Dual Sport Tires

pollo

Joined Jun 2008

1K Posts | 98+

Simi Valley Ca.

Discussion Starter
• Jul 7, 2008

• #1

I'd like to hear some of you with your choice of tires for mostly off road. I run DOT tires, mostly 90% off road 10% on. I've tried a lot of them . I got the Michelin desert on the front now, (like it) and will install Pirelli Scorpion Pro on the rear this week. The Michelin Baja is coming off.

 

pollo

Joined Jun 2008

1K Posts | 98+

Simi Valley Ca.

Discussion Starter
• Jul 7, 2008

• #2

I just checked an existing thread here. OK you guys are tired of talking about tires. Yea, im real picky with tires too. And I toss them too early also.Well think I might sway towards performance instead of DOT. I just ordered a Michelin S-12 140/80/18. And I already have a Pirelli Scorpion Pro 140/80/18 on order from yesterday!. I'll use em up! that's not a problem. I just gotta see em both and decide which one to destroy first.

 

ned37

Joined Dec 2004

2K Posts | 248+

back in cottonwood, az

• Jul 7, 2008

• #3

on my dualsport 650, i just use the worn knobbies my buddies take off their race bikes. so if you see some homeless looking old guy rooting thru yer trash, relax, its just me.

 

pollo

Joined Jun 2008

1K Posts | 98+

Simi Valley Ca.

Discussion Starter
• Jul 7, 2008

• #4

My other half complains that I always throw away new tires. I tell her it's for safety. You gotta have traction so you can make the trail and also less chance of going down.

 

H

Hair

Joined Dec 2006

160 Posts | 0+

Los Alamos, NM

• Jul 8, 2008

• #5

How are the S-12 tires working.

I have a upcoming trip that I want to take on my bike. It's a day riding loaded on FRs and single track. Then 3 days of trails and single track. And the last day of FRs home. My problem is finding a tire that will last for the trip and stick. I am mainly worried about the front sticking and the rear waring out.


Oh, And I am sure that you already know this. But the berg seems to be sensitive sag. The 650 can transfer all the weight off the front quite easily. In my case things got a lot better Once I got the rear rider sag to 90 mm.

 

pollo

Joined Jun 2008

1K Posts | 98+

Simi Valley Ca.

Discussion Starter
• Jul 8, 2008

• #6

S-12 is for soft terrain. I haven't tried it yet but it's supposed to have great grip. Of course you will compromise on hard pack with some excessive wear I guess. I just hope it doesn't chunk that bad. As with sag, I have heard about 90mm but I have always run 100 to 105. Just my preference. Same on my CRF 450. 90 for me feels stiff. I like to feel more of the stroke.

 

Bobzilla

Joined Apr 2002

1K Posts | 3+

fallon nv

• Jul 8, 2008

• #7

I have found M-12's perform and last the best for me in the dez. I have a buddy with a bike shop and try all kinds of tires. After trying a bunch I and will usually BUY m-12's instead of Try what he offers 8O

 

pollo

Joined Jun 2008

1K Posts | 98+

Simi Valley Ca.

Discussion Starter
• Jul 8, 2008

• #8

I'll probably end up trying the M-12 also. Anyone ride a little street on these tires. I know they are not DOT, but a little street from trail to trail should be OK.

 

A

awilksch

Joined Oct 2006

746 Posts | 1+

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

• Jul 9, 2008

• #9

In my experience, forget the DOT tyres, my last set were absolute shockers!!! - never again, I will buy moto tyres and wear the risk of copping a fine (if a copper actually looks).

Azza.

 

V

vntgmx

Joined May 2002

153 Posts | 0+

south jersey

• Jul 9, 2008

• #10

If you're talking DOT legal knobbies the best I've tried are Pirelli MT21s.They are very acceptable dirt tires and wear well for road use too.
I'd only use them on a bike that's gonna see some extended road miles though.If all you're doing is connecting between trails on the road for a mile or two I'd use regular dirt knobbies such as the M12 Michelins.

 

pollo

Joined Jun 2008

1K Posts | 98+

Simi Valley Ca.

Discussion Starter
• Jul 9, 2008

• #11

I've tried the MT21 rear. It does last a long time. I have a Michelin deseert on the front right now and it's DOT. I like that tire. It looks and performs like a 100% off road tire. I've heard the M12 is good for the front. Might try that after the desert. Thing is, that desert will not wear out. I've gone everywhere. That thing wears great..

 

A

awilksch

Joined Oct 2006

746 Posts | 1+

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

• Jul 10, 2008

• #12

Best (rear) tyre I have had on the berg yet is the D707 dunlop, lasted ultra long and was good in all conditions probably worst traits were in sand.

Azza.

 

C

chamber66

Joined Oct 2007

110 Posts | 0+

Swansea , WALES

• Jul 12, 2008

• #13

How do the M21 tyres perform in muddy conditions?

 

pollo

Joined Jun 2008

1K Posts | 98+

Simi Valley Ca.

Discussion Starter
• Jul 13, 2008

• #14

How do the M21 tyres perform in muddy conditions?
[/quote]
I don't know about mud, but the MT 21's did not work well for me in sand.
Pollo