Will a Pirelli MT-21 in 130/80-18 fit the rear of 2009?
#12
04-03-2011, 11:57 AM
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Near Pittsburgh Pa.
Posts: 79
I put the large Pirelli MT-21 on yesterday, and my gosh, that tire eats well. It has been raining and slushy snowing here, so the clay and mud was nice and soft. The MY-21 never stopped pushing me along, even on some pretty nasty and slick wet clay hills we encountered. I'd say it is every bit the woods tire a X-606 is, if it lasts as long or better, its a winner. The sound it made in new condition was not noticed while using the powercore4 muffler.
#13
04-04-2011, 01:00 AM
You guys are gonna laugh, but I run a 100/100 on the rear of my 300 jugged KLX. I ride in CO, UT, and in my home area on a really rocky, loose, gnarly terrain. This bike doesn't need huge tires. Now I'm not saying you should or have to run the size I run by any means, but the taller/fatter tire takes more power, slows response a bit, and raises the rear of the bike. I've not found traction to be a weak point in the power band of this bike...seems like it will tractor through, up, and over anything as long as you're not running a slick. As guys we're always a bit sensitive to the bigger-is-better mantra...LOL!...but it's not always required. One other thing to consider with a very large tire, make sure your chain is long enough so that when you push the tire forward in the swingarm to remove it like for a flat or such, you can slip the chain off the rear sprocket without any drama. I've seen instances on some bikes with a huge tire and a given chain length where getting the rear tire out really turns out to be a headache...doable but a headache.
The Pirelli Scorpion MX Extra isn't DOT but what the hell, works great on our unique WA terrain. The front I'm running is DOT and I can recommend it, especially for sand and loose hardpack. It's a Pirelli Scorpion XCMS front.
I weighed the new Pirelli rear against the 'slick' Dunlop D606 rear I took off and the Pirelli was almost a LB lighter, go figure!
#14
04-04-2011, 09:00 AM
Just got back from Japan so a little late to chime in but I will say I went from a MT90 120 to a 140 and it fits fine. I loved the 120 got a lot of wear out of it and decided to replace with a 140. I did notice a loss in power after putting some miles on it but then determimed that was the xcracked cyl. I'd have to say its unrelated. My opinion is the silica in rubber compound improves traction and resists wear.
Cheers Jim
Cheers Jim
#15
04-05-2011, 01:54 PM
I also have to chime in and mention that if you are like me and take the bike onto the beach.. (deep sand) not the packed stuff by the water.. you will do better with a tire that will float on top.. 140's are the only size I have had good luck with doing this.. pressure 14-15 psi, fat tire in back.. throttle wide open.. can go anywhere.. Ive tried other combos
#16
04-05-2011, 02:19 PM
I also have to chime in and mention that if you are like me and take the bike onto the beach.. (deep sand) not the packed stuff by the water.. you will do better with a tire that will float on top.. 140's are the only size I have had good luck with doing this.. pressure 14-15 psi, fat tire in back.. throttle wide open.. can go anywhere.. Ive tried other combos
#17
04-05-2011, 05:21 PM
Sorry again, Tnc I disagree.. I have found that knobbies just dig deep and tread design is not as crucial as patch width on deep sand. I run regular all weather tires on my 4x4 and most 4x4 guys will tell you that patch surface area and proper inflation are what counts in the deep sand.. skinny tires with knobbies on sand... dig deep you get no where unless you have a very powerful bike. My klx is not a very powerful bike 27 hp prob, so I need every advantage in the sand I can get. 
#19
04-05-2011, 05:35 PM
Sorry again, Tnc I disagree.. I have found that knobbies just dig deep and tread design is not as crucial as patch width on deep sand. I run regular all weather tires on my 4x4 and most 4x4 guys will tell you that patch surface area and proper inflation are what counts in the deep sand.. skinny tires with knobbies on sand... dig deep you get no where unless you have a very powerful bike. My klx is not a very powerful bike 27 hp prob, so I need every advantage in the sand I can get.