(Ideally) Tires are the only contact point with the ground and arguably the most important upgrade/aftermarket part on the machine! 🙌 great video Kyle! Glad you like the 33s 👍
Kyle, love all that you do. Your information is good for terrain that has a hard bottom (riding in Utah), if you use a "Gummy" tire in deep mud or soft terrain performance will suffer when compared to a harder compound (read: knobs are flexible and don't dig). I think many riders want a one tire for all approach and if your terrain doesn't vary much or you are a trail rider then you can have some success. If you compete, matching tire compounds/ patterns have a definite advantage. With so many variables, ( Rider Speed, Terrain, Bike, Riding Style, event type - hard enduro to SX) making sweeping recommendations is difficult. Bottom line: a sharp edge is always good, adding matching the compound/ pattern to terrain is better and taking those and the rider variables into account will provide you with the best opportunity for maximum fun!
Ahhh, ya got me.. I need new rubber on my 300 badly! I definitely noticed it last season.. I've been getting slack on tire changes over the last little while. Good reminder for me. Thanks for the video!
I put on the IRC Gekkota on the back and Bridgestone M59 on the front last summer. Had cheap Chinese brands on both... Night and day difference. I actually have confidence that my front tire will grip in corners. Climbing, rocky, muddy terrain, rear grip for days! Definitely will purchase again.
Next time you get on tires can you please discuss your experience with the difference between narrow and wider tires. Curious as to your opinion of how they both handle and your personal pros and cons.
Wow I was just researching tires recently and had settled on VE33S rear, M59 front after reading a lot of recommendations Cool to see the same in this video, seems to be a popular combo for enduro
Been running the Tusk Recon since it came out. Wears like iron and good traction in all conditions, 2 or 4 stroke. I used to always run the IRC VE35 front but recently tried the Tusk Recon front and it is now my new favorite front. Best budget tires out there IMO.
Love the price of the recon but I personally never liked the compound. I struggled to get traction where I live (southern Utah). I just put the irc jx8 on and have about 5 hours on it but I love the traction that I’ve been getting. Can’t argue with how long the recon lasts though or the price!
Great review, I tried the Shinko 525 in 100/100 & 120/100 on my 300 and they were great in dry conditions, not so much in the wet. Believe it or not, the best tire for me is the Dunlop MX 53, just hooks up everywhere, wet or dry traction is amazing. On the front, the Pirelli XC mid soft, that tire had the best lean over grip, as well as the MX 33 is great too.
Have you tried Mousse Balls yet? No need for plugs and easier than full bib, or so they claim. I'm going to try them this year. I ride moto and offroad on the same bike and this seems worth a try at least.
Great video on gummy tires, I ride PNW woods mostly single track, my area is loose ground a little rocky and wet with no clay which the gummy tires work great. If I switch areas to one that has a high clay content and wet I find myself in a two wheel drift with a gummy, a harder tire is more suited for slippery clay. I really like the M59 and Q31 fronts, they perform well in corners and stay planted giving confidence going where you point it.
There are more great tires coming out all the time. While I have never purchased one, I mount a lot of slightly used AT81's from the locals' new bikes, they take them off new or nearly new. I run these (for free) in the greasy Northwest winter trails. 6lbs in the rear with a UHD tube and go everywhere those expensive tires go. I tried 5 lbs. but that makes it feel like a flat on the gravel transfer sections, 6 lbs. is the sweet spot for me. I used to purchase new tires at least three times per year but have not paid for a new tire in over five years. I have lots of friends that won't put over five rides on a rear tire luckily for me.
Shinko 505 cheater is by far the best tyre i have ever used. It last a very long time for me and i ride every weekend. I usually change it every 4 to 5 month. I also run an M59 in the front, best combo ive ever used.
@@MrFPSWisconsin yeah but I ride hard enduro. I dont see Sand, she feel good in the fase pace traías but Rocks, mud and tree roots are mostly what I have to deal with in my rides. The do the job perfectly to me!
The Dunlop AT81EX has been my go-to gummy since 2021. Ride single track, hard enduro here in the Pacific Northwest. The tire offers phenomenal grip on wet roots, and rocks. Paired with a Bridgestone M59 upfront. Have you tried the new AT82 front Kyle?
