Pirelli MT43 trials tire on the hwy: how's it do?

[firffighter]

I love the MT43!

I have run one on my KDX for 2 years now for woods riding and it is an amazing tire and the best off-road tire I have ever run.

But, I was wondering how one would do on my XR650L on the hwy.

I am going on a trip to Mexico to do a week long ride. We will be doing about 70% hwy, and 30% dirt. I was wondering how the MT43 will do on the hwy stuff?

[RideOn2]

I don't have alot of highway miles on mine but it handles just fine. I ride a DRZ400S. I'd air it up to about 20psi for the highway and when you find interesting off road go down to 15psi. If you need more traction try 10-12psi. I'm sure the tire is good for aleast 2000mi maybe more.

[firffighter]

How would it compare on the hwy to lets say a Dunlop 606 or a terraflex?

I am leaning towards the MT43 because it is so versitile and could handle a flat as well.

[RideOn2]

I've had both the terraflex and 606. I plan on sticking with the MT43. I have a brand new Kenda Trackmaster on standby for when the opportunity for some heavy duty riding comes up. I'm just very satisfied with the MT43!

[firffighter]

Sounds good.

I am going to put the MT43 on and give it a try.

[RideOn2]

The MT43 won't handle a ton of deep mud very well and they tend to start slipping on steeper down hill sections with wet leaves.

I have a second set of wheels with Distanzia's on them haven't used them since I mounted the MT43. Up front I'm using an MT16.

I was out in Hood River and had a chance to ride the Post Canyon area. Didn't have the MT43 on at the time but I know it would have been perfect for that area as well as another ride further west.

[firffighter]

I have had the same experience with the MT43 on my KDX.

I even rode a lot of desert w/ sand this winter and it performed great there.

The only time I have ever regretted having the MT43 on was in some sticky deep mud, but my cousin had a brand new Maxxis knobby and faired no better.

I am looking forward to giving it a try on pavement.

I am looking for a small lightweight pump to use for changing tire pressure quickly from road to dirt and vice versa.

[RideOn2]

I was recently riding with some guys and one rider had a flat. he had a spare tube and spoons and 3-4 CO2 cartriges ,that was the way to take care of air issues......

Do a search on trials tires and you will see lots of cool posts. In fact it was some of your brother Oregon riders that helped me pull the trigger on trying one.

[c_m_shooter]

I have had the same experience with the MT43 on my KDX.

I even rode a lot of desert w/ sand this winter and it performed great there.

The only time I have ever regretted having the MT43 on was in some sticky deep mud, but my cousin had a brand new Maxxis knobby and faired no better.

I am looking forward to giving it a try on pavement.

I am looking for a small lightweight pump to use for changing tire pressure quickly from road to dirt and vice versa.

I haven't had to change the pressure in mine yet. 10 psi seems to work good everywhere. It is plenty stable on the road even at pretty aggressive lean angles. The Topeak mountain morph pump is probably your best bet for a mini pump if you're actually going to use it. I have carried the Road morph on my Road and Mountain bikes for three years now.

[hodaphile]

They are ok on the street but the stickiness of the tire causes them to wear out extremely fast on pavement. I have been running them for the past 3-4 years and it seems like 1 mile on pavement is the equal of 5 miles in the dirt. The other downside is if you get a flat, you feel it immediately! There is no sidewall strength so the tire goes down to the rim fast. I popped a tube jumping a cattle crossing at about 40mph once and when I landed it went right to the rim. Talk about a pucker!

For slow going, technical trails they are awesome. If I am doing a really long ride where I can't easily get back because of a flat or where there will be a lot of pavement transitions I tend to stick with a knobby.

[Boom Boom]

I have run the MT-43 on everything from LC4 640 to a 200exc.

I could run 70-80 with the LC4 with no issue from the tire, nice smooth ride, minimal vibes transmitted from the tire.

I was impressed with the minimal wear the MT-43 had from street use.

If you run high risk of busting a sidewall, then the knob tire would be the "safer" choice.

[firffighter]

I got it mounted yesterday but havent had a chance to test it out yet.

I will be using it for mostly backroads with mix of street, gravel and dirt. Nothing too serious in terms of trail riding, that is what my KDX if for!

Sounds like most everyone has been pleased with the tire so far.

[rumplefester]

I won't run anything else. Here in the rocky, sandy, cactus and thorn filled trails of AZ, the MT43 has been amazing. I generally run 10psi all the time regardless of the terrain.

I've had the tire for three months, put nearly 2500 miles on it (80 off/20 on) and I still have about 1/8" of the center knobs left. And it still climbs rocky loose hills without slipping!!

Highway speeds are rock solid (even at 10 psi). The only weakness I've found is loose rock downhill and deep sand.

You won't be disapointed!

- KeVin

[firffighter]

Did a quick run out on some curvy backroads and a short stint on my local scenic hwy.

MT43 rear at 15lbs. and MT21 front at 15 lbs.

Performed great. Seemed just fine at 70mph.

Should work perfectly for what I have planned.

This tire is so versitile.

[Byte]

They are ok on the street but the stickiness of the tire causes them to wear out extremely fast on pavement. I have been running them for the past 3-4 years and it seems like 1 mile on pavement is the equal of 5 miles in the dirt. The other downside is if you get a flat, you feel it immediately! There is no sidewall strength so the tire goes down to the rim fast. I popped a tube jumping a cattle crossing at about 40mph once and when I landed it went right to the rim. Talk about a pucker!

For slow going, technical trails they are awesome. If I am doing a really long ride where I can't easily get back because of a flat or where there will be a lot of pavement transitions I tend to stick with a knobby.

No sidewall strength in the MT43?

I read everywhere that the MT43 has strong sidewall strength.

Can others confirm that the MT43 has no sidewall strength??

Byte

[Flashman]

Maybe the poster was confusing the tire with a competion trials tire - they look similar but are built differently - My MT43s have a stiff sidewall.

[firffighter]

Previous poster may have been referring to other trials tires and not the MT43 in paticular.

I've run a Michelin X-11 back to back with the MT43 and there is quite a big difference. The beauty of the MT43 is it does have a stiff sidewall and can handle speeds and cornering at speed much better than a traditional trial tire.

BTW, I have now rode with it several times on the road and it performs very well and I cant see any more wear on it than when I started (200+ miles so far).

Great, great tire. I am ordering a couple to stock in my garage just in case Pirelli were to stop production!

[Flashman]

Previous poster may have been referring to other trials tires and not the MT43 in paticular.

I've run a Michelin X-11 back to back with the MT43 and there is quite a big difference. The beauty of the MT43 is it does have a stiff sidewall and can handle speeds and cornering at speed much better than a traditional trial tire.

BTW, I have now rode with it several times on the road and it performs very well and I cant see any more wear on it than when I started (200+ miles so far).

Great, great tire. I am ordering a couple to stock in my garage just in case Pirelli were to stop production!

Good Idea

[Boom Boom]

Stock up while you can.

Rocky Mountain does not list the MT-43 any longer.

I just purchased (2) from motorcycle superstore and AMT also still has them listed.

[CrashBandit]

Stock up while you can.

Rocky Mountain does not list the MT-43 any longer.

I just purchased (2) from motorcycle superstore and AMT also still has them listed.

What do you mean stock up while you can? Are they discontinuing them? I ordered one this week from Denis Kirk and they had 10 in stock.

Anyone running one on a DRZ? How is the fender clearance in the fender at full bump? Rub anything?