Another dual sport tire question

[wheelnut46]

I have searched and read most of the tire discussions that I could find but the problem is that most of them concern themselves with mainly dirt riding. I just bought a 2001 XR650L with 4700 miles and the stock rear tire is pretty much shot. The front looks good at this time.

My plan is to ride this bike as much as possible. To and from work, erands and joy rides, and off road after work and weekends. Trails, rocks, sandpits, mud - whatever is available - as often as possible. Work is about 7 miles each way from my home.

I guess I'm looking for a real dual sport tire. Something that will last on the road because my bike will see road in sun and rain but something reasonably aggressive that will handle all of the off road stuff and not turn into a slick.

I dont know, is 5,000 miles a reasonable tire tread life?

IMHO the Dunlop 606 looks like it might not be great on the highway, cornering in the rain. Thats just a guess - can someone confirm?

I'm leaning torward the Maxxix M6006. Is this tire any good off road or on? Does anyone have any experience with this tire or can anyone recommend somethiing?

Thanks for your input.

[timothypg]

hi. i run the maxxis c6006. i haven't had a chance to get to the trails yet but they work pretty good on the road. they seem to wear good also, so far no chunks have torn out. i've only had them on for a couple months but i'am happy with them. they are on a xr600r.

[SDBSKI]

I have Dunlop D606's front and rear that were on the bike when I bought it and they still have good tread. I have only had the 650L running for a few months now. The previous owner said it's very greasy off road with these tires and he was right. I tried to climb a hard pack hill with loose shale on top and the rear of the bike was all over the place. It's hard compound for long street life makes it useless off road unless you stay on the simple stuff. It's deceiving because it looks like an aggresive nobby that would hook up great. When you gas it off road it just roosts a little and the back fish tails, the front never comes up. On road it's a very good tire, handles great but it's a bit noisy compared to a tight nobby. I too am reseaching a replacement. Most of my riding will be offroad with an occasional on road stint. I have been looking at the Maxxis Terra-Flex, Pirrelli MT21,MT18, Dunlop D739,D739AT(both non dot), and the D907. I have heard some good things about the MT21 and the Terra Flex. I found the Terra Flex in a 17" made in USA and steel belted. I have only found Nylon in an 18" and made in China. The tread on the Terra Flex looks very aggressive compared to the Pirrelli MT21 but so did the D606. It's going to be a trade off. The only other choice is non DOT to get the off road performance and replace them more often or buy an extra rear rim with your favorite dirt back tire and switch them out before your dirt ride.

[GrayGhost]

Take alook at the Avon Gripster, I only put it on my 650L a couple of weeks ago, have about 400 miles on it, my riding is alot like you, I ride 22 miles round trip every day come rain or shine. These tires are killer on the street, and not to bad in the dirt and rocks, I really don't think there is a tire made for the BRP that will make it perform great in the sand or mud, but this one hands the sand fair, middle of a drought here so can't testify to the mud.

Ordered mine from SWMoto, fast service. Hope this helps. Google Avon Gripster and you can find a ton of reviews.

[char700]

I replaced my stock tire at 1700 miles. I tried a Duro Median that lasted 3000 miles

mostly street riding 60 or 70 % street with 30 or 40 % dirt. the duro was great on the street wet or dry gravel & trail it was ok mud it sucked.so far these are the only tires Ive tried.My front(stock) lasted good just replaced 5000 miles. replaced both for the winter & I'm not sure what I'm going with next would like to try other tires like the avon gripster (i heard that it wears well)

[XR650L_Dave]

MT21 is the best for what you describe, that I've actually used.

The MT21 is not so great in sand and mud, but if you can keep it churning (vs spinning maniacally) it keeps pulling pretty good.

The MT21 is quite good on rock (wet and dry) and good on both wet and dry pavement.

The MT21 has the added advantage of not 'cogging' on roots, something the T-flex does.

Dave

[churchman2003c]

I split the difference on my 650l- I've got a Pirelli Scorpion(80%street) on the front and a Pirelli MT21 on the back. I can get aggressive on the street and only the MT21 will slide around a little, but that's ok. The MT21 works pretty well in the dry dirt; I just put the Scorpion on the front, so I don't know about it's dirt behavior yet.

[roadcam]

I have Dunlop D606's front and rear that were on the bike when I bought it and they still have good tread. I have only had the 650L running for a few months now. The previous owner said it's very greasy off road with these tires and he was right. I tried to climb a hard pack hill with loose shale on top and the rear of the bike was all over the place. It's hard compound for long street life makes it useless off road unless you stay on the simple stuff. It's deceiving because it looks like an aggresive nobby that would hook up great. When you gas it off road it just roosts a little and the back fish tails, the front never comes up. On road it's a very good tire, handles great but it's a bit noisy compared to a tight nobby. I too am reseaching a replacement. Most of my riding will be offroad with an occasional on road stint. I have been looking at the Maxxis Terra-Flex, Pirrelli MT21,MT18, Dunlop D739,D739AT(both non dot), and the D907. I have heard some good things about the MT21 and the Terra Flex. I found the Terra Flex in a 17" made in USA and steel belted. I have only found Nylon in an 18" and made in China. The tread on the Terra Flex looks very aggressive compared to the Pirrelli MT21 but so did the D606. It's going to be a trade off. The only other choice is non DOT to get the off road performance and replace them more often or buy an extra rear rim with your favorite dirt back tire and switch them out before your dirt ride.

you dont say what kind of tire pressure you were running, but I have had very favorable results with the Dunlop 606, running about 17# front, 16# rear ... (I weigh 220#, and get real good traction) ..

[Blade Man]

I run a 606 Front and a 739 rear "dunlops". It works well for me at at 14 psi but I only weigh 150 lbs or so and mostly desert riding. Not much street.

[wheelnut46]

Found this web site with LOTS of different brands all in one place.

http://www.americanmototire.com/index.html?lang=en-us&target=d257.html

Any other suggestions? Remember it's going to see lots of street use as well so I need something that will take to the street in all types of weather and still be durable for off road.

[SDBSKI]

I run 15# front and rear both have rim locks. Geared down 48T rear 14T front, 190# of rider. Bike sat for two years outside. Maybe hardened the rubber a bit making them even worse? The guy I bought the bike from put the tires on not long before he tore the engine down because of noise coming from the top end. He is a very experienced and aggressive off roader and he cautioned me that these tires were useless off road. I don't care to do much street riding. Just enough to get to the trail or to the gas station. I am going with a Dunlop 739AT (non DOT) rear which is recommended in combo with a Dunlop D606 front.

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=17

And more tire info can be found here

http://www.borynack.com/Bruce/Cycle/Tires.htm

[ghoti]

Found this web site with LOTS of different brands all in one place.

http://www.americanmototire.com/index.html?lang=en-us&target=d257.html

Any other suggestions? Remember it's going to see lots of street use as well so I need something that will take to the street in all types of weather and still be durable for off road.

I just ordered for the first time from them. Excellent prices, got the tires last night, ordered them on the 1st.