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Dirt Bike Tires - What You Need To Know

Here's a run-down on dirt bike tires - what the different tread types are for, when to replace them, what air pressures you should use, what the good brands are and more...

First of all let's make sure you realize how integral a good set of tires are to your bikes performance. A top quality pair of rubber-knobbed, dirt chewers will not only improve acceleration and traction, but it will also drastically improve the braking, cornering, bump absorption and overall handling of your machine too.

Dirt bike tires come in many different shapes, sizes, rubber compounds, colors and tread patterns to function best in various environments. Selecting the correct tire for the conditions you will be riding in is important. So, which tires should you use? You'll find that most motocross tires and enduro tires are conveniently labeled according to the type of terrain they are designed for. Here are some of them...

Hard Terrain: For hard, dry terrain tires will generally be made of a soft, outer rubber compound to provide extra grip on hard surfaces. The tread blocks (or knobs as I prefer to call them), will be spaced closely together.

Soft Terrain: Used in soft, loamy, muddy and sandy conditions. The rubber compound is hard and the knobs will be taller and shaped in a paddle or scoop-like pattern. Large spaces between the knobs allow mud to be thrown from the tire preventing mud clogging up the gaps. Front tires will have spiky knobs.

Intermediate Terrain: Designed for varying conditions in between hard and soft tracks. Probably a good idea if you are riding in places that have a mixture of land types, like bush trails, and you don't alternate your tyres often.

Paddle Tires: These are for the hardcore sand riders. Designed purely for riding in sand, these aggressive, sand-annihilators will have you spitting out more roost than a combine harvester. Large rubber scoops spaced wide apart give you the ultimate traction in the dunes. Definitely no good for any other terrain though.

If you want to pimp up your bike, there is a range of colored and camo motocross tires for the more flamboyant riders - if you're willing to spend the extra bucks $$.

Some tips and pointers on dirt bike tires

Air pressure: When riding in sand or mud, lower the air pressure to around 10psi in the rear and 11-12psi in the front. This allows more surface area of the tires to connect and grip with the sand. For harder conditions on motocross tracks and trail riding over stones, branches e.t.c, inflate them up to around 13psi, 14psi max. If the air pressure is too low over hard terrain, you run the risk of causing a puncture or damaging the rims.

Inner tubes: Different strengths and thicknesses are available. If you ride trails regularly, use a thicker, heavier duty inner tube to help prevent those dreaded punctures.

When to replace your tires: When your rear tire is missing knobs... you know you should have replaced it a long time ago! Unless of course you race competitively, in which case tires are usually replaced after each day of riding or race. When the knobs loose their sharp edges, the tyres have lost a lot of their effectiveness. Don't wait until the knobs are worn down to wee rubber stubs.
A good rule is to replace both tires at the same time, and keep them matching brands.

Brands: Some popular, quality brands are... Michelin, Dunlop, Kenda, Bridgestone, Pirelli and Maxxis.

Dirt Bike Tires Sorted? Check Out The Low-Down On Rims

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