Dot knobies

[h2oplayer]

I just picked up a new 450 xc-w and I am in the process of plating it. Last on my list is the tires. I would like some opinion here. Currently it comes stock with a 80/100-21 front and a 110/100-18 rear. If I look at the 500exc it is coming with the same front but a 140/80-18 rear.

My question is what would you suggest for a dot legal set of tires and what size. This bike will be used 90% off road. I only want to plate it for use on DNR and forest service roads I need to access to get to the trails. I am up in the PWN and will mostly be woods riding.

Currently the Pirelli XCMH's .80/100-21 front and a 110/100-18 rear are at the top of my list

[Mudguts]

Oh no not another tyre thread

Kenda Carlsbad , very aggressive mine lasted 1600km on 690
Pirelli mx mid hard about the same
Dunlop 606 ,about the same
I seem to get about 1500 ish km out of all my tyres

Yet to try a motoz tyre but I hear thy are good and last

[400psi]

Pirelli Scoprion pro front-Pirelli mt 43 rear- depending on your weight, I run 11 pounds in front and 4 pounds in rear. uhd tubes.

[greer]

You might look at the Kenda Trakmaster. I like them on the trail, hate them on the pavement.

Sarah

[TNC]

Be careful on the selection of the Pirelli Scorpion Pro. I bought a front tire from the Motorcycle Superstore and noticed that there was more than one model of the DOT version of this tire. The one I got didn't last a 1000 miles before just about every other side knob was ripped off on a KLX300S on a Colorado trip last August. I've generally had good service from Pirelli DOT tires like the MT21, but this particular Scorpion was cream cheese. The Kenda Parker tire is another tough, durable, traction rich tire that is DOT rated. I have used many DOT knobbies over the years. My current favorite setup is a Kenda Parker front with a Kenda Trakmaster rear.

[AustinJake]

I've been thru 12 rear tires on my 450 Husky, all DOT, here's a rear and a front that will work well:
140x18 Pirelli XCMH (Medium Hard) (I have 2 in my garage waiting)
90/90x21 Pirelli MT21 (I have 2 in my garage waiting)

The used tire is the OEM tire and the first replacement I tried has been the best, XCMH:

Originally Posted by TNC

Be careful on the selection of the Pirelli Scorpion Pro. I bought a front tire from the Motorcycle Superstore and noticed that there was more than one model of the DOT version of this tire. The one I got didn't last a 1000 miles before just about every other side knob was ripped off on a KLX300S on a Colorado trip last August.

Here's what TNC is talking about, I had the same experience on a Scorpion Pro FIM front tire:

[400psi]

Interesting on the Scoprion Pro. I have lost one or two side lugs on mine but only after the tire was pretty clapped out and ready to be changed. I'll have to keep a closer eye out on mine because I have had good luck/wear. Thanks for the info.

[Beezer]

I'd get whatever tire works best off road unless you have to pass inspection to license. a non-DOT will be ok for the limited hiway (or is passing inspection the whole point)

[h2oplayer]

Originally Posted by Beezer

I'd get whatever tire works best off road unless you have to pass inspection to license. a non-DOT will be ok for the limited hiway (or is passing inspection the whole point)

Unfortunately I have to have the bike inspected so it has to be a DOT tire otherwise I would just leave the MX51's on and wear them out first, once I wear out the DOT rubber I'll be using up the MX51's or putting them on my son's bike.

[basketcase]

I've always gotten great service out of the Dunlop D606's. If they are available for your bike they'll fit the DOT criteria no problem. The pair that I put on my DR650 at Silver City, NM in July 2010 went just at 5,000 miles before replacement, with only half of that being off road.

After the 606's I put a Pirelli on the front and was entirely happy with it, but the Chen-shen that I put on the back was the last Chen-shen I will ever buy. It was half gone after 500 miles of my usual not very aggressive dirt road and fire trail riding.

My really gnarly off road riding days are over, so I just put a set of Shinko 705's on it F & R and will post up a tire report after a thousand miles or so.

Pragmatically speaking, sometimes on AdvRider we get anal retentive about the most inane things. I think for the average weekend dual-sporter (which would include the vast majority of off-road riders on this web site) that the difference between a Dunlop or a Kenda or a Pirelli is not truly significant in terms of performance yield, because our skill level is not going to stretch any tire to its limits.

So my advice is to buy for reliability and longevity at the best price you can find.

And I can recommend the D606's without reservation.

[bradluke0]

Hi all ! We dualsport 2 450 exc's . The Michelin T63's are really good tires . We use the S12's when dirt only . Both sets are same size as stock.

[JTucker]

Originally Posted by 400psi

Pirelli Scoprion pro front-Pirelli mt 43 rear- depending on your weight, I run 11 pounds in front and 4 pounds in rear. uhd tubes.

I run this on my wr450f that's plated.

[kirbi69]

i like the pirelli Mt16. its only DOT for the front. but its a straight up MX tire.

i have a 50/50 rear tire, IRC GP1

[GlennR]

I'll never run a DOT front tire again, unless I have to for the inspector. Then I'd slap a good non DOT back on it. The DOT rears are okay, but the fronts I've tried stunk.

[rpet]

^What non-DOt front tires do you recommend for a bit of longevity on the paved sections?