Tires???

[Paul_E_D]

How do you know when you need new knobs? I've been running the stock bridgestones on my KTM and have like 35 hours on them. I can't say that they look terrible, but I can't help but think they are less than optimal.

Then, what to get? This is my track bike. Mostly sand or loam.

[ChR1s]

For sand, a worn tire (no edges on knobs) can still work okay if the knobs are longish and arranged in a semi-paddle design in back. Run rears until the hookup under drive is gone or braking is extremely vague, fronts until they wash. Speaking of fronts, they can *look* okay if given a casual glance. Usually the center knobs will look mint, but if you look closely at the shoulder knobs you'll see that they're worn at an angle, which is sometimes not very apparent.

My pick for most versatile tire is the Dunlop 756, front & rear. They can wear quickly, but work very well on a wide variety of terrain. Right now I've got Michelin S12s on my YZ. They work very well on soft surfaces, and don't wear too quickly. They blow in rocks though.

[typeone]

i usually just go by visual inspection. once the sharp edge is rounded down, height is decreased or any of the knobs are chunked off, i replace.

i never knew some tires could be mounted the other direction, like you and Ken informed me of to stretch their life out more, but the tire still begins to look worked to me.

i'm really liking my Pirelli Scorpion MXs on the Husky but they are wearing FAST. hook up real nice at CH but i cant see them lasting with just as many NE woods hours on them. they would be toast by now, or chunked to hell.

Gary was running that Pirelli MT16 rear and MT18 front combo for NE woods that looked to be magic. i think its a pretty popular combo for woods guys, not sure how they would do in the continuous soft stuff. knobs are close.

If you want to focus on your track and stuff like CH, I'd go with softer and wider knobs with more spacing. they'll hook up better. soft-med MX terrain.

those are my coins.. .

[Tricky Mike]

I'd run rears until the knobs start to round over a bit... Then I'd run it backwards until that side starts to round over... then I'd chuck it. I was always surprised how well a nice sharp tire would bite the face of the jumps. I'm a big fan of the 756 up front... never used them in the rear, though (not sure why).

[TheIglu]

I love my MT16's, you are welcome to try them out next time we're riding!

Great in dirt, roots, rocks and mud. Perfect NE tires. Little vague in really soft stuff, but fine otherwise.

[Paul_E_D]

OK, Maybe I'll flip my rear and go a little longer. Guess I'll try the Dunlops. I need something good for soft terrain as that's my weekly practice place...

[R7]

I wait until the knobs are gone, keeps you in check on the roots and rocks...and soupy stuff

I've got a new set of Dunlops waiting to be mounted on the KTM, 756 front and 739 rear

[x2468]

ive got a Fat 120 maxxis SI waiting to replace my clapped out 110 IT. im thinking with all the rain we've been having up here on the border, it'll be worth it.

[KB]

Yeah dood it's a trials tire. I love it in everything but the mud.

KB

[TheIglu]

WHAT KINDA TIRE IS THAT?

[seth399]

if you are talking about crowhill then the dunlop d952 would probably work pretty damn sweet.
Speaking of tires, my front is close to new and my rear is half bald...need a new one myself.

[Paul_E_D]

I ended up with 773's front and rear on my local shop owner's rec. They are soft terrain tires, and they worked magic at Crow Hill. I felt like a hero in the corners. The bike accelerated good in the sand, and rocketed up the jump faces. It helped that I really nailed the jetting, too!

Damn, those OEM bridgestones I had on there were absolutely toast. I went riding wed after work and as soon as I leaned it, both ends would drift.

[a13x]

Man my CRF needs new tires in a biiiig way. Basically slicks right now.

[lrrs313]

Believe it or not, I've found that Kendas work the best. Washougal Sticky front, Carlsbad rear. They wear pretty well, although they throw knobs when they get worn. Of course, at around $95 for a set, I can afford to change them a little more often than Dunlops or Michelins.