Time to upgrade tires

[Oberon]

I'm looking to upgrade my tires on my 09 te450. The stockers are Michelin Enduro 3 (DOT approved). These tires won't be used on the road so I want an all out off road tire. Just wondering what others are running and what size? I know the Michelins have a weird sizing, so from what I've found on the internet, most manufacturers don't offer a 140/80-18. The stock front is 90/90-21. I ride mostly in northern Michigan. A lot of Single Track, mix of everything when it comes to the ground. Mostly intermediate, quite a few rocks, sandy whoops, a little hardpack and mud after a good rain.

I was thinking of a Mid Soft tire/intermediate for all around performance.
Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[SAM511]

I'm looking to upgrade my tires on my 09 te450. The stockers are Michelin Enduro 3 (DOT approved). These tires won't be used on the road so I want an all out off road tire. Just wondering what others are running and what size? I know the Michelins have a weird sizing, so from what I've found on the internet, most manufacturers don't offer a 140/80-18. The stock front is 90/90-21. I ride mostly in northern Michigan. A lot of Single Track, mix of everything when it comes to the ground. Mostly intermediate, quite a few rocks, sandy whoops, a little hardpack and mud after a good rain.

I was thinking of a Mid Soft tire/intermediate for all around performance.
Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

[SAM511]

Fronts
Pirelli MX Extra for all-round with longevity
Pirelli XC Mid Soft for Intermediate to soft
Bridgestone ED663 for soft (patterned on the old M59 Motocross Hoop)

Rears
Pirelli MX Extra for all-round with longevity
Bridgestone 404 fantastic intermediate

 

[robertk61]

Fronts
Pirelli MX Extra for all-round with longevity
Pirelli XC Mid Soft for Intermediate to soft
Bridgestone ED663 for soft (patterned on the old M59 Motocross Hoop)

Rears
Pirelli MX Extra for all-round with longevity
Bridgestone 404 fantastic intermediate

404s are great, couple them with 203s on the front and you have an excellent combination

 

[Slowpoke]

Just rode there last weekend - My Motoz Tractionators with almost 2000km on them worked great.
Now that they're DOT, they're my default tire.

 

[SoCalHusky]

I'm currently shopping too, and am still searching. I've kinda come to the conclusion that one person's be all tire is another's most hated tire. here is an email I received from a rep from Kenda in regards to front tire sized. Aside from muddy conditions, my terrain is similar, and I'm considering the Kenda Parker DT. I'm guessing the Kenda Washougal, which is similar to the Parker is probably better for up north.

Rick- I would actually think an 80/100 would be much better for your application. A 90/90 has a much lower profile and is usually intended for Arenacross or Supercross type conditions. The 80/100 will allow for a bit more cushioning in harsher off-road terrain conditions. KENDA Powersports Division Gus Niewenhous Sales and Marketing Manager

 

[Oberon]

I'm currently shopping too, and am still searching. I've kinda come to the conclusion that one person's be all tire is another's most hated tire. here is an email I received from a rep from Kenda in regards to front tire sized. Aside from muddy conditions, my terrain is similar, and I'm considering the Kenda Parker DT. I'm guessing the Kenda Washougal, which is similar to the Parker is probably better for up north.

Rick- I would actually think an 80/100 would be much better for your application. A 90/90 has a much lower profile and is usually intended for Arenacross or Supercross type conditions. The 80/100 will allow for a bit more cushioning in harsher off-road terrain conditions. KENDA Powersports Division Gus Niewenhous Sales and Marketing Manager

I've come across the same thing. Seems like every time I start leaning towards one tire or another, people are giving great reviews on one website, and horrible reviews on another. Makes it even harder to pick. As far as size goes, same thing. Everyone has different reasons for liking different sizes.

The owner of my local parts/gear store is trying to sell me the Kenda Trackmasters. Says its a great all around tire. It looks mean and its DOT (which as I said, off road performance definitely comes first, but I guess DOT is a plus). 80/100-21 for the front and 120/100-18 for the rear for around $125 + tax. He makes a good case for the tires so I think its down to the those, Pirelli Scorpion XC soft, and the Bridgestone 203/204. The Pirelli MX Extra X is still in the running for its durability, but I think I would buy the XC first. Still not sure.

 

[SoCalHusky]

Yeah Oberon, I was considering non DOT as well, but some of the DOT's seem to be as good, and sometimes better in reviews. That's part of the fun though, finding the right tires for you, and being able to compare them to the next set. All I know is DOT or not, my next set will definitely out perform my current stock tires, and i will be happy with that.

 

[Neesmo31]

I have put 1200kms of road riding on the standard Michellins that come on the bike (TE510) and with mostly road riding thats pretty good in my opinion.

However I have just ordered a set of Pirelli XC Scorpions MID/HARD. I do everything - road, rocks, mud, dirt, sand, grass... so I need an all round tyre. I found that on my old bike, the XC's performed really well, good traction and good longevity.

The current Michellins now are absolutely shot, providing zero traction at the moment, so will be nice to get a fresh set of rubber on those excels.

 

[Oberon]

Yeah Oberon, I was considering non DOT as well, but some of the DOT's seem to be as good, and sometimes better in reviews. That's part of the fun though, finding the right tires for you, and being able to compare them to the next set. All I know is DOT or not, my next set will definitely out perform my current stock tires, and i will be happy with that.

Exactly SoCal! Same for me DOT or not, I want better performance on the trail. If they're DOT, great! I'm not knocking the Enduro3's, i think they are a decent all around tire, but I think they're a little sketchy on the street when it comes to making a quick stop. I figure if I my tires are so so off road and not all that great on the road, I might as well go with the best trail tire I can get. I have no problem changing my tires back and forth. I usually have a week or two in between heading up north to ride, and usually don't ride the street much other than a little bit around town. Eventually I'll get another set of rims for some more street friendly tires and have a full off road set and a street set. I'm finding out that picking out new tires is not as easy as I thought.

