• 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
     TE = 4st Enduro & TC = 4st Cross

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Anyone running a trials rear tire?

Biggziff

Biggziff

Husqvarna
A Class
I was always going to put a trials on the rear of my WR450F, but never got around to it. Up here in the northeast it's ruts, rocks and roots with leaves and mud thrown in. I've read where some seem to think the trials tire is actually better than a knobbie, but I wondered if there is a trade off for an average rider who doesn't race. I have to assume that the trials tire is a lot nicer on the street. Any disadvantages?

thanks!
 
The only disadvantage you will find is mud and no rear steering. I love the trials tire and am on my second one. 3000 miles on the first combo road and trails, sand, rocks, roots, mud, grass. It's a small trade off for a great tire IMHO...
 
I've kinda wanted to go the route of a trials tire in the rear, and maybe a reklkuse. But screw it, I'm staying old school. Plus I like wheel spin!
 
well i just got a rekluse zstart pro and it was well worth the money!!! as far as the trials tire in the rear goes, i just ordered a pirelli mt43. a lot of the guys around me run the dunlop 803 trials rear. i just figured i would try the pirelli and see how it goes. this will be my first go at a trials tire, i'm running a pirelli mt16 in the rear now.
 
So do these trials tires really hook up so well that you can't easily break the rear free? Do you like them on the front as well?

Thanks
 
I wouldn't use one on the front. Anything but the Pirelli MT43 is going to be squirley on hard pack or pavement, a real trials tire on the road is down right scary! Try an MT43, some people hate it, if you use you rear to turn you'll probably be one of those. For the average trail rider they rock, I can crawl up steep slick stuff with little to no wheel spin much easier than spinning a knobby. If you get one, don't run it over 10 psi, I run mine at 8 psi, higher pressure will give you no traction, they are very pressure sensitive. I haven't used a knobby on the rear in about 5 years and nothing but an MT43 for the last 3 years or so.
 
sharpie1 said:
I wouldn't use one on the front. Anything but the Pirelli MT43 is going to be squirley on hard pack or pavement, a real trials tire on the road is down right scary! Try an MT43, some people hate it, if you use you rear to turn you'll probably be one of those. For the average trail rider they rock, I can crawl up steep slick stuff with little to no wheel spin much easier than spinning a knobby. If you get one, don't run it over 10 psi, I run mine at 8 psi, higher pressure will give you no traction, they are very pressure sensitive. I haven't used a knobby on the rear in about 5 years and nothing but an MT43 for the last 3 years or so.
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Well for as cheap as they are I'll order one and give it a go. I do like to steer with the rear tire, but I can live without it I think.

thanks
 
I was like you and always wanted to try one. So the last tire I put on was a dunlop 803 trials tire. I was amazed at how well it hooked up but I am not amazed by the braking unless you are on hard pack. I only got about 400 miles on it and it started to chunk so I am going to put a nobby back on it and than I can compare the two. If it would have lasted longer than I would have stuck with a trials tire. I have herd good things about the michelins so I will probably get one after I wear my nobby out
 
The competitive trials guys use a Dunlop or Michelin.
These 'proper' trials tires will wear fast and chunk completely on an off-road bike.
Too soft for us.
The Pirelli MT43 is considered too hard by the trials guys, but it's great for off-road use.
I had about 1700 km on one when I traded in the TE310 and have another ready to put on the TE511.
 
MT 43 with Tubliss @ 6psi is the way to go if you really want it at it's best. I never could chunk a knob with my WR250 and it was stabil to 75mph on gravel roads. (maybe faster but that was wide open with 13:50 gearing). Make sure the axle is at the rear of it's adjustment because trials tires grow like a drag slick at high speed and will wear a hole in the mud flap. I had to add a link to my chain. The biggest disadvantage compared to a knobby is in loose sand. They are fine in packed sand and nothing works great in slick wet clay including a trials tire. They are worth a try and they truly do excell in many areas.
 
lankydoug said:
MT 43 with Tubliss @ 6psi is the way to go if you really want it at it's best. I never could chunk a knob with my WR250 and it was stabil to 75mph on gravel roads. (maybe faster but that was wide open with 13:50 gearing). Make sure the axle is at the rear of it's adjustment because trials tires grow like a drag slick at high speed and will wear a hole in the mud flap. I had to add a link to my chain. The biggest disadvantage compared to a knobby is in loose sand. They are fine in packed sand and nothing works great in slick wet clay including a trials tire. They are worth a try and they truly do excell in many areas.
Click to expand...
I'll probably never ride in sand in the NE. We do get our fair share of mud though.
 
Biggziff said:
I'll probably never ride in sand in the NE. We do get our fair share of mud though.
Click to expand...
Some kinds of mud are no problem with a trials tire, in fact in certain mud they are better. In situations where you wish you had a paddle tire is where a knobby beats a trials tire.
 
I road a Michelin trials tire on my Wr250f and I live in New Hampshire similar type of terrain. Overall it's the way to go unless it rains. It is useless in mud but I didn't notice any difference in sliding and steering the rear end around. The best part was it lasted forever at 10-12 psi. If you run it harder and on tar it will chunk and rip the center knobs off in only a few miles.

With that said I just mounted a Motoz desert tire and ran 15PSI because I got f$@k with a dam Tubliss that wouldn't seal and road 450ish miles in one day and is still looks freaked amazing.
 
Vee Rubber makes a nice "Enduro" trials tire...VM-308R it's a radial but it wears like an MT-43 with a bit more grip.

Really great everywhere but a wet grass track where it is useless.

When ridden in the woods all you need to do is get the front wheel over and the rear WILL track perfectly over whatever you ride over..greasy roots, moss covered rocks and bolders it don't matter. Lean it over real far or mash the rear brake and it will slide once it locks up but it is hard to lock up. it rewards an straight up and down riding style.

I've got 2 both on tubliss tubes and I run them to 6psi and never loose any presure ever.

You can run one MT43 for the life of your bike and never change it.
 
I have had a Michelin trials tire on the rear for the last 2 years. I spooned on a MT43 but have not tried it out yet. Trials tires are simalar to auto clutches, people who have used them know the advantage and the advantage is huge on rough ugly trails. I have a knobby on my new TXC 310 (it came with it) and it was fun at the track but will put a trials tire on it as soon as I can. for $80 it is worth a try. You should ride a little different to get the most out of it.
 
We ride the snotty, wet, roots, rocks and mud of the Pacific Northwest and a trials tire on the rear is a must! I like the look of a fresh knobby on a dirt bike, but the traction of a trials over rocks and roots is hard to beat. Michelin is what most of us use.
 
ken510 said:
We ride the snotty, wet, roots, rocks and mud of the Pacific Northwest and a trials tire on the rear is a must! I like the look of a fresh knobby on a dirt bike, but the traction of a trials over rocks and roots is hard to beat. Michelin is what most of us use.
Click to expand...

Ya, I dig the look of a knobby also, but I'll take any advantage I can get!
 
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