Favorite Tires for the KX500

[mikesmith]

Im kind of scared of the cheap tires after trying a Maxxis IT on the front (before word got out just how bad a front tire it is) but Ill have to see.

[91kx]

Cam,I thought you used the millville.The Unadilla is their hard terrain tire,is it not?

[mikesmith]

Unadilla or Millville?Let me know which ever it is how it is for flat protection in the rocks,I noticed the Maxxis on a lot of bikes and heard they improved the front tire but Im not taking a chance on another one.I ride hard pack,decomposed granite,rocks,roots,mud,snow,you name it.

[crazyryan]

I bought a 3.5''x 18'' SunWheel and mounted a IRC 140/18 and it has been a great combo.  The extra width rim makes the M5B wider instead of rounder.  I run hillclimbs and dirtdrags in soft and intermediate.  With a change in air pressure, I think it's the best.  With no rear bead lock on the rim you'll need to screw through the rim into the tire to keep it from moving.  I used 6 screws per side.

[mikesmith]

Itll be awhile,but I plan on getting some.

[FastKX500]

can anyone tell me what a good "all around" rear tire is..i know anything is better then mine right now..hell it looks like its off a 125 lol if you look in the Members gallery..im always having problems with traction with all the torque..but i mostly ride in fields and dirt, sometimes woods, but is there a good all around tire out there for me? Thanks
-Kayne

[mikesmith]

Well the Kenda Millville mentioned above or a Maxxis IT (is a little heavy and stiff side wall), but great for the price.IRC MB5 will give you a lot of traction in soft dirt or mud and a decent all around tire.

[gowen]

I have pretty much tried all tires, the M5B was ok, but the corner and grab on hard surgaces suck. Which is mostly North Carolina. I had it mounted on my CR250 and wiped out many times in the hard stuff, but would grip awesome in mud/sand and decent in grass. Good tire.

The Dunlop series are horrible on the rear. I have not found a tire that will last me a few months at least.  The tire I have found the BEST luck with all, hard surfaces and soft, that lasts for at least 6 months on the 500 and a year at the least on any other bike, is the Kenda Trak-Master II. It is cheap, lasts forever, grips hard and is just my tire preference. I currently have it mounted on four bikes and as soon as it is time for tires on the others, I will mount it too. Great tire. That is my A+. The only downside is to the person behind you.

[hughes]

Hey guys,

any reason that i would want to run a 120 rear tire over the 110. My bike came from the factory with a 110 back in 87. The old tire was a 120 but it was badly worn so I could not see any performance. I am running a new set of maxxis cross it and love them. Just wondering if I should go with the 120 rear when I wear this 110 out. Thanks

[hughes]

KXcam22,

 So traction is the key with the 120 and not terrain.

[mikesmith]

The Maxxis IT is a heavy tire and you feel it when you jump.Cam,my old 390OR auto (sitting in the shed) still has a 17" Terraflex on it!

[BrianSM]

without a doubt, Pirelli Slicks (SC1's) they prolly stick the best in the dirt section too he he he he .......

[quincyman]

For the Arizona desert, the Maxxis I/T has been working very well for me.

I tossed that 19 though, the 18 offers a much better selection of tires and a better "feel" and stability in the baby head rocks

I feel kinda stupid but where do you get 18 inch rims for a KX500? Do you simply convert your 19" with a 18 Excel and the proper spokes? If so can someone tell me which spokes work and which Excel rim?

[hoopty]

quincyman, contact Jeff @ Monkeybutt Parts  I got my rim and spokes from him

[quincyman]

As soon as I finish the conversion from a 19" to an 18" I am going to run trials tires on my KX. They are my tire of choice on all my other bikes. There won't be much wheel spin just all out traction.