Fave front tire in dry conditions

MikeID
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MikeID
My 250 XC-W came with an MX-33F front, which right now in the dry conditions seems to wander a bit. I notice it the most in slightly sandy whoops with a hard base.

I’m searching for the front end to bite in tight, flat or off-camber turns (which on this bike means getting forward), and have been messing around with the suspension to get the front end to settle in.

The forks are stiffer initially than those of my previous 2015 2015 XC-W, so that may be some of it. I still have my handlebars in their rear position. I’ll turn the mounts around tonight to see their influence tomorrow.

In past lives I’ve really liked M22/23 and M403/404 tire comboes. I’m thinking of getting an AT-81 for the current conditions and that got me thinking to ask you all what your fave dry condition front tires are.
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 9/2/2022 7:18pm
9/2/2022 7:18pm
I’ve used the Kenda Washougal II in the mixed terrain of Baja and it kind of works everywhere and LASTS.
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LouisianaMotocross 9/2/2022 9:51pm
9/2/2022 9:51pm
If longevity isn’t an issue I really like the bite of the scorpion 32. It works great in all conditions, but for as much as I ride I couldn’t use it.
1
goinrcn44h
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goinrcn44h 9/2/2022 11:10pm
9/2/2022 11:10pm
K139
2
Harambe Nanny 9/3/2022 12:23am
9/3/2022 12:23am
Amazon has some great tires. Try the shinko.
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Gravel
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Gravel 9/3/2022 1:11am
9/3/2022 1:11am
Goldentyre gt216, but not the giant 90/100. Lots of guys love the 90/100 for rocky and technical stuff but I’m not running that size, I’m running the 90/90/21, super planted and predictable.

2
luke11
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luke11 9/3/2022 5:23am
9/3/2022 5:23am
LouisianaMotocross wrote:
If longevity isn’t an issue I really like the bite of the scorpion 32. It works great in all conditions, but for as much as I...
If longevity isn’t an issue I really like the bite of the scorpion 32. It works great in all conditions, but for as much as I ride I couldn’t use it.
I’ve been using the mx32 Pirelli this year too, front and back, really happy with them and personally I think they lost better than the Dunlop’s I was on before
3
183Matt
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183Matt 9/3/2022 6:48am
9/3/2022 6:48am
Save your money on the 81, in the dry it’s garbage IMO. Bridgestone M59, IRC, i07, or Kendra Wash 2 like Manny said.
2
Rickyisms 9/3/2022 7:04am
9/3/2022 7:04am
TeamGreen wrote:
I’ve used the Kenda Washougal II in the mixed terrain of Baja and it kind of works everywhere and LASTS.
How are the Kendra rears in the same conditions? Wear the same?
bigsal
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bigsal 9/3/2022 8:03am
9/3/2022 8:03am
The hardpack Bridgestones have always worked for me since the M22/23 days, plus the Bridgestones still hold the track when worn.
1
insertinfo 9/3/2022 8:06am
9/3/2022 8:06am
Pirelli MS32, it wears fast but the GRIP is over the top.
Dunlop 3S that came stock with my 21 kawi was also great but i didn't like it as much as pirelli.
2
Bearuno
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Bearuno 9/3/2022 8:08am
9/3/2022 8:08am Edited Date/Time 9/3/2022 8:14am
It's eons ago, but I loved the Metzler MX (I think that was it's simple designation , though, perhaps it was MX Enduro) Front tyre.

I thought the standard size was good, then I discovered the 3.25"(?) version of it - that was the Ducks Guts. I've one that's hardened and cracked like a rock, on my retired '83 Floater RM / XR chassis hanging off the workshop wall. That was fantastic in all conditions, but incredible on our hardpack, and I've like fatter front tyres ever since.
1
mxking6
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mxking6 9/3/2022 8:17am
9/3/2022 8:17am
Pirelli SandCross
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183Matt
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183Matt 9/3/2022 10:35am
9/3/2022 10:35am
TeamGreen wrote:
I’ve used the Kenda Washougal II in the mixed terrain of Baja and it kind of works everywhere and LASTS.
Rickyisms wrote:
How are the Kendra rears in the same conditions? Wear the same?
They are good, the wear is usually 2 rears to 1 front for me. The thing with the Kendra Washougul is it’s ok/ good every where, but not the best anywhere. The only negative thing is their sizing runs small to other brands, at least on the rears. So I always end up having to order the larger size.
kopfjaeger
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kopfjaeger 9/3/2022 11:22am
9/3/2022 11:22am
Starcross 5 medium, dont look back
2
snape99
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snape99 9/3/2022 12:48pm
9/3/2022 12:48pm
Hoosier front 🙌❤️
1
MikeID
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MikeID 9/3/2022 7:29pm
9/3/2022 7:29pm Edited Date/Time 9/3/2022 7:29pm
goinrcn44h wrote:
K139
I remember my buddies putting those on their KDX 200s!
MikeID
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MikeID 9/3/2022 7:34pm
9/3/2022 7:34pm
bigsal wrote:
The hardpack Bridgestones have always worked for me since the M22/23 days, plus the Bridgestones still hold the track when worn.
I replaced the AT-81s with X-30s on my 15, but unfortunately sold my bike before I could really ride on them. In a month or so, it will cool down here and we’ll start seeing some rain. I might just go the X-30 route.
MikeID
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MikeID 9/3/2022 7:36pm
9/3/2022 7:36pm Edited Date/Time 9/3/2022 7:36pm
Bearuno wrote:
It's eons ago, but I loved the Metzler MX (I think that was it's simple designation , though, perhaps it was MX Enduro) Front tyre. I...
It's eons ago, but I loved the Metzler MX (I think that was it's simple designation , though, perhaps it was MX Enduro) Front tyre.

I thought the standard size was good, then I discovered the 3.25"(?) version of it - that was the Ducks Guts. I've one that's hardened and cracked like a rock, on my retired '83 Floater RM / XR chassis hanging off the workshop wall. That was fantastic in all conditions, but incredible on our hardpack, and I've like fatter front tyres ever since.
I used to run the 3.00 up front and a Red Dot R on the rear.

That was a long time ago…

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Karlsrad
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Karlsrad 9/3/2022 7:48pm
9/3/2022 7:48pm
I’m really impressed with the new Starcross 6 medium /sifts fronts. They hook up well everywhere
1
DaBaum44
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DaBaum44 9/3/2022 8:57pm
9/3/2022 8:57pm
Personally I like the Dunlop MX33 because I know what it is going to do. I ran the Pirelli MX32 mid-soft on my woods bike. The front tire is excellent in soft conditions but feels skatey to me when the conditions are hard pack and dry. Rear tire worked well in a wide range of conditions.

I also found tire pressure is especially critical on the Pirelli MX32 MS, otherwise you will get tire roll on hard pack surfaces.
1

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