'14 KLX250s

Hi folks, I'm due for a rear tire soon. Would appreciate recommendations for a good option. Currently have a Dunlop D606...it's just ok. I'd like something a little more aggressive in the dirt without sacrificing too much on the pavement, maybe like a 30/70 (road/dirt). The usual requirements: best bang for the buck, durable, not too heavy, good performing on/off road, etc. If such a beast exists. What do you guys and gals ride for a good all around tire, with a nod to the off road performance?

A little about me: 145lbs, intermediate rider (getting better), I ride street/gravel/trails (nothing too gnarly), southern Oregon - gravel logging roads, single/double track trails, rain/mud, dry/dirt, hills, twisty paved roads, rocks.

 

Kenda Trakmaster. I use them on my plated KDX. Basicly a full dirt tire with a Dot rating. Ok on the street but got to be extra cautious on the corners. Excellent off road.

 

Don't go full gonzo on width. Remember, you're only making about 20 hp, the high performance MX 250s run 100mm (MX width) that is about equivalent to a 120 dual sport tire in actual tread width and they're pulling probably about 10 hp more than you. I learned this years ago. At the bike shop the riders and racers, who knew what worked, would run narrower tires, 3.75-4.00", on their 125 two strokes, where those who didn't would put fat 4.50-5.10" tires on them. Even the 250 riders didn't go nuts.

Stay a bit skinny and you reap some benefits. Lower rotating mass, a bit more rubber on the ground for street (tire spreads rather than pinches on the rim), less bog when in mud or sand, and lower cost to replace. I run a tire that is $76 for a 120, but I run the 4.10 (about 3/4-1" narrower) and it sells for $58.

Just looked at the Trackmaster, $47 for a 100/100, $53 for a 110/100, sounds like they're using the MX measure so I'd say go to Kenda's web site and see what I saw, the 100 is 4.50" wide, the 110 is 5.30. The 100 is about 1/4" narrower than the 120/80 K270. If you do the Kenda do the 100. Regardless of what you do, know what the size is and know what you need versus what you like the look of.

 

Love my Trakmaster II rear tire (probably a 110). North Florida/Lower Alabama = main terrain feature is sugar sand. I went with a non-DOT Michelin S12 up front and couldn't be happier with the pair.

Note: Very loud combo on the pavement and probably would not last too long... I only ride between trailheads.

 

What he said!

 

My brother ran DOT knobbies one time... for a thousand miles... then he had to buy a new set... not so good on road use at all.

 

Check out the Kenda Parker DT it's dot but a harder compound the rep said.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. klx678, your comment wast especially helpful. Sounds like the Kenda Trakmaster is the way to go for offroad. I'll definitely check it out!

However, I'm reading quite a few reviews that it downright sucks on the pavement and they don't last long. Kenda calls it a 20/80 road/dirt tire...is there something else that is pretty good on dirt, but still decent on road? Given your comments, though, I'm tempted to give the Trakmaster a try.

 

I find the Kenda Trakmaster II to be a great rear tire, but I get side **** tearing both on and off road. I've been through several Kenda Parker Desert fronts, and they've been awesome. They are DOT certified like the Trakmaster. For knobbies I find both of them quite good on pavement in both traction and wear. I've been quite surprised by the rear Trakmaster. For a comparatively inexpensive rear tire, it gets good dirt traction and really good pavement wear. I tried numerous front DOT knobbies, but I tore the side ***** prematurely on all of them with the exception of the Kenda Parker Desert.

 

The Parkers are interesting...how do you think they would do in my climate? With the exception of summer months, it's more wet/damp than dry around here the rest of the time. Sounds like they may last a little longer.