50/50 tire recommendations

Weresquatch · 03-06-2025, 06:31 PM

My Templar X is going to be used mostly off-road for BDR/Camping type trips. I plan on wearing the stock tires down but then going to something a little more road friendly (think 50/50 or even more off-road biased). Opinions on what others have used that are available in the right sizes?

Thanks for your responses.

Mumen Rider · 03-06-2025, 09:08 PM

I run Shinko 244's on my Templar X, no complaints.

https://shinkotireusa.com/product/24...rt-tire/211927

OldGuy · 03-07-2025, 08:08 AM

I am running Shinko 241s on my Paladin, they are a traditional trials tire that still does great on the road. I have done 100 miles highway comfortably, corners great on pavement, and gives a good bit (esepecially if you drop the pressure a bit) off road. As Mumen has pointed out, it only comes 4.0 X 18 rear (rather than the 4.60 of the 244) but I have not had issues. Back in the 70s, a 4.0 rear trials was standard for any 'enduro' bike and worked fairly well. I WOULD like a bit more width as the swingarm has plenty of room, but so far so good.

Let me add (as also pointed out in our Paladin thread by Mumen) that Shinko notes the 241 is not for 'extended highway' use, whatever that means. I think it is simply a CYA as the tire is DOT approved. As noted, I did a run over 50 miles each way on the interstate, running 70+ mph. Tire didn't heat up or do anything funny (I confess I was unaware of the 'extended' wording before that ride). I am fine with this, but may very well experiment with something different in the future. I went 'cheap & effective' for my original swap. Time will tell!
I am interested in the opinions of others, there has been some discussion on the Paladin thread. Someone else used tires I was unfamiliar with, that's why I LOVE these discussions! We get to teach each other!

flopsweat · 03-07-2025, 11:40 AM

I like those 244's. Might try them for my TT when the time comes, I have E700's on them right now and think they might be just a bit too knobby for what I actually ride. Rear is starting to square out just a little.

Weresquatch · 03-07-2025, 12:41 PM

Those are #1 on my list to try when I wear out the OEM knobbies. I don't personally have experience with them. I live in the PNW of the US so would need something that does well with rooty, tight, often wet terrain.

Weresquatch · 03-07-2025, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the input. I do like the look of the 241. To run the WA BDR the start is about a 35 highway jaunt to the trailhead but I don't see me pushing the bike much past mid 60s mph. I think that's about the most road use the bike will get at a time. To get to forest roads and trails from my house it's about 8 miles so road use isn't too bad but I just hate running full knobbies if I don't have to. Those road miles just kill them so quickly and then I get off road and they're....meh.

Weresquatch · 03-07-2025, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mumen Rider

I run Shinko 244's on my Templar X, no complaints.

https://shinkotireusa.com/product/24...rt-tire/211927

On the rear are you running the 4.1" or the 4.6"? Thanks. Technically either should work but.....

Mumen Rider · 03-07-2025, 05:58 PM

I am running the 4.6"

Weresquatch · 03-07-2025, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mumen Rider

I am running the 4.6"

Thanks for the pic. It looks great with plenty of clearance. I think that's what I'll go to as well once I get these OEM knobbies knocked down.

buzz · 03-09-2025, 07:04 PM

Get a real knobby 5,10 x 18.

Weresquatch · Yesterday, 12:37 PM

lols...because this isn't a 500cc bike. The rim is only 2.15"

Raddix4 · Yesterday, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weresquatch

My Templar X is going to be used mostly off-road for BDR/Camping type trips. I plan on wearing the stock tires down but then going to something a little more road friendly (think 50/50 or even more off-road biased). Opinions on what others have used that are available in the right sizes?

Thanks for your responses.

For a 50/50 or more off-road biased tire, options like the Continental TKC 80, Michelin Anakee Wild, or the Shinko 705 are popular. They offer a good balance between off-road grip and on-road comfort. If you're planning on more off-road trips, something like the Metzeler Karoo 3 might be a good choice too.

buzz · Today, 08:57 AM

Fit my TBR7 no problem.

