Tires Megathread

[ducatirdr]

I put 3.0 244's on my Trail 125. No tire rub on the mudguard mounting bolts. Then I started to take the fender off and decided to leave it and put the bolts back on. This moved the fender just enough for the mudguard bolts to rub over 45mph. I then loosened the fender mounting bolts and moved the fender a bit to gain clearance and found there is a lot of play on the current holes. I was able to clamp the bolts down with the fender adjusted so there was no rubbing.

 

[ShieldArc]

I put 3.0 244's on my Trail 125. No tire rub on the mudguard mounting bolts. Then I started to take the fender off and decided to leave it and put the bolts back on. This moved the fender just enough for the mudguard bolts to rub over 45mph. I then loosened the fender mounting bolts and moved the fender a bit to gain clearance and found there is a lot of play on the current holes. I was able to clamp the bolts down with the fender adjusted so there was no rubbing.

I would consider re-locating the fender mounting holes.

 

[m in sc]

Got the Kenda 262's installed yesterday, 2.75. as an fyi, i checked total tire height, installed, vs the worn out rear stocker. the new kenda was only .25"~.30" total taller than the worn out stocker,s and they are way stickier. took it out for a ride, def better ride quality even though they have more aggressive tread pattern. would recommend. fitment non an issue, looks right.

 

[AlaskanTrail]

Got the Kenda 262's installed yesterday, 2.75. as an fyi, i checked total tire height, installed, vs the worn out rear stocker. the new kenda was only .25"~.30" total taller than the worn out stocker,s and they are way stickier. took it out for a ride, def better ride quality even though they have more aggressive tread pattern. would recommend. fitment non an issue, looks right.

That’s great to hear about the traction. Now I’m torn between these or the Vee Rubber 022’s…

 

[Tex68w]

What kind of mileage/tread life are you guys seeing out of the Shinko 241? I am considering running the Shinko 241 2.75 up front to dodge clearance issues with the fender and the 244 3.0 out back. Has anyone run that combo, any input?

 

[martysgone]

I am curious why more people haven't tried more tires in the 70/100-17 sizes? It opens up so many great knobbies. The only mention I found in this thread was the Kenda K760 Trackmasters. For those of us who need a true dirt tire, it might be a good option.

I am having Buchanan Spokes build me a spare wheel set with aluminum rims to help offset the extra weight of knobbies. In my experience, though, most of the quality motocross and enduro tires are lighter than the majority of the dual sport options that are commonly put on our bikes. My eyes are on the Michelin Starcross 5. When I get my wheels built I will give a weight comparison of the rims. I put aluminum wheels on my old CT90 and it made a huge difference, but I think those old steel rims were a lot heavier than the steel rims that come on our bikes. It might not be worth the $$$.

 

[AZ7000']

I’m allergic to the trackmasters… worst tires I have ever ridden, however this was on a 450x in Baja. No experience on the ct, my 244’s are fine, I also would have no info on mileage changes and would question the accuracy since the speedo would be off too. Would need gps distance for an accurate (albeit marginal different) reading I believe.

 

[martysgone]

I will second you on the trackmasters. Tried them on my XR650R as a cheap tire since that bike goes through tires like crazy. I only made that mistake once. I feel the front tire was worse than the back, but neither were good. That was just the only example in this thread of someone trying a 70/100-17 tire. If you go to Chaparral Motorsports (for example) and search 70/100-17 tires, 21 different tires come up that could potential be good dirt options.

 

[dmonkey]

I am curious why more people haven't tried more tires in the 70/100-17 sizes? It opens up so many great knobbies.

In New Zealand there is a "farm kit" for the CT125 and XR125 that can include a MITROC 70/100-17 front tire, and a 2.75-17 on the rear. They also sell those farm kitted bikes with Shinko SR241s though.
Unfortunately as far as I can tell there's no MITROC distributor in the USA.
https://www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz/farm-off-road-bike/ct125

 

[Tex68w]

In New Zealand there is a "farm kit" for the CT125 and XR125 that can include a MITROC 70/100-17 front tire, and a 2.75-17 on the rear. They also sell those farm kitted bikes with Shinko SR241s though.
Unfortunately as far as I can tell there's no MITROC distributor in the USA.
https://www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz/farm-off-road-bike/ct125

I wish they offered that here. Looks to have a fender lift kit, wonder if we can find the part number to the kit they use for that?!

