Is any one using a trials tire on the rear
- Thread starter Lokair
- Start date
Lori KTM had one on last year on a few rides with us and she liked it. It was mostlt rocks and not a lot of thick mud. I've been thinking about trying one myself but I get into alot of mud at times and think I'll need a good knobby for it. I'd be interested in experience with trials tires in thick mud.
I haven't personally tried it, but from what I have heard about them, is they work great for rocks, and dry soils, especailly if they are fairly firm. I don't think they work so great in loose loamy soils, or in mud. The tighter lug spacing and shorter lug heights reduce the ability of the tire to grab traction and clean itself out in these types of soils. If your riding includes lots of mud, I don't think a trials tire is going to work very well.
z enduro man
Member
- Mar 28, 2002
- 9
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I have used an X11 trials tire for several years. very good in most conditions, great in the rocks and roots, but they have a softer sidewall so watch the sharp rocks. Loamy soil it works pretty good. As for mud, it depends on the type of mud... Slimy type mud over hardpack clay (Capitol Forest) it works much better then a new knobby. thick mud with no roots or rocks knobby is better. I would also avoid deep sand and snow. If you need to dig for traction, use a knob, if there is something for the tire to grab onto try a trials tire. Which also leads to less impact on the trail...tread lightly...
Cost is about twice that of a knobby, but it lasts me about 3 times as long and it works equally well on my wifes 200exc as it does on my crf450x or did on drz400.
Cost is about twice that of a knobby, but it lasts me about 3 times as long and it works equally well on my wifes 200exc as it does on my crf450x or did on drz400.
- Oct 13, 1999
- 2,812
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I have one on the back of my 300. Started with a Michelin X-11 take-off from a trials rider in our club then bought a Mitas ET-01. I have ~50 miles on it and there is very little wear compared to what you would see on a conventional knobby. Suprisingly it does very well in mud as long as you go into mud with plenty of momentum and stay steady on the throttle.
About 20 miles on the tire was ridden on slick, muddy trails and a wet grasstrack, where I was sure it wouldn't work worth a damn. Granted a fresh soft terrain tire would've hooked up better in the really soft stuff, but not that much better. The radial design sheds mud better than a conventional knobby and finds traction where other tires continue to dig ruts. Traction is so good in the back it will actually push the front end in corners.
About 20 miles on the tire was ridden on slick, muddy trails and a wet grasstrack, where I was sure it wouldn't work worth a damn. Granted a fresh soft terrain tire would've hooked up better in the really soft stuff, but not that much better. The radial design sheds mud better than a conventional knobby and finds traction where other tires continue to dig ruts. Traction is so good in the back it will actually push the front end in corners.
- Oct 13, 1999
- 2,812
- 0
Keep in mind they only come in the 4.00-18 size.
