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-   KLX 250S (https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum/klx-250s-71/)
-   -   Pirelli mt21 (https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum/klx-250s-71/pirelli-mt21-37456/)

Pogiboy 03-16-2012 02:16 AM

Pirelli mt21
 
Anyone run these pirelli mt21 on their klx? How do you like it. I'm planning to use my bike 97% trail. Wifey frowns on me riding on the streets. What tire size is best. Front and back. My bike is stock if that matters.
If you guys think theres a better tire please post and pls include size.

How about kenda k772. Thanks.

is it ok to use non dot tires since my bike is 97% trail only use. As of now it's 100% trail until I get my moto license. What do you guys recommend.

Bear with me. I'm new to this moto thing.

redpillar 03-16-2012 04:19 AM

MT 21 Great tire, pretty long wearing great traction. front and rear. I don't pay much attention to dot or not but they seem to have a harder compound and last longer. Dunlop 606 is a really good tire as well. I just bought a Dunlop mx 71 which I have heard good things about.

Pogiboy 03-16-2012 04:21 AM

Thanks. What size are you running.

redpillar 03-16-2012 04:30 AM

I think the back one is a 120 90 18

Pogiboy 03-16-2012 04:35 AM

Thanks. reason I'm asking I want the widest without sacrificing much handling. Thanks a lot.

ol guy 03-16-2012 04:43 AM

I ran them for several years on my hondas. They were a great off road tire, but wore out fairly quick in the shale rock and asphalt. They were great in the mud and roots. I went to the Kenda trackmasters. They still work good and last longer. Also they are a lot cheaper.

Pogiboy 03-16-2012 04:48 AM


Originally Posted by ol guy (Post 466416)
I ran them for several years on my hondas. They were a great off road tire, but wore out fairly quick in the shale rock and asphalt. They were great in the mud and roots. I went to the Kenda trackmasters. They still work good and last longer. Also they are a lot cheaper.

Thanks.

rgoers 03-16-2012 02:11 PM

Bear in mind:

If you live in one of the states that require motorcycle inspections, you're probably NOT going to get it past the state inspection with a non-DOT tire on it.

Additionally, when going for your moto license, you're almost certain to never make it past ANY instructor, whether you take a MSF course, or a state-sponsored road test. When I took my MSF course, they did a thorough check of the bike... to the point where they told me my chain was too tight (new bike, chain tension was set at the factory).

If you insist on running non-DOT tires, and the bike fails inspection, there's no reason to get a moto license, is there?

IDRIDR 03-16-2012 02:25 PM

redpillar and ol guy nail it pretty well. I ran MT21 130/90-18 rear and got around 2,500 miles out of it. I wouldn't do a 130 width again. It was tall and with the stiffer spring, which also made the bike taller, parking was difficult and I'd have to find a rock for the kickstand nearly everywhere. And 130 is just plain wide and heavy for this bike. Think 110 or 120. It hooked up great and wore okay. I'm now wearing out my first trials tire on the rear, have another to go, and also a Kenda TMII in the garage. See some pics at post #12 https://www.kawasakiforums.com/forum...-tire-s-35829/

deej 03-16-2012 02:37 PM

I still love the 606 the best. I've been getting 5000 miles on whatever tire is on the front, from the 603 to the 606 or the K-270 The rear, well that's another story. I agree on the 130 being just too big, of course those big bore guys would say otherwise. ;)

Pogiboy 03-16-2012 03:38 PM

Thanks for all the response. Point s well taken. Dot tire it is. 120. Now it's only between 606 or mt21. Just have to check over in person on monday. Cheers.

IDRIDR 03-21-2012 06:46 PM

I'm running a TMII up front right now. No complaints. It sticks great for me on the trail.

Pogiboy 03-21-2012 06:47 PM

Was thinking on the pirelli mt 21 but when I went to chaparral trackmaster 2 was on sale . Bought the set. Rides ok on street . will test this remember on the trail. Also installed rim locks front and back. tire tech said my front tires doesn't need to be balanced because it has the thing between the disc and the hub. It's rubber. Whats it called? He said it automatically balances the front tires at speed. I never read it being mentioned on the forums.

ol guy 03-21-2012 07:18 PM


Originally Posted by gravel eddie (Post 467007)
What do you guys think of the Trackmaster for the front? My new to me KLX came with a new Track master on the back and the original Dunlop on the front - which needs to be replaced. I like the rear Kenda and was ready to pull the trigger on a new front Track master at rockymtn, but there were some negative comments there regarding using it on the front. Any thoughts? I want something aggressive, I run Kenda 270's on the KLR but want something more aggressive for the KLX. Mixed conditions out here- muddy, rocky, etc.

