For anybody that has used the D606's on their KLX I have a few question. The stock 603's are going to need replacing this year or early next on my wifes KLX and I would like to be sure I pick tires that offer the best safety for her. She does great with the 603's and we do more road riding that trails so far so she knows the "feel" of that type of tire. I bought me a set of D606's that I haven't put on my bike yet and was thinking of getting her the D606's so we both have the same tires. I thought about the Kendas (270) but I have read too many squirelly reports and she don't need that not the hard rubber on wet roads. So for those that have used the D606's, what did you think of them?
Thanks,
db

 

The D606 will do better in the dirt but worse on the road than the D603. The D606 will also raise the bike about .35" in the rear which she might not like. I would look into getting another set of 603's for her since she does well with them. They are expensive but probably worth it in her case.

 

Hey Dave, since I am running the 606 and have a brand new set of Kenda 270's sitting in the shop waiting for who knows how long until the 606's wear out I have a thought. First of all in the 6000 miles I have ridden and probably 70% is on the streets, I have never slipped once on the 603 rear for the first 2700 and the remaining miles on the 606.

However, when I feel the Kenda tires I have to say that they are at the very least twice as soft of a compound as the ultra stiff 606 tires. If soft calculates to sticking better on the blacktop, then the bottom line is put them on her bike. I am going to use the Kenda tires eventually, but for me I would rather have a tires wear out a little faster on the street to have the extra grip on the trails, so I will be definitely going back to the 606 tires. I hope this helps.

 

The only problem is I have never seen the 603 tires for sale anywhere. I think its one of those tires they only sell to Kawi for new bikes, probably means they got a good price on them or they are ultra cheap. Not sure, but when I started looking at my first tire change I wanted to get the 603, I even called Dunlop and went on their website, and it was a dead end. But that was almost a year ago so maybe they have changed.

 

They have the stock D603's listed on Babbits under wheel/tire for $98.77 front and $128.56 rear.

http://www.babbittsonline.com/pages/.../Kawasaki.aspx

 

Hey David, thanks for that link, that is possibly the best site for OEM and other parts for our bikes I have ever seen!! Can you tell I'm excited? Thanks again. Oh great, now I'm gonna spend more money.[8D]Later man.

 

Hmmm I do wonder why the rear 603 is twice what a better 606 is at the bike shop. I paid $64.00 for my 606. $128.56seems steep. But a clutch cable for our bikes is only $11.00 which would probably be $30.00 at the shop, so I guess its all relative. Unless that's Canadian....

 

I'm going to replace the stockers with either the conti tkc 80 or the bridgestone tw301 and 302 (highly recomended by the loal stealer). I ride 70% tarmac so I need a true 50/50 tire. The price listed for the 603's is ridiculous, pm me and I'll sellyou mine (400 road miles on them).

 

Check out their prices on the D739, which is the stock tire on the KLX300. $33.64 front, $46.25 rear. It isn’t DOT but I’m sure it would hold up on the street and would be great off-road.

 

Thanks to all of you that responded here on the tires...Last night I was actually looking at the Bridgestone TW301 and 302 for a good choice for the KLX. I haven't changed my stock Bridgestones on my DRZ as I am perfectly happy with them, on the road. They aren't too bad on hard pack and some gravel, but they suck in wet grass and sand pretty much. So the TW301 and 302 might be just what we need. Her tires are fine for the time being but I like to research in advance. The Kenda's seem like a possibility still too. She has to have DOT tires for her drivers test so thats a major consideration. Eventually we will get spare wheels for both bikes to have the best of both worlds...

db