Dirt tyre recommendations?

[leathel]

I have not been doing much dirt riding for a good while but as my Daughter is looking at getting her road license I updated my bike so she could ride the old XR now that that is all going again.

The tyre the DRZ came with is cheap shit! Its near new but the carcase is so rigid that it has no give even down at 10psi.... So unpredictable as it steps out big time rather the a controllable slide , Got back on the 250 and that was soooo much better. It has the MT32 Pirelli on the rear, I could get another but just wondered what others are using. I used to run Bridgestone but cant remember the tread numbers.

It needs to hold well quartering hills etc not just in a strait line..... I should replace this tyre ASAP as I will end up damaging a leg trying to catch a step out....

110/100 18

[Danger Dave]

You could try the Bridgestone M404 which is a good medium terrain tyre

[BoristheBiter]

I use Metzler MC5 and find them fantastic but have heard some good reports on the Michelin S12.

[leathel]

the M404 looks similar to what i used to run, MC4 & 5 look OK as does the Michelin ac10, will look at the s12 when I get a moment.
The Vortix I have looks OK so I value input as I don't want another looks good tyre that just isn't as good as it looks

[guy smiley]

I really rate the Bridgestone M203 and M204. Their rubber compound is awesome and gets plenty of traction for a long time after the edge has gone.
Great side knobs also for riding off camber and cornering. Get great mileage out of them.

I used to be sold on Michelin but since I've started using the bridgys, I won't use anything else.

When really wet and soft conditions, I'll go to the m101 and m102

[Jay GTI]

I've been using Michelin S12XCs for a couple of seasons now, it's a great tyre but it's rated soft/mid and does tend to get shredded pretty quickly when the ground gets hard in the summer. In Taupo in the middle of winter, fecking awesome.

[leathel]

I've been using Michelin S12XCs for a couple of seasons now, it's a great tyre but it's rated soft/mid and does tend to get shredded pretty quickly when the ground gets hard in the summer. In Taupo in the middle of winter, fecking awesome.

that tire sure gets a good rep with some...... I wont be riding too much as I have to many things to fit in to the weekends but I also dont tend to take it easy on the tyres mmmmm one to think about for sure

[Crisis management]

Go with the S12, I've had good grip and life out of them on the 200EXC, the 450 does eat them a bit faster but they are lasting better than I expected.

[ktm84mxc]

I run a MS3 front and S12Xc rear, mainly club day mx etc, the Michelin's do last well , though can be pricey.

[Jay GTI]

Go with the S12, I've had good grip and life out of them on the 200EXC, the 450 does eat them a bit faster but they are lasting better than I expected.

I tore whole knobs off the previous S12 rear, but there were a few fire road blasts in the life of that tire.

For clarity, I still use the S12s in summer, just something a bit harder wearing might be an idea this side of winter.

[Crisis management]

I tore whole knobs off the previous S12 rear, but there were a few fire road blasts in the life of that tire.

For clarity, I still use the S12s in summer, just something a bit harder wearing might be an idea this side of winter.

Good point, it's all about where and how you ride them, most of my riding is slow, single track in sand or clay although the few times they have beeen on rock I haven't seen them shredding.








(Note to self: I clearly ride too slow, hide if Jay GTI is around!)

[Jay GTI]

(Note to self: I clearly ride too slow, hide if Jay GTI is around!)

True, I am fast as feck on the flat, straight sections.


Corners, whoops, jumps, boggy sections and anything that requires actual skill..... not so much.

[leathel]

Well I was going to leave this thread for a few days and get a tyre after the research..... after a bit of reading on other threads on thumper etc the S12XC gets such a good rep.....(note the older ones had more of a rep for wearing fast, not so mush the XC version) I picked one up when I had to do a run for parts.... with a reasonable discount its pretty well priced, most of my riding will be in winter (fishing summer) or on farms with little gravel involved and some sand riding.

Will drop the wheel out later, Strip and grease the linkage and check the berrings at the same time

Still not sure if I tinker with the carb yet, seams a touch lean and with the big bore exhaust I could step up the jets a little....

[pete-blen]

Michelin AC10 arn't to bad..

[leathel]

Michelin AC10 arn't to bad..

Yup looked at those too, and the MS3 but neither were in stock, MS3 if it was in stock may possibly have came home with me..... too many great tyres.

The S12XC is close in pattern to what I had so I hope the better made tyre makes it better..... starting to doubt my choice, the proof will be in the riding