BannedCR500Riders.com

Yeah, I pussed out and decided to try a trials tire. A few years ago when I came down to Az for hoonfest I borrowed ST500's KTM 250. He had a trials tire on the back. I liked it, but wasn't sure just because the terrain down there is so different from what I am used to. Now there's a 19" available so I thought I'd give it a go.


http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/ ... -Tire.aspx


First impression: very different. Going straight over 25 mph is very strange. The rear end kind of wobbles because the sidewall is so pliable. Cornering is cool. The tire gives you the impression that it's sliding at first, again because of the pliable sidewall, but it doesn't. It rolls in and sticks. Well.

After a few rides: Mud? No problem. Rocks? Duh! Trials tire. Roots? Better than any fricken knobby. Wet? As good as any knobby. I have watched a fair bit of observed trials and always wondered how they got the bikes to do those things. IT'S THE TIRES!!!!! This last weekend I was going down a trail and came up on a root step up that I normally clutch n dump to loft the front over. Simple. I did that with this thing and it shot me into the embankment beyond the obstacle. Woah! No knobby I ever ran did that for me. For the rest of the day I made it a point to master that manuever. I LOVE it.

So what's the downside you ask? Well, the only thing I don't like so far is steep powdery downhills. With a knobby, I can drag the rear wheel and collect a pile of dirt in front of the tire to help slow down. This tire does not do that.

Added bonus: I kick up way less dust (I'm told). Much nicer for the people who ride behind me, and I "tread lightly" because of it.

Do I think this thing would be good on a 500? For a singletrack rider, Oh hell yeah.


Buy. No hesitation. I'm switching from the old faithful M5B.

Thanks fo' the 411 M/J !

There is a spot I go every year for a fall ride, lots of rocks that are usually wet, lots of roots, mud, leaves and pine needles etc. The M5B sucks there, I always ride something with tighter knobs, I've been considering running a trials tire for that ride and just never have...this may have pushed me over the edge.

great review

There's no 'pussing out' when using something better for the use you put it to.

I've used Michelin X11 Tubeless (for the thicker side wall) for years now. I used to have a knobby on a spare wheel, but found the change too weird, after a while.

Yes, you do get 'wander' - soft tyre walls and low pressures make for a weird sensation , at first. I've gone to 2.5 rims, though I've always gone to those on big bikes.

The trials tyre sticks like the proverbial to rock and roots, wet or dry, loam, sand, mud, hard pack and tar. It just doesn't present spaces between knobs that creates the 'catching' effect on some down hills, when you lock up the rear wheel. With the infinitely better feel and control I get from a LHRB, it's not an issue for me.

It's brilliant for my riding - I have sections I have no hope of getting through with a knobby of any type, that I can 'clean' every time. Well, 'almost' every time. Many of which leave you in Very deep shit if you can't get through.

how do you guys think these would perform on an MX track? I ride back and fourth about 50/50, and while a tire that kicks ass in the woods would be great, I need something that woks great all around.

The issue that has been mentioned about downhill braking isnt really a problem, but if they dont get much traction moving forward in sand, this also isnt really my tire. Can anyone comment on that?

Thanks!

Sand, marginal at best.
Jumps, bad. The sidewall is just not rigid enough.

I don't think it would work well on a track at all. The good ol M5B is an excellent all arounder on the rear. Singletrack, Sand, Track. Works good most everywhere.

You know, trials bikes all use those type tires so it makes sense that it's best for woods and assorted obstacles.
It puts more tire per square inch on an obstacle like a rock or roots than a knobby.
For me though, a knobby is still best.
I'm still working on my fear of trees!

I've no problem with sand at all - But of course, a real sand tyre will slaughter it - as it would a hard terrain tyre. If I were to go to a full on sand area, I would fit a specialist sand one, same as if the area I was in was nothing but a mud fest - but that doesn't exist where I ride.

Best thing to do, is have a spare wheel - I used to have a wheel to fit specific knobbies on, with the other with a trials tyre on it. Now, I have my 'local' wheel with a worn trials tyre, and another with a fresher one for other rides. Jumps - not had a problem - though I'm dealing with your average jumps, not monsters. That doesn't interest me, tight , nasty terrain is what I ride. Horses for courses, put fans on an armoured up , well kept and set up steely, with a X11 on the back, and I'm a happy Bear.

I've never liked 'all around' tyres like M5Bs - When I used knobbies, I'd have tyres that I'd change for different terrains, all the time. I still change the fronts for different terrains, as I have 2 spare front wheels. Even when you need to change the front tyre on a wheel, it's a 10 minute job, at the most.

I still have a fear of trees, I swear, the mongrels move all the bloody time - that's my explanation for hitting them so often, and I'm sticking to it.

eventually ill try one, but theres no podium finishes here in the expert or pro class with trials tires......
most have tried them once