For the desert I really love the Shinko mx216 fat tyre. For the desert the maxis desert IT is a good one but it had been getting expensive, I tried out a kenda track master because it was the most aggressive DOT tire I could find, wasn't impressed, so I went far away from DOT and found the most aggressive ture with the tallest knobs, that lead me to the IRC m5b Evo, only have one and a half races on it so far so not enough to tell how wear will be but traction in the desert was amazing, you turn the throttle and you go forward.
Can you do a version of this but for GNCC/Race tires? Gummies are nice but in race conditions you get 1-2 races. The Mitas 754 green stripe generally lasts a while and is still basically a gummy
Have you tried the Michelin Medium Enduro Kyle? It's the tyre of choice over here in the uk. Might not be ideal for your single track type riding but I'd be interested to see what you think in comparison.
He has a vid on it…. Hates it… that said he ran it a 15psi. I love them too, wear is good, mint in gravel, sand, wet rocks. Only downside is big $$$ here in aus.
I own a beta 300rr 2024 and have the exact same tires on my bike. I always run the bridge stone m59 up front and love the irc tires usually running the ve33s but if I got a rally or big ride comming up I put a fresh jx8 on the rear. 🔥
Tires ive had the best luck in western washington clay is the shinko 505 cheater rear and the shinko mx216 front not a fan of shinko its just what ive found works good in the dry clay the dunlop at81 was pretty good to front and rear
I'll second this, tires are just so important. I kind of doubted my ability to tell a difference at first, but I found a dramatic difference in front end traction and feel between the stock AT81 front (on my 300 XC) and the MX 33 front. I've no doubt that other tires have their benefits as well. After getting the stock suspension sprung and balanced to a rider's weight and intended load, everything else a rider is thinking of doing on a bike, in terms of mods, should only come after having a good set of tires on there, suited to the task at hand. Nice presentation!
My 2022 KTM 300 came with the AT81's and I hated the front one as it lacked grip in my area of trail riding. It slid out and threw me to the ground a couple of times (breaking bones the last time) so I put a Michelin StarCross 6 med-soft on the front and it was so much better. Like night and day (Michelin). No rock riding for me.
10:28 I'm not sure, but I think they constantly change compound or something in production process, although name of a model is the same. Also, same model from different factories can perform differently.
i dont think ive had issues with plugs in any tires but one thing ive noticed is that with the at81ex and the ibex i always get punctures in them by the time im ready to change them
What is the best tubeless setup for the IRC33? How are you running yours? Also, is it bad to have an irc on the back and a x31 on front? Two different brands?
I ran a VE 33 with tubeless and i sliced it on a small rock on the second ride. I couldn't get the plug to stay in there and i felt the tire was too soft for tubeless. I was initially excited to try that tire and i just couldn't get it to take a plug. Do you have any videos or tips on plugging a tire?
If we already have an "account" with Rocky Mtn, can we still use your link to help you but also keep getting our "Rocky Mtn Cash" from them for our purchases? On an off note, no matter what tire I use on the rear of my 300 XC-W (I've been keeping track of all hours in log books) I seem to get right about 35 hours out of any of them whether IRC, Tusk, Dunlop etc.
I used to use Mitas, but it's hard to get here in the US, and double the price if you can buy it. $200 is not worth it. European friends of mine have used it in Romania, but they don't like it because they don't think it's good for off camber with low pressure. They said it`s not hold on side, loses its shape. Good to me with mousse, but I guess itís too soft with tubliss. I really like it, one of my favorite tires is the double green EF07, similar to the 6Days or the Michelin Enduro. Neither of them are liked by people in US for some reason. The only good ones in the US are Kenda and IRC. Kenda only 100 bucks, that damn Mitas 200US/$, good for 2 days. This guy in the video also said earlier that he doesn't like Michelin Enduro. The white strip is 180$, LOL, for 2 days. The Kenda or IRC will take 4-5 days and cost half as much.
I am liking the Michelin StarCross 6 med-soft for my 2022 KTM 300 XC TPI. 1,000 times better grip than the original Dunlop AT81's, especially the front tire. No rock riding for me.
