I've about worn out the rear tire on my WR250X with the ride up here and the commuting I've done since arriving. Stock is a 140/70-17, currently running a 150/60-17 Continental Contiforce SM rear and a Contimotion Sport touring tire on the front. Debating on swapping out to a set of Shinko 244's for the summer, or just getting a new street tire or 90/10 ds tire rear (current front tire, a contimotion sport touring radial, is fine). Shinko's and street tire I'd have to order it looks like, but could get a K76 locally. Planning on doing a decent amount of gravel road riding, but I had no issues on street tires in the lower 48 back home on the east coast nor in the AZ and CA deserts beyond hating life in deep sand or deep mud. Have no plans on tackling any real trails, just want to explore some forest roads and gravel. Opinions?
I looked at the Shinko's but decided after reading LOTS of reviews and posts that the Kenda K270's would be worth a try. I ordered them from cycegear with FREE shipping even to Alaska!! I JUST finished the install and have yet to try them out. But I have great expectations. These will be the ones I run D2D with Thanks for the help Marbee I was able to fit a 3.25 X 21 with no problem up front. And a 4.50 X 18 in the rear. With lots of clearence at the swingarm. Probably could have fit a 4.60 or more but it works. They are VERY similar to the Shinko 244's but the 21 were gone from cyclegear's website when I ordered so I didn't have to decide. The price is right too!
Metzler Sahara 3's are a dynamite 50/50 tire, a few on here seem to be in love with the Hidenau (sp?), they are hard to get though. Metzler Karoo's are nice too, that's what comes on the Husqvarna's Did you say your rear tire is a 17 or 18?
Skierd, Running a set of Shinko "Golden Boy" tires (ya have to look it up to believe it) on my kids' WR250X. These look EXACTLY like the tires AlaskaJeff is running. If you'd like to see before you buy, gimme a PM and we'll show you his '09WRX. Descent hook up in most conditions. We only have 300 miles on the bike, but he's riding it to Dawson with these, so time will tell. Best thing is they are inexpensive. But....if you got the bones and you wanna put some real miles on that bike, give the Heidi K60 a look. I've got a few new ones in my garage and they LOOK sweet. A bunch of us bought a half-dozen for the rear of our big bikes. Not of us have tried them yet but they are getting good reviews. Finally, if you can wait a bit, Continental TKC-80's are out in mulitple 17" sizes. This is an AMAZING 60/40 (dirt/street) knobby. Ran a set of these on my XR650 to Inuvik a couple of years ago. Awesome sneakers. Good luck and don't be ashamed to look at a tire called "Golden Boy". Sounds like a bad oriental porn flick, but damn good tires.
Glad you found something, hope it works out for ya. it's not too agressive looking, might be interesting if things get snotty on the TOW highway...Did they have any K60's?
Yup, plenty of K60's. I thought the K76 was a better match for the ContiMotion front tire that still looks nearly new on the bike now. I got through this with a nearly bald BT003RS rear and at the bars BT090 front in Oklahoma... If they maintain the TOW better than that, I should be ok.