Honda, XR650L Rear Tires I Have Tried

[SpudRider]

Here is a photograph I took of my current, Kenda, K760, TrakMaster rear tire, size 110/100-18, after 2,600 miles of wear.



This tire is still working well, and I estimate I will get at least 3,000 miles of wear from it. I am very pleased with the performance, and the durability of my K760, TrakMaster rear tire.

So far I have experimented with the following rear tires on my XR650L

1) Kenda, K760, TrakMaster, size 110/100-18
2) Maxxis, MaxxCross IT, size 110/100-18
3) Dunlop, D606, size 120/90-18
4) Michelin, T63, size 110/80-18
5) Shinko, SR244, size 4.60-18

My current, K760 rear tire is the second TrakMaster rear tire I have mounted on my XR650L. I think it will be very hard to beat the performance/cost ratio I am getting from my TrakMaster rear tire! However, I am going to experiment with three other tires before I "propose" to the TrakMaster. :wink:



The photograph above shows the following tires, from left to right.

1) Mounted on the rear wheel is my current, K760, TrakMaster tire, size 110/100-18
2) Dunlop, D952, size 110/90-18
3) Pirelli, MT 21, size 120/80-18
4) Kenda, K760, TrakMaster, size 100/100-18

I chose the three new tires shown in the photograph because of their aggressive tread, and their lower profile, which will lower my saddle height a little bit more than my current rear tire.

Spud

[katoranger]

The dunlap looks similar the trakmaster in design.

[2LZ]

Spud! That looks like a lot of skinned knuckles! :x

[FastDoc]

I also very much liked the Trackmaster, but predictably it wore very fast for me. I think it's the type of riding I do but mine only lasted about 1/2 as long as yours. And that was on a 200cc CB! I'd have smoked it in a weekend on a 650! :roll:

I really like the OEM Dunlops on my KLX, but after 2,000 miles the rear needs to be replaced and Dunlop does NOT sell them as replacements to the public! Only OEM to the manufacturer!

I'll probably replace it with a 606 (IIRC) and see how that works.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

The dunlap looks similar the trakmaster in design.

I think Kenda copied the D952 tread design for their TrakMaster tire, Allen. However, the D952 has a stiffer sidewall, harder rubber, and bigger tread blocks. Therefore, I hope the D952 will wear even better than the TrakMaster rear tire.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Spud! That looks like a lot of skinned knuckles! :x

This might sound like heresy, but I actually enjoy changing tires! 8O I never skin my knuckles, or hurt myself in any manner now that I employ the proper tools, and use the proper technique.

http://chinariders.net/modules.php?n...ewtopic&t=9080

P.S. My knees really appreciate my Moose Racing Tire Changing Stand!



Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I also very much liked the Trackmaster, but predictably it wore very fast for me. I think it's the type of riding I do but mine only lasted about 1/2 as long as yours. And that was on a 200cc CB! I'd have smoked it in a weekend on a 650! :roll:

I really like the OEM Dunlops on my KLX, but after 2,000 miles the rear needs to be replaced and Dunlop does NOT sell them as replacements to the public! Only OEM to the manufacturer!

I'll probably replace it with a 606 (IIRC) and see how that works.

I think you'll enjoy the Dunlop, D606 rear tire, Doc. If you don't need DOT approval, you might also try the Dunlop, D952 rear tire shown in the photo I posted earlier.

Incidentally, the Dunlop, D606 front tire is reported to wear unevenly. Also, the D606 front tire is directional, so you can't flip it to extend the life of the tire. :( The D952 front tire gets excellent reviews, but it is not DOT approved. I really like my CST, Surge I, front tire, and it is DOT approved.



