KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: bleeding green on July 12, 2014, 01:24:19 AM

Title: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: bleeding green on July 12, 2014, 01:24:19 AM
so i am sure this has been covered but i can't seem to find any good info. i need a new rear tire for my 500. i run in soft to intermediate terrain. anybody have any suggestions on something that hooks up decent and wears decent. i know thats difficult on a 500 but there must be a tire that holds up better than most. any help?  (looking for 19 inch answers)
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 12, 2014, 01:30:45 AM
I just started running these new Dunlops...and so far I'm very happy with them...the GeoMax32 on the 500 is awesome in sand and loam.

GeoMax32
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,12758.0.html

GeoMax52
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,12960.0.html
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: bleeding green on July 12, 2014, 02:46:29 PM
thanks foxx!
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: alward25 on July 12, 2014, 05:55:08 PM
IRC M5B :-o :-o
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 12, 2014, 09:35:13 PM
IRC M5B :-o :-o

I've always wanted to try one of them...but I don't think they make one big enough in a 19"...I think that's what kept me from trying one. 
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: alward25 on July 13, 2014, 04:50:37 AM
IRC M5B :-o :-o

I've always wanted to try one of them...but I don't think they make one big enough in a 19"...I think that's what kept me from trying one. 

They offer a 110/90/19 that is pretty dang burley, lot's of guys here in the NW run it on their MX bikes.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 13, 2014, 04:56:41 AM
yeah that's what I thought, I only run 120's and on occasion a 130, due to the 80% sand in my area NE...if I run anything smaller than 120, they just spin and sink/dig, rather than "float" and hook-up.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: bleeding green on July 13, 2014, 05:39:01 AM
i agree that the mb5 looks sweet but i also want to run at least a 120 for the same reasons as foxx. lots of loose stuff where i ride.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: alward25 on July 13, 2014, 05:41:21 AM
They run fat on sizing, it is hard to tell the difference between a 120 and a 140.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 13, 2014, 05:48:29 AM
hmmm...maybe I can talk my Kawie dealer into ordering one to stock on the rack so I can actually see one before making a commitment on buying one.
As it is now, I've got 5 tires with only a couple rides on em that I'll never use again, cause they weren't what I was hoping, performance wise.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: bleeding green on July 13, 2014, 10:37:00 AM
may i ask which ones you tried and were not happy with?
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 13, 2014, 10:53:13 AM
may i ask which ones you tried and were not happy with?
 

absolutely...

Maxxis Max Cross IT
Dunlop 773
Bridgestone 204
Pirelli MXMS
Michelin Starcross MH3

out of the 5, the Maxxis was the worst...but, in it's defense, it really isn't made for sand.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 13, 2014, 10:57:38 AM
on the front...I'm running the Dunlop GeoMax11...
(http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/400/d/dun_13_tir_mx11_geo_san_mud-fro.jpg)

this tire sticks!!...period!!

http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,12884.0.html
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: bleeding green on July 14, 2014, 03:06:46 PM
wow! you have just about tried them all. i guess i will give the dunlop a try. thanks!
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Motorrad on July 14, 2014, 04:02:32 PM
Best I have found is swapping to tubliss and running trials pressures     evil traction
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 14, 2014, 08:24:32 PM
wow! you have just about tried them all. i guess i will give the dunlop a try. thanks!

those are only the ones I didn't like.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 14, 2014, 08:48:19 PM
Best I have found is swapping to tubliss and running trials pressures     evil traction

I tried running the tubliss also, but unfortunately wasn't happy with that set-up either....it would've worked good if I only did trail riding and sand pit riding, but I have such a wide variety of riding situations that it wasn't the set-up I was hoping for.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Motorrad on July 15, 2014, 12:41:08 AM
Best I have found is swapping to tubliss and running trials pressures     evil traction

I tried running the tubliss also, but unfortunately wasn't happy with that set-up either....it would've worked good if I only did trail riding and sand pit riding, but I have such a wide variety of riding situations that it wasn't the set-up I was hoping for.

I rode a set 6,000 miles across country off road twice (Canada and back). In. Mud sand snow rocks gravel dirt clay pavement. Etc etc.        Flawless.

What didn't you like about them?  I'm curious
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 15, 2014, 08:12:16 AM
Best I have found is swapping to tubliss and running trials pressures     evil traction

I tried running the tubliss also, but unfortunately wasn't happy with that set-up either....it would've worked good if I only did trail riding and sand pit riding, but I have such a wide variety of riding situations that it wasn't the set-up I was hoping for.

