RX3 Knobby Tire: Which Tire Should CSC Import?

[SpudRider]

Both the Zongshen ZS200GY-2 and the new, Zongshen RX3 have a size 130/90-15, rear tire. Street tires in this size are readily available, but knobby tires in this size are completely unavailable in North America.

CSC, which is importing the Zongshen RX3 to North America, has stated it will import a knobby tire for Zongshen RX3 owners. I have found three knobby tires which can be imported from China. Which of these tires would you like CSC to import?

1) Zongshen ZS200GY-2 Knobby Tire

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...30&ns=1#detail





2) CST C7902

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...id=18178544413



3) SDL Knobby Tire

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...04&ns=1#detail





4) CST C6017 (Stock Tire)

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...res%2Fc6017%2F



You are not limited to one choice. If you wish, you can choose several of these tires. After you vote, you can view the results of the poll. If you click on the number after each tire selection, you can see who voted for that particular tire.

[SpudRider]

After you vote, please feel free to comment concerning why you chose any particular tire, or tires.

I chose the Zongshen ZS200GY-2 tire for several reasons. Firstly, I have experience with this tire, since I mounted one of these tires on the rear wheel of my Zongshen Sierra (ZS200GY-2).



However, after I wore out this tire, I could not buy another. When I bought this tire, it was the only knobby tire in size 130/90-15 available for sale in North America. When I was ready to replace this tire, Zongshen America had stopped importing it. Since that time no vendor in North America has sold a knobby tire which fits the Zong's rear wheel.

I also chose this tire because it has the most aggressive tread for any tire I have seen which will fit the Zong's rear wheel. Street tires this size are readily available. However, if you want to ride off road, an aggressive tire tread works best. This tire also works very well on pavement; it doesn't have any negative features.

Finally, I chose this tire since it should also be the least expensive of the three tires included in the survey.

[zingshoen]

you give good reasons, spud! i use street tyres on my zong, but having 15 inch off road tyres available increases the versatility of the bike.

[Weldangrind]

I'm with you, Spud. The tire that came on the Sierra looks as if it will self-clean after riding in muddy terrain.

[rtking]

Tough to answer as the tire choice is really going to be determined on the surface you will ride on the most (or maybe the worst of the terrain you expect to encounter?)

I selected the 7902 if I were to go knobby. There's plenty of highway between me and any trail type road, so having lugs closer together will give a better ride. The 7902 would likely not make it through muck/mire very well (wouldn't sling off mud as easily due to the closer lugs) but it would get me up through most stuff.

If I lived where it was muddier or wetter than drought-stricken SoCal, then the ZS200GY-2 tire looks like the ticket.

[SpudRider]

The stock tires appear to be CST C6017 street tires, which are not sold in North America.

http://www.csttires.com/int/moto/street-tires/c6017/



For street tires, the tread isn't that bad. In fact, the CST C6017 has a nicer tread than many other tires this size. Should I add the CST C6017 tire to the poll?

[SpudRider]

Previously, I had researched the 130/90-15 street tires available for the Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2, a predecessor of the Zongshen RX3. Here are the street tires I found with the deepest tread. Contrast these domestically available tires with the Chinese tires posted in this poll.

Shinko SR734R



Dunlop D404



Kenda K671

Perhaps the poorest choice for dirt riding.



Dunlop K627

Katoranger found this one! This tire has probably been discontinued.

[RedSpruce]

I'd like some knobbies for this moto. I use Kenda K270's on my bike now and find they work great on everything but mud. I plan on using the RX3 on FS roads and ATV trails, so something a little more knobbie would be great.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by RedSpruce

I'd like some knobbies for this moto. I use Kenda K270's on my bike now and find they work great on everything but mud. I plan on using the RX3 on FS roads and ATV trails, so something a little more knobbie would be great.

I see you voted for the ZS200GY-2 tire.

I have a Kenda, K760 tire mounted on the rear wheel of my Honda XR650L.



I can safely ride this tire at 85 mph. Therefore, I know the ZS200GY-2 tire will perform very well on pavement, yet still offer the best grip for off road riding.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by rtking

Tough to answer as the tire choice is really going to be determined on the surface you will ride on the most (or maybe the worst of the terrain you expect to encounter?)

I selected the 7902 if I were to go knobby. There's plenty of highway between me and any trail type road, so having lugs closer together will give a better ride. The 7902 would likely not make it through muck/mire very well (wouldn't sling off mud as easily due to the closer lugs) but it would get me up through most stuff.

If I lived where it was muddier or wetter than drought-stricken SoCal, then the ZS200GY-2 tire looks like the ticket.

I appreciate your input. I think it would be nice if CST imported all three tires in the poll, as well as the stock, CST C6017 tire.

[SpudRider]

In China my ZS200GY-2 comes stock with the ZS200GY-2 tires.



The photograph above comes from the ride report in the following link, which is a very good read.

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...p%3Ft%3D371656

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

The stock tires appear to be CST C6017 street tires, which are not sold in North America.

http://www.csttires.com/int/moto/street-tires/c6017/



For street tires, the tread isn't that bad. In fact, the CST C6017 has a nicer tread than many other tires this size. Should I add the CST C6017 tire to the poll?

Yes. Some riders might lean towards SM riding, and this is close enough to that style.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I appreciate your input. I think it would be nice if CST imported all three tires in the poll, as well as the stock, CST C6017 tire.

Agreed. Why not give riders a choice? The cost can't be significant for them, especially if they're buying containers anyway.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Yes. Some riders might lean towards SM riding, and this is close enough to that style.

Okay, I added the CST C6017 to the poll.

[bogieboy]

you may be surprised... i surprised my buddy quite a bit on his off road woods track on my shinko SR567/568 combo by keeping up with him on his crf150 with MX knobbies...

these are the shinkos...which, i am very pleased with so far... they also come in a 140/70-15 size, not sure if that would work for our fellow sierra/rx3 riders...theres also a 120/70 in the "front" pattern...aka the pattern on the left...

5. Kenda K671

Perhaps the poorest choice for dirt riding.