Finally- a real dirt worthy DOT tire!!!!

[CRFDAKAR]

Hell Yeah-

Seattle Cycle Center hooked me up with these. Holy crap these are great dirt tires! A little sketchy on the street till they break in.... Especially in the wet. Once broken in they are fair on the slab. As far as a dirt tire they are WAY better than ANY other tire I have ridden with a DOT stamp and better than 75% of the dirt tires I have ridden. They make 606's seem like worn out street tires on loose gravel. You guys with dirty minds need to try a set.
Enduro Competition / Dual Sport

• OF-219 is Excella's most aggressive DOT/FIM approved tire with primary focus on off-road performance.
• OF-219 front features a full tread depth at 15/32nd's.
• Designed with an aggressive cupped tread pattern, the rear tire provides maximum straight line traction and stability.
• The durable natural rubber compound is combined with a rugged casing for excellent traction and performance over a wide range of conditions.
• Speed rated.

[Salt Lick]

More info: http://www.amstires.com/excella/

[guns_equal_freedom]

How much money for the pair from Seattle Cycle Center?

Never mind, they only make rear tires in "real" dual sport sizes....(no 17 inch rear wheels).

[Road Rash]

I've tried 606's and MP(T?)21's..................I now have a set of Kenda's which I like, but I don't think I'll get much wear out of them as they're pretty soft.

Thanks for the info

[John E Davies]

I would like better grip than my 606/ MT21 combo, but NOT at the expense of tread life. I burn through a rear in less than 1200 easy miles. My 525EXC eats rear tires....

Please post a follow up when you have some miles on these tires. I don't expect they will last very long.

[Hammer]

how many of you have EVER been checked for DOT tires on your bike while on any public roadway?
I run full MX tires on my 525 on the street. It gets around nicely, tho I don't ask it to drag a peg.
The tires don't last long, but the trade-off for long-lasting dirt tires is ugly- not in looks, but in dirt traction.
The traction equation is not that complex- if it lasts, the tread blocks are too big and hard. If it bites, they are small and much softer.
I guess if you're racing some FIM event, you need a DOT style tire.
What's the experience of the group? How any have ever been DOT tire checked?

[Gregarious]

Originally Posted by Hammer

how many of you have EVER been checked for DOT tires on your bike while on any public roadway?
I run full MX tires on my 525 on the stree?

Once, but it was at a dual-sport event as part of a checkpoint. Does that count?

In selecting tires for a dual-sport bike that will see alot of pavement, I'd go for DOT because I'd assume they'd last longer. Maybe that's a naive assumption.

In selecting tires for a street-licensed trail bike that might see some forest service roads to connect trails, I'd pick the tires based on their ability to do the trails. DOT rating be damned.

[ryanwilliamcantrell]

Originally Posted by Greg S

Once, but it was at a dual-sport event as part of a checkpoint. Does that count?

In selecting tires for a dual-sport bike that will see alot of pavement, I'd go for DOT because I'd assume they'd last longer. Maybe that's a naive assumption.

In selecting tires for a street-licensed trail bike that might see some forest service roads to connect trails, I'd pick the tires based on their ability to do the trails. DOT rating be damned.

+1. I gave up on running DOT tires. I now run whatever is going to give me the best traction vs threadlife for the terrain/season. I've found that on the front, a hard non-dot dirt knobbie lasts as long as the MT21... and get's better offroad traction.

[CRFDAKAR]

Looks like 4-5 rides per rear tire. Front? Average ride 150-200 miles 85-90% off road. I am sure they would go a lot longer if ridden on more slab and/ or easaier riding. As for traction; I would put them up against any of my dirt only tires. DOT legality is CYA- If you get in a wreck and have non DOT tires and someone figures that out, you have little legs to stand on. I know this to be true.... Just a thought for those of you who do not use them. I think of it as cheap insurance. I am not saying these are the best tires in the world- what I am saying is they are a great dirt tire, and when Ms. Jones turns left in front of you, you have a chance of legal recourse.

Try a set to see for yourselves.....

Hope you all never need the DOT coverage to be validated in an accident.

Good Luck

[ditchbanker]

Originally Posted by ryanwilliamcantrell

+1. I gave up on running DOT tires. I now run whatever is going to give me the best traction vs threadlife for the terrain/season. I've found that on the front, a hard non-dot dirt knobbie lasts as long as the MT21... and get's better offroad traction.

Excellent knowledge to have...

[Suva]

Originally Posted by CRFDAKAR

Looks like 4-5 rides per rear tire. Front? Average ride 150-200 miles 85-90% off road. I am sure they would go a lot longer if ridden on more slab and/ or easaier riding. As for traction; I would put them up against any of my dirt only tires. DOT legality is CYA- If you get in a wreck and have non DOT tires and someone figures that out, you have little legs to stand on. I know this to be true.... Just a thought for those of you who do not use them. I think of it as cheap insurance. I am not saying these are the best tires in the world- what I am saying is they are a great dirt tire, and when Ms. Jones turns left in front of you, you have a chance of legal recourse.

Try a set to see for yourselves.....

Hope you all never need the DOT coverage to be validated in an accident.

Good Luck

I would say having better traction anywhere other than pavement is cheap insurance too. I guess it depends on how much pavement you run.

[CRFDAKAR]

85-90% off road. You would be surprised what tires they are better than.

[88NX250]

Too bad your bike is always down because of electrical failures. ;-)

So when are you coming to check out the new cave?

[CRFDAKAR]

tomorrow

[88NX250]

Where were ya?

I was out here a good part of the day. It's DRZ SuMo commuting time!

Yosh = Uncorked
Earplugs = Armed