I use S-12 and Maxxis SI down in La. I've raced Enduro/Hare Scrambles and rode primarily single track the last 10 yrs. I bought a plated WR in 09 and I have been going to Colorado the last few years and have begun to get into riding all the Jeep roads pretty aggressively. When I use to DS before, I always took it easy b/c gravel/dirt roads was something I didn't have a lot of experience with. Now I'm used to it and have been ripping it like I would do on single track. Hard to take the "race" out of a racer! At 45-75mph, mtn jeep road becomes high speed single track. So back to the tire choice, what is some good options? Non DOT is fine. I put Pirelli MT 16's on for this year and I didn't have a good feeling with the front when I started pushing things. I went down from 15 to 13 psi b/c the roads where so smooth and it was better, but still never trusted the front end. I'm thinking something like a Maxxis IT or other IT tires.
Would a Hard Terrain tire be a better choice?

I know some of you shred those roads and not out just cruising along, what are you running? Tires to avoid?

maxxis desert IT with 10lbs up front. realistically you lose the threshold of traction on the super loose granite roads above 50 no matter what tire choice you get. I've been using these on my WR for years here.

That is a great pic! Maybe I should follow you around.

I wouldn't do that, I am slow.

I really like the Dunlop Geomax MX71 (hard terrain) on the front.  It is a stiff/tuff tire and works great in Colorado's rocks.  No more flats after going to this tire in the rocks.  Run a Maxxis Desert IT on the back.  They last a long time, hook up well and are reasonably priced.

If you ever ride Rainbow trail, or above the tree line in the rocks, the Geomax MX71 is a great tire for that kind of gnarly.

I have rode the Rainbow Trail, in 2010. Great trail, especially the North Half.

What about the Kenda Parker DT? I'm more interested in getting maximum performance on the jeep trails and fire roads like the Ute trail and Alpine Loop etc....I'm setting up another wheel set just for Dual Sport, so I can swap out to a Soft-IT setup for Enduros. For trails I usually run S12's for sandy or wet tracks and Maxxis SI for mountain and dry summer conditions.

Duken4evr, on 13 July 2012 - 08:39 PM, said:

I've ridden with the MX71 on the front of my '06 WR450, and found it to be attrocious!!! That thing lasts like steel, because that's how it rides!!! Or was I running it with too much pressure? I ran it with about 14psi.
Maniac

I think 14 psi is ok for DS.. I must have wheelied over about 100 cattle guard crossings in Colorado doing 30-45 mph and never felt the rear rim hit with 13psi. If there would have been more embedded rocks on the roads I would have went back to 15psi, but they were very smooth and well maintained roads.

I think I will run Maxxis Desert IT front and rear. Waiting on new front rim/spoke kit. Already have the rear.

Slow down and smell the roses Bandit, you're missing a lot. Especially in CO.

I criuse and absorb most of the time. I just have to rip it every once in a while....