• 4 Stroke Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Italy - About 1989 to 2014
    TE = 4st Enduro & TC = 4st Cross

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Best dual sport tires for TE 250

henson802

Husqvarna
AA Class
Greetings all,

I ride my bike mostly on roads that aren't above 50mph and lots of dirt/gravel (hard packed). I ride a few trails but most of it is hard packed with occasional mud. Nothing too severe.

What's the best tires for this? I hear the Kenda K270's are nice. On this site, the sizes are a bit peculiar to me and not sure which size I should get for my 2010 TE250 (they list sizes from 3.50-18 to 5.10-18 ) , what's this mean?

Kenda K270 - Also, what should I keep the tire pressures at for this type of riding (think mostly gravel/dirt roads)..

ONE more question, I put the 50 rear sprocket (and chain) on cause I like the snappier feel and low rpm riding. I'm not abusing the bike too much by keeping it revved very high (well occasionally :thumbsup:) - I got around 1500 miles on it, at what point should I be concerned with the wear and tear on the sprocket?

Thanks for the input as always!
 
I ride a 2008 TE 250, and currently have it setup for road/mild trail riding. I am running a 15 front, 50 rear and I feel it's just right. When I go hard core woods I run 14/50. I run below 5K RPM, but when I get in trouble just fan the clutch, RPM's jump and motor comes alive.

You said you switched to 50 rear, but I did not see what your running on the front. Mine was running way to fast for life expectancy (IMHO) to last very long at street RPM's.

I am running Pirelli MT-43 Trials tires front and rear (not DOT). I have not had a problem even in the snotty tight PA woods, Most people don't run the front trials tire but I have had pretty good luck with it.
I feel the rear tire actually works better then a knobbie for crossing rocks/roots/trees. I only felt one place (deep mud) where I could have gotten in trouble but momentum carried me through that one crossing.
We will see how they work out this year since I joined a riding area where I can actually trail ride.
0000-Pirelli-MT-43-Trials-Rear-Tire---.jpg


If you really want DOT, my might check out the Shinko 700 series. I had them on my XR650L and really liked them for 50 % street, 50% hard packed dirt.
Not sure if the sizes available work out to a TE250, but they sure are cheep enough ($104 a pair) if you don't like them you didn't loose much.

0000_Shinko_700_Series_Dual_Sport_Rear_Tire_--.jpg
 
That looks like more of a street tire than a trail tire. How are those in the soft stuff?
 
There are tons of Metzler Karoo tires that are sold on the TE's stock that everyone takes off when they are new.

I know I have a pair lying around...I know one dealer that has plenty.

they are good 50/50 tires and should be obtainable cheap.

The rear trials tire is a good bet too......I run them with Tubliss inserts 8 psi in dirt 20 psi on street.

I don't use a trials tire on the front....it plows way too easily.
 
Cool. My front sprocket (not sure what it's called) is whatever the factory sets it up as. Generally, when I ride street, I'm hovering around 5500-6000 rpms. How long will the rear sprocket last and chain with mild riding like this? I know the large rear is made for off road, but I don't plan to ever take the bike on highway so I thought I'd slap it on there anyways. I can cruise in top gear at 55mph at 6000 rpms.. I try not to do it for long distances.

I believe my factory tires were by Michelin (I'll have to double check as it's being stored for the winter - Maybe it's the Metzler Karoo that seems familar).

The tires need to be 'DOT' approved. Anyone know what the tire size 5.10 - 18 means? And what I should be looking for in terms of sizes for TE 250?

Thanks again.
 
For mostly dirt road that are hard packed id go the the Kenda 270. Their not too good in sand or mud(obvoiusly) but excellent on what you mentioned.
 
i think i would go with the 510. my te 250 came with the 140/80 on the rear and still had plenty of clearance the only issue i had was my chain was a little short for the 52 tooth sprocket and the tire wore a hole in the rubber mud guard. dennis kirk has a good cross refrence chart for tires or google motorcycle tire sizes.
 
I just got the Pirelli MT21's on my 250 and so far they rock. Good in the sand,rocks, gravel...good enough on the street. Running a 120/80/18 on the rear. The 140 it came with was too wide for that bike.
 
Bigger is not always better when it comes to tire size. Motorcycle Mfg. size tires for optimum preformance per motor size. Smaller motors need to be able to break the tire loose,to big of tire will make it harder and put undo strain on the motor and drivetrain. Just my .02
 
Alright Thanks all for the input.

I'm about to order the Kenda K270 rear from here in about a week, final suggestions for size- go for the '4.5 - 18' or the '5.10 - 18' ??? I ride 50/50 and the trails aren't too difficult. Steady riding on gravel/dirt roads. Main roads but no highways - nothing above 50ish for long periods. Still contemplating front tire.

You all rock! :cheers:
 
I am running Pirelli MT-43 Trials tires front and rear (not DOT).
Strange, that the MT43 you are running is not DOT. A lot of riders like to use them in my area, but they are DOT, which is why they are so popular among the dualsporters.
 
Strange, that the MT43 you are running is not DOT. A lot of riders like to use them in my area, but they are DOT, which is why they are so popular among the dualsporters.

I never looked for DOT on the tire, I just did not see it advertizes as DOT on the website. It don't matter to me if it's DOT so I did not worry about looking it up. Maybe it is DOT. It really handles better on the road then knobbies. I run 25-30 psi on road, but then air down to around 12 front, 14 rear for dirt. I know I can run lower, but I weigh around 250 with gear and ride rocks so why push my luck.
 
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