Which off-road tyres?

[BoristheBiter]

On my old bike i was using Metzler MC5 tyres.
These are fantastic intermediate tyres and even though they are soft they seem to last ages with good traction even with very worn knobs.

Now with my new bike (350exc-f) I have been using the Metzler 6-day tyre and after about 10 hours it seems to loose it's edge and after 20 hours it is just completely crap on anything other than hard ground.
I wanted to go back to the MC5 but they don't make them in the back tyre size (140/80 18) and as I have no idea want other brands are like can someone tell me which I should go to next.


Also can you flip the 6-day over (it has a direction arrow) or does someone know if you can cut/grind the tyre back to a square edge?

[Pornstar]

http://www.knobbyknifedownunder.com/nz/?product=sz5000-knobby-knife-tyre-tool
How bout one of these puppys?
You can flip them for sure, only horozontally though, not vertically. and i guess if ya turn it inside out it could double as a motard tyre.

[BoristheBiter]

http://www.knobbyknifedownunder.com/nz/?product=sz5000-knobby-knife-tyre-tool
How bout one of these puppys?
You can flip them for sure, only horozontally though, not vertically. and i guess if ya turn it inside out it could double as a motard tyre.

Cheers. I knew there was something out there.

You haven't seen me ride I seem to flip my tyres vertically on a regular basis.

[Crisis management]

I use Michelin S12s, good all surface tyres, handles Woodhill, Riverhead and most other things I throw myself at.
I don't race tho, just a trail rider so listen out for more experienced replies!

[nzspokes]

I use a bread knife.

Dont tell Sharry.

[george formby]

I use a bread knife.

Dont tell Sharry.

Get one of em multi tool doo dahs. The narrow hard wood blade goes through rubber like butter. The bi metal curved blade is really good for taking the knuckle off lamb shanks so they fit in the pot. The wide scraper takes gorilla glue off the shelves you just painted wonderfully.

[gwynfryn]

shinko 540 front and s12 on rear. Scorpian xc rear is also good. Mud and sand.

[guy smiley]

Try these bad boys http://www.goldentyre.co.nz/

Awesome tyres at a great price

[noobi]

The 140 metzeler is more like a 120 in other brands.
I think its something to do with euro regulations pertaining to tyre measuring or some such.

Michelin S12s are measured the same way, a 130 is actually only really 110.

I really like the Bridgstone 403 on the front, and a 130 wide S12XC on the rear.


If you want to run the MC5, just get a 110/100-18 or whatever, and it will be fine.

[Pornstar]

Try these bad boys http://www.goldentyre.co.nz/

Awesome tyres at a great price

These tyres look mint, great price too, def be my next tyre. Cheers

[Hugo Nougo]

What exactly do you want out of a tyre?, 10 hours and turn for another 10 is fucking great. I have used the six day on my 530 turned it for tussock buster, and now it's on my crf450 and though a little loose is still predictable in a wet karopoti, the shinko 540 wont last a quarter of that distance on rough ground (is my personnel fav in sand or mud), the 130 s12 is comparable as is the 120 Pirelli extra (practice tyre) the golden's are cheaper but I haven't used them so can't comment.

[IIIRII]

Michelin S12s are measured the same way, a 130 is actually only really 110.


They measure them across the outside edges of the knobs / All others are measured across the carcase. as in if it didn't have knobs (like a road tire)

[BoristheBiter]

Thanks all, looks like i can fit the mc5 so will go back to them but are looking at the cutting tool.

[MikeJ]

FIM Regulation 6 days tires like the Metzler Extreme appear to wear quicker because there is less knob to begin with. The knobs cant be higher than 13mm so to get around this restriction and get maximum grip the tire makers make the tire carcass profile lower and wider hence the wide 140 and low 80. This only applies to the rear tire.
Michelin measure their tires differently as mentioned above but they are equivalent to other tire manufacturers by these conversions....

Michelin size 120/80x19 = 100/90x19 Conventional sizing
Michelin size 120/90x18 = 100/100x18 Conventional sizing
Michelin size 130/70x19 = 110/90x19 Conventional sizing
Michelin size 130/80x18 = 110/100x18 Conventional sizing
Michelin size 140/80x18 = 120/100x18 Conventional sizing
Michelin size 90/90x21 = 80/100x21 Conventional sizing

6 day tires made by Metzler, Mitas, Maxxis etc are similar to the Michelin sizings so on a KTM EXC350 you would replace the OEM FIM tire with a conventional 120/100x18