Anyone running a trials rear tire?

[MChammer]

I ran a MT43 on the rear of my TE310 for the first time 2 years ago and after the initial scare factor of not having the rear braking, grew to love it. I had a Motoz Enduro IT on the front and thought is was an unbeatable combination here in the rocky, rooty northeast. It actually made me better at steep, long, down hills too because I learned to feather the front brake since you lose most of the rear brake options....just engine brake there, and feather the front.

After I wore it out, I went back to a Motoz rear knobbie thinking I missed the looks of a knobbie...after all they just look cooler than trials tires. I hated a knobbie on the rear and took it off long before I wore it out and put a new MT43 back on. I run 6psi in it with a Ultra HD tube and know I'm way faster through these tight, rocky PA trails...at such low pressure, I'm not bouncing around nearly as much as when I put the knobbie on which increased my control which increased my speed. It seems like I pick a line and can stay on it. Cool or not, I'm sticking with a rear trials tire.

 

[tshea529]

Trials Tires on the rear are the way to go for sure. Pirelli MT43, 8-10PSI. I have been running them for 7 years now on my Katooms, mounting one on my 449 this weekend for an annual ride in Colorado. The first time a I ran it all the guys in our riding group were giving me Sh@# about it until they saw how well it did on the trail. The next year all but 1 of them had a Trials tire on there bikes. I have tried the Michellin and the IRC but the Pirelli last the longest, about 2500 miles. The Michellin and IRC are true trials tires and are super soft rubber, they both started loosing the center knobs around 300 miles. The Pirelli does have a stiffer side wall as previously mentioned in this thread, thats what makes it a great D/S tire.

Any word on Rekluse for TE449/511's?

 

[lankydoug]

Trials Tires on the rear are the way to go for sure. Pirelli MT43, 8-10PSI. I have been running them for 7 years now on my Katooms, mounting one on my 449 this weekend for an annual ride in Colorado. The first time a I ran it all the guys in our riding group were giving me Sh@# about it until they saw how well it did on the trail. The next year all but 1 of them had a Trials tire on there bikes. I have tried the Michellin and the IRC but the Pirelli last the longest, about 2500 miles. The Michellin and IRC are true trials tires and are super soft rubber, they both started loosing the center knobs around 300 miles. The Pirelli does have a stiffer side wall as previously mentioned in this thread, thats what makes it a great D/S tire.

Any word on Rekluse for TE449/511's?

If you like it at 8-10psi try it with the Tubliss set up at 4-6psi. It protects your rim from rock dings, eliminates pinch flats, is lighter than a HD tube and if you put about 5oz. of slime or Berrymans flat fix in the tire it will take a fluke encounter with a Bowie knife to get a flat.

 

[Biggziff]

So like someone else asked can I just add a second master link to get a little more length in the chain?

 

[kjclark7]

So like someone else asked can I just add a second master link to get a little more length in the chain?

i had asked that earlier and from the answers i got from various guys, you can do it but its not recommended. in a pinch its ok but to ride it like that by choice, its probably not a good thing.
so needless to say, i went and got another chain. i still haven't installed the chain/mt43 yet but hope to get to it today.

 

[Xcuvator]

A second master link won't do much good, because it won't connect to the one you have.
There is what is called a half link that can be used for adding length. The problem with mixing new and used links is that it usually causes a tight spot because of the slightly different sizes.

 

[lankydoug]

So like someone else asked can I just add a second master link to get a little more length in the chain?

You have to add a second master link plus a link of chain. The possible problems are that there will be a difference in wear pattern on the new section and the used original chain and that you will have two master links. I've done this because I wanted to try the trials tire before buying a chain that I may not need. I had no problems but later used the shorter chain on a different bike and went with a new longer chain on my Husky and can now switch back and forth between a knobby and a trials tire without changing chains.

 

[kjclark7]

well i found some time today and decided to mount up the mt43. i got it on the bike with using the same chain as before. i've got about a half inch from the tread to the mud guard. i hope thats enough. if not, i've got another chain to slap on to lengthen it a link. not sure when i'll be testing out the tire but here's some pics.

 

[Biggziff]

I like the look of these and the performance seems to be fantastic. Ordered mine today from Motorcycle Super Store ($76 shipped) should be here Monday. I'm going to order a Tubliss as well so I can play with very low pressures.

