Noticeable difference with 50/50 tires?

[Ski_rush]

I'm interested in possibly switching over to 50/50 tires to get some more use out of the bike. Before I do, I was wondering if you have done this, does it provide a noticeable difference​ in feel? Is it more smooth and road friendly?

Will a different rear sprocket help? It's a 46 tooth now? Would I need a new chain?

[emptyschmitz]

I went to 30/70 (20/80?) style dual sport tires after experiencing some pretty lackluster on-road performance from the OEM tires. But looking at them, its not surprising why. The knobs are very tall and narrow; great for dirt traction, lousy for on road performance. Honestly my impression of the stock tires is that they are really for dirt only. I know you will experience an improvement in feel, traction and braking and probably noise too.

Regarding the sprocket, we went with a 40 rear (didn't have to change the front sprocket) to achieve the gearing change everyone talks about to get up to 70. Definitely improved being able to use the bike on the road. I had to remove 2 links to have the chain fit properly.

[JerryHawk250]

Ski, Did you ever see what sprocket you have on the front? If you have a 17 you should be good.
Here's a link to a sprocket calculator http://www.sprocketcalculator.com/

[2LZ]

I've run knobbies on the road a lot and there's two things I don't like. One, they're usually very skittery, especially on corners. Secondly, asphalt tears them up quickly.

I went to the Kenda 761's on Q when I was doing all "in town" pavement and they worked well but sucked on the dirt and gravel.

I'm now running Shinko 700's (60 on road/40 off road according to their website) and really like them so far. I'll need more miles to really tell but they seem to have a nice attitude on pavement but handle the gravel roads MUCH better than the Kenda's I had.

[Sport Rider]

50/50 was a huge improvement in handling on the street for me. they are still plenty aggressive for my casual dirt riding too.

I'm still running a 45 rear with a 16 front.

[Mudflap]

I've got a Shinko 705 on the rear of my Lifan and really like it on pavement. Not so great on dirt though. All tires are a compromise.

[chuck]

shinko's 705 are 80-20 I really like them on pavement,I'm leaning the Hawk pretty aggressively with confidence.

[pete]

For a 50/50 tire i use the shinko 700...






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