I know, another tire question. :eek:

I ran the trackmaster on front and it was fair, a little spooky on the mountain trails tends to push in the corners. Last year I put a pirelli scorpion on the front and like it better.

ol'klx-er 03-21-2012 07:45 PM

TM II is a bit sketchy on pavement. Have heard the comment "That's a DOT tire?!" about the TMII.
I'd go with a 110 on the back with a 250cc motor. My $0.02.

IDRIDR 03-21-2012 09:23 PM


Originally Posted by Pogiboy (Post 467018)
tire tech said my front tires doesn't need to be balanced because it has the thing between the disc and the hub. It's rubber. Whats it called? He said it automatically balances the front tires at speed. I never read it being mentioned on the forums.

Don't know about your newer bike. You'll know soon enough when you get up to speed on pavement. pogo stick bike.

dan888 03-21-2012 10:17 PM

I think many of the guys on here run non DOT tires. In most cases I think the difference between DOT and non DOT tires is the fact that it takes extra $$ for the tire mfg to get them DOT certified. Agree that it isn't worth the trouble if your bike gets inspected. I run non DOT tires here in IL.
Dan

RaceGass 03-21-2012 10:37 PM

Scorpion pro mx mh front dot 90/90 x 21
Kenda parker dt rear dot 110/100 x 18

Don't want to be on the wrong side of the law in case of an accident. Insurance companies can deny claims if your on the wrong end in an accident due to non compliance on stuff like that....

ol'klx-er 03-22-2012 12:45 AM


Originally Posted by Pogiboy (Post 467018)
Also installed rim locks front and back. tire tech said my front tires doesn't need to be balanced because it has the thing between the disc and the hub.

"the thing between the disc and the hub" : that's to keep the brake disc vibrations (noise) down. Self balancing tires/wheels. :rolleyes: NOT likely. If you've got rim locks, at very least your front wheel will need to be balanced.
You might want to switch tire techs. :eek:

Pogiboy 03-22-2012 01:44 AM


Originally Posted by ol'klx-er (Post 467054)
"the thing between the disc and the hub" : that's to keep the brake disc vibrations (noise) down. Self balancing tires/wheels. :rolleyes: NOT likely. If you've got rim locks, at very least your front wheel will need to be balanced.
You might want to switch tire techs. :eek:


Lol. Ok. Thanks

Lotrat 03-28-2012 12:35 AM

So what did you get? If it make a difference to you, Dunlop is the only US based company make motorcycle tires... although my stock Dunlops were made in Thailand. :rolleyes:

Pogiboy 03-28-2012 01:30 AM


Originally Posted by Lotrat (Post 467801)
So what did you get? If it make a difference to you, Dunlop is the only US based company make motorcycle tires... although my stock Dunlops were made in Thailand. :rolleyes:

Got the TM2. Like them a lot better than my stock tires off road here in socal.

Highbeam 03-29-2012 04:59 PM


Originally Posted by ol'klx-er (Post 467054)
"the thing between the disc and the hub" : that's to keep the brake disc vibrations (noise) down. Self balancing tires/wheels. :rolleyes: NOT likely. If you've got rim locks, at very least your front wheel will need to be balanced.
You might want to switch tire techs. :eek:

Yep, that tech is a complete moron. You need to fire him and maybe kick him in the nuts for being so stupid.

I have a 2009 and swapped to a D606 front and rear. Very good off-road combo BTW. At the same time I installed rimlocks, Ultra HD tubes, and slime in the tubes. The idea is that I don't want flats and I do want good traction.

The tires immediately were very out of balance. It was comical how bad this thing can pogo at even moderate speeds. So I used wheel weights to balance the front and rear tires, now all is good.

My next rear tire will be a trials tire. The rear D606 is very knobby and on the asphalt it is pretty buzzy.


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