Dual Sport/Purpose Tires for XS 650's

bluebikerblan

bluebikerblan

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Some of you may have had difficulty trying to find suitable off pavement, ie gravel road-dirt-snow-trail tires to fit all stock sizes of our XS 650's. I did.... Particularly for the 16" rears of the "Special's".

Here's a list I put together of those that I've tried or know of that all fit within the space involved in swingarms, forks & fenders to the best of my knowledge....

Dual Sport/Purpose Tires for the XS 650

(From previous bluebikerblan Thread Posts)

Summary My Picks

16" Rear Tires
Duro Median 904 130/90S - 16
Bridgestone TW 40 120/90 - 16

18" Rear Tires
Duro Median 904 120/80S - 18
Dunlop Trailmax 120/90 - 18
Bridgestone TW 42 120/90 - 18
Bridgestone TW 302 4.10 - 18
Bridgestone TW 52 * 4.60S - 18

19" Fronts
Dunlop K 70 3.25 - 19
Bridgestone TW 39 90/100 - 19

These are all modestly priced tires from a variety of sources. They're all pretty "knobby". Not so smooth on pavement nor long wearing off road but; they do get a much better grip in the muck, mire, rocks & gravel for those of you who need to care like us out here in the boonies. The Duro Median seems to be the most aggressive and the Bridgestones the smoothest on pavement set. Just my opinion.

My favorite supplier btw is http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/ BOL, Blue
 
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I like the Kenda Dual Sport tires too Tom, particularly the K-270 (50% on-50% off) design and the 761 (80%on-20%off). Kenda does not produce a 16" rear nor a 19" front in the K270 design. Moreover, I ran into some fitment issues with the 761 offerings. So, I haven't found a designed K-270 set to fit either a XS-650 Standard or Special. The 761 series is available to fit 16", 18" & 19" XS 650 wheels and look to be smooth on the road dual sport tires though with fitment (smaller) profile fitment issues IMO. Please Note: No personal experience with the Kenda tires mounted on XS 650's. Blue
 
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I'm putting on the Bridgestone Trail Wings this week.

Front: TW101 100/90-19
Rear: TW42 120/90-18

I certainly hope they fit.
I'll post an update after they're on and ridden a bit.
 
They'll fit....do let us know how you like them as a combo. I do wish Bridgestone made that tread pattern (101) in a 16" & 18" rear. Take a look at the TW 39 for the front if it's not too late?

I'm very jealous! Not of your tires or bikes.....Your location & weather right now....enjoy!
 
I did look at the TW39, it is pretty nice, but I like the 101 a little more and I hear it performs really well on pavement.

Our weather is nice today, although I really enjoyed the rain all last week.
 
Thanks! Kudo's on the sidecar project btw. I donated my R 90/6 Beemer to my son's Jupiter hack project last year. Love that leading link unit you fabbed up. Let us know how the Duro's work on the rig. Had you in mind when I re-published the list. Best, Blue
 
Suggest the Kendas, a great deal of the KLR Riders use them.... a lot of milage for a good price. Also heard some of the BMW riders are running Shinko 705s.

I used AVON Distanza on my KLR and they were great on the Hiway, good off road... no hell in the mud though.

Check out ADV Rider...there are a number of threads on Dual Sport Tires.
 
The many become few however when you try to source a DS set when the XS 650 16" rear gets involved with a 19" front. However, it does seem a little crazy to even be talking dual sport tires for an XS 650 at all....when you've got an F800GS Beemer to ride. That's real dual sport stuff!

Never-the-less here's a look at the Kenda Dual Sport options as I understand them

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=200_239

Pls. note that there's no 16" rear made or 19" front I can find in that 50%on-50%off desireable
K270 category.
There are 16",18" & 19" options in the 80%/20% K761 though the profiles are a bit undersized for what's usually used on XS 650's. ie: pretty skinny for the 650 on the road.

More choices are good things. Thanks Backroader
 
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The Kenda's I was remembering were the 19/18 DS pair. Sorry about the mix up, I thought Kenda had a 16" DS tire.

I note the Kenda has only 80% profile 18" rears. Would the 120x80x18 fit my 18" standard rear rim '77D? I don't really want a low profile tire but maybe the 120 width would make up for the 10% less profile.

Tom
 
Even the Kenda 761 16" tire is too small as it is only a 100 width. It would fit on the front of a Honda Interceptor from the 80's but what is the point of that? :^)

Tom
 
avon diztenza's, over the kendas any day. As for 50/50 tires or 16" wheels, I wouldnt use either, As many tell me about my own bike its much to jeavy for any serious off road, thats why they make 250's. 16"wheels are just wrong anyway. They look good but have no benefit on such a lite bike, dont handle well either on a 2 wheeler regardless street or off road. Now the xs is totally amaizing as backroad rural america bike. Maybe the ultimate urban assault vehical if done with the correct parts. build it for extreme powerlineing and you will be very dissappointed, and tired if trying to keep up with the neighbors dr 400.
 

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