Positron007 Posted March 6, 2014 (edited) It can be challenging finding DOT approved tyres that perform well off road, people often ask "What is the best tyre for this application?", "Will this tyre fit the bike?" or "What tyre pressure should I use?" I have mostly focused on more offroad biased tyres as they tend to be tricky to find in DOT. To cut to the chase just go to the tyres/tires below. I will update from time to time, if you have a tyre to add to the list just pm me and I'll add it. Tread Patterns The purpose of the tread pattern is to do any of the following: 1) Displace enough material so that the rubber on the tyre can make contact with the surface underneath to provide traction, (eg hard surfaces with loose sand, loam or rocks) 2) Penetrate into the soil and rely on the cohesive strength of the soil (the soil is under shear loading) to propel the bike forward 3) Act as a paddle and drive enough sand/soil/mud backwards so the bike is propelled forward 4) Allow itself to self-clean when filling up with mud, clay or heavy soil The optimum tread spacing depends on the surface type you ride on Rubber Compounds The rubber compound has a direct relationship to the grip of the tyre on hard packed surfaces (eg asphalt, concrete, rock, tree roots, hard packed trails or fire roads). In mud or sand the rubber compound has no effect on the traction of the tyre, as the tyre relies on either paddle action or the ability of the tread to penetrate the soft surface and bight in to propel the bike forward. Softer compounds generally give higher levels of traction while harder compounds generally have lower levels of traction. Unfortunately softer compounds usually wear faster than harder compounds. These statements are not always true it really depends on the formulation and physical properties of the rubber whether a rubber will be long wearing or not (not just the hardness). Tyre Sizes CRF250L stock tyre sizes Front 3.00 - 21 Rear 120/80 - 18 CRF250M stock tyre sizes Front 110/70 - 17 54S Rear 130/70 - 17 62S Below are a list of sizes that fit the CRF250L, some sizes are still yet to be confirmed. The most common sizing you see on tyres is shown in this format XXX/YY - ZZ, XXX being the width of the tyre, YY is the sidewall height shown as a percentage of the width, and ZZ being the diameter. There is quite a bit of confusion with tyre sizes, some of the tyres are measured at the widest part of the tyre, while other tyres are measured on the side wall of the tyre, giving a narrower measurement but not necessarily a narrower tyre, eg 80/100 - 21 is often wider than 90/90 - 21 and 110/100 - 18 is often just as wide as 120/90 - 18. Front Tyre Sizes 2.75 - 21 (fits) 80/90 - 21 (fits) 3.00 - 21 (fits) 90/90 - 21 (fits) 80/100 - 21 (fits) 90/100 -21 (unconfirmed) Rear Tyre Sizes 110/100 - 18 (fits) 120/80 - 18 (fits) 120/90 - 18 (fits) 4.00 -18 (fits) 4.50 -18 (fits) 130/90 - 18 (fits) 140/80 - 18 (fits) Tubed or Tubless The benefits of tubed,(without rim lock) are that it is simple, cheap, and easy to balance the wheel. On the negative side, if you want to lower tyre pressures below 12 psi you are at risk of spinning the tyre on the rim and ripping the valve stem out of the tube = FLAT TYRE. Adding a rim lock to a tubed tyre prevent this, and allows you to go to lower pressures and get better traction however going to lower pressures (eg below 12 psi) increases your risk of pinch flats, most people use UHD tubes to prevent this but that adds quite a bit of extra weight to the wheel. The rim lock also unbalances the wheel which requires even more weight to balance it. Many people are happy using this If you want to go Tubless, there are 2 options Tubliss or Moose. Mooses are fool proof but they are expensive, can't be ridden on the highway, and don't last very long, they also don't have pressure adjustment. Tubliss on the other hand aren't as fool proof as mooses but can be ridden on the highway, last almost indefinitely in comparison, and you have the beauty of pressure adjustment. What is a good tyre for me? This really comes down to personal experimentation, and trying different tyres as well as choosing appropriately, everything is a compromise so choose based on what is most important to you, off road or on-road traction or longevity, Trail Riding Tyres (greater than 60% Dirt) Dunlop Dunlop D606 These tyres are famous, virtually every man and his dog has tried these tyres at one point in time. The front tyre gets mixed reviews but the rear is quite good. My experience with these tyres is that the front tyre is a stiff bloody heavy bastard probably more suited to heavier bikes like the DR650 and the KLR650, the rear on the other hand seems quite good for what it is designed to do. Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 130/90 - 18 Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 http://www.dunloptyres.com.au/dotCMS/TyreDetailAction?website=DUN&websegmentcode=MOTORCYCLE&websegmentcode2=7&mtpcode=80137&from=nPerPage Dunlop D907 Only available in Australia Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 4.60 - 18 Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 http://www.dunloptyres.com.au/dotCMS/TyreDetailAction?website=DUN&websegmentcode=MOTORCYCLE&websegmentcode2=6&mtpcode=80138&from=nPerPage Dunlop Geomax Enduro Only available in Europe Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 140/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.eu/dunlop_euen/mc/tyres/off_road/Geomax_Enduro.jsp Dunlop D603 Available in Europe and Australia Available in rear sizes: 120/80 - 18 (Australia only) 120/90 - 18 (Australia only) 4.10 - 18 (Australia only) 4.60 - 18 Available in front sizes: 3.00 - 21 http://www.dunloptyres.com.au/dotCMS/TyreDetailAction?website=DUN&websegmentcode=MOTORCYCLE&websegmentcode2=7&mtpcode=80135&from=nPerPage http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.eu/dunlop_euen/mc/tyres/on_off_road/D603.jsp Dunlop D908RR Rally Raid Designed for heavy high horsepower bikes, especially for desert riding/racing, for sustained high speed use on mixed terrain. Not so great in mud (ie the rear) Not cheap. Available in rear sizes: 130/90 - 18 (Europe) 140/80 - 18 (US) Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.eu/dunlop_euen/mc/tyres/off_road/D908RR.jsp Michelin Michelin AC10 Several members have tried these tyres and are happy with the results Available in rear sizes: 100/100 - 18 110/100 - 18 110/90 - 18 120/90 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/tyres/michelin-ac10 Michelin Enduro Comp IIIe Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 65R 140/80 - 18 70R http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/tyres/michelin-enduro-competition-iiie Michelin Enduro Comp IV Front tyre, same tread pattern as Michelin S12XC. Very good in soft terrain Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 54R http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/tyres/michelin-enduro-competition-iv Michelin Enduro Comp VI New enduro tyre form Michelin. Available in rear sizes: 140/80 - 18 70R Available in front sizes: Picture shown but no size given http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/tyres/michelin-enduro-competition-vi Michelin Enduro Comp MS Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 54R http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/tyres/michelin-enduro-competition-ms MIchelin Desert Race Available in rear sizes: 140/80 - 18 70R Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 54R http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/tyres/michelin-desert-race MIchelin Trial Light/X-light Available in rear sizes: 120/100 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/tyres/michelin-trial-light-x-light#desc Michelin Trial Competition/X11 Available in rear sizes: 4.00 - 18 http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/tyres/michelin-trial-competition-x11#desc Michelin T63 Several members have used this tyre and are happy with it. Available in rear sizes: 110/80 - 18 58S 120/80 - 18 62S 130/80 - 18 66S Available in front sizes: 80/90 - 21 48S 90/90 - 21 54S http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/tyres/michelin-t63#desc Pirelli Pirelli Scorpion XCMH Used by several members here with good results off road. Medium - Hard terrain tyre design Available in rear sizes: 100/100 - 18 110/100 - 18 120/100 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle/sheet/scorpion_xc_mid_hard.html?url=%3Fsubtype%3Doff-road%26use%3D1 Pirelli Scorpion XCMS Only the front tyre is DOT approved. Medium - Soft terrain tyre design. Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle/sheet/scorpion_xc_mid_soft.html?url=%3Fsubtype%3Doff-road%26use%3D1 Pirelli Scorpion Pro Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 140/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle/sheet/scorpion_pro_fim.html?url=%3Fsubtype%3Doff-road%26use%3D1 Pirelli MT43 Pro Trial These tire have excellent traction for climbing steep terrain. Not so great in mud and people complain the sidewall on the rear tyre rolls when cornering. Available in rear sizes: 4.00 - 18 Available in front sizes: 2.75 - 21 http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle/sheet/mt_43_pro_trial.html?url=%3Fsubtype%3Doff-road%26use%3D1 Pirelli Scorpion Rally Available in rear sizes: 120/100 - 18 140/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle/sheet/scorpion_rally.html?url=%3Fsubtype%3Doff-road%26use%3D1 Pirelli MT21 A few members have used this tyre and are happy with it. My experience with it was not so good on wet clay, the tread depth is not adequate on the front to really dig in and hold, as a consequence the front washed out many times. More suited to dry conditions in my experience. Available in rear sizes: 110/80 - 18 120/80 - 18 120/90 - 18 130/90 - 18 140/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/90 - 21 90/90 - 21 http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle/sheet/mt_21_rallycross.html?url=%3Fsubtype%3Doff-road%26use%3D1 Maxxis Maxxis Maxcross EN Original tyre of KTM EXC range Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 65R 140/80 - 18 70R Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 54R http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-166-113-maxxcross-en Golden Tyre GT216AA Front tyre to match GT216X rear Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 90/90 - 21 http://goldentyre.com.au/shop/4578925370/GT-216AA-FRONT/6471844 GT216V Very similar to GT216AA tread pattern Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 http://goldentyre.com.au/shop/4578925370/GT-216V-FRONT/6486146 GT213N Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 http://goldentyre.com.au/shop/4578925370/GT-213N-FRONT-80-100-21/6484748 GT216X This is the tyre that Graham Jarvis uses for extreme enduro events This tyre is an absolute secret weapon. Very soft sticky compound. Will climb anything. Uncertain of durability. Need to confirm fitment on the bike. Available in rear sizes: 140/80 - 18 http://goldentyre.com.au/shop/4578925370/GT-216X-REAR-140-80-18/6740355 GT523 Nice aggressive tread pattern. DOT approved but manufacturer does not recommend using on the highway (according to labelling on tyre) Available in rear sizes: 110/100 - 18 http://goldentyre.com.au/shop/4578925370/GT-523-ROCKY-REAR/6746444 Kenda Kenda K760 Trakmaster II Available in rear sizes: 100/100 - 18 (Part number K3173) 110/100 - 18 (Part number K3174) 120/100 - 18 (Part number K3175) Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 (Part number K3185) http://www.kenda.com.au/products/category/GCMTVMGQ Kenda K775 Washougal Available in rear sizes: 110/100 - 18 (Part number K3850) 120/100 - 18 (Part number K3855) Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 (Part number K3880S) http://www.kenda.com.au/products/category/AORLKWAP http://www.kenda.com.au/products/category/XWBEWNLE Kenda K772 Parker DT Available in rear sizes: 120/100 - 18 http://www.kenda.com.au/products/category/FBURBUOM Kenda K774 Budds Creek Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 (Part number K3780) 90/100 - 21 (Part number K3785) http://www.kenda.com.au/products/category/QOKSBEEF IRC IRC TR8 Genuine tyre fitted to XR650R (Australia) Similar tread pattern to the D606 rear. Gnath is a fan of these as well as others. Hard to beat for the price. Available in rear sizes: 4.00 - 18 4.50 - 18 Available in front sizes: 3.00 - 21 http://www.irc-tire.com/mce/ IRC BR99 More aggressive off