tires that last... with decent hook ?

[mole1]

hi
just wondering what kind of intermediate terrain tires your running and how well they last . i wan't to switch to a tire that will give me some decent traction and last more than 6-7 rides before rounding off useless . are michelin m-12's any good compared to the 755 dunlop i'm running now ? any suggestions ? thanks

 

[Camstyn]

Not sure about the M12, I've never run one, but I got a whole season out of an S12 rear. The thing looked like somebody's nightmare by the time it was done (I sold the bike with it still on) but it still hooked up great and had sharp edges. It was chunked badly but it didn't seem to affect performance.

 

[MRKRacing125]

I have heard of great things from Maxxis

 

[JohnE]

I agree that Maxis tires (I've only tried the rear tire) last a long time, great traction and great price.

 

[bigred455]

I am sold on the S12 for the rear, inter-soft,hook up is very good and the wear compared to any of the dunlop's is 2.5 times longer.I am going to try a m-12 in the front instead of the s-12.

 

[Anssi]

S12 wears pretty good, but it's not amazing. Don't fall for a starcross MH2, they chunk like nobody's business.

 

[mole1]

do the s12's run with the same sizes like a dunlop 110/90-19 or do i have to run a different size ?

 

[fatty_k]

Ive had great wear with my IRC M5B. At first it wore very quickly, but after 3 rides or so the wearing has basically stopped. I have had this tire on for 2 months and I can easily see how you could get5 months out of it. The S 12's are also awesome tires. I am going to try to M 12 rear next.

 

[Chili]

I put M12's on my RM this year and while I'm certainly no expert and don't have alot of experience with other tires since I just got back into riding I felt they wore alot better than I expected them to and I put in a fair amount of hours and they barely look worn. Traction also never seemed to be an issue for me except in extreme hardpack that I would expect trouble regardless of tire choice.

 

[Razorback]

I'm always surprised when the subject of tires comes up and noone says Kenda Unadilla's.I have been running a set on my KDX for over 150 MX miles(according to my trip meter) and they still look great.I think the rear will go at least another 80 before the center knobs will be worn out.The front will last longer but I may change them both at the same time.I'm also running one on the rear of my XR and it works great on it also.The Unadillas work much better than the Dunlops that came stock on both my bikes and just as good as the dunlop 756's I had on the KDX before going to the Kenda's.I haven't tried the Unadilla on the front of the XR yet.It seems a little narrow for desert riding on a heavy bike plowing through sand but I may give it a try.I can always put it on the KDX if it doesn't workout on the XR.The bite on the track has been excellant.They work best when the track is dry.I have yet to see any other tire last any longer.The price is almost 20 dollars cheaper for the rear and about 16 for the front comparing with Dunlop 695's and 490's. From now on these are the only tires I will buy unless Kenda stops making them.

 

[steve talley]

I RUN M12 FRONT AND REAR ON MY 99 RM. GREAT WEAR GRIP ON WELL PREP TRACK IS #1 TREAD ON SIDEWALLS ARE LARGE SO IT WILL LET YOU SLIDE HIGH SPEED CORNERS THE M12 IS GREAT YOU CANT GO WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[the Eel]

KENDA 257D

Don't laugh ... they work and they last.

 

[BEEF706]

I run an M-12 front and a S-12 rear, this combo works better than anything I've tried or heard about for conditions around here. Anything from grade a loamy clay with sawdist mixed in to kaliche (picture cement with a little sand on it.

 

[jho410]

I've heard good things about the M and S -12's. I run the MH2 or MS2 and love them. I also like the Dunlop 756 but found that the Michelin's last longer.

 

[nate97kaw250]

There is only one tire to buy, S-12 front and rear. They are the best all around. The M-12 works ok but falls short on the side bite, doesn't work well on the grass in corners. Like I said, S-12 and you can't be wrong.

 

[Steve47]

I have to agree, Michelin S-12 is the way to go. THe front tire is great but I'm mostly impressed with the lifetime of the rear tire. It hook up really well and last forever compared to a dunlop

 

[Lorin]

Although I will agree that the M-12 rear lasts a long time, I would question the amount of sidewall "bite" or traction on the bike when turning or sliding. I favor the IRC M5b myself.

 

[the Eel]

M5B ... very nice. Great wear. Huge knobs for sand but they work pretty well in hard stuff too. A very aggressive tread pattern.

 

[whyzee]

I gave quite a bit of thought to the S-12 up front but saw it only came in a 90/90x21, went for the D756 80/100x21 (stock size) up front because of a very good recommendation. Would there have any fitment concerns with running a different size tire?

 

[Joepro9]

my kenda on my xr lasted for 4 months of riding on and off road, and hooked up pretty good. I run dunlops on my cr, and they wear very quick, but i get them for free so I can't complain ;)

 

[JohnnyRCP]

I run an M-12 front and a S-12 rear, this combo works better than anything I've tried... Anything from grade a loamy clay with sawdist mixed in to kaliche

I could not have said it better.. Three years in a row, one set per year and I ride twice a week at local tracks in So Ca.

 

[bud]

Most soft-intmediate rear tires I've tried work well when new though they all "feel" slightly different. The rate of wear doesn't vary much either, short of chunking. To me the differences become more noticable after they have worn a bit. All I've tried except the s12 get a bit unpredictable especially when steering with the rear. I don't think s12s have the best traction, but they have predictable traction as they wear. But...my new metzler mc4 rear has better traction than an s12 and was a fair bit cheaper. I'll withhold judgement for 6 months or so ;).

 

[Camstyn]

Michelin sizing is goofy. My bike came stock with a 80/100-21 front and a 110/90-19 rear. The Michelin equivalents are a 90/90-21 and a 130/70-19.

 

[whyzee]

thanks Cam

 

[00kx2fty]

I have a friend that runs maxxis and he loves them. he has raced three or four times with several track rides in between and they still hook up really good!! check 'em out......