Crawdaddy 96 Posted November 7, 2012 I just ordered the tires you're running Chris. How well will they work in that sand? Maybe I'll pass tomorrow and go next time with the new rubber. As many of you know, I'm a big proponent of the Pirelli MT43 Trials Tires for dualsport use.....they're DOT legal for street use and the park rangers like'em because they're low impact on the trails.......therefore they're less likely to hassle you with "Green friendly" tires......I've been using them almost exclusively in the rear since they came out as DOT tires ~5 years ago.........I can never make up my mind in the front........I generally run a matched set on my WR250R and a more aggressive XCMH front on my 300 XCW..........the MT43's offer better traction in nasty/rocky stuff than a traditional knobby and they're better in sand than you'd think (provided you've aired'em down).....a good "all around" tire but you must run'em at low pressure or they'll fall apart/crack in the middle...... also a good idea to use a rim lock to keep the tube in place...... The only real down side of using these tires is they suck on downhills......your bike will pitch sideways under heavy breaking in the rear rather than holding a true/straight line.......so you need to use more front brake..... They also don't slide/spin in corners like a true knobby.......the traction is too good......that can be kind of a bummer when you WANT to slide like a hooligan.... I run'em at ~10psi (sometimes ~8psi in the rear when off-road) with Bridgestone Ultra Heavy Duty Tubes.......they're expensive/heavy tubes but they'll ward off pinch flats from running at such low pressures Review: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/392/1963/Motorcycle-Article/Pirelli-MT-43-Pro-Trials-Tire-Review.aspx Motorcycle superstore links: Rear: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/392/11015/ITEM/Pirelli-MT-43-Trials-Rear-Tire.aspx Front: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/392/28466/ITEM/Pirelli-MT-43-Trials-Front-Tire.aspx Another alternative for the front is the Pirelli XCMH......also DOT legal and more aggressive: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/14843/ITEM/Pirelli-XCMH-Dual-Sport-Front-Tire.aspx I just purchased 2 sets of XCMH fronts and MT43 rears for the WR250R and the 300 XC-W Charlie - I doubt you're ever gonna run'em in sand any deeper than this.......Hobiee and I had no issues.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobiee 28 Posted November 7, 2012 They work great in the deep sand in my opinion. Just like Crawford says the lower the pressure the better. I run 6-8 psi and tubeless system. I love them off road. 3 thousand miles is just about the mileage I have gotten out of them when sticking to the dirt. I loved them in the snow we hit in death valley as well, not that matters much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baja2015 0 Posted November 7, 2012 The Kenda track master 2 and the Kenda dt work well for me up front. No issues !! Have you tried them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cj54x 51 Posted November 7, 2012 Looks like Bills hill. I just got back from my first time in the sand on a bike. 41 miles at Superstition, MT43 @ 8 psi. What a blast! Next trip I'll spoon on my paddle to see what the difference is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crawdaddy 96 Posted November 7, 2012 Looks like Bills hill. I just got back from my first time in the sand on a bike. 41 miles at Superstition, MT43 @ 8 psi. What a blast! Next trip I'll spoon on my paddle to see what the difference is. That pic was taken on top of Blowsand in Ocotillo Wells I wouldn't run a paddle at Superstition.....lot's of fun hardpack in the area too and you won't want to venture into that stuff with a paddle.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mistress of the dual 1 Posted November 7, 2012 Chris, after hearing you rave about the MT43 I gave them a try. I have them on the front and back. For a novice dirt rider who does not like to slide around they are perfect. I run about the same PSI in dirt as you do, what PSI do you run when you are on the street? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagstr 287 Posted November 7, 2012 CDy, I didn't know you where in sales. PS - Those things Do hook-up. If you like to play Flat-Track, they may not be for you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crawdaddy 96 Posted November 7, 2012 Chris, after hearing you rave about the MT43 I gave them a try. I have them on the front and back. For a novice dirt rider who does not like to slide around they are perfect. I run about the same PSI in dirt as you do, what PSI do you run when you are on the street? I generally run 10/10 regardless.....why? .......that way I only have to remember/check one number .....and........well........ I'm lazy If I was going to jack them up for street use I wouldn't go higher than ~12......I've seen them crown/collapse in the center at higher pressures.....they're trials tires......they're made to run at low psi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tntmo 887 Posted November 7, 2012 I've been interested in trying these tires for a while. Most of the riding I do is similar to the noob ride we did this weekend....riding 30 miles of highway to some dirt roads, then a mix of trails/pavement and then 30 miles of pavement back home. Would these tires be acceptable in that aspect? I'm usually running non-DOT Maxxis IT's and they seem to be ok for this kind of riding. