01 426 chews up rear tires!

[whyzee426F]

I'm amazed at how this bike eats tires!

Can anyone recommend a durable rear tire for me? I ride in mixed terrain in CA desert. I've heard mixed reviews on Maxxis Maxcross Desert IT, so I'm not sure if it would be much better than the Dunlop 739Gs, which I hate. The 739 doesn't do great on the MX track, or in sand, and it gets shredded on rock. It sucks.

Wondering about just going to a hard terrain tire, like a Metzler or Michelin but I'm not sure if it'll be worse on the MX track and in sand than the Dunlop?

Thanks in advance.

[JSanfilippo]

I'm amazed at how this bike eats tires!

Be grateful thats the only problem you have

Try the Dunlop 952. It gets great traction everywhere even when mounted up on a big bore Yamaha!

If you ride strickly hard packed surfaces look into a trials tire! I rode a TE 250 with a trials tire and I couldn't get the rear tire to spin for anything even in silt. Its not that the bike didn't have any power, the tire had a crapload of traction

[grayracer513]

I would ot use a Maxxis Desert IT (way too heavy), but I have used the Maxxis IT for quite a while, and it both works better than a 739, and lasts at least twice as long. It you doesn't provide the best traction you could get, perhaps but it bites hard ia straight line in desert soils, and it holds up very well.

I just tried a 952 on the rear for the first time yesterday, so I can't address how it wears yet, but some of the guys here say it wears well. We'll see. The traction and performance are excellent so far.

[whyzee426F]

I would ot use a Maxxis Desert IT (way too heavy), but I have used the Maxxis IT for quite a while, and it both works better than a 739, and lasts at least twice as long. It you doesn't provide the best traction you could get, perhaps but it bites hard ia straight line in desert soils, and it holds up very well.

I just tried a 952 on the rear for the first time yesterday, so I can't address how it wears yet, but some of the guys here say it wears well. We'll see. The traction and performance are excellent so far.

Thanks...please let me know how the 952 hold up.

[yogist]

Be grateful thats the only problem you have

Try the Dunlop 952. It gets great traction everywhere even when mounted up on a big bore Yamaha!

If you ride strickly hard packed surfaces look into a trials tire! I rode a TE 250 with a trials tire and I couldn't get the rear tire to spin for anything even in silt. Its not that the bike didn't have any power, the tire had a crapload of traction

I just put on my 2nd 952....Love it ...holds up real well in the rocky desert..I went on a ride from hell today...lots of jagged rock and such...Was amazed..

1st ride with the new tire..I didnt rip one knob off...Thats a tough ass tire..!!

[flintlock28]

I've used the regualr Maxxis IT, and it has held up to a ton of abuse. My buddy has the same bike, (Yz 450f), and using Kenda tire's, he's done nothing but chunk it. I haven't lost one lug, riding the same terrain he has.

[Ga426owner]

I'm amazed at how this bike eats tires!

Can anyone recommend a durable rear tire for me? I ride in mixed terrain in CA desert. I've heard mixed reviews on Maxxis Maxcross Desert IT, so I'm not sure if it would be much better than the Dunlop 739Gs, which I hate. The 739 doesn't do great on the MX track, or in sand, and it gets shredded on rock. It sucks.

Wondering about just going to a hard terrain tire, like a Metzler or Michelin but I'm not sure if it'll be worse on the MX track and in sand than the Dunlop?

Thanks in advance.

Michelin MH3 Starcross....the longest lasting tire I have ever used........

[whyzee426F]

...so now I'm wondering if I should go up a size also?

Has anyone used a 120 90 19 vice the stock 110 90 19? How do you like it?

[afmracer]

i use michelin mh3 on all my bike. they last forever and are super grippy even when worn

[grayracer513]

...so now I'm wondering if I should go up a size also?

Has anyone used a 120 90 19 vice the stock 110 90 19? How do you like it?

I have. I've been running a 120 Maxxis IT in the desert for quite a while. Overall I like it as a desert tire, especially in sand, but you can feel the extra weight, and it does make the bike a little more sluggish rolling into turns (this is on my '03). Anything you do with the throttle or brakes while airborne has more effect, too. I don't use it for MX for those reasons, and the fact is that a 110 D952 has more traction anyway, so I may not put one back on unless the Dunlop is available in that size.