For me the Starcross 6 Med soft 80/100- 21works everywhere. I've tried other popular tires like the M59 and nothing comes close. I seem sensitive to front tires. I slide them alot. I think I'm heavy on the front brake and am also a heavy guy. It works fine in rock as well. I also liked the starcross 5 in a 90. It just seemed a little big and not precise enough. I run a JX8 on the rear lately, but i'm less picky about the rear. I also like gnarly's
Tires are so dependent on terrain and riding style. For me, VE33S is a good tire but short lived, AT81EX is uselessly flimsy, as is tubliss. That’s high desert though.
@8:32 This has to stop. A Mitas 140 is as wide as a Kenda 120. Different manufacturers don't measure their tires the same way. So if you have a Michelin 140 and want to buy a Kenda or Dunlop, go with a 120. They will be almost identical in width. A 130 from Michelin would be less wide than a Kenda 120 for example.
Enough already! What I want to see from you is more riding and less sales. Even with the sweepstakes stuff you seem to be stuck in a rut. Tires? Yah, they're super important but if you what to impress me, you will demonstrate their performance on the trail. Show us why they are important, maybe with some A-B comparisons. Anyone who is paying attention can see a plethora of reviews praising the VE33S. We get it. Show me. Oh and BTW point your camera up. We don't need to see your front fender. Get some close-ups of the contact with the trail if you must, but do t with a remote camera, maybe a friend following. Word to the wise, your stuff is getting stale.
@craigster1952 I agree on the camera angle on pov videos, either get it right or don't post it. As far as the rest of your rant, like it or not this is what pays the bills, people love to talk about tires, people search for bike reviews. POV trail videos get way less views so it's not worth his time. This channel is a for-profit business. Lots of other channels on YT showing great trail riding and the camera angle is spot on, go watch those instead.
(Ideally) Tires are the only contact point with the ground and arguably the most important upgrade/aftermarket part on the machine! 🙌 great video Kyle! Glad you like the 33s 👍
I am a Die Hard IRC tire guy. VE33S and VE35F. They stand up really well with carbide studs in them for winter as well. I ride them year round.
Love the JX8 for New England woods! IRC FTW!
He needs to try the jx8
Love love love the ve33s for how long they last. The jx8 is my favorite but I get 2 rides out of one 😢
Recently switched over to M5B front and rear for the winter in Northern California... Tubeless 4 PSI... Unstoppable
Best dirt bike channel on TH-cam, practical and pragmatic advice for the masses, well done Kyle.
I love my Michelin enduro mediums Fairly long lasting but great grip when it gets wet and slippery and will still run if you get a flat👍
I am liking the Michelin StarCross 6 med- soft for my area and type of riding.
Kyle, love all that you do. Your information is good for terrain that has a hard bottom (riding in Utah), if you use a "Gummy" tire in deep mud or soft terrain performance will suffer when compared to a harder compound (read: knobs are flexible and don't dig). I think many riders want a one tire for all approach and if your terrain doesn't vary much or you are a trail rider then you can have some success. If you compete, matching tire compounds/ patterns have a definite advantage. With so many variables, ( Rider Speed, Terrain, Bike, Riding Style, event type - hard enduro to SX) making sweeping recommendations is difficult. Bottom line: a sharp edge is always good, adding matching the compound/ pattern to terrain is better and taking those and the rider variables into account will provide you with the best opportunity for maximum fun!
Ahhh, ya got me.. I need new rubber on my 300 badly! I definitely noticed it last season.. I've been getting slack on tire changes over the last little while. Good reminder for me. Thanks for the video!
I put on the IRC Gekkota on the back and Bridgestone M59 on the front last summer. Had cheap Chinese brands on both... Night and day difference. I actually have confidence that my front tire will grip in corners. Climbing, rocky, muddy terrain, rear grip for days! Definitely will purchase again.
Next time you get on tires can you please discuss your experience with the difference between narrow and wider tires. Curious as to your opinion of how they both handle and your personal pros and cons.
Wow I was just researching tires recently and had settled on VE33S rear, M59 front after reading a lot of recommendations
Cool to see the same in this video, seems to be a popular combo for enduro
Been running the Tusk Recon since it came out. Wears like iron and good traction in all conditions, 2 or 4 stroke. I used to always run the IRC VE35 front but recently tried the Tusk Recon front and it is now my new favorite front. Best budget tires out there IMO.
