big news, robertaccio changes tire type.....

I have been using FIM enduro Pirelli Scorpion Pros (sometimes FIM Michelins as well)meats for years the big fat balloon 140/80-18s on my "E2" large machines (250 2T and 450 4T), been using the standard 120/90-18 on my "E2" small machines TE and TXC310s. I really like FIM tires for rock and sharp stuff and they do "float" on top of soft stuff without digging trenches, also the front 90/90-21 turn real easy and have good reliable traction on all surfaces. Buuut lately Ive realized that our 90% ride area has alot of sandy decomposed granite and even loose dark dez soil so the balance lies more towards the loose sandy deep loose stuff, and mostly dry out here, so I threw on a set of of my old faves for years S12 Michelins mousse up front, HD tube in the back at 10-12psi (my in stock mousses are for 120-90 and Michelin calls out a different mousse for 130-80-18 middle size of the 3 S12 choices which is what I put on the TXC310R, anyway there ya go, change can be good.....on Monday we ride, test time is always best in familiar territory on familair sections.
always remember this stuff is all for fun!!!Ending the year with change starting the 14 year with new stuff.
with these tires my only concern are the rock stuff trails and scary steep stuff, that's where the real test will be and that's where the FIM meats stuck like glue.

additional 90/90-21, 80/100-21=M15 mousse
120/90-18,100/100-18=M18
130/80-10,110/100-18,140/80-18,120/100-18=M14

I only have M15s and M18s

Waiting for your report. I recently changed from the Pirelli's because I started tearing the tires where the side knobs meet the carcass. A recipe for immediate air loss with Tubliss. Bought some old school 952's and am quite impressed. For some reason I like them best with much more air than I usually run with Tubliss (11psi now compared to 7 psi before). I'm adjusting my suspension for the harder tires (getting more deflection) but am really enjoying more precise steering. Nothing spoils a ride more than flats so I'm really thinking about going mousse (in the front at least).

I ran a set of S12 XC's and simply loved them in the wet winter slop. The 510 stuck like glue, and I am a weirdo who runs 15psi front and rear. They did fell out of their element when the dirt was dry. I tried the 130/80/18 M12 rear (non XC) and loved it in everything I rode it on. The 130 was too pinner for the 510 though and that bothered the heck out of me. Thankfully Michelin now makes the M12 XC in a 140 rear. I would run that for sure, but I am trying out the Michelin AC10's right now. Personally I think the French Michelin rubber works good on the Italian Husky's. I am sure you know your stuff robertaccio, so keep us posted on your S12 (XC?) opinion.

like em dont love em, fresh FIM Pirellis are more stable imho, they did do good in the rocks which was my major concern. Today was very dry and silty/sandy with mixed in hard stuff, I was not fully comfortable all day today but we did rip some good times in the tighties. found our ride bud (ISDE Vet)had my exact same tires on his 2013 300XC-W kato and I saw many of knobs ripped off like Kelly said. Ran 10psi in the rear (mousse up front)


PS I ran AC10s rears for while in 08-09 I liked them in the desert, dont remeber what was up front then, Al Randt recommended AC10 for the Wickenburg Nat enduro so I used it.

Have you tried a trials tire?

never have, never will, it just will not work for the way I ride and what I ride on.

I bet if you try my 216's, you won't go back to your S12's.

S12's will only ever be any good on grass and soft ground, this is where they excel and outshine most others. The knobs are tall but small to dig into the top layer and find good grip, use them on anything dry, hard, rocky and they will be destroyed quickly. I use them from autumn to spring in the UK and are the best I've tried. In the dryer months I'll go back to Comp 3's or similar, dry weather tyres are not so critical, we can all ride fast when its dry.

our ride zone has alot of deeper sandy stuff right now with loose sandy berms, I was looking to get some good bite and front end control which is always my weak point because of my size and tendency to ride back on the seat even in corners. Truth is I love the chassis of the 250/310 (125/144) but it is still seems tiny for me.

I know They are the "same" similar FIM standard pattern Enduro/DOT rubber that I have been using for years in the soft trials like compound. Yes I would like them for sure.
If Mr. Marco C. can see fit to price point his tires with the other brands he may do more biz here, IMHO that is their big issue here.

