Tires Megathread

[dmonkey]

To clarify, I'm not DaBinChe and don't have a YouTube channel, just thought their findings were worth sharing
Good info on comparing the tires to gearing changes. I think a problem you'll run into with trying to measure circumference is that the tires don't really have a "correct" PSI documented specific to the bike.

 

[wardray]

To clarify, I'm not DaBinChe and don't have a YouTube channel, just thought their findings were worth sharing
Good info on comparing the tires to gearing changes. I think a problem you'll run into with trying to measure circumference is that the tires don't really have a "correct" PSI documented specific to the bike.

Oh! thanks, my bad. And thanks for all your posted. I've gotten a ton of helpful info from you. As far as PSI, I'm went with the factory recommendations. 25 front, 33 rear.

 

[dmonkey]

I've done the same, run the factory PSI. With knobbies though you'll find that they don't perform ideally under that high of PSI, less traction off road, and they will wear in the center prematurely, especially going fast on paved surfaces - you end up with a squared off tire bald at the center knobs.

 

[wardray]

I've done the same, run the factory PSI. With knobbies though you'll find that they don't perform ideally under that high of PSI, less traction off road, and they will wear in the center prematurely, especially going fast on paved surfaces - you end up with a squared off tire bald at the center knobs.

Thanks! I'm new to motorcycles. raced MTB's competitively for years. 1,000's of miles on road/off road on pedal bikes, somethings are the same some different. Got the CT125 because the trail 70's were so cool as a kid, and I figured this would be great to run errands on and ride around in the desert with. What's your opinion on wheel balancing? I noticed it seems to be 50/50 some folks do some don't. It took 1.75oz to balance the rear wheel with the Kenda k262 I mounted. Not sure it matters but logically it seems like it should be balanced.

 

[dmonkey]

Balancing can only help, if you have the time and weights you may as well. Tires come with a dot on the sidewall that marks the light spot on the tire, an old convention is to just match that up with the valve stem hole and assume the valve stem area of the tube with its valve stem nuts will balance out that light spot. The reality is that probably isn't always the heavy spot on the wheel and tube, but it's a good blind guess and might end up being close. If you end up using stick on wheel weights, it's a good idea to clean the rim and put some duct tape over them as another layer of protection against them flying off. They can do some damage or cause some pain coming off a bike at speed.

 

[wardray]

Balancing can only help, if you have the time and weights you may as well. Tires come with a dot on the sidewall that marks the light spot on the tire, an old convention is to just match that up with the valve stem hole and assume the valve stem area of the tube with its valve stem nuts will balance out that light spot. The reality is that probably isn't always the heavy spot on the wheel and tube, but it's a good blind guess and might end up being close. If you end up using stick on wheel weights, it's a good idea to clean the rim and put some duct tape over them as another layer of protection against them flying off. They can do some damage or cause some pain coming off a bike at speed.

Thanks!! I didn't know the DOT marked the light spot. Will definitely put that across from the stem.

 

[AZ7000']

Thanks!! I didn't know the DOT marked the light spot. Will definitely put that across from the stem.

Not across, at the stem to add weight to the light part of the tire, aka the dot

 

[Fun4me]

My Little Red Donkey gets some new shoes. Finally got around to mounting the Shinko 241s I’ve had sitting in the garage for several months. I put a 2.75 on the front and 3.00 on the rear.


I took the LRD out the next day to see how they fit. After loading it up I hauled it to Pyramid State Park, about an hour from home. The park is the largest in Illinois, encompassing more than 19,000 acres of reclaimed coal surface-mines. A variety of habitat can be found in the park, from steeply forested hills, almost 60 lakes, wetlands, to broad expanses of grasslands. I’ve been here before and was very pleased with the improved traction the Shinkos provided over the stock tires. I noticed the increased noise others have mentioned from rocks hitting the fenders but didn’t go through much deep mud so had no rubbing. Initial opinion is these are a big improvement for offroad riding.

 

[Motoboogie]

I love the look of the 241’s

 

[Fun4me]

I love the look of the 241’s

I do too. That's why I put these on instead of 244s. Also, the fact you can't get 244s in 2.75 and others have described rubbing issues with 3.00 on the front unless you raise the fenders. I expect these to wear out pretty fast because I'm on road more than off road, but as cheap as these are I may replace them with something else when that happens.

As expected, off road handling is significantly better. On road, I perceived only a minor time increase to get up to speed. On a short high-speed test I hit 59 mph on the speedo and GPS confirmed. I normally don't ride in the rain much but got caught in a shower the day I was doing the high-speed run. I didn't really take it easy or push it hard in the turns on the wet roads and handling wasn't the least bit squirrelly.

