[DiagTech]

Can't stand the Dunlop D742FA on the front of my new bike. I can deal with the D756 until it wears out.

I ride mostly desert in SoCal. I will probably start riding the local mountains as it gets hotter. What are you guys running in this area? Also, I seem to remember running a 120/100 18 on the rear on my old bike, also a 450x, just 9 years older than my new one. Does that seem correct? Currently a 110/100.

[JimDirt]

Depending on the soil (sand/hard pack clay , etc) in the deserts here in Idaho most guys run the Dunlop Geomax AT81

This is what Dunlop says about its usage , it comes in 18"/19" and 21"

Details
Dunlop's vast championship experience and development expertise has been infused into the next generation of off-road tires: the all-new Dunlop Geomax® AT81™. These new Geomax tires offer more all-around performance plus higher levels of ruggedness for off-road racing and riding.
AT81 rear tread block shape and distribution plus DIRTuitive Grip Design (DGD) knobs help the tire penetrate down through the surface dirt for extra traction across a broad range of off-road applications.
Formulated high-wear-resistant rear tire compound offers enhanced chipping, tearing and wear appearance.
Geomax AT81 rear tire carcass features two nylon plies.
Front tire construction includes two plies of nylon wrapped with a third ply of polyester for a strong base.
Lateral grooves on the shoulder knobs provide additional biting edges and also allow the knobs to be more flexible.
Rear center blocks are arranged in-line to provide a larger contact patch for maximum traction.
Dunlop's "plush pad" recess design between tread blocks enhances compliance for bump absorption and ride comfort.


As far as the tire size goes , it depends on the brand and style of tire , some 110's are wider than others and some 120's are really wide and cause clearance issues especially when low air pressure is used , a 110 will dig in but tends to get to the edge quickly when leaning (its a narrow quick lean because its a round carcass) , a 120 will give you more surface area to stay on top of the dirt better (like in sand) but tends to rub the side knobs on the chain sometimes when flexing and when it gets to the edge it tends to get sketchy as it leans till it flexes (its flatter so when it gets to the edge its a abrupt transition and traction goes away (look at this mouth on the smiley face , see how its a wide curve then it almost goes back on itself at each edge ? ) that is how a 120 is , , it has a wide bite range till you lean just a little too far , then nothing , then its sliding and your on the ground , basically you have lots of bit , till you don't then its too late

I personally run 110/90 on my 450R , and i run a Kenda Equilibrium (trials/knobby hybrid) on my X and it does well everywhere , except it does not like abusive throttle , as it will wear quickly if you abuse it heavily , front i run 80/100 on both bikes , which i ride in both desert and single track , my R i run on hard pack MX tracks as well as hard pack and sand desert and single track , and use a Pirelli MX32 Pro and a MX Xtra X on the front and it works well in all those conditions , but the MX32 Pro only comes in 19"

Hope that helped ....

[DiagTech]

Thanks Jim.

I used to run the Maxxis Desert IT and it seemed to do pretty well everywhere I rode, but know tire technology gets better, I figured there may be something to work better.

I was actually looking at the AT81's last night and these might be what I'm after.

I do mostly desert. Lots of sand, rocks, hard and soft pack or I may end up in the mountains with minimal sand, but mostly everything else.

My biggest complaint is with that front tire. I just have a trust issue with it every time I turn.

[JimDirt]

I ran the Desert IT as well , but found it did not work everywhere , but it did last and you could run lower pressure with it

It might end up you have to settle for changing the front more frequently and just go with a soft compound , it will at least grab good , but usually will tear knobs and wear excessively on heard terrain .... its a compromise to have good traction and stability and tire life , i do have the Bridgestone M403 on the front of my X and it seems to do decent most terrains , though its not the best everywhere , its a compromise so i don't need to switch tires for different terrain , it does really well in the woods , ............ i am in the process of building another front wheel , so i have a spare with a different tire so i can use something specialized when i need it for either the R or the X , i already have 3 back wheels for my R ( all 19" - 1 with a Dunlop MX52 and a Tubliss *currently on the bike along with the Pirelli MX Xtra X on the front which works on hard pack and loam and sand * , - 1 with a Pirelli MX32 Pro - HD Tube , - and 1 with a Pirelli Mid/Hard 554 - HD Tube) , so i have setups for various terrain.. , i currently only have 1 front wheel for each of the bikes though , so that is the next upgrade ... , so for now , 403 on the X and MX Xtra X on the R (that Pirelli really does well everywhere and seems to last pretty well so far on the front)

[DiagTech]

Thanks again, Jim!

I did a little more research and I may try the MX Extra X tires for both front and rear. I'll deal with a few more rides with what I've got now, then in a couple weeks change out the tires.

My biggest problem with tires and riding mostly desert is I can be in hard pack now and deep sand in 100'. I really need something kind of good everywhere without necessarily having to be great anywhere.

FedEx just arrived with another part for the bike. I guess it's time for a beer and install.

[Back2-2]

Maxxis Desert IT for me. They are as tough as you can get and here in our AZ terrain that's what is needed. No pinch flats, no sticker flats and wear like iron. Grip is good - for me at least. I believe in sticking to a good thing - so that's what i have done for years now. Just my 2 cents.