I was a Michelin guy for years. M12/S12 front depending on conditions and S12 rear all the time, even on rocks. Respect the throttle and you can make a S12 hold up in rocks. When I'd get a new Husky, I'd leave the Michelin FIM tires on and run them. I'd say to myself.... If those Euros can ride fast on them, I can too! I would always give in and go back to the usual S12's though. Starcross front is a nice front tire. They didn't use to make them in 18" rear, do they make them now? The Michelin's have just never seemed the same, since they move production from Spain to Thailand. XC's were an improvement, but still not as good.

Last year I made the switch to Kenda tires. Washougal's front and rear are a good all around combo in my area. They are also FIM/DOT. The Triple rear is a good rock tire and some guys use it for everything. I just started using a Trials tire last year for straight up rock runs, but if the rain starts, it's back to a Triple. Millville II's are good for Southe Jersey sand runs. I'm very happy with Kenda.....

Not riding in any sand stuff really here but the front end never washes out on any of my bikes ... It just does not happen and when I start feeling any sliding up there, I know it is new tire time. That's precision ... That's well over a yr between changes I'd guess so the tire is really worn out but still grabs... And I know I'm not a great technique guy so I'm giving the bike 98% of the credit. These are amazing bikes to me on the trails. ( I get out on the front and sometimes too lazy or forget to move back to the center of the bike ... This can be a issue also ESP on a track )

i am on Goldentyre 216's on the front. They replaced a S12 which i hated. Front wheel goes with Goldentyre Mousse. Perfect pressure setting by using the GT Mousse and Tire.
On the rear i was running a Goldentyre 216 , but to Soft for longterm. But this tire has some awesome Grip on Rocks and Logs. They come closest to a Trials Tire in low Speed Grip and uphill rocky sections.
Now i am running a Michelin Starcross MS3 in 120/90x18. I was not going to ride this one, but while i had it, i might give it a shot. And now i have to say , that this tire is Awesome too. Compared to the S12 on the back of my 510, this Starcross tire goes everywhere. Just was out this weekend with a friend on the 530 Kato on S12's. He couldnt go to the same spots as easy as i did. He was shattered in his beliefs on the S12.
Just waiting for a M14 Michelin mousse to install .

I have tried the IRS Trial tire with a Michelin HD 4mm tube. 9psi.
Great grip on logs rocks and what ever the Tracks throw at you. But in very loose muddy conditions especially uphill, you wont get there. Great in the wet when hard surface. great on gravel. great in rocky uphill section.
But very unstable exceeding speeds higher then 65km/h. Better with 14psi and more, but you loose the great advantages you had with 9 psi.


Starcross - good side traction. also great in mud puddles - better over Logs then i ever expected. 12 psi in it. But if i go down to 10 psi, it comes off the beat. This is a bit annoying.

Goldentyre 523 with Extreme Mousse. good for around 600km over rocks / many logs and dry surfaces...

I like em both, these are my choices for the back. Front will be the 216 with it's tall knobs.

hay kelly you posted it whats the 411 on the colossus bandit???

Just ordered this Pirelli Scorpion Pro 140/80-18
Rear and GoldenTyre 216AA 90-100/21 front with Mousse. Will post results. Switching from D606 front (with Michelin Mousse) and D606 rear with regular tube

The 216 AA is the same tread as the old Metzler 6 Day front tire, but in a 90/100 instead of a 90/90. That tread pattern is a time tested proven working pattern. It just works. What I did is upgraded my front rim from a 1.6 to a 1.85. This stretched the 216 out 6mm wider and lowered it closer to a 90 height, ending up with something closer to a 100/90-21.

I have the S12s front and rear on my TC with 18" rear. I haven't had any complaints yet. I don't ride in overly rocky places though. Southeastern woods and clay. Lately, lots of mud. The front seems to work pretty well. I don't have a lot of experience with different tires though. I had Starcross front and rear before, front seemed to try and wash out easier, but the rear found traction pretty well. My friend just put a set of Dunlop AT81s on his TE511 and he really likes them so far. I may try them next.