Inclement weather is approaching quick and I want to get the lousy Kenda front tire off. I have a Dunlop K490 sitting around, its not DOT but how would it handle on streets with salt sand and snow? I'd rather not buy a new front tire if I can just slap this one on. Its been sitting for a long time and figured it might be a good way to get rid of it.

evilbologna said:

They grip a lot better than DOT knobbies, that's for sure.:thumbsup:

From personal experience, I will not run a non DOT knobbie on the street again. They are slick on pavement, they do not hold a true line, and they wear very fast.

This is jsut my experience with the Kenda Carlsbads. I had one slip out on my at 67MPH under very light rear braking. Slid out again on a sweeping, slow corner at 10 MPH. I don't trust them on the street.

It's different for every tire

I run a pirelli XCMS on the rear. No where near DOT and I must say it does get intersting sometimes. When its raining dont even think of gassing it on pavement or it will spin. Get it on dirt though 95% of my riding and it rocks!

I run dunlop 952's all the time in the city....They are fine if you just remember to be a little gentle while braking. I never really rode with them in rain. My first set longer than I expected... They are a bit harder compound than other mx tires.

I figured they'd wear faster but if its going to be slippery in normal dry conditions then maybe I wont do it. If it was the rear I wouldnt be too concerned however the front washing out is my idea of a bad time.

DOT is all about submitting and testing for approval. The Pirelli Scorpion Pro's are the same exact compound and design as the FIM winning offroad tire, just submitted and accepted by DOT so Pirelli could sell them as street legal. all that just in time for the enduro rules change so the younger classes could ride completely off road enduros without a plate.


Watching this since the 70's when the only street legal tire we could get on our "enduro" bikes like my Yamaha AT3 were Trials Trials (which are still a good choice for certain Dual Sport rides) many tire companies have come up with what they call Dual Sport tires. There are basically 3 types:


1. Knobbies - like the Scorpion Pros at the "Full Knobby" end and Dunlop 606's also Rally Raids, these are 90/10 or 80/20 tires, mostly off road (SCORPS are 100% off road if you asked me) and DOT legal they will handle the Mud, rocks and MX tracks if you will.

2. Modified tread pattern - these start with tires like Kenda 270's and the like, Maxxis 6006's maybe Metzeler enduro 3's, not really a knobby, but a really chunky tire, one you wouldnt ket killed on in the dirt. Also better for some light commuting, wont wobble crazy over 50.

3. Agressive street tire - Anakee's, Shinko 705's Karoo's, Distanzia's and the like. Even trail wings fall into this category, Something that performs really well on the pavement, but offroad is limited to hardback and maybe your backyard. You have to be really skilled or really stupid to take these into the hairy stuff.

DOT just means if you ever have to pass an inspection and the guy in the cap and sunglasses looks close, you will pass. All of the above are DOT legal and #1 category are really close or equivalent to a non DOT dirt tire but you must pick the best for where and how you ride.


Mostly commuthing but some fire roads and hardpack? 3

SOme easy trails and just running to the C store or maybe 10 minnutes to work? 2

MX tracks, single track, mud, only pavement is to connect trails or a full on enduro race? 1

You can make up some for lack of tire with excellent riding skills but that's maybe 25% of the riders on here. Many are old, out of shape, just getting back into it, only ride once a month in the summer - then lack of proper tires will hurt you. Check the sig line.

Goebz said:

That's true, but I've heard (but never confirmed) stories of street accidents with non-DOT's that have resulted in headaches with the insurance companies. True? Not true? No clue, but I don't want to find out the hard way. I've done it and run non-DOT's on the street and been just fine, but then again I've have some seriously hard-compound dirt only tires that felt like hockey pucks on the road!

I split the difference by running Pirelli XCMH's on the street. WAY more hardcore for off road than MT21's or 606's, and maybe not as good as either of them on the street, but they are really so much better off road.....and they have that magic little DOT symbol on them too.

Great thread guys. I just learned alot. I'm one of those old guys just getting back into it. But I ride nearly everyday. Makes me feel like not such an old guy. Plus I love to tinker. Before long I probably will have bolted on just about every damn add on their is! Bolted on a pretty new Yoshimura exhaust last night.

DRlink said:

Nice mod, I love my Yosh. And to think I only bought it b/c the stocker was all rusty.

FWIW, I have been told, and so far I have found no exceptions.....all Pirelli front tires are DOT. I'm currently running an MT-16 intermediate compound on the front, and yes it has the DOT logo.