Local dealer gave me a smoking deal if I would report back to him so going to try it. (great dealer) Wanted to anyways. First thought was, wow that a flat profile,, maybe just cuz it is not mounted? Second thought was, wow, those knobs are really soft and gummy. Mounted up Ez enough, no drama there. The notice how big a tire it is. My AJP PR5 has a short swingarm and it just barely fits. It has a nice rim protector, is a large offroad looking tire but has super soft trials tire like knob on it. Set it at 8 psi and still feels stiffish. I like the idea and think I might like this.
well K im gona let you be the make or break man on this been eyeballin that bad boy for awhile my go to buddy can get me one for $97 he's all spun up just uncreated his 15 YZ 250 today but he's kinda pissed didn't know about the X till his parts guy told him after he wrote the check [and he's a sportbike only nut] aint life a bitch
So got a good ride in yesterday. Finally rained hard here after months with zero rain. Was a sloppy mess and we ran straight to the gnarly stuff. Tire worked very well. It does feel like a trails tire that works like a knob or a knob that works like a trials tire. Ran 8 psi, could have gone less for sure. Tire hooks up very well, does not feel wallowy like a trials tire can, has much more breaking power than a trails tire. Jake did manage to out climb me with his trails tire equipped husky 125 a few times but that has more to do with his talent which is plentiful. I was very impressed with the Equilibrium, planets, stable, confidence inspiring and worked great. I will not go as far to proclaim it some amazing huge step forward but I will rank it one of my favorite rear tires so far. Need to get some more rides on it and try slightly less pressures and experiment. I do feel it is a a better tire than a trails tire for me and is also one of the better knobby tires I've ever tried. Need a few more rides but really like the tire. Almost zero wear after 45 miles and a lot of the was gnarly rocky hill climbs on it hard. Initial feelings are very good.
Conditions were wet clay covered in wet leaves hiding wet slick rocks and lots of steep elevation changes so good stuff to test a tire in...
Thanks for the write up, very interesting tire and concept. Pretty good write up here too: http://dirtbiketest.com/product-tests/kenda-equilibrium/
And, on sale for $75 at Chaparral! http://www.chaparral-racing.com/product/kenda-k787-equilibrium-trials-rear-tire/328-7850.aspx
Yes, but not in stock. Rocky Mountain ATV/MC also sells them for 75 bucks, and they are back ordered too.
Here's mine after 1800 dual sport and single track miles... I'd say she's toast. I'm happy with what she gave me during that time. It handles deep sand quite well which surprised me. I bought 2 in April and have another one ready to mount but I'm going to try the Kenda Washougal 2 dual compound first. The rubber is very durable and resists chunking and tearing. Even with less that a 1/4" of knob left it still hooks up well. The one place it sucks big time is wet grass but so is a trials tire so no big surprise there.
thanks. 1800 is a lot for me. Usually get 500-800 all off road. If I could get 1000 out of it I'd be stoked.
Dirtdame Try the Golden Rocky 523 I run a 110-100-18 and it is DOT LEGAL I race on it with my 300 and it works great I also mounted one on my 510 dual sport and finished the Big Bear ride. Zip Ty should have a new container of tires this week as they have already cleared customs I have done a few nationals in different locations with one I have done Last Man Standing with one I have done a extream dual sport ride with one That should about cover it DOT LEGAL TOO
Here is a quick video of me chasing Kelly yesterday through the freshly watered PNW woods. That tire looks like it works well in most conditions. Later,
It was wet, we were happy, been wayyyy to hot and dry this year. Adam on his well used WR250 That Kenda really works! Kelly topping one of the tougher climbs of the day. Kelly also saved my ride by bringing me a shifter after I drove 90 miles to trail head and mine was on the bench at home... Rookie move. Kelly turned around and went back to his house to grab me a shifter. Later,
Jake, that was so much fun. So glad you ended up riding with us. When I was leading in the am it was so freaking wet I couldn't see anything. Many times I had a huge leaf stuck to my eyes. So fun trying to climb gnarly hills with 10% eye sight. It was so much EZer to fallow. And man, I don't think I have ever been roosted or roosted someone so hard as Travis and I did. WOW. Still cleaning up. Washed bike tonight. Endless work these bikes. That gravel road elbow to elbow rip was fun. You got me on top. FUN!
The first 400 miles were all offroad but then the ADV rally came and it's a mix of gravel and sandy roads, ATV trails, single track and some pavement to connect trails. Long days riding 150 plus miles minimum. I did one 320 mile day due to one of our riders going over the bars suffering a broken rib and some internal bleeding(he's OK). We had to get him to the ER, arrange for him to be picked up then ride back to pick up the trail. Long day. Overall I'm impressed with what the tire can do performance wise and the rubber compound seems very durable. i was running a tubliss setup at 12 psi. The ATV trails are really rocky and I was worried about pinch flats, especially the big rocks on the face of the sand whoops. I hit some of those at high speeds several times. All good though. Nice write up BTW Kelly I don't have the knack for doing good reviews.
