New tires for front and rear
Can I get some opinions on the best tires for 70/street-30/trail or maybe 60/street-40/trail? How many miles should I expect to get on my stock Dunlops?
Not an expert but the Dunlops were dry rot on my 07 when I bought it. Replaced them with Shinko 244s' The rear was very much flat spotted all around so I'm asuming previous owner did a lot of street riding and it only had 1800 miles on it. The Shinkos are not aggressive knobbies and seem to work fine on the street.
Not an expert but the Dunlops were dry rot on my 07 when I bought it. Replaced them with Shinko 244s' The rear was very much flat spotted all around so I'm asuming previous owner did a lot of street riding and it only had 1800 miles on it. The Shinkos are not aggressive knobbies and seem to work fine on the street.
I run the S
Fruit or vegetable? I though Olive Oyl was Popeye's girlfriend?
Explorer, the reason for the levity attached to your post is that most people look at most tire recommendations as so preference and/or location driven as to to almost useless. I don't say that in any mean spirited way, just that it is what it is. For one, I think you wouldn't have to go back too far in the posting history to find many good tire posts with lots of specific recommendations and how they apply to each poster's needs and preference...so...you're asking to plow ground in a somewhat general sense that's been plowed in some way last week, last month...and every month. No disrespect to your post...just some fun...and the hope for a good "what's the best oil" thread.
But on a serious note, with your question being more biased toward pavement with less priority on dirt, I would recommend the IRC GP1. I would never choose this tire for my use, but when I bought my bike from a friend, a new set of these were on the bike. I must admit that they worked surprisingly well on the dirt and pavement...better than the Kenda 270 DS tire that mimics it. I used a pair of 270's on a KLR. The IRC is pricier than the 270, but it wears better and has a stronger carcass.

Explorer, the reason for the levity attached to your post is that most people look at most tire recommendations as so preference and/or location driven as to to almost useless. I don't say that in any mean spirited way, just that it is what it is. For one, I think you wouldn't have to go back too far in the posting history to find many good tire posts with lots of specific recommendations and how they apply to each poster's needs and preference...so...you're asking to plow ground in a somewhat general sense that's been plowed in some way last week, last month...and every month. No disrespect to your post...just some fun...and the hope for a good "what's the best oil" thread.

But on a serious note, with your question being more biased toward pavement with less priority on dirt, I would recommend the IRC GP1. I would never choose this tire for my use, but when I bought my bike from a friend, a new set of these were on the bike. I must admit that they worked surprisingly well on the dirt and pavement...better than the Kenda 270 DS tire that mimics it. I used a pair of 270's on a KLR. The IRC is pricier than the 270, but it wears better and has a stronger carcass.
Considering the post is a month old hopefully the OP has since bought new shoes. If not, I really like my 70/30 tires (see signature). They handle so much better then the stock tires on asphalt but can handle their own on the trails. Not to mention they're a lot lighter then the stock tires.
Most of my riding is on gravel, with some rocky trail stuff but nothing "technical". The pavement riding is to get to and back mostly. Anyway I've been happy with the hook up in the gravel, not as aggressive or soft as some but it's all a trade off. These also do very well on the pavement in corners etc. Obviously I like them or I wouldn't be getting another set.
Good luck.
Last edited by ShadetreeAZ; Sep 14, 2013 at 08:42 PM.


