
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So if theres mud run a s12, a m12 in the dry,and the m12 last longer?Ever compare it to a Dunlop 756?Let me know if its better than a 756 as far as wear/traction.And how the Millvilles work,someone wrote here they liked the rear,wonder how the front is?
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I like the S12 way better than the 756. But then again I haven't found a Dunflop I like yet...
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Anybody use the Maxxis H/T? I'm in need of new rear and looking at the Maxxis or IRC.
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Yea I definately need a new rear tire, I have like no traction, when I roll on the gas and its just a little bit wet, the tire will just spin, I know it wants to grip but it cant...just too much torque. Anyone know a good wide tire that will give me alot of traction in fields and trails?
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Maxxis I/T is a great all around REAR tire ;) Avoid the Maxxis front like the plague though
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The IRC MB5 I hear is THE tire for mud/soft and holds up well in dry/rocks.Like Paul wrote about the Maxxis, I have a Maxxis IT's on and the rear is a good do it all tire,and yes I dont think I'll get another one for the front.I havent heard anything on the HT's,but I have heard the C6001 rear is good for dry/hard/rocky terrain.
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Mike,
Up at the Dam and at places like Hollister it's a VE32 (IRC) Front ($32.99 + tx + $6 Ship from Chaparral OR $38 tx at Lee's...they just got me one) and Kenda Carlsbad Rear (120/90-19 for me, $38.99 + tx + $6 Ship/Chaparral-Right at $50 delivered!). The S-12 is a good tire up there when it rains...you know...that kinda Rain. Do you beleive that just west if us is catagorized as "Rain-Forrest"?
Try mine, you'll see!
Manny
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Thats funny you listed those tires,I put them on my parts list a couple weeks ago and just havent made up my mind to place the order.I think the cheapo Maxxis front tire has me gun shy on another cheap front,but I hear the VE32's pretty good.
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Paul,
Did u ever get a chance to try the Millvilles? Any news?
Thanks,
Titus
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Sorry, Uncle Sam has had me busier than a one legged man in a ass kicking contest. Haven't done much riding at all :roll:
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Funny story TeamG. I did the same thing once before. Something does evaporate out, cuz they felt like they were made out of wood...
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Well its been a while,you have a up-date on the Millvilles Paul?Im wondering how the front works to.
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The Millvilles are a great tire, I've come to love the Millville up front with a Carlsbad out back. :mrgreen:
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Hows the front tire handle the hard pack,rocks,mud,and does it hold up?I guess Im asking is it a great all around front tire?Thanks.
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I don't know about mud - Arizona isn't really known for that stuff :lol: - hardpack, rocks, shale, sandwashes, MX tracks and solid rock it handles well. Has a very solid predictable feel to it, I've not made it too the dunes with one of them on front but I will :mrgreen:
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The "Go-Anywhere" front tire is the IRC VE-32.
Manny