i run the 216 HB aa Competition on my 511. first one lasted around 1100km. Side knobs started to break off.. I was happy with that and just bought another one. There is also a 216 standard out. This one is not as good and doesn't last as long. i love this tyre and it grips pretty good in all conditions. Tracks out of ruts and take's a beating in the ST over logs and rocks. The hard first appearance is pretty much gone after one ride. I do run the tyre Mousse tube. On the back i run the Mitas C18 and also a Dunlop AT81. Mitas is prety much the better tyre on Wet muddy Hills. At81 is a good all-rounder but i prefer the Mitas C18 .
I was going to put this tire on my 511 but now that Chilly and others have tried it on big bike in more dry dez type stuff I;m going to mount it to my woods bike and review it in those conditions. Silt, dirt, mud, off camber across brush, rocks, etc. Was looking at it last night. It has a very similar knob pattern to my all time favorite front the Motoz Terrapactor. ( I also like the M59 bridgestone for reference). Also noticed it is directional and has little scoops on the back side (braking) for more stopping power. I;m guessing this tire has crazy good braking. Should be testing it tomorrow.
Awaiting that review anxiously. I've currently paired an AT81 with my rear trials tire because the AT81 came highly recommended. But I am finding that the AT81 follows ruts like nothing I've experience. Event the smallest little rut like indention (ever seen a rattlesnake track in the loam?) in the trail will put you on your arse. However the overall turning grip is pretty good.
Have you ever tried oversized fronts? I laced up a 20" front and tried a M59 front on my old 03 YZ250F rolling test bed. Its a good bit wider like the golden Tyre. What I found with that setup is it was fantastic on braking, dry and liked to climb out of ruts (the opposite issue your having). The only real down side for me was it tended to want to float over puddles and liquid mud and felt kinda skatey as it hydroplaned.
Im also thinking it my be to stiff and hard for those PNW tight trail conditions. Have fun testing we wait the report from the fern filled gullies of the PNW. Can it rip through Dez dry sharp rocky stuff at 90+ MPH as well as slice through trees, bushes and ferns in moist muddy rocky stuff at 15-25 MPH with good performance. that would really be something.
I have decided to put this tire to a real torture test. Starting Heart of the West on 9 September; 2700 miles with a bit of pavement but mainly dirt sand and rocky trails. On pavement we will just slow down and stay off the front brake. Going on a 650 Terra. That bike needs the wide tire in the sand! If the tire doesn't last we will replace somewhere on the route. Have one 216AA in the garage and two more on the way. Will report when we get home.
Will this big tire rake the front up too much and get the geometry off? What size tire should match it i. The back? I use 80/100/21 and 110/100/18 Motoz IT now.
The beast is mounted. Big it is. Looks like it will kill stuff in its path. Gnarly bro. Mounted to the trail tamer CR250. Took a much loved and pretty new Motoz Terrapactor off to try it which I rode Sunday so good back to back for me. This bike might be old but it is massaged and fits me like an old shoe. Just works for me and is EZ to keep good speed on and get you through. New unmounted GT216AA and the mounted and used Motoz Terrapactor: It absolutely swallows the Motoz 4mm heavy tube...
Didn't get to do my loop, but did take a lap around the block. Forgot how squirrelly brand new beefy knobs are on the street. It's got a mean howl on the asphalt. Planning on heading to Gorman for some fun Sunday.
I ran a Michelin MH4 for a year. It was great, but it took some getting used to That's it in the middle
