tires that last... with decent hook ?

[whyzee]

thought I'd post this to aid others using the search function for tire fitments:

FYI, 120/90x19. >>>
120 = Tread width in millimeters, 120mm;
90 = Height as a % of width, ie. 120/90=108mm height;
19 = rim size in inches

Motorcycle tire conversion chart
METRIC INCH
70/100X17 = 2.75X17
80/100X21 = 3.00X21
90/100X14 = 4.10X14
90/100X16 = 4.10X16
100/100X18 = 4.10X18
110/100X18 = 4.50X18
120/100X18 = 5.10X18
130/80X18 = 5.30X18
140/80X18 = 5.60X18
100/90X19 = 4.10X19
110/90X19 = 4.50X19
120/90X19 = 5.10X19

 

[the Eel]

Nice post !

 

[texmx_brian]

Someone recommended Michelin tires a couple years ago and I fell in love. I have had great success with the S12 & M12 tires (both front and rear). The do last twice as long as Dunlops and hook up great. I noticed the better bite turning up the faces of jumps. I am not so fond of the Starcross tires. Although the tread wear is long, the traction is not as good as the 12 series.

 

[MikeBr]

Are Metzelers still good tires? I'm just getting back into dirt riding, but I used to swear by the old Motocross-Enduro tire for making the front stick like glue on a loose off-camber turn. They were tall and skinny, but no low-profile Bridgestone or Dunlop worked as well. When I replace the tires on my "new" 95 WR250, I'll probably go with the Metzeler MC5. Interesting comments above on the Michelins and Kendas, though.

 

[Dirtvet]

What do ya'll think of Dunlop 695s for rear and 490 for front tires? They are billed as "all-purpose". I'm afraid they are not good anywhere. My local dealer has them real cheap ($25 each).

 

[the Eel]

I seriously dislike the 695 and 490 ... not good in my opinion.

 

[MikeBr]

As I recall, the 695 replaced the 490 as Dunlop's intermediate terrian tire. I had a 695 as the OEM tire on the rear of my 88 CR250. It wore out quickly (chunked) like a soft terrain tire, and never worked that well when new. The 490 was a decent, inexpensive, all-around tire, but not in the same class as Metzeler (the standard back then). If the terrain is soft to intermediate where you ride, the 490/695 would be OK for the money, unless they're very old stock and have hardened sitting on the shelf. Make sure the knobs are still soft and pliable before you buy.

 

[Coop37]

756'S FRONT AND REAR, the unsprung weight is the best with these tires, becuase they are the lightest, plus the hook up real good for the places I ride.
I would say by a tire for the terain you are going to ride in mostly, I ride mostly desert sandy stuff, and the 756's work great.

 

[dale williams]

My 01 CR came with Dunlop 755s. They were good for a few rides but wore quickly. The front would "skate" if braking in a corner on mud-covered clay. I went to S-12s and they really worked good in loose stuff, mud covered clay, and didn't wash out as easily in loose gravel but wouldn't hang onto rocks, boulders and roots and on dry clay they wouldn't hold a corner. The knobs started breaking off of the S-12s so I went to Bridgestone 401 and 402. They work well on rocks, roots and clay and about everywhere but will push a little on mud-covered clay but it is only a push not a skate. I'm using an 110X90-19 on the rear. On loose boulders it tends to bounce as the bolder rolls underneath. I'm wondering if the 120X90-19 with the air pressure reduced would be more stable.

 

[kbostwick]

i run kenda unadilla K771 rear tire on my 2001 CR125 and i have about 20 hours on it and it still hooks great very highly recomended

 

[Razorback]

"i run kenda unadilla K771 rear tire on my 2001 CR125 and i have about 20 hours on it and it still hooks great very highly recomended."

Finally a second opinion in favor of Unadillas. :thumb:

 

[Joepro9]

kenda makes a good product in my opinion and is over looked. I just got a free dunlop from my friend, its a 6 something(too lazy to go look) I had to let alot of air out of the tire for it to hook at all, same with all dunlops i have see/run myself, not to metion they wear quickly. I metioned before i ran kendas on my xr, and did a lot of road riding and wet stuff and they hooked well and great wear. I agree try kenda, running dunlops is like riding on a frozen lake.