Posts: 522
Joined: 2/17/2017
Location: Ravenna, MI USA
Edited Date/Time:
What is everyone's opinion on the 2 tires? We used to run Michelin but liked the Dunlops better and now we're considering trying Pirelli tires. I'm not concerned about longevity just traction and hook up. We do only motocross and I'd like to know about the rear and front tires if one is better than another I don't mind using 2 different brands just thought I'd put out some feelers before we try them...thanks
Posts: 1731
Joined: 8/25/2015
Location: Mansfield, OH USA
The dunlop mx3s and michelin starcross 5s are my favorite tires.
2009 Kawasaki KX450F
2009 Kawasaki KX250F
2002 Suzuki GSXR 600
Posts: 6729
Joined: 11/30/2013
Location: Portland/Los Angeles, CA USA
I liked the Pirelli MX32 pro tire over the Dunlop M3S but the Pirelli did wear a rare bit faster. I'd buy them again, right now I just buy which ever has the best deal or rebate.
Posts: 3664
Joined: 1/28/2010
Location: TN, USA
Pirelli extras since I don't race much anymore but still moto daily just about, on a hard rocky track.
Posts: 269
Joined: 8/13/2016
Location: Jacksonville, FL USA
Dunlop MX3S out front, and then a MX3S or a MX11 (or 12 soon) out back, depending on track conditions. There are some great rebates out on Dunlops now as well, so that helps.
Posts: 3957
Joined: 8/25/2015
Location: Taylorsville, GA USA
Pirelli is my favorite, if you haven't tried them yet they're worth a shot anyways. Find what ya like, not what the Internet likes.
Posts: 1520
Joined: 3/25/2014
Location: VA, USA
I've been using the MX3S for the past two seasons and am very happy with performance. However my 450 eats the back like candy. I'm gonna try a 52 rear on that just to see how it does. The two stroke will continue getting the MX3S front and rear.
I would like to give the Pirelli a try, they just aren't as commonly stocked as Dunlop or Michelin in my area.
Posts: 420
Joined: 1/30/2014
Location: Lodi, CA USA
I've been using Pirelli's for several years now, My go to front tire is Scorpion PRO F.I.M, it's a soft / intermediate tire. Works really well on all of our local tracks. Very predicable cornering control and wears really good.
For the rear, I will swap between the older Scorpion 410,soft / sand / mud XTraX and MX32. The 410 is great mud and sand tire. I like the XtraX on tracks where it will be wet and deep in the mornings, but by the end of the day, will be packed and hard. This tire will handle various changing track conditions really well. MX32 is a great tire, I run this tire most of the year when the tracks will stay wet, loamy with no hard pack. I'm on a 250 2 stroke so tires seem to last a little longer than those on 450's. The Pirelli's seem to like tire pressure above or right at 12 psi.
I really can't comment of the new Dunlop range of tires, haven't used them in years, IMHO, I think they are over priced and based on my fellow racers who run them, they tend to replace then at a faster rate then me. I can understand why, being on 450's have a habit of chewing up tire quicker. So, I am a little bias towards the Pirelli brand.
I also have a local shop that stocks Pirelli's and offers them at a fair price.
Posts: 1139
Joined: 8/20/2015
Location: USA
Performance wise, no production tire beats Pirelli MX32. Same rubber mix and design as they use in MXGP. In combination with a Michelin Mousse tube (1200gram), it is a deadly traction combination.
Tire sidewalls are soft, thats what makes it great for traction. Run around 0.9.1.00bar if you run it with a tube. Not less air then that. 80-100/21 in front, and 110 rear. Yes they will wear quickly, but again, as a race tire for the people not having access to factory tire-versions from other brands you cant beat it.
Front is one direction, rear you can flipp.
Dunlop tires i think are way to stiff, and narrow. Rubber also feels way to hard. The 110 tire is narrow, like a 100. 120 more like what fits a 450. Bridgestone tires are heavy as shit, and to stiff sidewalls. 110-tire is like a 120 pirelli or 130 dunlop (does not exist...?).
So after trying almost every tire out there, im not going away from pirellis. Only Dunlop i consider, is the rear sand-version. I like the low sidewall profile compared to Pirellis sandtire that has quiet a bit taller profile.
