Best tires for sharp rock

owen3112
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11/3/2025
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Arlington , WA US

I have been using a shinko Cheater on my yz250 with an 18 inch wheel. I recently got on flat from sharp rocks, and after the repair on my last ride I cut the tire between the center lug and the outer lug about a finger nail wide, what tires are still sticky but can handle sharp rocks and not get cut 

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KS703
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Philadelphia, PA US
11/3/2025 7:30am

AT81EX.

PMR 3
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SoCal, CA US
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11/3/2025 7:58am

Just recently tried an EMEX T-45 it was pretty good Track, Off-road, Dez and medium sharp Rocks (haven't tried lots of real sharp). RockyMountainatvmc.com , nice price too. About to try the T-35  front & rear soon, hoping for some rain  🙏🌧️

usp4u1
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Chicora, PA US
11/3/2025 8:03am

something with a bib mousse

9
loftyair
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riverside, CA US
11/3/2025 8:04am

Could go with a tire made for the big adventure bikes. Some are dot, some aren't. Traction/grip vary a lot. A 'tubeless' with a tube maybe?

The Shop

wrc777
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Greenwood, IN US
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11/3/2025 8:15am

You want something soft that sticks and conforms to the rock shapes. The only way to get that and not get flats is with a mousse.

2
owen3112
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Arlington , WA US
11/3/2025 8:30am

I have two wheels one is used for moto and the other is used only for trails/enduro. I’m not entirely sure on the moose inserts, I like a steady 10 to 8 psi in my tires, I just know that I will probably continue to cut tires the rock I ride on is super sharp 

1
Spooner
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Location
Kansas City, MO US
11/3/2025 9:20am
owen3112 wrote:
I have two wheels one is used for moto and the other is used only for trails/enduro. I’m not entirely sure on the moose inserts, I...

I have two wheels one is used for moto and the other is used only for trails/enduro. I’m not entirely sure on the moose inserts, I like a steady 10 to 8 psi in my tires, I just know that I will probably continue to cut tires the rock I ride on is super sharp 

You can get the 'enduro extreme' bib mousse which is a lower pressure feel.  I can't imagine riding rocks without a bib personally.

3
peelout
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1/6/2011
Location
Ogden, UT US
11/3/2025 12:29pm
PMR 3 wrote:
Just recently tried an EMEX T-45 it was pretty good Track, Off-road, Dez and medium sharp Rocks (haven't tried lots of real sharp). RockyMountainatvmc.com , nice...

Just recently tried an EMEX T-45 it was pretty good Track, Off-road, Dez and medium sharp Rocks (haven't tried lots of real sharp). RockyMountainatvmc.com , nice price too. About to try the T-35  front & rear soon, hoping for some rain  🙏🌧️

the T45 and 35 Fronts are absolute garbage.  i don't mind the rears, but the fronts are very slick, no bite, and front end just wanted to step out on me constantly.  mainly ridden in high-mountain single track, lots of moisture, roots, uneven rocky terrain.

my .02

2
PMR 3
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7/2/2020
Location
SoCal, CA US
Fantasy
11/3/2025 12:50pm
PMR 3 wrote:
Just recently tried an EMEX T-45 it was pretty good Track, Off-road, Dez and medium sharp Rocks (haven't tried lots of real sharp). RockyMountainatvmc.com , nice...

Just recently tried an EMEX T-45 it was pretty good Track, Off-road, Dez and medium sharp Rocks (haven't tried lots of real sharp). RockyMountainatvmc.com , nice price too. About to try the T-35  front & rear soon, hoping for some rain  🙏🌧️

peelout wrote:
the T45 and 35 Fronts are absolute garbage.  i don't mind the rears, but the fronts are very slick, no bite, and front end just wanted...

the T45 and 35 Fronts are absolute garbage.  i don't mind the rears, but the fronts are very slick, no bite, and front end just wanted to step out on me constantly.  mainly ridden in high-mountain single track, lots of moisture, roots, uneven rocky terrain.

my .02

Dang it, bummer. I've run 2 Shirko Fat Tyre's, Pirelli 32 ( i think ) and Dunlop mx3s and mx33 they were all pretty darn good😆

BoxcarWilly
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Location
Thunder Bay, ON CA
11/3/2025 12:56pm

Michelin Bib mousse will last you all year. 

YZed250
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1311
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11/9/2014
Location
Costa Mesa, CA US
11/3/2025 2:38pm
owen3112 wrote:
I have two wheels one is used for moto and the other is used only for trails/enduro. I’m not entirely sure on the moose inserts, I...

I have two wheels one is used for moto and the other is used only for trails/enduro. I’m not entirely sure on the moose inserts, I like a steady 10 to 8 psi in my tires, I just know that I will probably continue to cut tires the rock I ride on is super sharp 

Kenda Parker DT has a thick carcass (6-ply) that might help. Kenda claim it's 30% more resistant to cutting. 

As others said, bibs are the WTG. 

PMR 3
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7/2/2020
Location
SoCal, CA US
Fantasy
11/3/2025 3:02pm

One of the guys runs Kenda's & mousse, needless to say he never gets flats 🤣

owen3112
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9
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11/3/2025
Location
Arlington , WA US
11/3/2025 6:29pm

How sticky are the Kendas, and when exactly would you need to add a wedge to the mousse 

 

11/3/2025 6:30pm

This has been a popular combo-

IRC JX8 

https://ircmoto.com/products/jx8-gekkota

 

With one of these tubes-

https://slavensracing.com/shop/7mm-low-pressure-inner-tubes-by-lucioli/

Nitro-mousse has the “plushy” (6-8psi) 

https://www.nitromousse.com/product/220-ride-intermediate-hard-80-100-21-tires-on-a-1-60-rim-6-8-psi-nitromousse/

I have a friend sponsored by the PLEW tires and he says they are amazing. Not because he gets them for free, but because they work well. 

https://plewstyres.com/

1
PMR 3
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SoCal, CA US
Fantasy
11/4/2025 2:49pm

My friend runs the Washougal II with a mouse over various off road terrain and brags all the time😂 he's picky too.

1

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