 

[tshea529]

If you like it at 8-10psi try it with the Tubliss set up at 4-6psi. It protects your rim from rock dings, eliminates pinch flats, is lighter than a HD tube and if you put about 5oz. of slime or Berrymans flat fix in the tire it will take a fluke encounter with a Bowie knife to get a flat.

thanks LankyDoug, Sounds Good, I will give it a Try

 

[tshea529]

well i found some time today and decided to mount up the mt43. i got it on the bike with using the same chain as before. i've got about a half inch from the tread to the mud guard. i hope thats enough. if not, i've got another chain to slap on to lengthen it a link. not sure when i'll be testing out the tire but here's some pics.

You need more clearance. At speed the tire will grow in diameter and rub.

 

[kjclark7]

whats the minimun clearance that i need? there's about a half inch now.

 

[josh310]

i just put a mt43 on my te310 and had about that much clearance. I rode this weekend and the tire rubbed a hole in mine but when i tried to add a link on the chain it had me all the way at the rear of my adjusters. It is almost like i need a half link.

 

[kjclark7]

i just put a mt43 on my te310 and had about that much clearance. I rode this weekend and the tire rubbed a hole in mine but when i tried to add a link on the chain it had me all the way at the rear of my adjusters. It is almost like i need a half link.

what kind of riding were you doing? what part of the country are you riding?

i just took the bike up and down the road to see if i had any rubbing. i got up to 57 mph (for a short distance) and it looks like the middle lug may have slightly rubbed. i should have looked more closely at the mud guard prior to testing. i'll have to retest later and put a piece of duct tape on the mud flap and see if it contacts any.
but for me, riding on the road at speed does not happen very often. most of my speeds are under 30 mph on rough 2 track and single track stuff. if i slighly rub at speed, it shouldn't last long because the tire tread is only going to get smaller with wear.
i too think if i add a link i'll be at the end of my adjusters.
for those of you who are running this tire, where are your adjusters set and what kind of gap and gearing are you running?

 

[R_Little]

I like the look of these and the performance seems to be fantastic. Ordered mine today from Motorcycle Super Store ($76 shipped) should be here Monday. I'm going to order a Tubliss as well so I can play with very low pressures.

I run the tubliss with a trials tire and it never even looses a drop of air.

In the front I always seem to have a slow leak but in the rear it seals perfectly and 6psi in the rockiest minefields are no problem. I can smack any darn rock I please with no problem.

 

[R_Little]

what kind of riding were you doing? what part of the country are you riding?

i just took the bike up and down the road to see if i had any rubbing. i got up to 57 mph (for a short distance) and it looks like the middle lug may have slightly rubbed. i should have looked more closely at the mud guard prior to testing. i'll have to retest later and put a piece of duct tape on the mud flap and see if it contacts any.
but for me, riding on the road at speed does not happen very often. most of my speeds are under 30 mph on rough 2 track and single track stuff. if i slighly rub at speed, it shouldn't last long because the tire tread is only going to get smaller with wear.
i too think if i add a link i'll be at the end of my adjusters.
for those of you who are running this tire, where are your adjusters set and what kind of gap and gearing are you running?

Keep that stock chain and run a 1 tooth smaller C/S sprocket for the trials tire. It increases the gearing anyway.

 

[lankydoug]

Keep that stock chain and run a 1 tooth smaller C/S sprocket for the trials tire. It increases the gearing anyway.

Yep, they grow like a drag slick at high speed and it's like having an extra gear. They will rub if the axle is not almost all the way back in the adjustment.

 

[kjclark7]

Keep that stock chain and run a 1 tooth smaller C/S sprocket for the trials tire. It increases the gearing anyway.

well i just went 1 tooth bigger to get away from the 12 tooth i was running. running the 12 tooth was just too snappy for me. the 13/50 feels much tamer compared to the 12/50. i don't want to go back to the 12 so i'll just have to figure something out if the tire rubs.

 

[sharpie1]

well i just went 1 tooth bigger to get away from the 12 tooth i was running. running the 12 tooth was just too snappy for me. the 13/50 feels much tamer compared to the 12/50. i don't want to go back to the 12 so i'll just have to figure something out if the tire rubs.

I just ride with with a small speed hole in my mud flap. As mentioned before, without getting the axle back farther you will end up with a hole in the mud flap.

 

[R_Little]

well i just went 1 tooth bigger to get away from the 12 tooth i was running. running the 12 tooth was just too snappy for me. the 13/50 feels much tamer compared to the 12/50. i don't want to go back to the 12 so i'll just have to figure something out if the tire rubs.

Don't be so sure you don't want the 12T with the trials tire.

Running a trials tire on the rear is like removing 2 teeth from the rear sprocket. It grows on the highway increasing the gearing. You should try the 12T again.