What are the best and longest wearing street knobbies (real knobbies) what are your experiences?

 

I'd call "street knobbies" and "real knobbies" two different things. ?
Do you want DOT approved tires?
I always had excellent results with the Dunlop D606's on the rear. I haven't run a DOT tire for a couple years now though. I wanted more traction off road, and was prepared to sacrifice some tire life for traction.
Dan

 

I'm a long time off roader and running the 606 front and rear left me with no regrets racing in the desert or in the muddy singletrack. On-road is where the compromise occurs. They are bumpier and buzzier, less confidence inspiring in the twisties. I can't complain a bit about the wear. The front is in great shape after about 2500 miles, the rear is better than 50% left. You won't miss out on anything in the dirt with a 606 and the KLX250 vs. a non-dot knobby.

 

Dunlop 952 can be had for around $130 per set. A real knobby compared to a 606, although not DOT. They wear like iron and grip like none other.

 

Kenda "Washougal Stickie" front and back on my KLX. And a "Washougal Stickie" on the front of my 250 SX with a Dunlop goemax on the back[for now].

 

The current buzz in the local desert-riding crowd is Pirelli DOT Trial's tires. I didn't like the 606 I had on the rear...not good enough traction either on the road nor off-road. Kenda 270 isn't great either, although it works really well for me on my KLR650. I wish I would have put on the Pirelli to see how it does with this bike.

 

I do like the Kenda 270's as a 50/50 tire. I get around 8000 KMS outta them.
Another one I am interested in trying is the Michelin t-63. I hear good reports about long wearing.
A 50/50 tire is what I would consider a street knobbie BTW.

 

Dunlop 606. Great off road where I ride in the eastern mountains, and I haven't broken it loose yet on the pavement.

Also had good luck with Pirelli MT 21's but they didn't last too long on the rear. The front MT 21 wears kind of funky too.

Kenda Trakmasters front and rear are a great combo for value and performance in a DOT knobbie.

The last few tires I have bought have been the Trakmaster.

 

I put Trackmasters on last spring and rode 2000mi. on road this summer and my rear is a little less than half gone. They are dot but don't handle anything like a street tire on the road.

 

I 3rd the Dunlop D606. They're tough tires.