Rear tire recommendation?

[JLX]

New rider here and I need to replace stock tires on FE250.

I picked up a Goldentyre G216AA 'fatty' for front. Any suggestions on what to get for rear? Still new - so no preference on tire yet.

Will be running heavy duty tubes for now..

 

[madsen203]

Next time...the Shinko 216 is the same tire

The rear... Lot of folk like the Shinko 505 (also a G/T variant).

A trials hybrid are favored by some (which I think the 505 is based from).

 

[2strokeYardSale]

Shinko R505 Cheater if you have Tubliss or are willing to run low pressure with a UHD tube. It's a great tire at low pressure, a good to average tire at normal pressure.

Spring is coming, with spring rain. Are you going to ride in the mud? Are you going to sit it out and ride in the summer when the dirt is dry and hardpacked? Different tires are needed.

 

[stangz]

Don’t overthink it and just get an intermediate tire. Honestly, you will have much more affect on how the bike performs than the tire. Clutch control, etc etc. Some people run random used tires and are fine. Find tires in your price range and choose one with decent reviews.

I run the Maxxis IT.

 

[OaklandF4i]

Don’t overthink it and just get an intermediate tire. Honestly, you will have much more affect on how the bike performs than the tire. Clutch control, etc etc. Some people run random used tires and are fine. Find tires in your price range and choose one with decent reviews.

I run the Maxxis IT.

Pretty much this OP, be helpful if you shared how you are going to use it (dirt only vs dual sport) and where you want to use it.

Rider skill, bike set up, and tire pressures make a bigger difference than tire choice. Once we dry out, just about everywhere in NorCal is going to be intermediate to hard terrain. A lot of places like Hollister or Carnegie are going to be like pavement by summer. There ARE differences in tires as to their performance and longevity. But dont over think it.

I always like the Dunlop INTs like the AT81 and MX52 as well as the Maxxis iTs. Some people swear by the Motoz, others love trials hybrids. But reality for most recreational riders is even a set of Kenda Trakmasters are sufficient and cheap.

 

[SCC Ryder]

It is pretty hard to go wrong with the Bridgestone X30 tires... great intermediate terrain tires that hook up well and last better than Dunlop’s . We have great pricing on these Bridgestone tires ( we offer FREE mounting when you bring in your wheels) and until the end of the month Bridgestone is offering a $25 mail in rebate per tire.

 

[JLX]

Next time...the Shinko 216 is the same tire

The rear... Lot of folk like the Shinko 505 (also a G/T variant).

A trials hybrid are favored by some (which I think the 505 is based from).

Doh on the Shinko 216! Picked up a 505 for the rear. Did not realize these were both DOT so

Pretty much this OP, be helpful if you shared how you are going to use it (dirt only vs dual sport) and where you want to use it.

I always haul out my bike to some dirt and ride, though, I do run quick errands around town also so DOT would give me some peace of mind.

As for places I ride.. I actually just moved out to Sacramento so haven't gotten familiar with much other than Prairie City in this area. That said, it's really close and perfect place for me to get comfy. Hoping Georgetown and Foresthill and Tahoe stuff next

 

[madsen203]

Doh on the Shinko 216! Picked up a 505 for the rear. Did not realize these were both DOT so



I always haul out my bike to some dirt and ride, though, I do run quick errands around town also so DOT would give me some peace of mind.

As for places I ride.. I actually just moved out to Sacramento so haven't gotten familiar with much other than Prairie City in this area. That said, it's really close and perfect place for me to get comfy. Hoping Georgetown and Foresthill and Tahoe stuff next

Sacramento is a great hub for all of the good riding areas. Georgetown, Downieville/Tahoe, Forest Hill, Stonyford isn't too far. I'm sure there's more but those are the places I frequent most.

The Shinko combo is excellent and as you said DOT as well. Probably best set of DOT's you can get. It'll make you legal on the street but won't be as good as street rubber.

 

[2strokeYardSale]

Actually I don't think the 505 is DOT certified. In fact, mine is marked NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE. I have heard pavement runs kill it.

The Pirelli MT-43 is DOT and is very effective. I like it as a thumper tire. It will be the hot ticket when it stops raining, great on hardpack and rocks.

 

[Kestrel]

@2SYS

Have you heard much about running non-trials tires with Tubliss at very low pressure? Just a couple PSI? Rumor says that it'll score you all of the grip you want, but behaves itself quite a little more in corners & muddy stuff.

I've got a spare rear wheel that could use a knobby. Thinking about trying Tubliss like all of the rest of the cool kids.

Thoughts?

 

[OaklandF4i]

Doh on the Shinko 216! Picked up a 505 for the rear. Did not realize these were both DOT so



I always haul out my bike to some dirt and ride, though, I do run quick errands around town also so DOT would give me some peace of mind.

As for places I ride.. I actually just moved out to Sacramento so haven't gotten familiar with much other than Prairie City in this area. That said, it's really close and perfect place for me to get comfy. Hoping Georgetown and Foresthill and Tahoe stuff next

I do have a brand new 505 Cheater waiting to be mounted on my YZ250 once its drys up and gets hard later this year. Let us know what you think.

@2SYS

Have you heard much about running non-trials tires with Tubliss at very low pressure? Just a couple PSI? Rumor says that it'll score you all of the grip you want, but behaves itself quite a little more in corners & muddy stuff.