 

[MisterB]

Oh! thanks, my bad. And thanks for all your posted. I've gotten a ton of helpful info from you. As far as PSI, I'm went with the factory recommendations. 25 front, 33 rear.

LOL! I saw your comment on page 2 and hit the ground running looking for the DMonkey channel. No luck! Figured I'd better check page 3....

 

[CEHansen]

Greetings from Seattle. This is my first post. I’m here sitting outside in the sweltering heat studying my two week old bike while enjoying an evening toddy and a good cigar. I’ve read all the posts regarding tire alternatives and have have discovered something that makes me want to say hmm? regarding the rear tire fitment. Maybe you will think so too.

From what I read not all 3 inch tires will fit on the rear and when they don’t it’s because of a rub with the fender liner at the approximate 10-11 o’clock position when viewing from the left side of the bike.

I’me looking at my chain stays and I see that, based on the reference marks, I have almost 3/4 inch of axle movement available to the tight side. So, here’s my observation and question; Do you think it’s possible to get some tire clearance by adding one link to the chain?

My theory; The chain pitch is .428 and one link would consist of one inner and one outer plate so the actual added length would be +2 X .428. However, because the chain has an upper and lower course the axle is only going to move half that distance or slightly less. If you see where I’m going we have pulled the wheel away from the interference hopefully with some adjustability to spare.

Do you think it might work or should I put the cork back in the bottle?

 

[AZ7000']

From what I read not all 3 inch tires will fit on the rear and when they don’t it’s because of a rub with the fender liner at the approximate 10-11 o’clock position when viewing from the left side of the bike.

I never got close in the back tire area, the front is real close with 3.0 tires and even rubs a tiny bit over 45mph. I thought it was rubbing on the mud flap bolts but I think it may be where the fender indents around the forks. Grabs gravel sometimes and you can hear it on the underside of the fender.
Been running the tires for over a year, if I did anything I would redrill a few holes in the front fender a lower to raise the fender.
These are all front clearance issues for me, maybe someone can chime in if they had any rear issues??

 

[Fun4me]

I never got close in the back tire area, the front is real close with 3.0 tires and even rubs a tiny bit over 45mph. I thought it was rubbing on the mud flap bolts but I think it may be where the fender indents around the forks. Grabs gravel sometimes and you can hear it on the underside of the fender.
Been running the tires for over a year, if I did anything I would redrill a few holes in the front fender a lower to raise the fender.
These are all front clearance issues for me, maybe someone can chime in if they had any rear issues??

For what it's worth, as mentioned earlier in this thread I put Shinko 241s on (2.75 front & 3.00 rear) about a month ago. With a mixture of around 200 miles of what I'd consider moderate off-road, and on-road riding on them I have not experienced any rubbing yet. I'm 5' 8" and 160 pounds so results may vary.

 

[dmonkey]

This video shows where a 3.0 tire can rub on the plastic inner fender in the rear, YMMV.

 

[CEHansen]

I never got close in the back tire area, the front is real close with 3.0 tires and even rubs a tiny bit over 45mph. I thought it was rubbing on the mud flap bolts but I think it may be where the fender indents around the forks. Grabs gravel sometimes and you can hear it on the underside of the fender.
Been running the tires for over a year, if I did anything I would redrill a few holes in the front fender a lower to raise the fender.
These are all front clearance issues for me, maybe someone can chime in if they had any rear issues??

This is helpful. Could you please say what brand/model 3 inch tire you are using? I will probably not be making my choice until next spring after the factory tires wear out.

 

[AZ7000']

The 3.0 244’s. Some have had more issues then me.
Good luck!

 

[Mag162]

I just installed the 3.00 244's front and rear. Had to take off that rubber flappy thing on the front fender.
No rubbing anywhere and I'm 6'3 270.

 

[G19Tony]

Anybody know how to obtain a set of IRC GP-5's? They are DOT approved, but unobtainium in the US.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Anybody know how to obtain a set of IRC GP-5's? They are DOT approved, but unobtainium in the US.

I've been giving this some thought and some looking around for a while as after riding them for a while, I actually like them quite a bit. I think it was @m in sc who tried to buy some but couldn't get them too, he ended up going a different route.

I've come to the conclusion the semi-reliable methods are:
1) eBay
2) other Trail 125 riders.
3) Importing from another market (seems expensive).
4) Different tire.

#4 is definitely the easiest.

I have never tried to order them directly through Honda which might be one of those amusing moments, but I plan to ask when I go to the Honda dealership next. I reckon they'll shush me out the door pretty fast.