Love the price of the recon but I personally never liked the compound. I struggled to get traction where I live (southern Utah). I just put the irc jx8 on and have about 5 hours on it but I love the traction that I’ve been getting. Can’t argue with how long the recon lasts though or the price!
Great review, I tried the Shinko 525 in 100/100 & 120/100 on my 300 and they were great in dry conditions, not so much in the wet. Believe it or not, the best tire for me is the Dunlop MX 53, just hooks up everywhere, wet or dry traction is amazing. On the front, the Pirelli XC mid soft, that tire had the best lean over grip, as well as the MX 33 is great too.
That IRC 33S is my go to tire, period! Excellent tire. Use that tire and about 2 psi tubliss and it's a winner.
Have you tried Mousse Balls yet? No need for plugs and easier than full bib, or so they claim. I'm going to try them this year. I ride moto and offroad on the same bike and this seems worth a try at least.
Love the Gekkota. Needs to come in a wider version though.
I just got a VE33S and the VE35 for my GasGas EC250. I haven’t installed them yet but I’m excited to try them.
Excellent video. I agree on all your choices. Try the IRC VX40 fronts. They work very well and don't shed the side knobs.
I have a 1982 Honda XR570 , it uses a 510X17 rear . I put a IRC 33 on it and it works so good I had to rebuild the clutch ! thanks IRC . LOL .
Thanks for the info. The thumbnails with you looking like you saw a ghost are hilarious 😆
The jx8 is the best of the ix09w and ve33s combined. It’s awesome
Great video on gummy tires, I ride PNW woods mostly single track, my area is loose ground a little rocky and wet with no clay which the gummy tires work great. If I switch areas to one that has a high clay content and wet I find myself in a two wheel drift with a gummy, a harder tire is more suited for slippery clay. I really like the M59 and Q31 fronts, they perform well in corners and stay planted giving confidence going where you point it.
There are more great tires coming out all the time. While I have never purchased one, I mount a lot of slightly used AT81's from the locals' new bikes, they take them off new or nearly new. I run these (for free) in the greasy Northwest winter trails. 6lbs in the rear with a UHD tube and go everywhere those expensive tires go. I tried 5 lbs. but that makes it feel like a flat on the gravel transfer sections, 6 lbs. is the sweet spot for me. I used to purchase new tires at least three times per year but have not paid for a new tire in over five years. I have lots of friends that won't put over five rides on a rear tire luckily for me.
IRC VE33 GEKKOTA rear and Bridgestone m59 front. Best ever setup
Shinko 505 cheater is by far the best tyre i have ever used. It last a very long time for me and i ride every weekend. I usually change it every 4 to 5 month. I also run an M59 in the front, best combo ive ever used.
Shinko 505 and soft michelin up front, 6 years now
The 505 sucks in sand and faster riding
@@MrFPSWisconsin yeah but I ride hard enduro. I dont see Sand, she feel good in the fase pace traías but Rocks, mud and tree roots are mostly what I have to deal with in my rides. The do the job perfectly to me!
The Dunlop AT81EX has been my go-to gummy since 2021. Ride single track, hard enduro here in the Pacific Northwest. The tire offers phenomenal grip on wet roots, and rocks. Paired with a Bridgestone M59 upfront. Have you tried the new AT82 front Kyle?
For the desert I really love the Shinko mx216 fat tyre. For the desert the maxis desert IT is a good one but it had been getting expensive, I tried out a kenda track master because it was the most aggressive DOT tire I could find, wasn't impressed, so I went far away from DOT and found the most aggressive ture with the tallest knobs, that lead me to the IRC m5b Evo, only have one and a half races on it so far so not enough to tell how wear will be but traction in the desert was amazing, you turn the throttle and you go forward.
Just ordered the Tusk tires...using your link of course.
The Talon is great here in the northern woods, but man they do not live long.
Can you do a version of this but for GNCC/Race tires? Gummies are nice but in race conditions you get 1-2 races. The Mitas 754 green stripe generally lasts a while and is still basically a gummy
Lol, i have wheels, platinum nitro mousses, an X31 and a JX8 coming in the mail tomorrow! Tis the season to start getting them setup for spring!
