Street tire life and replacement options

[dave92029]

My mighty RX3 is almost at 6,000 sMiles. The front tire looks good and the rear is making me start to think about replacement options.

I'm thinking about the Kenda 761. I have used them on previous bikes, and thought that they had good grip and wore well. Unfortunately they are in short supply and the dealers who have them have raised prices.

Any other primarily street riders who have any suggestions, experience on how long the original equipment tires last?

[RedHawk47]

My mighty RX3 is almost at 6,000 sMiles. The front tire looks good and the rear is making me start to think about replacement options.

I'm thinking about the Kenda 761. I have used them on previous bikes, and thought that they had good grip and wore well. Unfortunately they are in short supply and the dealers who have them have raised prices.

Any other primarily street riders who have any suggestions, experience on how long the original equipment tires last?

My choice for a street tire, also good for dirt, is Shinko 705. It's an 80/20 tire with good traction, good life, and reasonable price.

[SpudRider]

The Shinko 705 is a nice tire. :) I would recommend size 130/80-17.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1468/34609/Shinko-705-Rear-Dual-Sport-Motorcycle-Tire

https://images.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/400/s/shi_12_tir_705_dua_spo_mc-rea.jpg

[pete]

i use the 705 as a more road tyre on the XT660...
If you are going to still ride on gravel roads
Use the 120 .. A narrower tyre cuts though the lose surface
easyer in to the hard base where the grip is.. wider tyre roll around on the top
NO tyre can grip on top of the "marbles" lose gravel...


...

[dave92029]

Some tires are TT (tube type) and others are TL (tubeless). The Mighty RX3 is a TT, but can we use a TL tire with a tube with these tires?

If we can use a TL tire why don't the tire mfg. just make TL tires and drop the TT designation?

Thanks

[detours]

Some tires are TT (tube type) and others are TL (tubeless). The Mighty RX3 is a TT, but can we use a TL tire with a tube with these tires?

If we can use a TL tire why don't the tire mfg. just make TL tires and drop the TT designation?

Thanks

It's still useful to have the TL designation. Tube tires have thinner sidewalls, which makes them lighter, more flexible and easier to change. Tubeless tires are designed to seal tightly on the wheel and are more difficult to seat and remove from the rim.

[kumatae]

Another vote for the 705. I replaced my stock rear at about 7500 only because it had a huge hole and didn't feel like patching it. The front looks like it'll last to 12,500 or more.

[dave92029]

I ordered a rear Shinko 705 - $62.46 delivered.

Thanks for all the good suggestions. :thanks:

[Jay In Milpitas]

Some tires are TT (tube type) and others are TL (tubeless). The Mighty RX3 is a TT, but can we use a TL tire with a tube with these tires?

If we can use a TL tire why don't the tire mfg. just make TL tires and drop the TT designation?

Thanks

Running an inner tube in a tubeless tire creates heat that the tire is not designed to deal with. If you're riding under 45 mph or so, it may not become a problem.

I'm sure if you search you will learn more about it.

[Eco Mouse]

Running an inner tube in a tubeless tire creates heat that the tire is not designed to deal with

Actually, that's not a real world riding problem. Ask anyone who's ridden around the world, they will tell you that having the ability to just swap out a tube is cheaper, easier and more readily available in 3rd world countries.

I've ridden at least 300,000 miles, all on tube type tires. Never once had a heat/friction related blow out. Punctures, yes.

Dealing with plugs, gas cartridges gets old. And never quite feels safe.

Now, if you think you are going to ride a sportbike or sport touring bike at speeds in excess of 80mph daily, then yeah... you don't ride tube type tires on those kind of bikes. That's where the misinformation comes from. But adventure riding, and dual sport riding, tubes will always remain the better option. Also, of note... there aren't too many places outside of the US where you can ride so fast that you will end up seeing speeds that push the limits of your tire rating. Especially off pavement.

Rims that hold a bead for tubeless tires are damn near impossible to change trail side. Plus, the compressor you might be carrying might not be able to re-seat the bead should you get it plugged/repaired.

A tube can be slimed, patched multiple times, (unless you shred it) to get you back to civilization. The rims are easier to deal with, the tire walls are softer, making it easier to change etc...

Rarely are you going to carry an extra set of tires. On super long trips, where I know the tires I'm using are going to need to be changed at some point, I've shipped them ahead at certain rendezvous points. But, carried a couple of tubes since they didn't take up much space. I've since started only carrying one tube, as I now prefer my dual sports with smaller, fat front tires. Essentially, I only have to worry about finding rear tires when I travel, and one tube will fit both front and rear wheels.

[Eco Mouse]

I should also mention that I now carry a tube of Fresh Balls in my kit. It's obvious usage, as well as an anti-monkey butt lotion makes is so versatile... but squeezing a bit on the tube makes install go so much easier. It dries like a powder inside the tire anyway, so I don't need to carry around cancer causing talc powder.

[Jay In Milpitas]

Well dave92029, I suppose you should listen to Eco Mouse.

Just ignore my response to your question.

[Eco Mouse]

I suppose you should listen to Eco Mouse

Don't bother... it's easier to silence me :hehe: