Need Help With Tire Selection, KX 500. been out of the sport for to long

[Motodawg1]

Im trying to get aquainted with tire names and sizes and what not again. ive been out of the sport for over 6 years. The old thread posted here needs a little updating. BUT, im having traction troubles, front wheel wants to slide and rear wheel just spins and digs, im riding in soft terrain. What tire sizes do you recommend and what brand, model name?

[alward25]

Could you tell us a little more about riding conditions and demographic?

[Foxx4Beaver]

Could you tell us a little more about riding conditions and demographic?

+1
i.e.....enduro, motocross, general play riding/trails.

I ride in mostly sand and black loam trails and tracks.
I did some testing with some tires over the past year.

these are the ones I run now...but depending on your type of riding, they may not work as good for you as they do for me....

Dunlop GeoMax 11 front....I'll NEVER run any other front after using one of these!, they stick like Velcro...


Dunlop GeoMax 32 rear....major traction in sand/soft terrain....


Kenda Washougal rear....these are getting hard to find because they're discontinued, but awesome traction and last a long time in soft terrain...


Here's a couple reviews I did...

Geo11...
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,12884.0.html

Geo32...
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,12758.0.html

Geo52...
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,12960.0.html 

[Foxx4Beaver]

I've also tried the following rears, but wasn't happy with their performance...

Maxxis Max Cross IT
Dunlop 773
Bridgestone 204
Pirelli MXMS
Michelin Starcross MH3

[alward25]

Check out moto Z too

[Motodawg1]

Sorry for the late response. What tire size you recommend for the rear? What size for the front? ALSO, what rebound and compression settings do you guys run in the front and rear for moto? I feel like the bike is killing me, its so stiff (front and rear) and im running 12 clicks out on the compression for my forks. It's got brand new seals and oil for the front and rear. My dad said it looks like my forks aren't moving as much as the other guys, and it looks like its shooting back up on the rebound. I'm riding in soft terrain, some sand but mostly soft loam. Like you would see on a motocross track that is freshly groomed but with some sand mixed with it. im a good novice to intermediate rider. I do some trail riding but mostly moto.

[Foxx4Beaver]

I run 120/80's in the rear.

sounds like you may either have too much oil in the forks, or the spring's are too heavy for your weight/riding skill.

[Foxx4Beaver]

I run 80/100's in the front.

[Motodawg1]

I run 120/80's in the rear.

sounds like you may either have too much oil in the forks, or the spring's are too heavy for your weight/riding skill.

Well im around 195 lbs, 6'1", stock springs on front and rear. I ride mainly motocross. I had a race tech mechanic redo my forks, and he has seen me ride a few times, im only guessing he put the right amount of oil. but I don't think he changed the compression and rebound settings either. Ive had the bike since it was brand new, and just did a total rebuild from the ground up on it (about a month ago) because I quit riding for 8 years and let the bike sit the whole time. I used to be a lot faster than I am now, I was riding at an expert level but was also 25 pounds lighter. What do you guys recommend?

[Foxx4Beaver]

did you set the "sag" and preload on the shock?...that can make all the difference in the world.

[Motodawg1]

I haven't done the sag yet, but I have a cheat sheet on how to do that. But how do you pre-load a shock?

[Foxx4Beaver]

But how do you pre-load a shock?

here's a vid...there's tons of "how-to" vids on you-tube...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUpt7w1fVDc

[umberto]

But how do you pre-load a shock?

here's a vid...there's tons of "how-to" vids on you-tube...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUpt7w1fVDc

I can't remember what is was like working on a bike before youtube, but I know it was a lot harder.  Lots of trial and error (heavy on the error).  Rocky Mountain ATVMC makes some really good "how to" videos that they post on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/user/RockyMountainATVMC

[Foxx4Beaver]

But how do you pre-load a shock?

here's a vid...there's tons of "how-to" vids on you-tube...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUpt7w1fVDc

your shop manual will explain it too

[Motodawg1]

ok, I already knew how to do that. I will get that setup asap. As far as my rebound settings and compression, do I set up my sag before doing anything else with the settings?