Spud

[MICRider]

I'm definitely going the knobbier route next time around. The Gripsters are great on the road but I can see how they got the nickname "Slipsters" when you take them on loose surfaces... Only catch with me is I use my KLR to commute mostly so the miles are pretty much all pavement with a little bit of gravel roads and such sprinkled in. Not sure if I will just go for something like a Mefo Explorerer or a more aggressive tire next time around. It's hard to shop tires because there are so many different kinds with different attributes. Would be neat to try a set of those Trakmasters, bet they howl like a bugger on the highway?

P.S. That looks like one sweet trail your riding! Everything here is flat, blech!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

I'm definitely going the knobbier route next time around. The Gripsters are great on the road but I can see how they got the nickname "Slipsters" when you take them on loose surfaces... Only catch with me is I use my KLR to commute mostly so the miles are pretty much all pavement with a little bit of gravel roads and such sprinkled in. Not sure if I will just go for something like a Mefo Explorerer or a more aggressive tire next time around. It's hard to shop tires because there are so many different kinds with different attributes. Would be neat to try a set of those Trakmasters, bet they howl like a bugger on the highway?

P.S. That looks like one sweet trail your riding! Everything here is flat, blech!

If you don't encounter much mud, you might want to try either the Kenda, K270 tires, or the similar, Shinko, SR244 tires, Stew. Both tires do well on gravel roads, rock, and other dry, firm surfaces. However, these tires cake up quickly in mud, and won't clean themselves. In particular, the front tire will cake with mud immediately, and drop you in an instant, without any warning whatsoever! 8O

Indeed, the TrakMaster tire will start to howl on the pavement when it is about half worn. However, the sound doesn't bother me at all. After all, "loud tires save lives."

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

...P.S. That looks like one sweet trail your riding! Everything here is flat, blech!

Thank you, Stew. Here is a photo I took from the base of that mountain.



Here are two views from the top of that mountain.





Spud

[MICRider]

Wonder what the K784 big blocks would be like? Wildly varying reports on tread life though...

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

Wonder what the K784 big blocks would be like? Wildly varying reports on tread life though...

I think the K784 would be a great tire for a KLR650, Stew. I would try one myself, on my XR650L, but Kenda doesn't make that tire in the correct size for my Honda. What reports have you heard on the tread life for this tire?

Spud

[MICRider]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I think the K784 would be a great tire for a KLR650, Stew. I would try one myself, on my XR650L, but Kenda doesn't make that tire in the correct size for my Honda. What reports have you heard on the tread life for this tire?

Spud

I'm still researching it, but I have heard as little as 1000 miles (1600 km's) to as much as 3000 miles (4800 kms). It's too bad the knobby tires don't last that awful long on pavement as I do about 2000 km's of pavement a month. Love the look of these tires though! My current Gripsters have about 8000 kms on them and look like they will go another 3 or 4 thousand at least, maybe more. Great tires on the street but I don't dare take them on wet grass much less mud :roll:. Definitely going to try something a little more agressive next time around

Edit: Hmmm, rereading your original post, if your getting around 3000 miles out of the Trakmaster I would think the K784 would last at least that long as well since the Trakmaster looks more aggressive. Think I might do me a little pricing... :twisted:

[SpudRider]

I actually got 3,900 miles of wear from my last Kenda, K760, TrakMaster rear tire, Stew!



Here are two photos of the worn, K760 rear tire with the new, Dunlop, D952 rear tire that replaced it.





It appears Kenda copied the D952 tread pattern for the TrakMaster tire. However, the D952 has bigger tread blocks, a stiffer sidewall, and a harder rubber compound than the K760 TrakMaster tire.



I hope I can get even longer wear from the Dunlop, D952 rear tire.



The D952 rear tire handles surprisingly well on pavement. Needless to say, the aggressive tread pattern of this tire performs superbly in all off road terrain.



Spud

[MICRider]

Wow! 3900 miles, that's 6240 km's, very impressive for a knobby . And your still running the Surge front tire? Just out of curiousity, how many miles are on your front? Beautiful pics as usual, the BRP looks right at home on those mountain trails