Best tires for 250r for both summer & snow?

**kbreese** · 08-15-2009, 06:01 PM

Hi guys, the tires on my 86 250R are shot and I am Looking for tires that I could use for both summer trail riding as well as in the snow in the winter. I was considering Kenda Klaws or ITP mudlites. Suggestions? Also, I might buy a tire/wheel package. Who has the best prices? And what sizes should I get?

Thanks!
Kevin

**outtaline** · 08-15-2009, 06:03 PM

claws work fine down here but I don't know a thing about ridin in snow

**Saul** · 08-15-2009, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by kbreese

Hi guys, the tires on my 86 250R are shot and I am Looking for tires that I could use for both summer trail riding as well as in the snow in the winter. I was considering Kenda Klaws or ITP mudlites. Suggestions? Also, I might buy a tire/wheel package. Who has the best prices? And what sizes should I get?

Thanks!
Kevin

Not the answer you wanna hear - but I'm still gunna throw it out there - grab an extra set of wheels on the cheap, like a set from a 300ex or whatever from ebay and then buy a set of Maxxis 4-Snow to use wintertime. The '4-snows' are VERY cheap but they work REALLY good in snow.

My lil 300R felt like a snowmobile at times with the 4-snows this past winter! On groomed trails they are insane good - get into some deeper stuff just stab the throttle, get the front light and let the rears take over.

You may not wanna go this route but IMHO it's the best way to go. Good luck.

p.s. - I'm SO looking forward to winter riding again.

**kbreese** · 08-15-2009, 06:39 PM

Yeah, actually I was looking at the 4-snows and read good things about them. One thing though, and you'll probabably laugh at me on this one but I haven't a clue how to unmount/mount atv tires. Is this something you can do yourself with a tire iron or do you take it to a shop to have them mounted/balanced like car tires?

Also, 300ex wheels are the same as 250R wheels in terms of size/bolt pattern? Are all honda sport ATV's the same?

**Saul** · 08-15-2009, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by kbreese

Yeah, actually I was looking at the 4-snows and read good things about them. One thing though, and you'll probabably laugh at me on this one but I haven't a clue how to unmount/mount atv tires. Is this something you can do yourself with a tire iron or do you take it to a shop to have them mounted/balanced like car tires?

I get mine done at a local place.

Also, 300ex wheels are the same as 250R wheels in terms of size/bolt pattern? Are all honda sport ATV's the same?

I'm actually running 300ex rear hubs on my 1982 300R ... I dunno if those hubs would fit your application but thats moot point because your bolt pattern should be the same!

Again, the Maxxis 4-snow are awesome snow tires and actually they are awesome drag racing tires too.(they expand at speed making them taller giving you more top end) Not a good trail tire though as they are soft and you would easily puncture them in very rocky conditions I think.

**Yamaha_Rules69** · 08-15-2009, 10:48 PM

I have seen a 200x with paddle tires in the snow, and they did awesome, and went much farther then I could go with my general all purpose nobbies with square nobs. I wouldnt recommend paddles for anything but sand, and in some instances, snow. Otherwise, generally a tire with "bars" are usually good in the mud/snow.
If you dont have air powered bead breaker or even an old 30's style man power automotive style breaker, I wouldnt suggest trying to take the tire off the rim, because 9 times out of 10 they will not budge by manpower, and will do nothing but make you sweaty and pissed off. Take them to a shop, and it will probly cost 5 bucks to take one off and another 5 to put it on. Good Luck, and I must admit that winter riding is my favorite time also!!!!! Sliding in snow, riding on frozen lakes, getting stuck in big drifts, and making big ol hard packed snow jumps with the tractor. GOOD TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!

**250rAL** · 08-16-2009, 01:07 AM

I've had good luck with Dunlop KT335's both summer and winter. I've got snow tires but I rarely use them anymore unless the snow is deep because these do so well. I would like to try some of the 4-Snow type tires though.

**kbreese** · 08-16-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by 250rAL

I've had good luck with Dunlop KT335's both summer and winter. I've got snow tires but I rarely use them anymore unless the snow is deep because these do so well. I would like to try some of the 4-Snow type tires though.

Hmm, I'm suprised because it just looks like a basic knobby type tire. I wonder what makes them good in the snow...

**kbreese** · 08-17-2009, 09:00 PM

Nevermind, I was looking at the wrong tire. Looking at the KT335 tread I can see how they could work in snow/mud pretty well. Price is reasonable too. Seems like a nice tire...

**Russell 350X** · 08-17-2009, 10:04 PM

When I had my 85' R I had Klaws on it...turn em backwards and they do AWESOME in the snow. They did very well in mud, good in hard pack also...but I didn't think they slid very good on hard pack. I highly recommend them for the 3rd gen R's.

**AutoXer** · 08-18-2009, 10:58 AM

the 4 snows are unstoppable in the snow !!! They dominated at Brapps ride... defenately worth the effort to get a set if you are going to ride in the snow!!! And if you want the longest lasting tire for hard pack

**MagicJames** · 08-18-2009, 12:13 PM

I like my holeshots. They work great enough for me all year long. Not like 4snows but work well.

**Russell 350X** · 08-18-2009, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by AutoXer

the 4 snows are unstoppable in the snow !!! They dominated at Brapps ride... defenately worth the effort to get a set if you are going to ride in the snow!!! And if you want the longest lasting tire for hard pack

I ran my Maxxis Sur-Traks there....got around just as good as the 4 snows

**kbreese** · 08-20-2009, 06:05 PM

Any tips on the best place to buy? RockyMountainATV ?

**85200xrider** · 08-20-2009, 10:16 PM

[QUOTE=Yamaha_Rules69;773217]
If you dont have air powered bead breaker or even an old 30's style man power automotive style breaker, I wouldnt suggest trying to take the tire off the rim, because 9 times out of 10 they will not budge by manpower, and will do nothing but make you sweaty and pissed off. Take them to a shop, and it will probly cost 5 bucks to take one off and another 5 to put it on.

the local shop near me charges 30 a tire.....45 if you dont buy the tires from him.

i do them myself now..use my truck and drive right on the edge of the rim/tire to break the bead...sometimes it takes alot sometimes it pops right away..then i just use the tire iron from my truck to get the tire off and back on...just did it last week to switch the tires from my x to my z...and vise versa

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Best tires for 250r for both summer & snow?