Whats a good tyre?

**secondfield** · 1st October 2008, 21:11

Just wondering what you blokes think of various tyre type's. I got a cheapie last week brand new (rear 19' med - hard viper brand - 80$) and did 4 hours on it over hardpack terrain (rocks, clay).

After that it was almost poked. The knobs facing forwards were worn a fair bit more than expected (well rounded) and to top it off I had to gingerly ride back to my truck with a flattie at the end of the day. Crappo.

Has anyone had experience with the 'v' brand. They are $100 round here, but Ive heard mixed comments about them.

Was running a Pirelli scorpion, seemed to be a good tyre, but the compund was too soft for around here (Karipoti).

Thinking about a metzler mc-5 or 6.

Whats your rubber?

NC · 1st October 2008, 21:18

my rubber? It's black and sticky, but it's not a stick covered in tar.

Just get some ice tyres, they'll work good in clay.

**4stroke** · 1st October 2008, 21:34

i found the m402 good on the crf450, it wore down but didnt realy loose the edge sorta thing and maintained good grip.

**cheese** · 1st October 2008, 21:38

Originally Posted by NC

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my rubber? It's black and sticky, but it's not a stick covered in tar.

Just get some ice tyres, they'll work good in clay.

Another helpful post... cheers

good of you to give a brand or something even slightly constructive.

Anyway I recently got a MH3 - fucking love that tyre. I've raced T100, and done about 5 general rides on it and its still got a good edge on it. PM Scott, he will probably send it to you for a better price than you can get locally. If you got for a much harder tyre to give up traction.

Personally I think that you are better to fork out the little bit extra for a brand tyre than a cheapo as they are cheaper for a reason IMO!!! I ran some Melville Kendras for a while and found them shit compared to a S12 or MH3.

**theblacksmith** · 1st October 2008, 21:48

Ive been running Scorpion as well - pretty good on the clay (when new and edgy).Is it possible to have them in a hard compound - anyone know? Ive also put a cheapie on my front - a Mitroc?? We'll see how it goes - handled the Kaingaroa well last weekend - still has got good edges after hard braking on pumice and gravel forestry roads.

**CRF119** · 1st October 2008, 22:05

Ask at your local shop if they deal with Off Road Imports, They have a Tyre its a S12 copy but seams to hold up in the toughest conditions. Thats what im going to go to next. PM Dafydd Roberts for more info.

I know i just priced up a S12 at my Local Dealer and they were $150 These seem to be just as good and im sure they are less then $100.

**humai** · 1st October 2008, 22:27

Originally Posted by NC

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my rubber? It's black and sticky, but it's not a stick covered in tar.

Just get some ice tyres, they'll work good in clay.

What was the point of this post again? Please enlighten us dumbarses who didn't get the joke. Thanks.

Back to "Secondfield" regarding tyres...

I am not sure what sort of riding you do but I would recommend getting a Michelin S12 rear and an M12 front and using that as your baseline. This combo works quite well as a general allround performer, based on what I and the other guys I ride with have experienced. I use a Bridgestone M59 front and Michelin S12 rear but I know a few guys to whom Bridgestone tyres are the "anti-Christ" so I won't be so bold as to recommend it.

From this baseline, try some of the others and I reckon over time you'll settle on your favourite combo. There's quite a psychological component to tyre selection - whatever gives you personally the most confidence will be your best combo.

**kezzafish** · 2nd October 2008, 02:26

The "cheap for a reason" theory is very true. Buy, michelin, pirelli, bridgestone, metzeller and your safe. just gotta choose your compound and give em a go. go for front tires that have joined side knobs for karapoti (lots o rocks) or you knock off the knobs. I tried a cheap V rubber once and shredded it in karapoti. since then i've bought the more expensive brand names Mich, pir and metz and have not been disappointed with any. definately go for hard compound up there

**courts** · 2nd October 2008, 07:14

Ive been running a metzeler mc-4 and michelin S12 front and stoked with both in soft conditions but perhaps mc-5 would be better for the conditions down there. dont know about mc-6 perhaps these are more for aussie conditions.....michelin have a good site that shows different terrain capabilities: http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/fr...112517&lang=EN

**Danger** · 2nd October 2008, 08:17

I wouldn't bother spending the money on an S12 for hard pack clay and rocks. You will have neither grip or half your knobs at the end of the ride. Most over rated tire for our conditions I reckon. The front one flexes to much requiring higher pressures but its ok in mud and tree roots but thats about it.
If you can still get them (and someone mentioned to me that they had changed their mind about discontinuing them) I would suggest a Pirelli MT320 for the rear, its tough, handles all terrains well, never spits knobs and still hooks up in the dry as it wears and transitions well in corners. Don't use the front one though, it walks.

**Reckless** · 2nd October 2008, 12:39

I was going to get a Pirelli Scorpion MX extra on mine but the guy at the shop talked me into a MT320 like Danger recommends and I like it. I went for the standard width 100/100 instead of the wider 120 and it hooks up real good. Been to Thunder and a good days riding out at the sandpit and it was good in both conditions. I've heard good things about the scorpion MX extra as well.
Danger: the bike still has the S12 on the front that was on it when I bought it, the other ones got a Dunlop D739 on it (which is bloody aweful). What would you recommend for the front.

**Danger** · 2nd October 2008, 13:03

For the front in the dry? I've just been using a Dunlop 742F which seems ok. There probably is better, I just haven't had reason to buy a front tire in ages.
For the sand I'll use either a Shinko 540 (nothing better in sand) or an S12, and in mud if there are a lot of tree roots like in Riverhead I will use the S12 on the front, the flexiness helps in these conditions.

**Reckless** · 2nd October 2008, 17:40

Thanks for that Danger your input is always greatly appreciated.
Looks like the Mt320 and S12 front combination I have on is good from what you are saying. The bike rides nice and seems to have balanced grip front and rear so I'll go with that. Might get an S12 for the other one and loose the Dunlop 739. The bloody thing had no grip at all in the wet patches at thunder and chucked me off 3 times. Dropping the pressure down to 8 psi helped a lot but it was also drying a bit so I don't quite no what improved it.
Thanks mate looks like I've narrowed my tyre choices for the 200 to S12 front and on the rear MT 320 or the all rounder a Scorpion Extra.

Cheers Danger!