Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

IRC tires

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teamgreen500:
Mike & Rick,
I've had really good luck with the VE-32 front and Kenda Carlsbad Rears (Cheap @ Chaparral $32.99 300/21  & 47.97 120-90/19 + $10 ea/ship-I think Rocky Mt. has the Kenda...I've had good luck with Chaparral, myself). I've also had good luck with Michelein S-12's; However, they wear pretty quick. As Rick said, the Dunlops work good - Cost TOO MUCH! Bridgestones have been good tires also (M22/M23 & ED & M601-2).

I feel the VE-32 & Carlsbad combo are the best bang for my $. They both work good in most conditions, hold up in the rocks (Real important for Mike and myself) and they LAST!

Manny

Rick:
Yup, the S-12 tires go away too fast.  Heck, I can put one to bed in just one race.  As far as that goes, the boy can put one to bed in a few rides on his little 125.  

On the other hand, the M-12's hold up better.  I currently have a 110-90x19 M-12 on the rear, and it seems to be holding up pretty good.  Just had an extra M-12 new tire in the attic, and didn't have time to get in a Bridgestone before the last race.  

Rick

kawdude:
Excellent post everyone!  I have question.  My 5 is in need of new tires and this post will definately guide my decision.  The other day I was looking at my tires and noticed that the rear hub on my is cracking apart on the brake side.  What's causing this?  I also noticed that the rim is an 18" not a 19".  Which size is better?  Where do I get a new rear assembly?

mikesmith:
Where by the brake side is the crack,by the rotor?Are the bolts for the rotor loose,or were they loose at one time?Or did the rotor take a big hit from a rock?Dennis Kirk has wheels,I think a rear is around$500.00-$600.00,no tax and free shipping.I'd have to look up the exact cost.I'd just get a "18,opens up more tire selection,some say a "19 is more flat prone(I'm not having a problem with my "19 though)and more rim prtection on a "18.

Rick:
Yup, if you have a damaged rim, go to an 18"...more tires to choose from.  Short of a damaged rim, I wouldn't spend the money.  I, too, have heard of the 19" flat prone problem.  However, in all the races I have entered, both Nationals and regionals, Desert to ISDE qualifiers, and all the rocks and logs I have had to endure, I have only had one flat, and that was on the front.  I was just beginning to race the National series, and got a flat front flat 10 miles into the event.  Raced the next 90 miles on a front flat.  Ironically, at every check I was informed I had a front flat.  Like I didn't know, Duh.  

As a note, I have never had a rear flat during an event.  I guess the key to my success is the heavy duty Fly tubes, and I use two tubes each year, front and rear.  I give my old ones away at races when someone has a flat and needs a tube.  The long and short of this is that I have not had problems with flats with a 19" rim, and I ride pretty fast and hard, and ride a lot of miles, so don't believe the "more prone to flat" story.

As for the rear hub, if the rim and spokes are good, just swap out the hub with a Talon hub.  Super strong, and you should be able to get one for about $300.

Good Luck.

Rick

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