I'm really liking the rear Pirelli MT43 DOT trails tire for the TE511 and dualsport. I have to get that Metzler Karoos off the front before i kill myself off road. Anyone tried the MT43 front? I have seen several good reports just a little apprehensive about a trials tire on the front of a DS bike. Rear works great on and off road...
I run the MT43 with the Tubliss on the rear of my WR250 and love it. I too am looking for a little better front tire than the enduro competition Michelin that came on the bike. I will be following this thread for a ride report.
I ran a Michelin trials tire on the front of my 08 TXC450 and really liked it but it was to soft and wimpy and scared me. I heard the rim a lot. I hope this tire is slightly more robust / stiff which I'm sure it will be. I was surprised how well it worked and it was a take off with a lot of miles on it. Trials front knob rear
I'm surprised that you aren't going to run one of the Motoz models on the front. Didn't they finally come up with a DOT knobby, or are we all still breathlessly waiting?
They had manufacturing issues, only have soft terrain tires in stock and are out for a few months When back in stock I will run the Enduro IT front which is a very good all around DS tire. I ran one on my ATK490 and it lasted well on pavement (better than any knobby I have tried) and is a great tire.
Kelly, I noticed in the pic you are running the rear trials tire pretty close to the swingarm. I had to give my MT43 a little extra clearance because it grew like a drag tire at high speed and rubbed the mud guard.
Thanks I'll check and see if it is rubbing. I wondered about it growing at speed. I did not hear of feel anything and this bike is quiet.
Now THAT'S a muffler....Did that come off a GS 1150? I too have been playing with the rear trials tire. After putting close to a year on a Dunlop 803 (great tire, but really soft & not DOT for DS action) I'm gonna try the MT43 too. I have it in hand & will ride this weekend with it. I still can't get away from the Washougal front from Kenda, predictable in all conditions, good wear plus they're still cheap. Still loving the Tubliss front & rear. I have some friends who have been all over the Pirelli's using the XC-MS front with good results. After my 803 started throwing knobs, they suggested the MT. As for a trials front, the Perelli does have a stiffer carcass so bouncing the rim may be eliminated, but getting a bite while cornering & braking in the dirt would be my concern. Please tell all Kel.
the 43 rear does not hook up quite as well as the 803 but close and is stiffer and non radial and the big one is lasts ont he road and does not throw knobs. Your concerns are the same as mine on the front one, we will see. It has to be much better than whats on there now. Muffler is off a 3 series BMW Looks a ton better in person and I really like how quiet it is.
There were a couple of things I had to get used to on the rear...Braking, or maybe the lack of braking (I have loads of confidence in the front now, because if you want to stop the bike the front is the only way it's gonna happen) & getting a little too agressive on the throttle while the bike was leaned over in a flat turn (I got my dirt track style looking good now, just need a hot-shoe). Once I learned what the characteristics of the tire were I loved it. I will probably never have another regular knobbed tire again..... My road to getting another HVA dirtbike has been sidetracked again, sold my 2007 XC-w 400 for a gently used 2010 XC-W 400.... it had brand new S-12's f/r....after 2 rides they have to go.