Posts: 9575
Joined: 1/4/2014
Location: FIN
Pirelli MX32 is better than Dunlop MX3s but wears faster.
Want better grip? Get the Pirelli.
Want the longer lasting but not quite as good? Get the Dunlop.
Current fleet of two wheeled vehicles:
- KTM SX 250 2020
- Suzuki GSX-R 600 K7 track spec
- Canyon Sender CF 8.0 2018 Downhill
- Canyon Spectral:ON 7.0 2019 EMTB
- White GX Pro 20 Gravel
Posts: 522
Joined: 2/17/2017
Location: Ravenna, MI USA
I really appreciate all the feedback it's exactly what I was looking for and I think we'll try the pirelli and see what my son likes. He rides a ktm 250sxf and wants to try for his pro card next year and we want what will work best. I'm not familiar with bar pressure so how much psi is 0.9-1.00bar? Again I thank u all
Posts: 536
Joined: 8/1/2009
Location: Caloundra, AUS
Posts: 522
Joined: 2/17/2017
Location: Ravenna, MI USA
Posts: 724
Joined: 10/29/2007
Location: Yorba Linda, CA USA
For SoCal soft to intermediate, 12.5 PSI rear and 14-14.5 PSI in the front is a good starting point. As others have stated, the MX32's are great production tires...
Posts: 6729
Joined: 11/30/2013
Location: Portland/Los Angeles, CA USA
Posts: 724
Joined: 10/29/2007
Location: Yorba Linda, CA USA
crc245 wrote:For SoCal soft to intermediate, 12.5 PSI rear and 14-14.5 PSI in the front is a good starting point. As others have stated, ...more
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:I run 13psi front and back with Dunlop M3S. That was suggested by Jay Clark who works for Dunlop.
That sounds about right: With the MX3S I always end up at 13.5-14 PSI front (80/100-21) and 12-12.5 PSI (110/90-19 on a 450). Slightly heavier at 88kg's and prefer to run a stiffer front end than rear, just for some rider insight. Hoping these numbers at least help get him in the proper range...
Posts: 522
Joined: 2/17/2017
Location: Ravenna, MI USA
We usually ran between 12-14 so it sounds like we were close, it definitely helps to know what others have tried and liked or disliked so we can play with it and have a good starting point
Posts: 1139
Joined: 8/20/2015
Location: USA
crc245 wrote:For SoCal soft to intermediate, 12.5 PSI rear and 14-14.5 PSI in the front is a good starting point. As others have stated, ...more
CarlinoJoeVideo wrote:I run 13psi front and back with Dunlop M3S. That was suggested by Jay Clark who works for Dunlop.
Dunlop has stiffer sidewalls then Pirelli, so lower air pressure is needed to get some traction. Pirelli should be 13.5-14 psi rear, and 14 front.
Rider weight also impact pressure, as well as riding style and type of tracks. 12-13psi and 2.5mm tube in rear tire is just to low on a track that has tendency to get square edge.
Posts: 232
Joined: 10/7/2011
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Dunlop. This is the first thing that is changed on my new bike. They give me amazing confidence. Traction and cornering are the biggest keys in motocross, and I know that that the tires have never let me down. Any issues are with me and not the tires. I usually run 12psi. front and rear.
David
774 Kawasaki
Factory Backing
Factory Seat
Acerbis
Dunlop
MX Engine Stand
Matrix Concepts
David
774 CC Powersports Kawasaki
Factory Backing Factory Seat
Acerbis Dunlop
Sunstar Braking
MX Engine Stands
Matrix Concepts
Posts: 1919
Joined: 3/4/2013
Location: Pink Hill, NC USA
MotoMatt_928 wrote:Dunlop MX3S out front, and then a MX3S or a MX11 (or 12 soon) out back, depending on track conditions. There are some great ...more
Where are they giving good rebates? I'm looking tires too.
Posts: 6729
Joined: 11/30/2013
Location: Portland/Los Angeles, CA USA
MotoMatt_928 wrote:Dunlop MX3S out front, and then a MX3S or a MX11 (or 12 soon) out back, depending on track conditions. There are some great ...more
Zesiger 112 wrote:Where are they giving good rebates? I'm looking tires too.
Rocky Mountain ATV has $20 rebate.
