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Oh no! Not another tire thread!

3K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  Klrwally1979! 
#1 ·
So I'm getting myself a second set of rims for my klr so I can have a commuter tire on one and a more dirt oriented tire on the other and swap them out as needed. The question though is what tire to get? It's about 60 miles of mostly highway (each way) to where I like to go play in the dirt. So it needs to be able to withstand a reasonable bit of pavement without getting destroyed. Previously I've used 80/20 or 90/10 type tires since I commute more than anything else. So I don't really know anything about the true 50/50 type tires.
Sorry for starting another tire thread!

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#2 ·
Might be more aggressive than you want, but for a true dirt tire I would recommend Kenda Trackmasters. I got right at 2k miles out of the rear and i think the front will go at least 3000-3500 miles. I retire tires when their off-road traction goes away. Probably had another 500 paved miles left,or more. I'm notoriously hard on tires. Never got more than 3500 miles out of a tire on my street only bikes.

Don't worry about their street manners. It's fine. The corner great, wet or dry.

They might not last longer than other knobbys, but they're cheaper. About $120-130 for the pair. Off-road traction is great. I've considered trying another front, but can't complain really.

My bike had Shinko 705's when I bought it and I couldn't get them off fast enough. I don't know what ratio they are considered, but no. Even just riding through my flat yard they were slippery. Horrible excuse for a DS tire.

Good luck!

Btw, Gen 1 or 2? If you're still shopping, I've got a Gen 1 front wheel I need to unload.
 
#4 ·
Might be more aggressive than you want, but for a true dirt tire I would recommend Kenda Trackmasters.
+ 1 on the Kenda Trakmaster IIs!

These DOT knobbies are much more versatile than one might expect; work generally o.k. on pavement, true traction off-road, and reasonable mileage.

One caution: Beware severe lateral changes on hard surfaces; very little front tire contact patch area might precipitate a wash-out (don't ask me how I know this!).

I have two wheel sets; one shod with Trakmaster IIs; one currently with Kenda K270s. Have a set of new Continental Trail Attacks standing by; truly excellent tread, but more oriented toward the slab (where they're outstanding) than the dirt, seem to me.
 
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