Can't decide which tire!

Hey guys,

Canadian here, looking to replace my R's stock tires in the spring... My first few trips ever off roading turned out pretty bad due to these tires so I want to pick up some nobbies.

The general consensus seems to be the Dunlop 606... in Canada these can be picked up for about $130 a tire which is pretty high.

I can pick up the Kenda Trakmaster's for around $50-$60 a tire... which is less than half the cost of the D606...

Should I go with the kenda's considering I can buy two for every 1 dunlop? Or are the dunlops really that good?

Thanks.

I was only, really, happy with the 606 rear. Well worth the buck.My buddies mt21's were great but lasted less than half the time.If I go that route next time, I'll try the mt21 front with the 606 rear...they may wear and perform more equal for me.
I will never buy a 606 front again.
Anywho, I'm luvin my big fat mt43's right now, and have no desire to change it up yet.
Nothing better than when your tires compliment your riding.

shep546 wrote:

I can pick up the Kenda Trakmaster's for around $50-$60 a tire... which is less than half the cost of the D606...

Should I go with the kenda's considering I can buy two for every 1 dunlop? Or are the dunlops really that good?

Thanks.

It depends. If you do a fair amount of road riding the D606 will last longer and perform better on the tarmac, while giving decent traction off road. If you are mainly riding off road the Kendas will give you better traction. I used the Trackmasters when I had a Husky Te250 and was very satisfied with them but I didn't have much confidence leaning into turns on pavement. But the Husky was no fun on pavement anyways so it didn't matter. I like the D606 rear, MT21 front combo for the WRR even though I mainly ride trails. This bike is too good on the road to limit it to just trail riding.

I'm very happy with Michelin T63s. Inexpensive for the quality, and they seem to last. $78 for a rear, $75 for a front at DSP, according to their current price list.

I run the Kenda up front and it works fine,trials on rear so no first hand report about the rear.

My riding will be about 50/50, and the road driving I do is just putting around town not much highway stuff.

So the d606 rear and mt21 front is the best setup? Whats so bad with the 606 front? or the mt21 rear?

My 606 front never had great traction/handling, even trying different pressures and wore out scalloped big time...tho it did at least hold together till the end, thats all.
The MT21 rear I saw looked real nice, had great off road traction, performed great...it just wore out real fast with 50/50 riding.


...As far as best set up...I'm trying the mt43's and luvin it...we'll see if i keep that opinion at the end of their life

shep546 wrote:

Whats so bad with the 606 front? or the mt21 rear?

I've never tried the D606 front because I've heard too many complaints about poor handling.
The MT21 rear is a great tire but it wears too quickly. Fast wear on the front is not that big a deal because front tires usually last at least twice as long as rear tires ( for me at least)

The 606 front can make a wobble on hiway for some folks.

I have MT21 front and rear. I use these since they can come in the low profile, keeps th ebike 1 inch shorter. When you are inseam challenged every inch counts. Offroad traction seems good withthe MT21 rear.

LOL you guys aren't helping... so many people say the 606, now half of you are saying 606 and the other half the pirelli's :(

Im so lost...

MT 21 on front and 606 on real is a pretty poular choice. Can't go wrong there.

Yes, but what oil do they run?

I have tried all of the more common tires and the Pirelli MT-21 front and rear have been the best for me. I am careful with tire pressure and they have worn very well. Asphalt 22f 26r, Dirt 12f 16r (a little less on single track). I will go with these tires again.

Hi,

I ride my R mostly on dual sport rides, gravel and dirt not as a daily commuter. My favorites are Scorpion Pro front and MT43 rear. Not too concerned about mileage, just traction and the MT43 at 6 psi withTubliss rocks (or roots).

Jim

Where you ride offroad is as important as how much you ride offroad.
I'd rather put up with a knobby on the road then ride offroad with crappy tires, but I ride muddy trails alot and dont ride on the road as much as some.
If its muddy or sandy where you ride get the kenda tm2 for the rear and an other dot mx tire for the front (scorpion pro, kenda washaugal, any fim front, etc) the tm2 front really sucks, I tried one on an old xr200 I had because it was dirt cheap, it had way less bite than the 1/2 bald tire I took off.
Im either going to run a tm2 rear and a washaugal front or motoz enduros ITs, but I need tires that can get me through offroad races.
If you avoid the muddy places the mt21s are nice or a mt21 on the front and a d606 on the rear.
I`d go with the mt21 rear tho, you can get the right size for the bike plus its cheaper, the 606 may last longer but cost more, FYI the bike works better with small light rear tire, big tires and mild 250s dont mix well lol.
I ran mt21s on my KLR they stuck great on the road and worked well offroad except for muddy going.

Just to offer more confusion: Try these... Great all-round tire and good value.

The rear size would be a 4.00, the front a 3.00.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/19572/ITEM/IRC-TR8-Battle-Rally-Front-Tire.aspx

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/19574/ITEM/IRC-TR8-Battle-Rally-Rear-Tire.aspx

I run MotoZ tractionator S/T and they are really nice on pretty every terrain I encounter here in Qc. Its especially nice on soft muddy terrain but it still work good on rocky climb and loose gravel. They are pretty cheap and they are distributed by Motovan in canada so almost every dealership can have them.

They are rapidly gaining popularity here in the Agressive DOT dualsport community. Mine seen about 1500km and still perform really good. When they are done, I will try the I/T compound by curiosity.

http://www.motoz.com.au/shop_content.asp?p=tyrerange

Shep, I am from same neck of the woods and faced a similiar question last spring when trying to decide what to replace the stockers with. I discounted the D606 because of the extra height it causes, lordy knows I did not need any more of that. I went with the T63 rear and MT21 front and couldn't be any happier for the woods/trails/asphalt I am running here in New Brunswick. If you are looking to keep your bike at its current height that combo would work great for you. Check out pricing at G Bourques in Dieppe. I am in Halifax every couple weeks and could assist in delivery if that helps.

shep546 wrote:

The general consensus seems to be the Dunlop 606... in Canada these can be picked up for about $130 a tire which is pretty high.

Shep,

I have a set of 606's for sale, less than 200kms on them, never saw pavement. I eneded up going with non-DOT knobbies for better off road traction. PM me an offer.

Check out the MITAS brand. $180 shipped to my door. Get around 2500kms out of them if I hit road a lot. I run the c-20/c-21 combo. Wicked grip in hard pack rocky terrain. Work in mud sand you name it. Love them.

http://www.mx1canada.com/Mitas-Motorcycle-Tires-Canada/

MAN I should asked around I guess. Just ordered tires today! Got a D606 rear and MT21 front

Dealers swaping out stock tires with perilli scorpion.pros before I pick up my 2013 wrr.

Good choice, I still run the scorpion pro front but have switched to the MT43 rear. Unbelievable traction from the MT43.

MT 21 front sucks!!! Yes they handle nice but they wear way faster than any tire I have ever tried, I'll never buy another one. I'll stick with the 606, no complaints.

Thats odd... I ran them on my KLR and the front lasted pretty good, about 5000kms which is a long time on that bike where I ride.