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Tires Megathread

SneakyDingo

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Aug 6, 2021
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Post Status: Still being maintained. Last updated 3/28/2024

Hi all,
We have had quite a few threads on which tires, where to get them, etc. In an effort to get that information together, I'd like to start a single (preferably pinned) thread with a single post that has some of the most common tire options and where to get them. This will hopefully be a one-stop-shop for anyone looking for new tires. I will keep updating this first post with information as people add suggestions.

Please also include:
where you buy your tires if you got them at a good price or with exceptional service
links to the manufacturer's website for tires (I'm avoiding linking to Revzilla, etc.)

Tires
Tire options are generally targeted towards the US market unless specified otherwise. When choosing your tire select one that matches your terrain, speed and desired load rating. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of this post before placing your order.

ModelSizeTypeOther Names/NotesLoad Designation (max)
Bridgestone Battlax BT-3902.50-17StreetThai market / Webike38L
Deestone D9822.50-17MotocrossHigher availability in UK, Japanese markets38L
IRC SR2442.50-17Dual Sportaka Shinko 24438L
Deestone D9822.75-17MotocrossHigher availability in UK, Japanese markets41P
Duro HF3072.75-17Dual Sport41P
Duro HF3082.75-17Dual Sport41P
Duro HF3083.00-17Dual Sport41P
IRC FB32.75-17Dual Sport41P
IRC NR532.75-17Street41P
IRC TR-12.75-17Trials41P
Kenda K2622.75-17Trials41P
IRC GP-5 (OE)80/90-17Mild Dual SportOEM tires44P (front), 50P (rear)
CS C1863.0-17TrialsCheng Shin C18645N
IRC GP-13.0-17Dual Sport45P
Kenda K2622.75-17Trials45P
Kenda K2623.0-17Trials45P
Kenda K760 Trakmaster70/100-17Dual SportDOT approved 90/10 trail/street use tire46M
Shinko SR2412.75-17Trials47J
Heidenau K 462.75-17Trials47M
CST C72082.75-17Dual Sportaka MAXXIS CST C720847P
Duro HF3192.75-17StreetVintage motorcycle tire style47P
Vee Rubber VRM-0222.75-17Dual Sport47R
Vee Rubber VRM-0223.0-17Dual Sport48R
Shinko SR2443.0-17Dual Sport50P
Michelin City Extra Scooter Tires80/90-17Street50S
Michelin City Pro Tires80/90-17Street50S
Michelin Pilot Street 280/90-17Street50S


Rating lookup chart
RatingKGLbSpeed (km/h)Speed (mph)
38L13229112075
41P14532015093
44P16035315093
45N16536414087
45P16536415093
46M17037513081
47J17538610062
47M17538613081
47P17538615093
47R175386170106
48R180397170106
50P19041915093
50S190419180112


Where do users buy them?

FAQ
Dude I just want some tires, what makes people happy?

  • Shinko 241's in 2.75-17
  • OR Shinko 244's in 2.5-17 front, 3.0-17 rear.

What combinations are known to work without modifying the bike?
  • Max 2.75" on the front (80/90-17) with no rub, 3.0" with a tiny bit of rub at speed.
  • Max 3.0" on the rear.

What happens if I go larger than this?

What's the disclaimer you mentioned?
  • Take the load ratings with a grain of salt. Trust, but verify.
  • I generally link to and defer to the manufacturer's website wherever possible. This may differ from sites that you actually buy tires from.
  • The tire options listed are what I was able to find on the internet and from various tire sites. Some of the details had to come from archived information or returned multiple results (the Duro HF319 tires in particular came up with several load ratings, some far exceeding spec).
  • In other cases, the maximum speed rating has been listed but different options exist (e.g. SR244 45P and SR244 50P in the 3.00-17 size, with the difference being tire construction resulting in reduced weight). This is often the case for Front only, or Front and Rear tires.
  • Additionally, tire options presented do occasionally drop below the maximum speed and load rating of the bike.
  • If you are getting the tires mounted instead of doing it yourself, some non-CT125 riders report that "if you got the tires from Revzilla, they have an arrangement with Cycle Gear in some cities, for reduced price tire changing." The mechanic may offer a discount for certain sources.
  • Be EXTRA careful when ordering your tires to make sure you match the specification, size and load rating for your needs.
 