I've got a spare rear wheel that could use a knobby. Thinking about trying Tubliss like all of the rest of the cool kids.

Thoughts?

I'll let 2SYS respond. I'm not a fan of the tubliss systems more due to costs that anything else. When a 2, 3, or even 4mm STI tube can be had from $10-20, I just cant justify the cost of them. I rarely get flats and I will venture that I put more hours on a bike each year than the average rider. Air for the appropriate terrain and speeds.

I can say that on our trip to Moab, I was running a knob and tubes while a good portion of the group were on trials cheater type tires. At 8-9lbs of pressure, I never felt at a disadvantage within the group for traction. I did air back up when we were on higher speed rocky stuff. I would tend to agree with your supposition. Just my experience, others may feel strongly otherwise.

Personally, I think this whole trials tire on a dirtbike fad will go the way of airforks. . But I am going to give it one more try this summer.

 

[2strokeYardSale]

IWhen a 2, 3, or even 4mm STI tube can be had from $10-20, I just cant justify the cost of them. I rarely get flats and I will venture that I put more hours on a bike each year than the average rider. Air for the appropriate terrain and speeds.

Almost $40 for a Bridgestone UHD. They last a long time, nevermind the rubber dust, but you do have to replace them. $100 initial cost for Tubliss, never replace unless damaged. Tubliss gives you:

• fast and easy puncture repair
• ability to air down for traction
• no risk of pinch flats when aired down
• opens up more tire possibilities (makes bad tires good)

I can say that on our trip to Moab, I was running a knob and tubes while a good portion of the group were on trials cheater type tires.

I can say at Moab, you changed front tubes twice on Slickrock, which is only an hour-long trail.

And Fred changed a front tube that went flat on Sovereign.

I never had flat problems with UHD tubes but I went to Tubliss for easier puncture repair and more traction in the rear. I wouldn't use it in Baja, except maybe with tube backup.

Personally, I think this whole trials tire on a dirtbike fad will go the way of airforks. . But I am going to give it one more try this summer.

There's no reason to run a trials tire now that there is Tubliss and hybrid tires (Cheater, Ibex, etc.). I ran the Michelin X-11 and Shinko 255 Trail Pro trials rears with UHD tubes before I got Tubliss with the Shinko R505. It gives 80-90% of the trials tire's technical ability, with more ability in loose soil hillclimbing.

Pirelli MT-43 isn't a trials tire. Close but no cigar. Think of it as a hard terrain hybrid. It's good and I'll keep using one on my 450.

 

[madsen203]

The best setup for Baja is Moose Bibs. "What cactus?"

 

[OaklandF4i]

Almost $40 for a Bridgestone UHD. They last a long time, nevermind the rubber dust, but you do have to replace them. $100 initial cost for Tubliss, never replace unless damaged. Tubliss gives you:

• fast and easy puncture repair
• ability to air down for traction
• no risk of pinch flats when aired down
• opens up more tire possibilities (makes bad tires good)

I can say at Moab, you changed front tubes twice on Slickrock, which is only an hour-long trail.

And Fred changed a front tube that went flat on Sovereign.

I never had flat problems with UHD tubes but I went to Tubliss for easier puncture repair and more traction in the rear. I wouldn't use it in Baja, except maybe with tube backup.


There's no reason to run a trials tire now that there is Tubliss and hybrid tires (Cheater, Ibex, etc.). I ran the Michelin X-11 and Shinko 255 Trail Pro trials rears with UHD tubes before I got Tubliss with the Shinko R505. It gives 80-90% of the trials tire's technical ability, with more ability in loose soil hillclimbing.

Pirelli MT-43 isn't a trials tire. Close but no cigar. Think of it as a hard terrain hybrid. It's good and I'll keep using one on my 450.

STI 18" rear 2mm $10, 3mm $15, and 4mm $20... of course one could spend $40 for another brand.. but .. welll....

And Tubliss systems do not last forever. But they do have advantages.

Dang it... I knew after I hit submit you would bring up Moab and my two flats in less than a mile. Well played! I also forgot my tools on the pickup bed on that days ride. To be fair, I count that as once instance as the second flat wasnt a flat but a bad or impropery stem valve. Havent had a flat in couple years on the YZ since. But yes... tubes do go flat.

I've also seen folks struggle to plug and even have to plug tubliss systems multiple times on our baja trips. Often it is easy, but not always. And they do fail (though no where near the rate a tube does.)

Lots of folks love em. I dont think they are worth the $$.

You coming down for RainyBarf this wknd at Stony?

The best setup for Baja is Moose Bibs. "What cactus?"

Ask some folks like Aaron if Baja cacti puncture mouse...... hint... they do

 

[madsen203]

STI 18" rear 2mm $10, 3mm $15, and 4mm $20... of course one could spend $40 for another brand.. but .. welll....

And Tubliss systems do not last forever. But they do have advantages.

The tubliss acts as a rim protector. I rode virtually all of moonrocks with a flat front tire. It SUCKED but the tire stayed on and the rim did not suffer any damage. I think it is great for rear tires. For the front? I prefer the UHD up front. The weight savings they claim is hardly notable on the front and rarely takes the same impacts that the rear does.

I imagine you can make the tubliss system last for several tires breaking even with tubes. They are not ideal when you get a tear/rip in the tire that you cannot seal with a plug. Also...getting a nail will pretty much do your inner bladder in. Pretty rare but it sure happens when traveling fire roads.