Durable tire for hard pack?

7/25/2020 6:00pm Edited Date/Time 7/27/2020 5:40am
I need some advice or tips on what tire will last the longest on hard pack. I cant afford to switch tires too often so i try to use mostly hard pack rated tires. The problem is that some of these tires dont hold up. And it sucks to give up traction for it to hold up and the knots break off after only a few rides.

I have tried metzeler, pirelli, and dunlop. Sepcially Pirelli tends to break all the knots on the sides of the front tire very fast. Rear tires usually hold up well but sometimes they break too.

Maybe some of you have good experience with this?
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nm143
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7/25/2020 6:50pm
I've had good luck with Kenda tires. They haven't had the same chunking problems that I've experienced with Dunlops when riding on hard pack tracks. I think I've used the Kenda Millville and Washougal tires, not dedicated hard pack tires but decent all-rounders because I also don't want to change tires for each track.
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yz133rider
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7/25/2020 7:38pm
Try the Pirelli Mx extra tires.
mtl
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7/25/2020 7:43pm
Dunlop MX53 rear lasts a long time on the hardpack

Also, their MX33 front holds up amazingly well on hard dirt for a soft tire
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crc245
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7/25/2020 7:52pm
Good read here about tires: https://motocrossactionmag.com/amp/ten-things-about-the-science-of-tire…

Most hardpack tires have softer compounds for more bite; sometimes at the expense of longevity. Besides Pirelli's MX Extra-X, Dunlop's 952 actually lasts and works decent as well. STI's are also a solid choice for durable, consistent, and economical tires. Don't forget, you can run a bit more PSI to keep the side knobs from buckling so fast: Pirelli fronts and the still available Dunlop MX3S like 14+ PSI...
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The Shop

7/26/2020 12:20am
I use the Bridgestone X40 rear for years now and Never lost any Knobs .
I dont race so i do not change tires very often the last X40 was on the bike 4 Month and about 30 Hours

And we have really Hard Pack loamy Tracks here in Austria
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Motofinne
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7/26/2020 1:06am
mtl wrote:
Dunlop MX53 rear lasts a long time on the hardpack

Also, their MX33 front holds up amazingly well on hard dirt for a soft tire
Interesting, i can't say the same about the MX33 front. For me a MX33 lasts under 10 hours on a hard packed/intermediate track. The side knobs fail very quickly.

MX53 is what i'm running right now and i'm very happy with it!
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chump6784
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7/26/2020 1:10am
Bridgestone x40. I ran pirelli mx extra's for years until I tried the x40. The x40 holds up much longer than the pirelli and grips way better. Most of my riding is on hard pack tracks and I actually lost track of the amount of track days I did on the x40. The only changed it because I had some racing on a sand track coming up. What I really like about the tire is that it works pretty well in all conditions, Ive run it on hard pack, sand and loam and couldn't really complain about it on anything. Obviously a softer tire works better on softer conditions but I still rate the x40 as a really good all around tire
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mxmaniac
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Melbourne AU
7/26/2020 1:24am
pirelli mx extra are the best i have used. we ride alot of rocky harpack stuff out here
7/26/2020 4:56am
Dunlop’s used to suck but the new series hold up very well. I can get 10 hours on them with really hard pack and concrete starts.
7/26/2020 4:56am
nm143 wrote:
I've had good luck with Kenda tires. They haven't had the same chunking problems that I've experienced with Dunlops when riding on hard pack tracks. I...
I've had good luck with Kenda tires. They haven't had the same chunking problems that I've experienced with Dunlops when riding on hard pack tracks. I think I've used the Kenda Millville and Washougal tires, not dedicated hard pack tires but decent all-rounders because I also don't want to change tires for each track.
Thank you. I have never tried kenda tires, but sounds like they are a good fit. I dont change tires for each track either.
7/26/2020 5:23am Edited Date/Time 7/26/2020 5:24am
Bridgestone M22 is really the only choice.

In 1989.
2
str8line
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Sandy, UT US
7/26/2020 7:23am
The Bridgestone X-30 or X-40 have been the most durable tires for me. X-40(hard intermediate) is harder so it's a good choice for somewhere like Moab which has a lot of sandstone and rocks but the X-30(soft intermediate) is almost as durable and great on all types of surfaces. I get well over 30 hours on either one.
downard254
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7/26/2020 7:44am
Bridgestone M22 is really the only choice.

In 1989.
I used to run the Metzler Multi-Cross rear........in 1985.Blink
2
7/26/2020 10:30am Edited Date/Time 7/26/2020 10:35am
This mx33 tire has 4.7 hours on it. I used to run Michelin’s religiously. Both good tires. 3 concrete starts At PVR regional and one muckhole shitfest moto at wildcat.

Otherwise the ground pretty hard pack where I live. And pleasure valley hard as well.
7/26/2020 1:07pm
I see the Pirelli Extra tire is repeting in here, but that is the tire im running right now and its not holding up that great.
This is after four rides. About 4-5 hours.



You are saying the Bridgestone X40 is a good al-around tire. I might try that next time also.

Thanks for the replies Smile
mx317
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7/26/2020 2:18pm
Pirelli mid-hard
martin12
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Fantasy
1248th
7/26/2020 3:06pm
Bridgestone X40 rear with X30 front-

This combo just works riding at Durham town offroad resort.

It's my go-to place to hang out with the guys as it isn't great practice bc it is like riding on concrete! Usually, ride there a minimum of every other weekend if not every weekend and tire longevity is a must!

MX52/53 rear is so-so, wasn't blown away by it.
Pirelli mx32 rear did pretty well but still no match for the Bridgestone but better than the Dunlop
Starcross 5 medium front was GREAT although the X30 I feel is more on par for what you're looking for.


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Zeke27G
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Ascot Park, CA US
7/26/2020 3:52pm
Another vote for X40 rear, X30 front.
PJRAUS
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7/27/2020 2:44am
chump6784 wrote:
Bridgestone x40. I ran pirelli mx extra's for years until I tried the x40. The x40 holds up much longer than the pirelli and grips way...
Bridgestone x40. I ran pirelli mx extra's for years until I tried the x40. The x40 holds up much longer than the pirelli and grips way better. Most of my riding is on hard pack tracks and I actually lost track of the amount of track days I did on the x40. The only changed it because I had some racing on a sand track coming up. What I really like about the tire is that it works pretty well in all conditions, Ive run it on hard pack, sand and loam and couldn't really complain about it on anything. Obviously a softer tire works better on softer conditions but I still rate the x40 as a really good all around tire
I agree...great durability from my x40 rear on a yz 450, and it works surprisingly well on loose dirt.
I have spare wheels, in the warmer months our track is foamy til lunch time then starts to pack down in a lot of sections and we re water thru the day.
Run Pirelli or Dunlop soft in the mornings and switch to Bridgestone x 30 fron x40 rear in the afternoon.
I REALLY hate those soft terrain tyres when the track starts to pack, when you are leaned over and on the gas they can let go really suddenly and drop you on the spot...
526
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Colgate, WI US
7/27/2020 5:40am
Michelin Starcross 5 Medium work really well and are very durable.

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