road pattern than TR8 Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 140/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 http://www.irc-tire.com/mce/ Bridgestone Bridgestone ED663/ED668 Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 65R 140/80 - 18 70R Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 54R http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/gritty/index.html#anc01 Bridgestone ED661/ED660 Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 65R 140/80 - 18 70R Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 54R http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/gritty/index.html#anc01 Bridgestone ED03/ED04 Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 65P 4.10 - 18 59P 4.60 - 18 63P Available in front sizes: 2.75 - 21 45P 3.00 - 21 51P 80/100 - 21 51P http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/gritty/index.html#anc01 Metzeler Metzeler Unicross Many people prefer this tyre over Dunlop D606. This could be my next tyre. Available in rear sizes: 120/90 - 18 Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 http://www.metzeler.com/site/com/products/tyres-catalogue/Unicross.html Metzeler MCE 6 Days Extreme Available in rear sizes: 110/80 - 18 120/90 - 18 130/90 - 18 140/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/90 - 21 90/90 - 21 90/100 - 21 http://www.metzeler.com/site/com/products/tyres-catalogue/Me-6daysextrem.html Motoz Tractionator Desert HT Available in rear sizes: 110/100 - 18 64M 130/90 - 18 69M 140/80 - 18 70M Available in front sizes: 90/100 - 21 57M http://www.motoz.com.au/shop_prods.asp?CatID=166 Tractionator Enduro I/T Available in rear sizes: 110/100 - 18 64R 120/90 - 18 65R 130/90 - 18 69R 140/80 - 18 70R Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 51R 90/90 - 21 54R http://www.motoz.com.au/shop_prods.asp?CatID=167 Tractionator Enduro S/T Available in rear sizes: 110/100 - 18 65M 120/90 - 18 65R 130/90 - 18 69M 140/80 - 18 70R Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 51M 90/90 - 21 54R http://www.motoz.com.au/shop_prods.asp?CatID=173 Mitas Many of the Mitas tyres come in 3 different rubber compounds: Red Stripe is Hard Yellow Stripe is Intermediate Green Stripe is Soft/Sticky C-02 Stone King Available in rear sizes: 110/100 - 18 120/90 - 18 C-16/C-17 Stone Eater Available in rear sizes: 110/100 - 18 120/90 - 18 130/90 - 18 140/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 90/90 - 21 C-18/C-19 Eagle Available in rear sizes: 110/100 - 18 120/90 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 90/90 - 21 C-20/C-21 Stone King MX Available in rear sizes: 110/100 - 18 120/90 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/100 - 21 90/90 - 21 EF-05/EF-06 Available in rear sizes: 120/80 - 18 140/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 EF-07/EF-08 In the green stripe this is a serious climbing weapon Available in rear sizes: 110/80 - 18 120/90 - 18 130/90 - 18 140/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 http://www.mx1canada.com/mitas-ef-07-majestic-enduro-rear-tire.html http://www.motorcycletyres.net.au/tyres/motocross/index.html 50/50 Tyres (Coming soon) Road Biased Tyres that fit the stock CRF250L rims Dunlop D604 Available in rear sizes: 120/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 3.00 - 21 http://www.dunloptyr...6&from=nPerPage Kenda K761 Available in rear sizes: 110/80 - 18 120/80 - 18 130/80- 18 Available in front sizes: 90/90 - 21 http://www.kenda.com...tegory/CKRCAMVQ Pirelli Pirelli MT60 Available in rear sizes: 110/80 - 18 120/80 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/90 - 21 90/90 - 21 http://www.pirelli.c...=off-road&use=1 Pirelli MT90 Available in rear sizes: 110/80 - 18 120/80 - 18 140/80 - 18 150/70R - 18 4.10 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/90 - 21 90/90 - 21 2.75 - 21 http://www.pirelli.c...=off-road&use=1 Michelin Michelin Sirac Available in rear sizes: 110/80 - 18 120/80 - 18 4.10 - 18 4.60 - 18 Available in front sizes: 80/90 - 21 90/90 - 21 3.00 - 21 http://motorcycle.mi...elin-sirac#desc Edited March 17, 2015 by Positron007 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
