[Greg OBrien]

I'm not a fast rider... but I like really tough, technical trails (because i'm a unskilled masochist apparently).

Oh - and I HATE changing tires!

What are the best *real* offroad tires that last for the long haul offroad? I don't swap tires out just because they lose their edge and round off slighly... but I want something that even if slightly compromised for a trail rider will maintain that same level of performance of MONTHS.

My current list of tires to try includes:
Michelin X-11/Dunlop D803 (trials)
Pirelli MT16
Dunlop D952 and possibly the new MX51
Desert IT


I've tried the MT44, the S12, the D756.... all decent tires, but I'm looking to run 3 sets of wheels (rock, sand, studs) and change tires once a year.... with the exception of the studs - i'll run them until they die to avoid picking up the the stud gun again

[LOU GREEN]

Dont forget the Maxxis IT

[Greg OBrien]

That is what I was referring to with the Desert IT... is there more than one tire in the IT series?

[Jim Dyer]

Me and a bunch of the guys that I ride with use the Maxxis IT, they work pretty well and last forever. They're fairly cheap too.

[james jenkins]

Rocks only- Regular Maxxis IT front and rear for good performance and max longevity
Pirelli MT16 front and rear for max performance and good longevity (softer rubber)
These tires have close knob spacing so they aren't as good in the sand

Sand only- Bridgestone M59 front provides ultimate traction and wear
Kenda Millville rear provides ultimate traction and wear(mount in "soft terrain direction")
These sand tires will chunk in hardcore rock runs jj

[Devin Kellar]

Its an old school design but I like the IRC VE-33 Vulcanduro. It never chunks, lasts forever and is more than enough tire for me in any terrain.

[Rob Wimpfheimer]

Its an old school design but I like the IRC VE-33 Vulcanduro. It never chunks, lasts forever and is more than enough tire for me in any terrain.

2nd the IRC VE 33 works great of the 525

[Ted Marriner]

I've started using the MotoZ tires. I use the Tractionator X-Circuit rear for everything except when it gets wet or really soft. Then I use the Terrapactor rear. From all the reviews in the magazines, these tires wear a long time. So far they are wearing extremely well for me. I have the Terrapactor front on for all conditions.

[Greg OBrien]

hmm... never heard of MotoZ before? i'll have to look it up....

my MT 44 held up well in the rocks and handled fair - but the side knobs took a beating. the S12 rear was hating life - but it held it together. RORR was alot of wet rocks and technical climbs. I think I flat out smoked the tire a few times... I'll probably keep these tires on my bike for the dualsport next weekend and then trash them.

next tires on the roster, bought 6 months ago, are the Washougal (should've got the Carlsbad probably) front and Trials rear... which will be my 'rock' tires. I'll probably try them during one of the late season sand runs just out of curiousity.

I'm thinking the other set of rims will get some sand tires for the front and an intermediate tire for the rear.

If I go that route:

- sand front/intermediate rear for S.jersey (my primary area)
- intermediate-hard front/trials rear for dry rocks
- intermediate-hard front/intermediate rear for muddy rock runs.

[Ted Marriner]

The MotoZ tires are from Australia. They are made from 100% natural rubber. The Tractionator X-Circuit rear tire is working great for me about everywhere. I only switch to the Terrapactor rear when it gets wet like this past Sunday in Virginia. We had some serious rain at the end of the week and then about 3 more inches fell Saturday at 4pm. I'll be switching back to the X-Circuit for this weekend in Dahlgren, VA. I liked these tires so much I started selling them. As far as I know, only BrapOffroad and myself (CrazyTed's Racing) are selling these tires on the east coast. The guys over at www.huskycafe.com have been raving about them since they arrived in the USA.

www.motoz.com.au is their home page. Don't pay attention to the prices as they are in Australia dollars.

[Mike Vanovich]

2nd the MotoZ's. I've been using the rear and it's holding up real well and works good in the sand and the rocks. I met the owner in Indy this year. Nice guy and he's serious about putting out a good tire.

[Bryan Shaffer]

Anybody ever hear of a terra flex? Ran a rear flat for about 84 miles one year at our enduro patrol riding and it held up the whole way thru. Everything was destroyed though (Tire and tube), but it rode good (Even while flat). They are a bear to change though (Which is why I ran flat till end). You run them like around 4 psi.

[Greg OBrien]

supposedly teraflex tires manufacturing has been bouncing back and forth between USA and China... so durability has been variable. Dunno what the latest story is?

I have heard they weigh a TON though and need alot of power to spin (think KTM525 - CR500)

[Bryan Shaffer]

You will never fear or get stuck in a fragmiteous(spelling?) rut at DER ever again.... But you will need a big bike to spin that tire, for sure...

[john neifert jr]

I had a used one off an old Maico 490? one time that I ran in some of the rock runs,I believe that the tire was steel belted.I can only say that the thing was awesome as far as traction and wear were concerned,and you could run it with no air.i ended up cutting the thing off the back wheel with a hacksaw and wire cutters.As Bryan said they were hell to mount and dismount lots of "lube" required.Where acn you buy them,I'd like to get 1 for my 640?