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CL300CAPT 0 Posted November 7, 2012 Wow! Great thread Crawdaddy, thanks for going public with my question so I can hear all the other input as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirt dame 559 Posted November 7, 2012 And by the way, the MT43 has been around for many years, but just became DOT a few years ago, kind of like their MT21 which was originally an offroad tire, but somewhere around 1990 they too, became DOT. Both models went from being a sort of unpopular, outdated dirt only tire, to a very good selling DS tire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crawdaddy 96 Posted November 7, 2012 I've been interested in trying these tires for a while. Most of the riding I do is similar to the noob ride we did this weekend....riding 30 miles of highway to some dirt roads, then a mix of trails/pavement and then 30 miles of pavement back home. Would these tires be acceptable in that aspect? I'm usually running non-DOT Maxxis IT's and they seem to be ok for this kind of riding. I think so. I had MT43s on the front/rear of the WR250R when I rode in the Kings of the West Rally a couple of years ago......we rode from Jawbone Canyon to Brian Head, Utah and back in 4 days.....~1200+ miles.......lot's of open dirt/sand/rocks and some extended pavement sections......big miles.....long/sustained sections of 60+mph........Bridgestone Ultra Heavy Duty tubes/10psi.......no issues..... Likewise, Strega had a MT43 on the back of his 640 when we rode around the Grand Canyon a few years ago.......lot's of open/high speed riding.....~1200+ miles.....5 days......no issues Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tlking6 0 Posted November 7, 2012 MT 43 on my bike right now with 2200 miles. 70-30 Street-dirt (I know, that percentage sucks but it is what it is) I run 12psi on the road and 8 off road. And, just a heads up,,, My pirelli XCMS,, thats right,,, S that I took a crap shot on to try with the same 70-30 Street-Dirt at 1500 miles. I have been running the H for years and thought I'd give the S a try. Been very very happy with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baja2015 0 Posted November 7, 2012 No love for the Kenda DOT tires? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crawdaddy 96 Posted November 7, 2012 No love for the Kenda DOT tires? I haven't tried'em.....this thread is about MT43..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CL300CAPT 0 Posted November 7, 2012 MT 43 on my bike right now with 2200 miles. 70-30 Street-dirt (I know, that percentage sucks but it is what it is) I run 12psi on the road and 8 off road. And, just a heads up,,, My pirelli XCMS,, thats right,,, S that I took a crap shot on to try with the same 70-30 Street-Dirt at 1500 miles. I have been running the H for years and thought I'd give the S a try. Been very very happy with it. So you prefer the S to the H ? Perhaps I'll try that next but already ordered the H. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crusty Posted November 7, 2012 No love for the Kenda DOT tires? I have been running those on my XR 680L for 2 years now. I love them for long mellow rides, and street . I have used them at Big Bear,The Desert Dash 2 times, Carlsbad to the Avi Casino, in Laughlin and back Day trips to Ocatillo Wells, 2 trips to Ensenada to watch races, and 2 surf trips They worked great last weekend in Baja I run 12 psi or more, with Tubliss or not,( in all my tires), much less and they flex to much cornering at high speeds I like the trials tire on mt CR 250 R( MTN. bike )but Pirelli dosn't make a 19" tire. They are not the right tire for my other 3 bikes. This rear tire has over 3000miles 70-30 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crusty Posted November 8, 2012 My input on trials tires. I ride longer because I can ride slower in technical stuff, that I used to need more momentum to get through. Craig. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tlking6 0 Posted November 8, 2012 So you prefer the S to the H ? Perhaps I'll try that next but already ordered the H. I think I do. When I got it and felt how soft it was I thought for sure I'd burn through it quick. Pretty impressed so far. It hasnt been Baja tested yet. Sorry for the Hijack there C-Diddy,,, back to the Trials tire. This was my first try at the MT 43 and I'll definitly buy another. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tsr 0 Posted November 8, 2012 I've been interested in trying these tires for a while. Most of the riding I do is similar to the noob ride we did this weekend....riding 30 miles of highway to some dirt roads, then a mix of trails/pavement and then 30 miles of pavement back home. Would these tires be acceptable in that aspect? I'm usually running non-DOT Maxxis IT's and they seem to be ok for this kind of riding. On last Sunday's noob ride I was the yellow DRZ400S. The bike was running the MT43 rear @ 9 psi and the XCMH front at 17 psi. My ride that day was just shy of 230 miles, and most of it was pavement. In the dirt I like the grip offered by the XCMH; I was falling too much with the trials front (and I want to blame that on something other than my "riding skill level" ). On this noob ride I felt much more confident with the XCMH. On the pavement, I was able to rail through the narrow roads/corners, and was riding 65 mph home from Santa Ysabel on Hwy 79 at ride's end. The tires were rock solid. It was noticed that I had a nice contact patch on the rear on-road as the tire bulged in corners. I'm not an amazing rider (low-to-mid intermediate) but I really like the MT43 rear / XCMH front combo. It works well for me and my DRZ400S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CableJockey 1 Posted November 8, 2012 I think you're missing one of the best features of the MT43. I have the DOT MotoZ rear and the MT43 rear for my DRZ. With the MotoZ and their stiff sidewall the ride is rough even at low pressure. When I tried the MT43 at the same pressure the sharpness of the bumps was noticeably less. Makes for a more comfortable ride. The XCMS front and MT43 rear is what I'm running, it's the first combo I've had that really makes the bike feel solid on any surface. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaugh 1 Posted November 8, 2012 anyone else feel like a rear trials tire feels tall and skinny like a pizza cutter? Makes the bike handle not so good? VIVA LA KNOBBY!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