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AZ7000'

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Jan 28, 2021
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Thanks, point of clarification… the 244 3.0’s do not rub the front. The knobs will grab gravel or cinders and the rocks will rub on the inside of the fender. At 45mph plus the tire gets taller and will rub on the screws holding the mud flap and make a sound. No scarring on the tire noted.
There is a slight vibration that was noticed initially on pavement, I don’t notice it any more.
X2 for rockymountainatvmc.com

1646685921616.jpeg
 

dmonkey

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revzilla.com and denniskirk.com are two other good sites for buying tires (and tubes) in the USA. I've bought from both for this bike.

Yep, the SR244 3.0s only rub at speed. Once they're worn a bit they might not rub anymore at all. This video points out the rubbing point on the front mud flap, and the tight width clearance in the rear when the suspension is compressed.
 

dmonkey

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For a motocross (MX) style tire I saw on social media someone running Deestone D982 2.50-17 & 2.75-17. Sounds like it's a very soft tire and install is easy.
 

SneakyDingo

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Updated. I did a cursory search and they seem to be more available in the Japanese and UK markets, so I added a note for that. Deestone USA didn't even have a motorcycle section on their homepage. If you find that I was wrong there, please let me know and I'll adjust the table.
 

Donkeythekidd

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Feb 10, 2022
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I ordered the VRM-022 2.75-17 from Cedar Rapids Tire back on February 10th. Turns out they were out of stock and backordered. I called the other day and they still have no eta. Does anyone know if anyone has them in stock?
 

Donkeythekidd

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Allhatnocattle

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Does anyone have the front fender lift kit and the 244 3"? Wondering if the front fender kit helps get rid of the front tire rub.

I have a pair of the Kenda k262 2.75"s and for some reason have cold feet to install them. I just don't love the look as much as the 244.
 

SneakyDingo

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Does anyone have the front fender lift kit and the 244 3"? Wondering if the front fender kit helps get rid of the front tire rub.

I would post a question in the modifications section for this kind of question. You'll get a more detailed response that's beyond the scope of a tires megathread.
There is also @dmonkey's linked post in the original post that highlights woes and pros of the lift kit. (Clicky)
@range rat also did a lift kit + 3.00-17 Shinko 244's fit earlier this year. You can find that post here, as well as a small note about fitment here. EDIT: last year!! we're not in 2021 anymore.
I'm updating the original post to include range rat's mod so others who have the same question can find it straight away.
 

dmonkey

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In the time since I tried a BeezDeals fender lift I decided on redrilling the fender instead. If I were to buy a fender lift again, this one looks like a much better design than the BeezDeals one and it is what I would try: K-SPEED-CT45 Front Fender Upper CT125 . The other kits I've seen have flat brackets and use a ton of hardware, where this kit looks better designed to contour to the forks and some of the hardware is integrated with welds which makes it simpler but also *might* give better clearance from the tire.
 

Allhatnocattle

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You could call Midwest Traction and see if they *actually* have them in stock or if they're on backorder or special order there too.
Has anyone here gotten these? Tempted to order them and see how they look compared to the Kenda k262 that I already have in my garage.... Getting tires mounted is looking like $150 near me, so I want to make sure I get the best tire...
 

Allhatnocattle

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Just realized something I hadn't even considered. I bought the kenda k262 in 2.75" x 17 and they are rated 41p.... I had no idea the stock tire in the back was 50p and front 45p. Now I am going to reevaluate... After hearing from someone on adv rider forum that with his 3" 244's he still sees 55mph occasionally, I think I can work with those.

Those of you running the 244's are you running 45p in front and 50p rear?

Sorry for the beating of a dead horse, but every shop near me wants $180 to mount and balance these suckers so I need to make the right choice on the first go...
 

SneakyDingo

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Those of you running the 244's are you running 45p in front and 50p rear?

Sorry for the beating of a dead horse, but every shop near me wants $180 to mount and balance these suckers so I need to make the right choice on the first go...
The only option offered from RockyMountainATV is 50P. So F&R will both be 50P in my case.

I think you're overthinking it. The GVWR is 522 lb. The original tires were a 45/50P rating. So if we assume the weight bias is how they calculate that, it's a 46:54 balance on the bike, which actually sounds kind of right.

For max load of 522 lb, with a 46:54 balance on weight distribution, that's a 31J front, 37J rear or better tire (up to 62 mph). Basically any tire that's not a F rating for speed will be fine unless you're doing insane downhills on roadways. If you go over the weight rating of the bike, obviously you will need to look at better tires.

EDIT: Also the jury is out on whether you should get these balanced. But also check if the $180 is wheels off or wheels on the bike. If you have any other option to get there with wheels off, that could substantially reduce the cost.
 
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