Let's get dirty...check here for rides.

[TheIglu]

I was very pleased with the MT-16 on the back of the old CR125 I used to rip around Clough. Did everything well. But not as well at a trails tire. Ask KB.

[tls25rs]

But not as well at a trails tire. Ask KB.

I don't know, I watched KB eat shit hard while riding with his trials tire on the trails near his mother's house. Pretty sure after that incident he may have sworn off the trials tires. Think he may have even broken some ribs on that one.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming the trials tire, just an experience I have with someone I know riding on them. It was a late fall day with the typical layer of mud snot on top of hard pack and he got it wrong in a big way. Kinda scary actually.

[TheIglu]

ORLY?

Guess it's been too long since I've ridden dirt. He was all about it back then.

One day I'll get back to it. Maybe when the kid is moved out.

[loudbeard]

ORLY?

Guess it's been too long since I've ridden dirt. He was all about it back then.

One day I'll get back to it. Maybe when the kid is moved out.

If I didn't have trails out of my backyard, it would be difficult to ride more than once a month.

[typeone]

agree with Joel's comments ... if you're not climbing pure rock 'n roots in a fairly strait line all the time, i don't get the trials tire affection for New England on reg full-size, multi-use bikes. there is way too much variation with terrain and moisture throughout the seasons. switchbacks wet or dry are a damn good time. GAS-BRAKE. GASSS-BRAKEEE. i think tough sidewall + HD tubes + appropriate pressure is way more flexible use wise. woods -> MX.. .

i just hand siped my worn out Motoz rear a few wknds ago to get some more grip ... performed awesome at 7-8psi in everything from wet snot to dry ledge and shake ... although they def got chewed real good, not much knob structure left after cutting down the middle.

[ZX-12R]

Here's an example of a knobby trying to kill its owner... (sorry Pete)


What particular issue have you had with variation in terrain and moisture with a trials tire? With 2 seasons on the same tire, I've thrown every type of terrain imaginable at it and it just eats it up. There is no doubt that if you are used to a knobby, a trials tire definitely feels different but it's easy to get used to the silly amounts of traction it provides.

[typeone]

"terrain and moisture" meaning stuff you need to actually corner quickly in ... i have not had an issue with a trials tire because I've never mounted one. just looking at the profile, I know it wouldn't work for me as a 'daily' ... and most of my loops are in rocks. i realize they hook up fantastically in the right situation (from reading feedback) but can't see how it would be better than a good knobby with stiff sidewall and low pressure for all around use. if i rode in Moab, diff story but there is a reason the hybrids aren't gaining more popularity... because they are still too focused. they don't corner.

not sure what Pete's off has to do with a trials rear, he still would have gone down... unless that tire was completely bald.

I'm not saying don't try one ... or that it doesn't work for peeps that like them ... they are just very specialized tires to me. I would hate to lose real cornering feel... that is all.

[aldend123]

It doesn't even look like the rear tire had a role in that crash. Front tire washed off the rock.

[ZX-12R]

It doesn't even look like the rear tire had a role in that crash. Front tire washed off the rock.

Ya think? No one likes to have fun around here anymore.

I'm preaching my love for trials tires to people who've never tried them while I currently have a knobby on mine and to top it all off, there's synthetic oil in my engine.

Bubs should just get another bike and put a trials tire on it.

[aldend123]

there's synthetic oil in my engine.

Extra points if it isn't motorcycle specific.

I've got about 150mi on a new MT-16 and having a hard time seeing the justification to chase more traction with a trials tire. Do two-strokers benefit from the trials tire more? Better for peaky power delivery?

[ZX-12R]

Partial credit. My 12R has Mobil 1 diesel formula but the KTM is bike specific.

[maxim_X]

Extra points if it isn't motorcycle specific.

I've got about 150mi on a new MT-16 and having a hard time seeing the justification to chase more traction with a trials tire. Do two-strokers benefit from the trials tire more? Better for peaky power delivery?

ktm 2t's are generally softer power wise than their 4t counterparts.

I've run a few trials tire, a hybrid, and a large handful of knobbies. With a trials or hybrid tire in muddy or sandy environments traction is down compared to a regular knobbie, but not as much as you think. If you like the trials for its other strengths it will serve fine in New England. They feel glued to rocks and have a general forgiving nature in rough stuff, tracking straight and staying hooked up. The big downfall that got me back on a knobbie is when a rider does lose traction, it is gone completely. The rear will spin up to the moon and you have to cut the throttle back to regain any composure. Many riders never spin their rear tire, slow guys up to Graham Jarvis, and trials types work great for them in lots of mixed conditions. I tend to ride spinning they rear a lot, and i couldn't get used to holding back to maintain traction when I wanted a fistful. They are absolutely worth and try, and people swear by them for a reason.