Have you tried the Michelin Medium Enduro Kyle? It's the tyre of choice over here in the uk. Might not be ideal for your single track type riding but I'd be interested to see what you think in comparison.
He has a vid on it…. Hates it… that said he ran it a 15psi. I love them too, wear is good, mint in gravel, sand, wet rocks. Only downside is big $$$ here in aus.
They are very popular in Spain and very inexpensive. 88€ from Amazon and they work well in all conditions. I run them at 13psi .
I own a beta 300rr 2024 and have the exact same tires on my bike. I always run the bridge stone m59 up front and love the irc tires usually running the ve33s but if I got a rally or big ride comming up I put a fresh jx8 on the rear. 🔥
I’d rather do the TSP high compression head and ECU reflash. Kyle’s favorite topic 😂🤣
Very nice! Will take this into account!
Ix-09 front gummy is the best front ive ever tried
Jx8 rear is insane too
Great video man, just used your links to buy 2 tires 👍
Tires ive had the best luck in western washington clay is the shinko 505 cheater rear and the shinko mx216 front not a fan of shinko its just what ive found works good in the dry clay the dunlop at81 was pretty good to front and rear
I'll second this, tires are just so important. I kind of doubted my ability to tell a difference at first, but I found a dramatic difference in front end traction and feel between the stock AT81 front (on my 300 XC) and the MX 33 front. I've no doubt that other tires have their benefits as well. After getting the stock suspension sprung and balanced to a rider's weight and intended load, everything else a rider is thinking of doing on a bike, in terms of mods, should only come after having a good set of tires on there, suited to the task at hand. Nice presentation!
My 2022 KTM 300 came with the AT81's and I hated the front one as it lacked grip in my area of trail riding. It slid out and threw me to the ground a couple of times (breaking bones the last time) so I put a Michelin StarCross 6 med-soft on the front and it was so much better. Like night and day (Michelin). No rock riding for me.
@@human1513 yeah I think the AT81 front is lacking. My bike felt like a different bike with another tire. Hope you healed up well.
10:28 I'm not sure, but I think they constantly change compound or something in production process, although name of a model is the same. Also, same model from different factories can perform differently.
FYI the Tusk Talon is NOT an FIM tire. FIM states a max knob height of 13mm. The Tusk has 16mm knobs which is pretty typical.
Thanks Kyle!
Happy with Kenda's on my WR250R, running Trakmasters and Washougal's. No love for Kenda?
i dont think ive had issues with plugs in any tires but one thing ive noticed is that with the at81ex and the ibex i always get punctures in them by the time im ready to change them
What is the best tubeless setup for the IRC33? How are you running yours?
Also, is it bad to have an irc on the back and a x31 on front? Two different brands?
Have you run an Artrax XC tires? Seems a decent budget option, but have yet to try on. On my list, though.
I ran a VE 33 with tubeless and i sliced it on a small rock on the second ride. I couldn't get the plug to stay in there and i felt the tire was too soft for tubeless. I was initially excited to try that tire and i just couldn't get it to take a plug. Do you have any videos or tips on plugging a tire?
Can you do a video on your current camera set up/microphone set up that would be a good interesting video
If we already have an "account" with Rocky Mtn, can we still use your link to help you but also keep getting our "Rocky Mtn Cash" from them for our purchases? On an off note, no matter what tire I use on the rear of my 300 XC-W (I've been keeping track of all hours in log books) I seem to get right about 35 hours out of any of them whether IRC, Tusk, Dunlop etc.
Hi why not using a 140 tire ? I ride mud/ some Little Rocks and harder terrains in the summer, should I ride 140 or 110 ?
My go to tire for hare scrambles with excessive rocks is the Dunlop MX34. But I need to find a good mud tire. Gummies are far to soft for me
For mud MX34 or MX14
what about the 216MX Rear 140/80-18. I always run the fat boy tires. I used to run michies super soft tires for grip.
I could not get the VE33s to seat and hold air with tubliss because it doesn’t have a smooth bead. Any suggestions?