 

[Oberon]

I have put 1200kms of road riding on the standard Michellins that come on the bike (TE510) and with mostly road riding thats pretty good in my opinion.

However I have just ordered a set of Pirelli XC Scorpions MID/HARD. I do everything - road, rocks, mud, dirt, sand, grass... so I need an all round tyre. I found that on my old bike, the XC's performed really well, good traction and good longevity.

The current Michellins now are absolutely shot, providing zero traction at the moment, so will be nice to get a fresh set of rubber on those excels.

Let me know how the Scorpions work out. They're among my top choices (only in the soft version). But would definitely like to hear how they work out for you. I probably won't be buying new rubber until the spring, and my Enduro 3's still have a little life in them, so I can't see replacing them just yet.

 

[Oberon]

Thanks to all for the replies. Very helpful info. I'll post when I have a new set of tires and have put some miles on them.

 

[Slowpoke]

I've come across the same thing. Seems like every time I start leaning towards one tire or another, people are giving great reviews on one website, and horrible reviews on another. Makes it even harder to pick. As far as size goes, same thing. Everyone has different reasons for liking different sizes.

The owner of my local parts/gear store is trying to sell me the Kenda Trackmasters. Says its a great all around tire. It looks mean and its DOT (which as I said, off road performance definitely comes first, but I guess DOT is a plus). 80/100-21 for the front and 120/100-18 for the rear for around $125 + tax. He makes a good case for the tires so I think its down to the those, Pirelli Scorpion XC soft, and the Bridgestone 203/204. The Pirelli MX Extra X is still in the running for its durability, but I think I would buy the XC first. Still not sure.

The Trackmaster rear is fine, but the fronts absolutely suck, especially in any kind of soft or sandy situations. Don't even go near it. Given that you're in Michigan, the dealer should know that. I'd question his motivation for trying to sell you a front tire that works almost as badly as a slick tire on dirt. In Ontario we have lots of terrain like Michigan & most dealers stock very few if any Trackmaster front tires cause they suck so bad. They probably sell 20 Trackmaster rears for every Trackmaster front tire..........

 

[SAM511]

The Trackmaster rear is fine, but the fronts absolutely suck, especially in any kind of soft or sandy situations. Don't even go near it. Given that you're in Michigan, the dealer should know that. I'd question his motivation for trying to sell you a front tire that works almost as badly as a slick tire on dirt. In Ontario we have lots of terrain like Michigan & most dealers stock very few if any Trackmaster front tires cause they suck so bad. They probably sell 20 Trackmaster rears for every Trackmaster front tire..........

Agree with your comments on Trackmasters. I have tried them here in Aus. Rears OK but fronts are no good.

Above all else, you have to get the front dialled to give confidence, or your riding will suffer.

 

[Oberon]

Thanks for the info. I've narrowed it down between the Pirelli XC Soft/Mid or Bridgestone 203 in front/204 in the rear, but as usual, its subject to change. Looked on Motorcycle Superstores site and the Bridgestones seem to have a lot better reviews. The Pirelli front tire had good reviews, but a couple of reviews said the rear had horrible traction in the sand. Any thoughts???

 

[robertk61]

http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/MXA-TEAM-TESTED-BRIDGESTONE-M403M404-INTERMEDIATE-8141.aspx

 

[Neesmo31]

Just bought my new XC's - and hazza! the bike actually turns now lol. Before because of the flat spot it had to overcome that ridge to lean but now its beautiful to turn on

So - at the end of the day i got 1370kms out of the Michellins, with about 80% of that on the road. Pretty good.

 

[Slowpoke]

Thanks for the info. I've narrowed it down between the Pirelli XC Soft/Mid or Bridgestone 203 in front/204 in the rear, but as usual, its subject to change. Looked on Motorcycle Superstores site and the Bridgestones seem to have a lot better reviews. The Pirelli front tire had good reviews, but a couple of reviews said the rear had horrible traction in the sand. Any thoughts???

If you're doing most of your riding in Mich, I'd suggest going for a soft terrain tire rather than a mid-soft.

 

[montanaman]

Thanks for all the input here. After my second day in the hard/sandy terrain of So Cal I have to concur that the stock Karoos are not good. I had the front tire down to 12psi and it was still washing all over the place. I took a nice spill heading down a sandy rutted hill and I am sure some of it was pilot error but the tire was not helping at all. I think the Scorpion XC Mid hard or the Tractionators might be the ticket for me. I need a good all round tire 90/10 for hard rocky and sometimes sandy terrain. Occasional mud when it rains.

 

[MattS]

Thanks for all the input here. After my second day in the hard/sandy terrain of So Cal I have to concur that the stock Karoos are not good. I had the front tire down to 12psi and it was still washing all over the place. I took a nice spill heading down a sandy rutted hill and I am sure some of it was pilot error but the tire was not helping at all. I think the Scorpion XC Mid hard or the Tractionators might be the ticket for me. I need a good all round tire 90/10 for hard rocky and sometimes sandy terrain. Occasional mud when it rains.

+1 on the Karoos - okay for street but of limited value off road. I put the Scorpion XC Mid/Hard on front and rear when I am riding off road and really like them. I wanted a DOT tire for the occasional dual sport but mainly ride desert and the Pirellis worked well in a wide variety of conditions. Rode on them for the first time for the Lost Coyotes at Red Mountian and they felt like the 403/404's I used to run on my previous bike. Haven't tried them in wet conditions yet but going to the LPNF this weekend so I'll see how the do in the forest.