Another 250sx tire recommendation thread

[dreux13]

So all the threads seem to recommend the bearclaw which I did put on the SX and I just don't care for them. Yes, they will likely get me through anything as far as mud and they are mean looking, but man are they HEAVY and they are hard as a rock unless you leave them almost entirely deflated! My rear was killing me on my last 60 mile ride and realized half way through that I had too much air in there.

I ride typical New England rocky trails, logging trails, light hill climbs, some mud holes, and some sand. I can't seem to lock down a decent 22x11-8 jack of all trades tire that's not too pricey. I used to use razr's during my atv days, but those are super pricey and I've plugged more of my friends hole shots on the trail than I care to remember.

I've had my eye on cheng shin ambush, maxxis all trak, kenda klaw xc, and duro berm raider (4ply). Any insight? Maybe a little slide, a decent bite, and a non-bone rattling ride?

Thanks in advance!

[Flyingw]

Kenda Klaws are a nice balance of weight vs traction. I've put those on two SXs. They are bidirectional. Soft pack mounted one way and hard pack mounted the other but I always left them in the soft pack direction.

[dreux13]

Thanks Jim! Was just brushing up on your carb rebuild thread since I'm picking up my new '86 SX tomorrow night! This one has a full cobra exhaust, so it will add a twist to the rebuild process!

[Frankencelery]

How about Ohtsu P/V 301's? Call me overly traditional, but I really like the stock tires. They're only 2-ply, but they're relatively light, and I ride on dirt, gravel, rocky trails, sand, and a bit of mud.

[dreux13]

How about Ohtsu P/V 301's? Call me overly traditional, but I really like the stock tires. They're only 2-ply, but they're relatively light, and I ride on dirt, gravel, rocky trails, sand, and a bit of mud.

I'm pretty sure they went easy to come by these days....well unless I buy that '87 SX on eBay right now for over 6k!

[Frankencelery]

I'm pretty sure they went easy to come by these days....well unless I buy that '87 SX on eBay right now for over 6k!

Well, I bought 2 sets in 2012, and they were only about $65 each. I guess I assumed they were still available.

[ditchmud]

198765

198766

These were only $120 for the pair shipped!!

[Keepah Rolln]

I'm still searching for a regular all purpose tire for my ice fishing winter season for my sx. I'm thinking about the kenda pathfinder for the reason it looks like I will be able to drill in a bunch of ice screws..It has ok tread for slush and snow by the looks..I see too many with the kenda klaws and mud lites and want something different to look at..
198935
I'll be most likely putting on Maxxis all traks with new rims in the spring for a new look and think they will drive decent.. My other sx i'll be keeping the original Ohtsu tires on as I dont ride it much except for in grassy fields or in the winter on the lake once in awhile...Can't beat the originals though...
198936

[Caminofeld]

These are made by Duro, but there's quite a few companies out there with a similar model. They're cheap, a smooth ride, and have excellent bite. They're only 2 ply, but remember that the stock OHTSU's were too...and blowing a rear out because of too much tire SUCKS! I have 2 SX's; one with 22" Maxxis Rubicons and one with these in 25". Aside from losing a little stability from the round profile, I'd run the Duro's any day.

198941

[Caminofeld]

And Ditchmud, those OD fenders look AMAZING!!!

[f76]

AMS swamp foxes are nice tires. I ran a half tread set on my scrambler for over a year, most of street use. But I did take them mudding, snow, and trail riding and they performed quite well. For having maybe a quarter of the tread left when I finally room them off they did decently well. They ride smooth and last forever. Little pricey but well worth it IMO.

[dreux13]

These are made by Duro, but there's quite a few companies out there with a similar model. They're cheap, a smooth ride, and have excellent bite. They're only 2 ply, but remember that the stock OHTSU's were too...and blowing a rear out because of too much tire SUCKS! I have 2 SX's; one with 22" Maxxis Rubicons and one with these in 25". Aside from losing a little stability from the round profile, I'd run the Duro's any day.

198941

Thanks....there is a 4ply version of these for $132 shipped per pair. Do they slide at all if you try to kick out the backend around a corner or are they always planted?

View item:
(2) 22x11-8 DURO MUD & SAND ATV PAIR OF TIRES 4 PLY HF243 22X11.00-8 22118

[Caminofeld]

Oh yeah, I guess they are 4 ply. I also have a set on my 200x and yes, you can definitely still slide the back end...just might have to throw a little more "body english" into it:)

[Keepah Rolln]

The Duro's are another good option. Don't look bad either on the sx

[Super350]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22-x-11-8-Cheng-Shin-C829-General-Purpose-Front-Rear-Tire-/371120146134?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56687c06d6&vxp=mtr

best utlity trike tire hands down...smooth soft ride with tons of traction...only downfall is in heavy mud

[Frankencelery]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22-x-11-8-Cheng-Shin-C829-General-Purpose-Front-Rear-Tire-/371120146134?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item56687c06d6&vxp=mtr

best utlity trike tire hands down...smooth soft ride with tons of traction...only downfall is in heavy mud

The first set of tires I ever put on my SX were Cheng Shin C827's, which are similar, but with larger knobs. I liked them ride-wise, because they were soft and had a very cushy ride. But they don't last long. The stock Ohtsu's that are on there now have lasted twice as long. I did a bit of checking after the OP said those were hard to come by, and they do seem to have become unobtanium. Too bad.

[Super350]

maybe a diff compound or something , my chengs are lasting for ever...I got a boat load of ride time on them and almost no wear at all!

[Marksman]

I had inquired on this board a while back wondering if anyone had ever run a Mud Lite up front with no response. So I decided to try it, and mounted up a Mud Lite on the front of my '85 SX to match the rears today. I went with a slightly modified version of Doug's suggestion using a Douglas aluminum rim 10X5 (3+2) with a Mud Lite 23 x 8-10. This offset requires that the valve stem be on the same side as the brake drum, but by using a short valve stem, I don't have any clearance issues. Thought you guys might like to see the result:

199016199017199018199019

I'm still looking for a front brake lever clamp (to mount the lever to the handlebar) and the wing nut and fitting to attach the cable to the brake drum if anyone happens to have any extras laying around.


Here is almost the same set-up on my '86 SX, which is the same basic set-up that Doug had recommended on this board using steel rims with Bear Claws on all 3 corners. Incidentally, the Mud Lites and aluminum rims make for a much lighter combo.

199020199021199022

[UPNATM]

Looking good Marksman, but damn your pics are sooo small. :lol:

[Marksman]

Looking good Marksman, but damn your pics are sooo small. :lol:

Sorry about the small pics. I went back and edited my post above trying to make the pics bigger, which seems to have worked... but for some reason it also added the "thumbnails" down at the bottom???

Oh well, I never claimed to be too tech. savvy!!!

[UPNATM]

It worked, they are bigger, thanks.

[UPNATM]

I'm still looking for a front brake lever clamp (to mount the lever to the handlebar) and the wing nut and fitting to attach the cable to the brake drum if anyone happens to have any extras laying around.


I don't have the brake lever or perch, but I have extra clamps, and I know I have some extra springs and wing nuts.
Pm me you address, and I'll throw it in the mail for you.

[Pitbilly]

Dru just put some nobbies on and be done with it..you want something light that can generate wheelspin your not makin any power....plus I'll be throwing roost in your face lol

[Marksman]

I don't have the brake lever or perch, but I have extra clamps, and I know I have some extra springs and wing nuts.
Pm me you address, and I'll throw it in the mail for you.


Thanks to UPNATM for his generous donation to the ongoging revival of the 250SX!!!