Trials Rear Tire in the Traditional SOCAL Sand?

[J-train]

How does the trials tire do in the loose sandy stuff common in SOCAL? I usually end up riding a combo of rocky/gravel/dry woods, and loose sand covered trails (certain sections are just outright beach sand with no hard ground under). I know running the trials tire for enduro riding is the latest greatest, but how does it do in the deep sand? I have been running the Pirelli XMCH which is a DOT tire but it is a pure knobbie with big aggressive knobs that seemed to work great in the deep sand, another thing it does well is predictability and it is brute tough too! Motorcycle Superstore had the pirelli trials on sale and I though I might drink the coolaid mixed with the standard pirelli XMCH front that has plenty of life left on it.

 

[JonXX]

It might actually do ok, since it doesn't have the big aggressive knobs to dig the bike down. I reckon it will take some technique adaption though. My newest bike came with a trials tire on the rear, and after having ridden it in the rocky, rooted-up woods around here, it has very definite advantages and some clear disadvantages as well. It's fantastic on rocky climbs and stepups, you can put the bike anywhere on the side of a deep rut, you can shoot straight-arrow over wet roots in the trail without getting kicked around. But if it's very muddy, or a slimy top with lots of trash, you're done. There's also not a whole lot of rear braking power in the wet on descents, and brake-sliding into corners takes a new "touch."

Try it and see how you like it. At this point, I'm torn between another trials rear or trying out a different knobby pattern.

 

[SoCalHuskyRider]

I run the Pirelli trials tire on my Husaberg 570 and it does a fair job in the sand. It sticks like glue to everything else, although we don't have to deal with mud very often in SoCal. They wear like iron and maintain traction until their end of life. Give one a try, I think you will be happy.

 

[bigmo]

We ironically have a ton of sand here - some packed and some dune as a mining byproduct. I run the Pirelli MT43 and have zero issues on all but one surface - grass. As mentioned above, the trials tends to flat better and does not auger down like a knobby even on really loose sand.

If you race and they have grass sections - it is no bueno - also, mentioned above if there is leaf clutter it can be downright dangerous.

Generally speaking as conditions decline (including sand) the trials outperform a knobby. I run low pressure (int he 3-4 psi range) and it hooks up like glue on wet, rocky, dry, roots - you name it. The BEST part is that I get about 4x or 5x the life as compared to a knobby. We can turn an S12 (my favorite knobby) to a slick in one long weekend here - tires are simply too expensive to replace every weekend!

 

[Motosportz]

Trails tires work surprisingly well in most types of sand. Not great but good. That said the Pirelli is tough but not Radial like a Dunlop 803. I like the durability but the traction on roots and rocks and such is not as good as the dunlop as the radial part makes the difference. So, pirelli = tough and long lasting and DOT. The Dunlop and other radial trials tires = premium traction but more delicate sidewalls and are destroyed EZ on the street (don't like high speeds and street). Just food for thought.

 

[MikeB]

In my experience the biggest difference in sand washes is when first starting in sand - a little less initial dig - but once up and running it's fine (not my first choice for dunes riding though)
If you go downhill with your rear brake locked up the trials tire 'loads' with dirt quicker than a knobby so it's less effective - let it roll and it's fine.
The Pirelli lasts at least 3 times as long as a knobby.
Power slides are interesting - the Pirelli feels fairly normal everywhere except with more traction and less rear end bounce - but if you are the type who works the edge of the tire you will find that you can get too far over the edge of the Pirelli much sooner that a knobby - especially as it wears.
If you're sensitive to such things you will find the extra weight of the Pirelli is a little weird when you're in the air.

 

[J-train]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I may give it a try, they are pretty cheap. If I don't like it I can always go back.

 

[Motosportz]

If I don't like it I can always go back.

Not sure if you dualsport much but they are a real good tire for that. Smooth on the road, last pretty good and work well off road too.

 

[J-train]

Not sure if you dualsport much but they are a real good tire for that. Smooth on the road, last pretty good and work well off road too.

Yeah, I like to ride to the trails and commute back and forth to work on base so that's another benifit

 

[huskylove]

Is it truly easier to stand at low speed with a trials tire? Like easier to balance? I have heard this but not sure.

 

[Motosportz]

I have not found that to be the case but they do tend to be more planted, maybe thats why the comments? Also much softer so instead of sitting on the end of a knob with very little surface it has way more contract with the ground.

 

[R_Little]

We ironically have a ton of sand here - some packed and some dune as a mining byproduct. I run the Pirelli MT43 and have zero issues on all but one surface - grass. As mentioned above, the trials tends to flat better and does not auger down like a knobby even on really loose sand.

If you race and they have grass sections - it is no bueno - also, mentioned above if there is leaf clutter it can be downright dangerous.

Generally speaking as conditions decline (including sand) the trials outperform a knobby. I run low pressure (int he 3-4 psi range) and it hooks up like glue on wet, rocky, dry, roots - you name it. The BEST part is that I get about 4x or 5x the life as compared to a knobby. We can turn an S12 (my favorite knobby) to a slick in one long weekend here - tires are simply too expensive to replace every weekend!

Amen, brother.

They work great everywhere except wet grass.