Fairly new to bikes but real happy with my 09KLX250S just a shame they didnt bring the red ones into New Zealand.
I have seen a few threads about tyre choices and seen DOT rated tyres mentioned.
Is this a speed rating or a quality rating for tyres??
Any help explaining this appreciated.

 

In the USA to pass safety inspections to be legal to run on the road, you need to have tires that are DOT(Department of Transportation) rated. They are usually a compromise to a true offroad tire.

 

Cheers 2k1w=no$ that clears that up

 

If you need, my fav so far DOT is the michelin AC-10

 

As menitioned, DOT is just a law passing road tire. Not all knobby tires are DOT approved, and if caught by the police, can be a fine.

So far, I have driven on the Kenda K270 tires for about 3,300 miles and still have tread left to go another 1,000 miles. And this is mostly riding 90% on-road commuting to work or adventure travels.

 

I just put a new non-dot tire on the front of mine, a dunlop D756. The only time I ride on the road though is 3 miles to get to my track. I took it out today rode on my mx track for about 15 miles worth then came home and noticed it had a chunk off a **** already. Anyone else here running a non-dot front that is good offroad??

 

I second green242, i put the AC-10s on my bike, and it's AMAZING the difference they make. i went riding yesterday with a buddy who also has a klx250 but with the stock dunlops, we swapped bikes for awhile, i couldn't believe how much the back end washed out on the trails vs. the AC-10s... wish i had of switched to them 3 years ago when i got the bike, but at least i've done it now!

Dave

 

I have Dunlop 606's (DOT rated "knobbies") on right now. They work much better in dirt and sand and don't suffer undue damage on the asphalt roads when I commute. They are a good compromise for me.

DOT rated tires have some features that make them safer on the road so, I would be reluctant to put non-DOT tires on the street for any serious mileage. YMMV

 

I just picked up a set of IRC volunenduro's, the ve33 and ve35. Someone on thumpertalk(I think it was the offroad technique mod) had very good things to say about these. They'll get put through the paces next weekend so we'll see. I also have heard good things about the Maxxis Maxxcross IT's. They say the rear is great, but the front could be better. They also look a lot like the Trackmasters. I'll post up a pick of the IRC's when I mount them in the non-dot tire thread I started a while back.