Tire Size Difference/Effect for 50/50 Dual Sport
 

Hello All!

Thanks for taking the time to read/assist. Ive read some info out there that typically the larger the wheel, the better the bite in dirt.

im curious thoughts on the difference in wheel sizes for someone intending to ride 50/50 street/off road.

Specifically, would there be a drastic difference between these two:
17"- both- front(110/70-17)/back(130/70-17)
vs
21" front (80/100-21) / 18" back (110/100-18)

Im researching the major differences between the DB-36 and the Hawk 250.

thanks again!

The main thing with larger wheels is being able to roll over obstacles, bumps, ruts, etc more easily and faster. The DB-36 wheels are really more intended for road use.Being wider also makes manuvers in tight spaces more difficult, less sidewall means less tire to act as suspension. 21"/18" has been the offroad standard for a while for good reason.

Also: Larger wheels compromise handling on pavement. Especially with spoked rims, the larger hoops have more flex in them. Larger diameter wheels also put the rotating mass farther away from the axle and will resist tipping over and turning in more readily than a smaller diameter wheel, making handling at speed feel sluggish. Which is why most street bikes have a 17" rim.

It's not just the diameter. Typically dirt bikes run narrower wheels/tires as wider wheels tend to float on dirt and not dig in. I just did a true 50/50 adventure bike setup on my Husky 701, 19x2.5 front 17x3.5 rear (from 21/18). Works better on road but still should work good off road too (still snowing here). There are some better 17" tires out there now that should work well with the DB-36 which has a 17x2.5" front and a 17x3.0" rear.

Watch the Motocheez videos of the Apollo '36'. They have a different suspension vs. the dirt-only bike. As much as I like the idea of the street legal '36', for your intended use, I would suggest the Hawk (or the Orion RXB 250 since you are willing to spend the premium over the Hawk for the 36 and the RXB is just slightly more than the Apollo). Personally, I would get the Apollo, but my dirt use intensions are maybe 25% dirt and 75% commuting. I like the idea of fat tired bikes ever since I saw the Yamaha TW200.

Edit: I believe the only place you can get the Orion is direct from Orion, but they sell the Apollo, and the Hawk as well. You can compare them here https://www.orionpowersports.com/dua...venture-bikes/

I wasn't able to find this in the videos, but I doubt this is the case for a low price point bike (less parts the better). I'd guess the dirt and deluxe models differ only by wheels and tires. If you referring to the steeper rake with the Deluxe that's because the front tire is smaller.

Im considering doing something like this longer term. swapping to a 21/18 on the DB36 DLX model.

what would I need to contend with if I wanted to swap the 17" on this:
https://www.powersportsmax.com/produ...ducts_id/21841

with 'dirt bike' 21/18 wheels?