Lifan X-pect replacement tires?

[TominMO]

What are you guys doing for replacement tires? I have been looking around online and am finding slim pickings for the tire sizes on the bike: 90/90-19 front and 110/90-17 rear. Going up one width doesn't help much. Most of the nice candidates for 19" turn out to be rear tires!

I'd like to keep the bias at about 60/40 street/offroad, but am willing to go as far as 40/60. A lot of what I am seeing that would fit turn out to be ADV tires--much too street-oriented for my liking, 70/30 or 80/20 is what they seem to me. Not looking to go supermotard on the X-pect.

[TominMO]

These are not exactly the same size but should work.

Front: Bridgestone Trail Wing TW39 https://www.amazon.com/Bridgestone-T...omotive&sr=1-6

Rear: BS Trail Wing TW42 https://www.amazon.com/Bridgestone-T...e%2C185&sr=1-5

[Boatguy]

Watching this thread VERY closely.

I’m really happy with the stock tires and would love that same type again

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

Watching this thread VERY closely.

I’m really happy with the stock tires and would love that same type again

The Bridgestones seem to me to be an upgrade, for the same type of usage. Perhaps they are a bit better on both street and dirt, but just a guess.

If anyone has these tires on their bike, some feedback would be appreciated. Also any other tires they are running that are not the stock ones, plus how/where you ride, IE percentages of dirt and street.

[Davidmk123]

try looking at Chaparral Motorsports web site. they have a large selection of 50/50, 60/40 and 70/30 enduro tires.

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Davidmk123

try looking at Chaparral Motorsports web site. they have a large selection of 50/50, 60/40 and 70/30 enduro tires.

A good resource, thanks.

Chaparral Motorsports

[herbie]

I haven't checked prices anywhere but peace sports in georgia has them. Go to brozz250.com click on shop online then catalogs then tires or try this link
https://shop.brozz250.com/eshopprod_...port_Tires.htm

[XLsior]

Not from experience but I hear the Bridgestone Trail Wings in certain riding circles informally named death wings off road. I could be wrong they might be fine.

I have Bridgestones on my van so not being anti brand.

[TominMO]

Here is a good overview tutorial on motorcycle tires. He's a bit overcaffeinated, so I reduced playback speed to .75



This vid gives a good comparison of three types of offroad tire, tested back-to-back on the same bike, and where they are best and worst depending on terrain:

Best dualsport/ADV tires buyer's guide:

Do you need to replace in matched pairs or not?

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by XLsior

Not from experience but I hear the Bridgestone Trail Wings in certain riding circles informally named death wings off road. I could be wrong they might be fine.

I have Bridgestones on my van so not being anti brand.

Trail Wings are stock tires for various dualsports. The manufacturer chose them based on what they see most buyers doing with their bikes.

I suspect most or maybe all of the criticism of these tires is from people who are riding outside of the parameters of what these tires are designed for (wrong kind of terrain), and with unrealistic expectations just because they are not well-educated on tires.

To some degree, a more experienced rider can make up for specific shortcomings of a given tire--see Noraly/Itchy Boots on Youtube.

[Boatguy]

I’d say the stock tires are around a 50/50, yes?

Then getting the front in a 90/90-19 and rear in a 110/90-17 isn’t all that easy. These sizes aren’t well supported

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

1. I’d say the stock tires are around a 50/50, yes?

2. Then getting the front in a 90/90-19 and rear in a 110/90-17 isn’t all that easy. These sizes aren’t well supported

1. From what I saw in the videos, most OE dualsport tires are biased towards street, because that's where most riders spend most of their time. So probably more like 70/30. Something like a KTM dualsport would be an exception.

2. Those sizes are not well supported, true, but you can go up one size (100/90 vs 90/90) and be OK. Up two sizes might be more than the rim can handle. There is a good selection once you go up one width (10mm).

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by TominMO

1. From what I saw in the videos, most OE dualsport tires are biased towards street, because that's where most riders spend most of their time. So probably more like 70/30. Something like a KTM dualsport would be an exception.

2. Those sizes are not well supported, true, but you can go up one size (100/90 vs 90/90) and be OK. Up two sizes might be more than the rim can handle. There is a good selection once you go up one width (10mm).

From what I saw in the vids and just looking at the stock tires, we have some knobs on them like the 50/50 tires do. The knobs, however, aren’t Square. They have a sort of different shape to them that gives more contact area and less noise/wear.

I’m not sure they are 70/30 looking at them. They look like 50/50 or maybe 60/40. It’s all subjective though anyway, I guess. Just a guess.

These stock tires have been great for me on tar and in e everything off-road but 6 inch deep sand. The grip and go in everything else, mud included.

Really would love to find these type again. Just enough knobs and just enough contact area.

[TominMO]

After re-eyeballing the Heidenau K60 and Mitas E-07 tires, which are listed as 50/50, I am inclined to agree that the stock Lifan X-pect tires are 60/40 or 50/50. I will probably buy the Heidenaus as replacements. While they are expensive, it's worth considering that the tire is your only contact with the planet while riding. Like helmets, I don't consider that tire selection should be based on cost.

[Wild Dog]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

Watching this thread VERY closely.

I’m really happy with the stock tires and would love that same type again

The stock tires of that Lifan are clones of the Pirelli MT60. My chinese motorcycle came with the same tires