Kawasaki KLR 250

Information Exchange

THE Website for the KLR Jr.

The Tire Page

Tire talk: or last night I dreamt I was a retread, and I woke up tired.

Sooner or later everyone gets a chance to improve their bike (if they own it long enough) when the time comes to replace the tires. In fact, there is no need to wait until that point, when a properly chosen set of tires can make such a noticeable difference in your KLR's handling. The narrower the range of terrain you ride on i.e. all pavement, all sand, all mud, the easier it is to pick a tire that can really make a positive difference. Sadly, it usually isn't that simple for most of us. In trying to make that decision you will find plenty available for the front, and not nearly so much for the rear. Here then, is a rundown of many of the tires that are available for the rear (omitting purely street tires). Just in case you didn't know, dual sport tires are often rated by their pavement vs. dirt capabilities with what looks like a fraction, like 80/20, but is a ratio. This one translates as "intended for someone who rides 80% of the time on the street and 20% of the time on the dirt. Such a tire would likely work very well on the street, but may not be much good "off road" on anything but a nice dry gravel/dirt road. Also, the stock size is 4.60/17 or about 120/80/17 in the metric system. There is usually a little room for a wider tire, but not always. On some bikes (mine included) the stock tire rubs the side of the muffler when the rear suspension is compressed, and some aftermarket exhaust systems can be just as bad (I used washers as spacers on the muffler mounts to push it out a little further, and clear the tire). This said, you will find that not all tires are the actual width they claim to be. Some are wider, some narrower. Since there are not that many tires in the standard width (about half of those listed below) I will include tires up to a stated width of 130, or about 5.10 in the old lingo. For some of you the wider tires will fit, while others will find that a tire that claims to be the stock size of 120 (4.60) rubs!

Mostly Pavement, Occasional Dirt Roads, Commuting, "Adventure Touring" 80/20

Bridgestone TW42 120/90-17
Bridgestone TW22 130/80-17
Bridgestone TW152 130/80-17
Dunlop D604 130/80-17
Pirelli MT90 Scorpion 120/80-17 or 120/90-17 (Get the more agressive AT version)
Pirelli MT60-R Corsa 120/70-17 (Radial)
Avon AV49 SP Pro 120/70-17
Avon AM44 Distanzia 130/80-17 and 120/70-17 (Radial)
Avon AM24 Gripster 130/80-17
Michelin Anakee 130/80-17
Michelin T66X 130/80-17 (Radial)
Michelin Sirac 130/80-17 (75/25)
Metzeler Enduro 4 120/90-17
Continental CC160 130/80-17
IRC GP-110 4.60-17 and 5.10-17 (Yes, IRC calls it a 90/10)

More of a mix, say from 70/30 to 30/70. Competent on everything, excelling on nothing?

Duro HF904 130/80-17 (60/40 claimed)
Bridgestone TW18 5.10-17
Kings Tire KT-966 4.60-17 and 5.10-17
IRC GP1 4.60-17 (Similar to the Cheng shin C858 and Kenda K270)
Cheng Shin C858 4.60-17 (Similar to the IRC GP1 and Kenda K270)
Kenda K270 4.60-17 (Similar to the IRC GP1 and Cheng Shin C858)
Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahara 120/90-17 and 130/80-17 (50/50 claimed)
Metzeler Enduro 2 130/80-17 (very much like the stock pattern)
Metzeler Enduro 1 4.60-17
Dunlop K750 4.60-17 (the original equipement tire)
Maxxis C-6006 130/80-17
Bridgestone TW302 4.60-17 (this size not listed in many catalogs)

Mostly Off-road 20/80, street legal dirt tires, on pavement you may find them buzzy on longer rides, no fun in the rain, and squirrelly in the turns.

Kenda K760 TrakMasterII 130/90-17 (super aggressive tread pattern and well priced)
Pirelli MT21 120/90-17 (10/90, and perhaps the most popular of this type)
Dunlop D606 130/90-17
Metzeler MCE Karoo 130/80-17 (popular on the KLR650)
MITAS/Trelleborg T-644 Army Special 4.75-17 (rare in the USA, stays flexible in cold and snow, made to be studded)
Bridgestone ED02 4.60-17
Continental TKC80 4.60-17 (this size is "Reinforced"), 120/90-17 or 130/80(S)-17 Popular on the BMW "Funduro")
Kings Tire KT-963 4.60-17 and 5.10-17 A real DOT approved knobby in the classic 5/4 pattern.

Tire Manufacturers' Contact List

http://www.kingstire.com

http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com (Bridgestone)

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/com/en/continental/portal/general/product_highlights/motorcycle_en.html

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com

http://www.avontyres.com

http://www.pirellimoto.com

http://www.metzeler.com

http://motous.webmichelin.com/home.htm

http://www.kendausa.com

Contact the KLR250 Imformation Exchange.