X31 front is the ticket
I can’t decide if I like the X31 or M59 more. In perfect conditions either tire is darn near perfect. I wanna try a fatty front at some point though
@@sarahdell4042 They ride the same, the X31 just lasts longer.
Can u do a review on the gas gas EC 250 2023 or 2024 please
What are the best tires for Arizona desert trail riding?
ANYONE?
How about a VE33 120 IRC... please
So do MITAS not exist to you….huge enduro tire in Europe. I guess you can only suggest what your sponsor sells
I used to use Mitas, but it's hard to get here in the US, and double the price if you can buy it. $200 is not worth it.
European friends of mine have used it in Romania, but they don't like it because they don't think it's good for off camber with low pressure. They said it`s not hold on side, loses its shape. Good to me with mousse, but I guess itís too soft with tubliss.
I really like it, one of my favorite tires is the double green EF07, similar to the 6Days or the Michelin Enduro. Neither of them are liked by people in US for some reason. The only good ones in the US are Kenda and IRC.
Kenda only 100 bucks, that damn Mitas 200US/$, good for 2 days. This guy in the video also said earlier that he doesn't like Michelin
Enduro. The white strip is 180$, LOL, for 2 days. The Kenda or IRC will take 4-5 days and cost half as much.
Which Mitas tire(s)? I have never used them. I am in Canada and see they are listed here at a big bike shop near me. I trail ride and no rock riding.
@@human1513I usually order Mitas from Canada. The EF07 green is very good, or for extreme buy double green.
@@endurowarriorThank you. Will look into them further.
I am a huge fan of the mitas Terra force line up. The double greens are fantastic for rocky enduro but they are definitely expensive
I am liking the Michelin StarCross 6 med-soft for my 2022 KTM 300 XC TPI. 1,000 times better grip than the original Dunlop AT81's, especially the front tire. No rock riding for me.
For me the Starcross 6 Med soft 80/100- 21works everywhere. I've tried other popular tires like the M59 and nothing comes close. I seem sensitive to front tires. I slide them alot. I think I'm heavy on the front brake and am also a heavy guy. It works fine in rock as well. I also liked the starcross 5 in a 90. It just seemed a little big and not precise enough. I run a JX8 on the rear lately, but i'm less picky about the rear. I also like gnarly's
Tires are so dependent on terrain and riding style. For me, VE33S is a good tire but short lived, AT81EX is uselessly flimsy, as is tubliss. That’s high desert though.
20 hrs? Who can afford that. My VE 33S has 45 hrs on it and will go another 10.
I can’t ! Living paycheck to paycheck thanks to Biden 🤬
Jx8
Do you run the same tires when you have a 4 stroke?
Really good question that mate
@8:32 This has to stop. A Mitas 140 is as wide as a Kenda 120. Different manufacturers don't measure their tires the same way. So if you have a Michelin 140 and want to buy a Kenda or Dunlop, go with a 120. They will be almost identical in width.
A 130 from Michelin would be less wide than a Kenda 120 for example.
My at81ex holds a plug AND the price has gone up
Tires are a given and not a high expense. Spend upgrade money on your suspension
Can’t talk tires without talking tire pressure. Just as, if not more important
Personal preference
Enough already! What I want to see from you is more riding and less sales. Even with the sweepstakes stuff you seem to be stuck in a rut. Tires? Yah, they're super important but if you what to impress me, you will demonstrate their performance on the trail. Show us why they are important, maybe with some A-B comparisons. Anyone who is paying attention can see a plethora of reviews praising the VE33S. We get it. Show me. Oh and BTW point your camera up. We don't need to see your front fender. Get some close-ups of the contact with the trail if you must, but do t with a remote camera, maybe a friend following. Word to the wise, your stuff is getting stale.
Maybe don’t watch then and unsubscribe.
Sales pay the bills, kiddo. Adults have bills to pay, try it sometime.
@craigster1952 I agree on the camera angle on pov videos, either get it right or don't post it. As far as the rest of your rant, like it or not this is what pays the bills, people love to talk about tires, people search for bike reviews. POV trail videos get way less views so it's not worth his time. This channel is a for-profit business.
Lots of other channels on YT showing great trail riding and the camera angle is spot on, go watch those instead.