I rode a set 6,000 miles across country off road twice (Canada and back). In. Mud sand snow rocks gravel dirt clay pavement. Etc etc.        Flawless.

What didn't you like about them?  I'm curious

they don't like landings from 50'-70' tables or jumps in general....lots of "wallowing" on landings regardless what pressure I ran them...from 8PSI to 35PSI.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: sebmor on July 26, 2014, 05:51:58 AM
Hi, I just installed a rear 120/80 millville 2 and it offers good traction
 In the sand. My tires rub against the muffler, did anyone have that problem?
Thanks
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 26, 2014, 06:01:29 AM
Hi, I just installed a rear 120/80 millville 2 and it offers good traction
 In the sand. My tires rub against the muffler, did anyone have that problem?
Thanks

welcome to the site sebmor....
that one's on the list to try too at some point.

for the tire rubbing the silencer problem, just use some washers or a spacer of some kind to push the silencer out away a 1/4" to a 1/2" inch...that should be more than enough.

Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 30, 2014, 12:57:41 PM
wow! you have just about tried them all. i guess i will give the dunlop a try. thanks!

I meant to tell you that this was my other favorite tire for my area/terrain.
The member Hillclimb#42 suggested the Washougal's to me a few years ago, and I was instantly hooked.
I strapped this one on last night because the Geo32 was finally worn beyond my liking, and my new Geo52 hasn't arrived yet, and this ones been sittin around for a few weeks.

Kenda Washougal...
(http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac152/foxx4afoxx2/IMG_0025_zps5fdaf508.jpg) (http://s895.photobucket.com/user/foxx4afoxx2/media/IMG_0025_zps5fdaf508.jpg.html)
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: sandblaster on July 30, 2014, 01:02:14 PM
Washougal is a cool track  8-)
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on July 30, 2014, 01:09:41 PM
ha...come to think of it, there's a Washougal front on my 250...that also sticks quite well in soft to mid.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: cmotodad on July 30, 2014, 01:56:45 PM
We just returned from racing Washougal amateur race. Awesome track for sure.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: sandblaster on July 30, 2014, 02:05:05 PM
I almost went last weekend but I didn't know anybody racing...
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: sebmor on August 08, 2014, 06:30:50 AM
Hi, I just installed a rear 120/80 millville 2 and it offers good traction
 In the sand. My tires rub against the muffler, did anyone have that problem?
Thanks

welcome to the site sebmor....
that one's on the list to try too at some point.

for the tire rubbing the silencer problem, just use some washers or a spacer of some kind to push the silencer out away a 1/4" to a 1/2" inch...that should be more than enough.

Thanks for exhaust tip Foxx4Beaver. I put a washer and it may only need another one. It is strange that they made the muffler to tire gap so close but I am happy to know that it is common and it is not my subframe that is crooked.
By the way I tried the Millville 2 in the mud and it would wheelie out of deep puddles so traction is impressive by my standards and that's with them mounted in the intermediate direction. Soft direction should be even better. The front is not as impressive though but it is still ok.
Title: Re: kx 500 rear tire
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on August 08, 2014, 07:26:57 AM
Hi, I just installed a rear 120/80 millville 2 and it offers good traction
 In the sand. My tires rub against the muffler, did anyone have that problem?
Thanks

welcome to the site sebmor....
that one's on the list to try too at some point.

for the tire rubbing the silencer problem, just use some washers or a spacer of some kind to push the silencer out away a 1/4" to a 1/2" inch...that should be more than enough.

Thanks for exhaust tip Foxx4Beaver. I put a washer and it may only need another one. It is strange that they made the muffler to tire gap so close but I am happy to know that it is common and it is not my subframe that is crooked.
By the way I tried the Millville 2 in the mud and it would wheelie out of deep puddles so traction is impressive by my standards and that's with them mounted in the intermediate direction. Soft direction should be even better. The front is not as impressive though but it is still ok.

no problem...there are a couple threads on the "tire rubbing the silencer" issue on here.
to better check that your sub-frame isn't tweaked...stand directly behind the bike while it's on a stand, and line up the center of the rear tire to the center of the tip of the rear fender...should be spot on, or at least within a 1/4" either way.

thanks for the feedback on the Millie2..at some point I do want to try one.