 

[dmonkey]

I wish they offered that here. Looks to have a fender lift kit, wonder if we can find the part number to the kit they use for that?!

That is made by Smith Attachments in NZ. They don't sell direct, but you can inquire with a dealer in NZ to purchase them from Honda NZ (Blue Wing Honda) and ship them to you internationally.
These were quotes before shipping that I got when I inquired about farm kit accessories, prices are NZ$

CT125 CENTRE PROTECTOR - $290
CT125 FRONT GUARD RISER BRKT - $60
CT125 FRONT CARRIER - $255
CT125 HANDLE BAR PROTECTOR - $110
CT125 HEADLIGHT GUARD - $180

 

[Tex68w]

Hmm, good to know.

 

[martysgone]

OK, that farm kit is pretty sweet. Factory handlebar protectors and front carrier rack would be awesome. Just a little to $$$ (+ shipping) for me. And those tires look just right. I wonder what the lower gearing sprocket count is?

Honda CT125 Farm Bike | Honda Motorbikes NZ

The legendary "CT" farm bike returns in the form of the CT125 with a modern-day re-vamp. Based off the iconic CT110 - a legendary Honda machine more commonly known as the ‘Postie’ bike - the CT125 boasts a 125cc, 1-cyl, 4-stroke engine, electric Start, ABS, LED lighting and a digital display. An...

www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz

 

[Cardinal Direction]

OK, that farm kit is pretty sweet. Factory handlebar protectors and front carrier rack would be awesome. Just a little to $$$ (+ shipping) for me. And those tires look just right. I wonder what the lower gearing sprocket count is?

Honda CT125 Farm Bike | Honda Motorbikes NZ

The legendary "CT" farm bike returns in the form of the CT125 with a modern-day re-vamp. Based off the iconic CT110 - a legendary Honda machine more commonly known as the ‘Postie’ bike - the CT125 boasts a 125cc, 1-cyl, 4-stroke engine, electric Start, ABS, LED lighting and a digital display. An...

www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz

Looks like 14/39 is what’s listed but that’s also the normal sprockets so I’m not sure what gearing they are talking about unless the website is incorrect.

 

[dmonkey]

From what I can tell those listed specifications are for the base bike and not the farm kit, note that the tires are still listed as 80/90-17 which does not reflect the different tires in the farm kit. I imagine the chain and sprocket kit is one that includes a larger rear sprocket.

 

[m in sc]

that xr190 though. that things awesome. would own. https://www.hondamotorbikes.co.nz/farm-off-road-bike/xr190

 

[AZ7000']

I’d love a good off-road bike for the boy, hard hitting 2t track bikes are all that are really offered for the kids that aren’t 200#. His tc-65 is rad, he learned a clutch with a 2t and had to kick it if he stalls. Life lessons!

 

[dmonkey]

Honda NZ got back to me about the farm kit's tires and gearing.
Front tire: Mitroc M807 70/100-17
Rear tire: Mitroc M897 2.75-17
Front sprocket: 13 tooth #428
Rear sprocket: 51 tooth #428
Chain: #428 chain 114 in length

The rep said that to their knowledge the CT125 farm does not get reprogrammed for the speedometer or ABS to function with the changed gearing and tires, as the farm kit is for off-road use.
But then their website says this ...

with the added bonus of being road registerable.

If anyone's in NZ, please buy one and let us know

 

[CTExplorer]

Honda NZ got back to me about the farm kit's tires and gearing.
Front tire: Mitroc M807 70/100-17
Rear tire: Mitroc M897 2.75-17
Front sprocket: 13 tooth #428
Rear sprocket: 51 tooth #428
Chain: #428 chain 114 in length

The rep said that to their knowledge the CT125 farm does not get reprogrammed for the speedometer or ABS to function with the changed gearing and tires, as the farm kit is for off-road use.
But then their website says this ...

If anyone's in NZ, please buy one and let us know

Front sprocket: 13 tooth #428
Rear sprocket: 51 tooth #428

Gosh dang! Crawler

 

[martysgone]

Man, I love those Mitroc's. Wish I could find them in the States.......
This has been covered a lot, but I dropped my countersprocket a tooth. The only time I can get the ABS light to blink an error is if I do sustained speed >50mph. It hasn't really been a problem for me. I imagine most "farm" uses, even trips into town, would not trigger an error.