How Much Faster are Scoop Tires? | Dunlop MX14 vs MX34 vs MX53 11

Lately, in Pro Motocross and other racing disciplines, the big question has been: "To Scoop or not to Scoop"? I had the chance to ride with three different Dunlop rear tire specs back-to-back at Glen Helen Raceway to find out which one truly delivers the best feel and fastest lap times. With ML on the stopwatch, I did three-lap sprints on each tire—morning, midday, and afternoon—to compare performance across changing track conditions. Did one tire dominate from start to finish? Read on to find out.

• We started with the Dunlop MX34, the current standard tire on some production bikes and the successor to the MX33. It features new PCBT (Progressive Cornering Block Technology) for improved grip and feel in corners. The rear tread pattern has also been updated, with an 11% taller and 44% wider center block for increased traction and control. At nearly a pound heavier than the MX33, it’s one reason Yamaha hasn’t yet switched to it on their stock models—along with its higher cost. We tested the 120/80-19 size, though oddly, the 120/90-19 version is almost a pound lighter.
• Next up was the MX53, designed as an all-around tire for a wide variety of terrains. It shines in hardpack but maintains decent performance in intermediate conditions.
• Finally, we tested the MX14 scoop tire, which has gained major traction in pro motocross and SMX, with many top riders—including Eli Tomac—using it en route to championship wins. Designed for soft terrain like sand and mud, the redesigned MX14 claims improved versatility across broader conditions.

This feature was primarily built around this in-depth video, hit play for details on each laptime comparison, our thoughts, and more

I hadn’t spent much time on the MX14 before this, so I was curious how it would feel, especially in the deep morning conditions at Glen Helen. To my surprise, it delivered excellent traction out of corners and impressive forward drive, feeling several mph faster down the straights compared to the other two tires. In ruts, the MX34 held a better lean angle, offering the most cornering stability. The MX53, meanwhile, struggled for grip early in the day, I’d lose traction exiting corners and had to back off the throttle to stay in control. While the MX34 felt consistent and easy to corner with, the stopwatch showed I was 1.4 seconds faster on the MX14. Though lap times were similar between the 34 and 53, I had more confidence with the MX34’s predictable grip.

By midday, the track had developed more defined lines, light bumps, and less depth than in the morning. Even in these changed conditions, the MX14 remained my top pick, as it delivered strong traction and great drive up hills and across straightaways. Throttle-to-rear-wheel connection felt precise, making the ride smoother and more stable. The MX34 continued to perform well in corners, while the MX53 remained unpredictable, occasionally breaking loose. Again, my fastest lap came on the MX14.

Lap Times

Morning Session

• MX34 | 1:56.17 | 1:56.99 | 1:56.59
• MX53 | 1:56.10 | 1:57.10 | 1:56:11
• MX14 | 1:54.74 | 1:54.26 | 1:54.74

Mid-Day Session

• MX14 | 2:00.67 | 1:58.82 | 1:59.31
• MX53 | 1:58.99 | 1:59.65 | 1:59.02
• MX34 | 1:58.25 | 1:57.82 | 1:57.84

Afternoon Session

• MX34 | 1:59.79 | 1:59.23 | 2:00.37
• MX53 | 2:00.82 | 2:01:01 | 2:02.52
• MX14 | 1:59.30 | 1:58.37 | 1:58.47

In the late afternoon, the track was blown out, dry, and rocky...classic Glen Helen conditions that many dread, but I actually enjoy. I assumed the MX14 would start to fall short here, but I was wrong. It still offered the best traction, even on hardpack, and stayed planted on the rough uphills. That said, the taller and stiffer tread made the rear end feel a bit harsh over bumps compared to the 34 and 53. Still, I felt fastest and most comfortable on the MX14, a big surprise to me. The MX53 offered the least traction and made it toughest to hold a line or hook up under power. The MX34 once again proved consistent and was the easiest to lean and corner with, especially in ruts. But even in these harsh conditions, the stopwatch confirmed: the MX14 was fastest.

Overall, this was a refreshing test for me. Coming from a Yamaha production testing background, I rarely get to evaluate different tire options like this, since OEM specs are pre-determined. Having the opportunity to ride three different tires across a full day and focus solely on performance was a unique and valuable experience. All three tires had their strengths and weaknesses, and I’d feel comfortable riding any of them all day. But for Glen Helen’s range of conditions, the MX14 stood out as the best overall performer—and now I understand why Tomac has even run it in hardpack races.