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.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/XR650L%20Countershaft%20and%20XR650R%20Sprockets/OldTom7-17-11079.jpg

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. :D

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! :D However, I am going to experiment with three other tires before I "propose" to the TrakMaster. :wink:

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/XR650L%20Countershaft%20and%20XR650R%20Sprockets/brestires079.jpg

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 :lol:

[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]

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]

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

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. :D

http://chinariders.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=9080

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

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/XR650L%20Chain%20Rollers/swingarmstand006.jpg

Spud :)

[SpudRider]

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. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OldTom7-17-11154.jpg

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? :D

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

[SpudRider]

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? :D

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." :lol:

Spud :)

[SpudRider]

...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.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/XR650L%20Trimmed%20Fender/Malad6-7-11140.jpg

Here are two views from the top of that mountain. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/XR650L%20Trimmed%20Fender/OldTom7-17-11039.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/XR650L%20Trimmed%20Fender/OldTom7-17-11026.jpg

Spud :)

[MICRider]

Wonder what the K784 big blocks would be like? Wildly varying reports on tread life though...
http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx261/MICRider/0000-Kenda-K784-Big-Block-Rear-Tire---.jpg

[SpudRider]

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. :D 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]

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. :D 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 :D

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! :D

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OTMalad159.jpg

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

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/CSsplinesroller002.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/CSsplinesroller062.jpg

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.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/D952tirebreakin003.jpg

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

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/D952tirebreakin010.jpg

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. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/D952tirebreakin024-1.jpg

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 :D

[FastDoc]

Spud gets great mileage out of his tires. I suspect he has a better right wrist control than I do. :roll:

Both of us ride on hard rocky loose highly abrasive desert type terrain.

I ran Avon Gripsters on my XR250L years ago and I liked them. On hard or desert type conditions then did well. In the wet off road they'll put you on your face quickly. 8O

[SpudRider]

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 :D
Thank you, Stew. Indeed, I am very pleased with both the performance, and the durability of the two Kenda, TrakMaster rear tires I have employed on my XR650L. :D I am currently riding with my third CST, Surge I, front tire. I averaged 5,000 miles of wear on my first two Surge I, front tires. :) Incidentally, the CST, Surge I, front tire performs quite well on pavement, and has DOT approval. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OTMalad072.jpg

Spud :)

[SpudRider]

Spud gets great mileage out of his tires. I suspect he has a better right wrist control than I do. :roll:

Both of us ride on hard rocky loose highly abrasive desert type terrain.

I ran Avon Gripsters on my XR250L years ago and I liked them. On hard or desert type conditions then did well. In the wet off road they'll put you on your face quickly. 8O
Indeed, I do my best to exercise control over my right wrist, Doc. :lol: Have you seen how much motorcycle tires have increased in price recently! 8O

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/D952tirebreakin035.jpg

Spud :)

[MICRider]

Spud, that is seriously beautiful countryside you have there, I love the pictures! :) I gotta say too, love the BRP with that new tank, it looks like the tank that Honda should have put on it from the factory! :D

[SpudRider]

Spud, that is seriously beautiful countryside you have there, I love the pictures! :) I gotta say too, love the BRP with that new tank, it looks like the tank that Honda should have put on it from the factory! :D
Thank you, Stew. :) I really enjoy my Clarke, 4.7-gallon fuel tank. I am averaging a consistent 55 mpg from my BRP. The Clarke fuel tank hits reserve after using 4.0-gallons. Therefore, I can ride 220 miles before I hit reserve, and still have a substantial reserve of 38 miles. :)

Here's a photograph of my Christian Brother Andy descending a steep, rocky slope on his Yamaha TT-R225.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11249.jpg

You can see my Honda XR650L at the bottom of this slope. ;) Andy is more of a kamakaze rider than I. 8O I decided to walk to the top of this particular hill to enjoy the view, rather than ride my Big Red Pig up the steep, nasty slope! :lol:

Incidentally, Andy dropped his bike after riding to this spot. ;) I don't enjoy picking up my XR650L, so I try to drop it as little as possible! :lol:

Spud :)

[FastDoc]

Beautiful pics, Spud. I wonder how many of us CR's have Spudpics as our computer's wallpaper. :P

[SpudRider]

Beautiful pics, Spud. I wonder how many of us CR's have Spudpics as our computer's wallpaper. :P
Thank you, Brother Bill. :) I can't resist. ;) Here's a photo of Andy when he reached the end of the goat path he is shown descending in the previous photo. :P

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11202.jpg

I employ the tractor-like torque of the XR650L to crawl up these steep, rocky slopes. Andy barrels up the slopes, riding wide-open-throttle on his TT-R225. 8O

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11131.jpg

Andy descends almost as fast as he rides up the mountains. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11199.jpg

I will never become as good a trail rider as Andy. ;) Therefore, I would not attempt to "blast" my 200cc Zong up this particular mountain. However, I enjoy slowly tractoring up the steep slopes on my XR650L. :) I'm addicted to the torque. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11194.jpg

Brother Andy rides hard, but he enjoys the beautiful scenery even more than the hard riding. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11244.jpg

Spud :)

[FastDoc]

Spud, anytime I feel as if I live in the most beautiful part of the country all I have to do is look at your pics to know i don't :? . May I add also you are an excellent photographer. :wink:

We've all been in Andy's position, horizontal! :roll:

Due to the extra power, I also find my KLX to be much easier to ride than Q, although I certainly appreciated that bike too. :D

[SpudRider]

Thank you, Doc. :) I didn't even consider climbing that hill, because I knew I would be horizontal much sooner than Andy! :lol: He only dropped the bike at the top, when he had to stop because he ran out of goat trail. ;)

Of course, descending is frequently more hazardous than ascending. ;) I knew I didn't want to ride down that hill, even if I could make it to the top! :lol: Andy rode right down, without any problems whatsoever. ;)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11250.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11251.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11252.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/OT7-22-11253.jpg

Incidentally, that hill is a lot tougher than it appears in the photographs. ;) It is very steep, and covered with loose, hidden rocks the size of small watermelons. 8O Brother Andy doesn't drop his bike very often. ;)

Spud :)

[FastDoc]

Its hard to capture in a picture how hard a hill is to ride. I've posted pics here of the Hill Of Doom and other toughies and they don't look so bad in the pictures! :?

Plus it has more to do with the looseness and rockiness of the surface than the actual incline too.

[SpudRider]

Its hard to capture in a picture how hard a hill is to ride. I've posted pics here of the Hill Of Doom and other toughies and they don't look so bad in the pictures! :?

Plus it has more to do with the looseness and rockiness of the surface than the actual incline too.
I agree. For example, I took the previous photos from the top end of the trail, which is not as steep as the middle of the trail. ;) Here's a photo I took this afternoon, looking at the trail from another ridge.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq146/spudrider/CST%20Surge%20I%20Front%20Tire/rainyotride004.jpg

I can assure you, it is difficult to hike up that trail! :lol:

Spud :)