[kevin nichols]

I have tried numerous brands of rear tires on my 426, I found the Dunlops too soft and wear way too quickly, although the 9 series are better than the 7 series, Currently I have had the best luck and satisfaction with the IRC Vulcanduro Series. IRC's are much lighter than the Maxxis. They really have some meaty knobs and throw up some serious roost, plus the price is right. On my 426 they have outlasted numerous other brands. Anyway, I know my friends are complaining more of the serious roost left they are bombarded with when I am ahead.

[30-A rider]

Dont mean to insult or sound remedial...but after working in a parts and service department for 6 years; I found that those who chew up tires way too quick typically dont adjust thier tire pressure the terrain they are riding in, and dont choose the correct compound tire for the terrain they ride.

I have a YZ426 currently and it doesnt chew up tires any faster than the other large bikes Ive owned (KX500, CR500, IT465, etc etc) Then again maybe your 140 lbs soaking wet and it that case Id best that back tire spins a lot! Good luck with your choice. You got a lot of good recommendations already.

[426_kid]

i used perellis and they hold up great for everything and there agressive

[yz_for_me]

I've been using the Maxcross IT for 3 years and have been very happy with it. It hooks up decently on intermediate to hard terrain, never chunk knobs and wears for ever. You can't beat the price either. On the down side, they are a pretty heavy tire which adds to the unsprung weight on the bike.

[whyzee426F]

Dont mean to insult or sound remedial...but after working in a parts and service department for 6 years; I found that those who chew up tires way too quick typically dont adjust thier tire pressure the terrain they are riding in, and dont choose the correct compound tire for the terrain they ride.

I have a YZ426 currently and it doesnt chew up tires any faster than the other large bikes Ive owned (KX500, CR500, IT465, etc etc) Then again maybe your 140 lbs soaking wet and it that case Id best that back tire spins a lot! Good luck with your choice. You got a lot of good recommendations already.

I considered tire pressure and have set it at 14lbs, any less and it's obviously underinflated. I think the biggest factor is the rocky terrain. Because of that, I'm tempted to go to a hard terrain tire, but they seem to have low tread, so I believe I will buy a desert specific tire. Looking at the Dunlop 739 AT and the Maxxis Desert IT.

Thanks.

[xnofriendsx]

I second or third the Dunlop 952.

I have a 2002 YZ426 and use a 120/90/19 in the back. It actually barely fit and it chewed up my mud flap a bit. When i pushed the bike backwards, the mud flap would get pushed upwards in reverse.

Great tire though, lasted me 6 months, although it is dead now, i need to get a new set in a week or so and was thinking about trying something this tire again or something new like the Maxxis Desert IT, but Maxxis SUCK for changing. Just like the MTB tires for my mountain bike.

My brother runs a massive IRC M5B 140/80/18 on his 2002 WR426. That thing NEVER wears but the tire doesn't spin nearly as much as my YZ426.

Anyways.. my 2 cents.

[Flamed1]

Another vote for the IRC M5B on my 01 426F. It was recommended by the guys over at Scotts as one used by local desert racers here in So Cal. and I couldnt be happier. Not as soft as the Dunlop's or Michellin's that I've tried but wears like a tank and has some gnarly knobs on it too!

Good luck!

[Crash369]

The 952 works great and holds up excelent.

[xnofriendsx]

Another vote for the IRC M5B on my 01 426F. It was recommended by the guys over at Scotts as one used by local desert racers here in So Cal. and I couldnt be happier. Not as soft as the Dunlop's or Michellin's that I've tried but wears like a tank and has some gnarly knobs on it too!

Good luck!

What size rear tire are you using on your 01 426 with that IRC M5B?

Those knobs are huge and i was just curious if it scraps your mud flap at all?

[whyzee426F]

Another vote for the IRC M5B on my 01 426F. It was recommended by the guys over at Scotts as one used by local desert racers here in So Cal. and I couldnt be happier. Not as soft as the Dunlop's or Michellin's that I've tried but wears like a tank and has some gnarly knobs on it too!

Good luck!

Go figure...that tire is sold as a soft terrain tire for mud and sand. Given that, I'm surprized to hear it hold up in the desert. So it must not be very soft?