I've had excellent service durability and performance out of my Trakmaster II on the rear of the KLX. The front Trakmaster performed quite well when run in tubeless mode contrary to the results some have had with the front tire. I think running tubeless allows just about any tire to have an improved traction and grip quality over a tubed setup. However, the front Trakmaster did have what I would classify as a premature side **** life. For me it started peeling and cracking the side ***** earlier than the absolute tread life should have allowed. Yes...I corner and slide like a world class Dakar racer, so that probably contributed to early tire death...

OK...enough fiction...LOL! I recently picked up a Maxxis Maxx-IT Desert front tire...an M7304D. While not DOT, it's an extremely durable carcass design made for the more rocky and dry terrain that I usually ride. Even in the Colorado mountains, I encounter more loose, rocky terrain than anything else, and in the more loamy soil conditions that I encounter in the forest, almost any tire works well for traction there. I found that this tire is extremely popular with desert and enduro riders in many terrain types. After a few rides, I'm impressed. It has some very compliant grip, but seems to have a very durable **** and carcasss design. It has been working great with my Neutech Tubliss setup, and I think it's going to be a keeper. We'll see how long term wear shakes out, but I notice that even the big desert XR650R folks have had outstanding success with these tires.

I think the back tire would be great too, but I've had no issue whatsoever with the rear Trakmaster. It has yielded excellent wear and traction even right to the end of its tread life. It's cheap too.

 

thats what i use! they work awesome in pretty much anything! real hard too so they last pretty good

 

might have to try that tire soon. i normally run a 908ff rallye front, but i want to try something new.

 

TNC, the bike looks pretty clean there. Your front hub looks especially clean, compared to mine. That cast finish really traps dirt. What do you use to clean yours with? Don't say elbow grease
Dan

 

Nice observation Dan. Both mornings we caught up with TNC in Moab, his bike (and ours) was covered in the notorious red dust. Except that his chain and sprocket were nice and shiny, freshly cleaned.

 

Must be related to Deej.

 

Well, the one or two times a year that I do wash it, yes...it is elbow grease, but not all that much. Man, I hate washing a dirt bike, because it is after all...a dirt bike. When I do wash it, I use Tide cold water detergent and a car wheel washing brush. I'll guarantee you...I don't spend a great deal of time fussing over it. Here's another secret........avoid mud whenever possible. I hate mud. It eats the components on a bike, and frankly I find no fun riding in it. Back when I raced enduros, I was pretty darned good in mud runs, but I hated it. Mud kills the parts on the bike and makes it look old before its time. I ride it a lot off road, but usually in dry dirt, rocks, and dust. I love dust...lots of thick, choking dust...LOL!

 

OK I think I see my problem.
These are from two weeks ago







Brushpopper's M/C bitter end ride, Morrison IL 11-13

Dan

 

Yeah, Dan, I remember most of your vids having a good bit of H2O and mud on most occasions. C'mon down to the dry lands of Texas for a heapin', helpin' load of dust...LOL! I'm off to the desert of the Big Bend area next Tuesday. I guess that's why I also like Moab really well too...dry. Amazingly, depending on what trails you do, Colorado doesn't always have a bunch of mud. When you have creek, stream crossings there, the water is crystal clear with a lot of rock. The bike stays decently clean.

 

Dan - At least you did it in the right order: Mud followed by a good water douching.