03-07-2025, 11:40 AM	#4
flopsweat Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: The burbs of Chicago Posts: 261	I like those 244's. Might try them for my TT when the time comes, I have E700's on them right now and think they might be just a bit too knobby for what I actually ride. Rear is starting to square out just a little. __________________ 2021 CSC TT250
	1

03-07-2025, 12:41 PM	#5
Weresquatch Join Date: Jan 2024 Posts: 123	Those are #1 on my list to try when I wear out the OEM knobbies. I don't personally have experience with them. I live in the PNW of the US so would need something that does well with rooty, tight, often wet terrain. __________________ Templar X 250 Vespa GTS 300 Vespa ET4 150 Triumph Legend TT 900
	0

03-07-2025, 12:46 PM	#6
Weresquatch Join Date: Jan 2024 Posts: 123	Thanks for the input. I do like the look of the 241. To run the WA BDR the start is about a 35 highway jaunt to the trailhead but I don't see me pushing the bike much past mid 60s mph. I think that's about the most road use the bike will get at a time. To get to forest roads and trails from my house it's about 8 miles so road use isn't too bad but I just hate running full knobbies if I don't have to. Those road miles just kill them so quickly and then I get off road and they're....meh. __________________ Templar X 250 Vespa GTS 300 Vespa ET4 150 Triumph Legend TT 900 Last edited by Weresquatch; 03-07-2025 at 01:29 PM.
	0

Yesterday, 12:37 PM	#11
Weresquatch Join Date: Jan 2024 Posts: 123	lols...because this isn't a 500cc bike. The rim is only 2.15" __________________ Templar X 250 Vespa GTS 300 Vespa ET4 150 Triumph Legend TT 900 Last edited by Weresquatch; Yesterday at 02:45 PM.
	1

03-06-2025, 06:31 PM	#1
Weresquatch Join Date: Jan 2024 Posts: 123	50/50 tire recommendations My Templar X is going to be used mostly off-road for BDR/Camping type trips. I plan on wearing the stock tires down but then going to something a little more road friendly (think 50/50 or even more off-road biased). Opinions on what others have used that are available in the right sizes? Thanks for your responses. __________________ Templar X 250 Vespa GTS 300 Vespa ET4 150 Triumph Legend TT 900
	0

03-06-2025, 09:08 PM	#2
Mumen Rider Join Date: May 2024 Location: Florida Posts: 266	I run Shinko 244's on my Templar X, no complaints. https://shinkotireusa.com/product/24...rt-tire/211927
	2

03-07-2025, 08:08 AM	#3
OldGuy Join Date: Nov 2024 Posts: 86	I am running Shinko 241s on my Paladin, they are a traditional trials tire that still does great on the road. I have done 100 miles highway comfortably, corners great on pavement, and gives a good bit (esepecially if you drop the pressure a bit) off road. As Mumen has pointed out, it only comes 4.0 X 18 rear (rather than the 4.60 of the 244) but I have not had issues. Back in the 70s, a 4.0 rear trials was standard for any 'enduro' bike and worked fairly well. I WOULD like a bit more width as the swingarm has plenty of room, but so far so good. Let me add (as also pointed out in our Paladin thread by Mumen) that Shinko notes the 241 is not for 'extended highway' use, whatever that means. I think it is simply a CYA as the tire is DOT approved. As noted, I did a run over 50 miles each way on the interstate, running 70+ mph. Tire didn't heat up or do anything funny (I confess I was unaware of the 'extended' wording before that ride). I am fine with this, but may very well experiment with something different in the future. I went 'cheap & effective' for my original swap. Time will tell! I am interested in the opinions of others, there has been some discussion on the Paladin thread. Someone else used tires I was unfamiliar with, that's why I LOVE these discussions! We get to teach each other!
	1

03-07-2025, 05:58 PM	#8
Mumen Rider Join Date: May 2024 Location: Florida Posts: 266	I am running the 4.6"
	1

03-09-2025, 07:04 PM	#10
buzz Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Dayton Pa. Posts: 1,013	Get a real knobby 5,10 x 18.
	0

Today, 08:57 AM	#13
buzz Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Dayton Pa. Posts: 1,013	Fit my TBR7 no problem.
	0