[nhbubba]

Bubs should just get another bike and put a trials tire on it.

Thinking a vintage gas-gas something-something. That'll do, right?
Maybe a brand new Yamaha 450?!
Maybe I'll Kurlon it and hunt down a Seca II for stimilon duty and run a trials on that..
Ugh. Can't decide.


Seriously though. I'm open to trying a trials tire someday. Just not this go-round. Maybe next.

I feel like I poked a bear somehow here.

[nhbubba]

I tend to ride spinning they rear a lot, and i couldn't get used to holding back to maintain traction when I wanted a fistful.

That does kind of sound like it sucks. Especially with the 200, I'm used to snapping a lot of right wrist on exit. The bike is so light it is relatively good at the point and shoot. If I can't do that with the bike tipped over.. well. Bah.

[loudbeard]

That does kind of sound like it sucks. Especially with the 200, I'm used to snapping a lot of right wrist on exit. The bike is so light it is relatively good at the point and shoot. If I can't do that with the bike tipped over.. well. Bah.

When I started watching the enduro-cross training videos I was extremely disappointed I couldn't roost everywhere I go anymore.

[ZX-12R]

Thinking a vintage gas-gas something-something. That'll do, right?

I'd love to have an old Bultaco Sherpa T to play around with. A great-uncle of mine had one when I was too little to ride but I still remember it well. Given the current discussion, the fact that it's a trials bike with a trials tire is merely a coincidence.

I feel like I poked a bear somehow here.

We're approaching winter so we have to argue about something!

I agree with maxim_X about the throttle control needed when using a trials tire. On a corner exit while leaned over without a berm, you need to be conscience of how the tire is conforming to the ground and modulate your throttle accordingly so you don't low-side. You also need to be conscience of it in a straight line, along with body position, because it hooks up so well you tend to loft the front wheel up in the air with ease. I tend to slide forward on the bike in higher speed areas taking weight off the rear which allows it to move around more in a more controllable manner. With a big 4T thumper, I don't really have to worry about engine RPMs or an on-off power band so it isn't hard to keep it hooked up regardless of speed.

[R7]

Thinking a vintage gas-gas something-something. That'll do, right?
Maybe a brand new Yamaha 450?!
Maybe I'll Kurlon it and hunt down a Seca II for stimilon duty and run a trials on that..
Ugh. Can't decide.


Seriously though. I'm open to trying a trials tire someday. Just not this go-round. Maybe next.

I feel like I poked a bear somehow here.

KTM FreeRide...hybrid bike, and you get your trials tires..haha

[nhbubba]

No Beta XTrainer? I figure I know a guy that'll have one for sale soon enough.

[typeone]

ZX, i wasn't arguing and there is no bear to poke, text is flat, only having a discussion just like we would in person. it's all good, man... but my RR and TC hate synthetic. no clue why people waste the extra cash for that shit

[Kurlon]

Maybe I'll Kurlon it and hunt down a Seca II for stimilon duty and run a trials on that...

What the totally called for shit?!

[R7]

No Beta XTrainer? I figure I know a guy that'll have one for sale soon enough.

Its all about the trials tire..the free ride has one..lol

And no, my XTrainer isn't going anywhere. While I don't ride it nearly enough (think it just turned 60 miles) , its to pretty to look at, to part with

[loudbeard]

Well, I'm out for a bit. Grade 1 TFCC sprain, left wrist. Not a bad injury but the doc still says 6-8 weeks. I'm starting PT next week, also for my shoulder that hasn't seemed to heal since last year's big crash. Sucks to be down and out during the best riding weather of the year.

Here's to hoping for a mild winter...

[Petorius]

Well, I'm out for a bit. Grade 1 TFCC sprain, left wrist. Not a bad injury but the doc still says 6-8 weeks. I'm starting PT next week, also for my shoulder that hasn't seemed to heal since last year's big crash. Sucks to be down and out during the best riding weather of the year.

Here's to hoping for a mild winter...

Dude, fat bike.

[TheIglu]

How'd it happen?

[typeone]

fap-related injury from Bubbas Fatty pic