OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => Vintage Track => Topic started by: Graeme M on March 25, 2011, 04:54:43 pm

Title: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Graeme M on March 25, 2011, 04:54:43 pm: http://www.kenda.com.au/products.asp?rsCategoryID=6

Claims to be designed for dirt track. But...

http://www.kendausa.com/en/home/motorcycle/mx/k335.aspx

Claims to be designed for Ice Racing.

Hmmm....
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Curly3 on March 25, 2011, 05:26:17 pm: I'm using one Graeme, as I've only recently ridden 3 meetings in 30 years I'm definitely not an expert.
My first impression was that it was a good tyre, as my race pace has built up I'm not so sure, mind you the last meeting a few weeks ago it was slowly going flat and I was all over the shop in my last couple of rides.
The word is that the tubeless Michelin is the go but I'm going to turn mine around before the next meeting and see how it goes.
Which brings up another point, they have a Vee groove pattern and I've seen them used both ways, not sure which is correct, I did have mine fitted at a dealer but suspect it is on backwards.
Don't forget the Mitas is now available, there's a thread on here somewhere.
Steve
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: oldyzman on March 25, 2011, 05:54:06 pm: Ive been using that Kenda (diamond pattern) on my YZ400 dirttrack. I got it cause the michy was not available, its not bad but i like the michi better which is on my 250. Maybe phcycological though. I know the mail order trials tyres for $40 plus postage are crap for dirttrack. The Kenda square block pattern for around $100 are also crap.
Brett
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Graeme M on March 25, 2011, 06:09:19 pm: Interesting. I ask for a mate. I spent the $600 and sprung for a complete spare wheel so I can swap from DT to MX quickly. But my friend, young Twistandshout, doesn't want that expense. I gave him a few laps on the YZ125 last weekend and he reckoned it was good fun and wants to have a go. But he has the same problem I did - 19" rear wheel.

If the Kenda is OK, then he has an affordable option to try some DT without the big dollars spend.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Curly3 on March 25, 2011, 06:37:05 pm: 19" = Mitas.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: JohnnyO on March 25, 2011, 06:39:12 pm: You can also use a speedway rear tyre if you run a 19" rear wheel.
The hot ticket for dirt track is the Michelin 18" radial trials tyre, i can't imagine the Kenda would be near as good but you get what you pay for.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Graeme M on March 25, 2011, 07:13:05 pm: Mitas? What 19" do they have? The only ones I know of are the speedway tyres which I've been told don't work on the MX bikes.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Curly3 on March 25, 2011, 07:27:55 pm: Well there you go, that proves how out of date I am, the penny still hasn't dropped that moderns have a 19 on the rear.
In that case then, it's still the Michi.
But don't quote me on that.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Graeme M on March 25, 2011, 07:47:06 pm: I think there's a fair range of 18s, just not 19s. Michy, Mitas, Pirelli, Dunlop all do 18s. But the 19s are all for speedway.

I do think that Kenda may be worth a try tho.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: JAP 454 on March 25, 2011, 07:51:04 pm: Graeme
I have a couple of usable 19" Kenda Speedway tyres , you are welcome to have one of them to suss out as the other is a spare for the TT slider, I'll have a look at them tomorrow , and if I reckon one of them is any good to you I'll bring one to Fairbairn on the 10th and you can give it a try. Will let you know.
Foss
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Graeme M on March 25, 2011, 07:54:01 pm: Thanks Foss. Like I said, it's for Twistandshout to try on his '05 RM250. He really enjoyed his short squirt last weekend and he'd like to try a little flat track action on his own bike. So I'll pass on your offer, I reckon he'd be keen to test one.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: colmoody on March 25, 2011, 09:19:31 pm: Graeme, did the guy/s that told you that Mitas 19 inch Speedway rear dont work on on the rear of Moto X bikes tell you what does. If they have an opinion on what does not work my guess is they would/should have an opinion on what does. I would imagine that a lot of guys (me included) would love to know.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: JohnnyO on March 25, 2011, 09:25:39 pm: All the regular dirt track guys run an 18" rear wheel on their motocross bikes, the choice of tyres is much better than 19".
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Graeme M on March 25, 2011, 09:33:03 pm: I don't know Col, it was just the comments on the last thread we had about this:

http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=16125.0

As JohnnyO says, no-one with an MX framed bike runs the speedway tyres, and there must be a reason for that. Still, it may be worth trying one to see what it's like. Perhaps for an average Joe just having a go it'd be OK...

I do know that the Michelin on my YZ125 was just perfect last weekend! I have tried common old garden variety trials tyres in the past and they are rubbish compared to the Michelin. I think the Michelin and the Mitas 18" trials are the hot setup, but there must be another option for the weekend warrior who doesn't want to have to spring for an 18" rim or spare wheel.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: colmoody on March 25, 2011, 09:38:56 pm: Johnny O is dead right in there is a much bigger/better choice in 18 inch trials universals but I reckon there is maybe a reasonable percentage of guys on moderns that would like to give Dirt Track a go without the expense of lacing up n 18 inch rim.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: JohnnyO on March 25, 2011, 10:11:35 pm: I can tell you from experience on a modern bike that an 18" Michelin is a lot better than a 19" speedway tyre.. the speedway tyre is very loose and goes sideways at a touch of the throttle and doesn't offer the same grip as an 18" trials tyre..
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Grasy 6 on March 25, 2011, 10:15:26 pm: Re the Kenda . Dont waste your money they are crap!!! Buy some tyres off Col Moody he has a good supply of good tyres to suit 18 inch rears
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Curly3 on March 25, 2011, 10:36:49 pm: But Dave, you haven't told us what you prefer?
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Grasy 6 on March 26, 2011, 09:09:03 pm: Hi steve,
I use the Mita or Vee Rubber for heats & rounds as the Mitchy ripes apart from the heat generated but that is what i put on for the finals as it is a great tyre. I have had problems with the tubeless Mitchy as they walk off the bead of the rim sending the tyre off balance.
Re Pirelli they are to hard (the original was made in Spain & was a winning ticket thick side walls & good grip but the new ones come from Brazil & have got the compound wrong some how) & the Dunlop chuncks off rubber from the knobs.
This is only my personal opinion The Mita is a very good performer give them a try.
Cheers Grasy
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Curly3 on March 26, 2011, 09:46:24 pm: Well there you have it listeners, straight from the horses hoof / mouth.
Now we know what the pointy end of the field thinks. ;D
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Grasy 6 on March 27, 2011, 11:35:43 am: Hi Steve,
Just trying to save some people from wasting money one rubbish stuff.
C U at Nepean
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Curly3 on March 27, 2011, 03:31:30 pm: I invested in a Mitas 400/18 today, so we'll see how that goes.
I'll probably catch you at Brissy first Dave.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Grasy 6 on March 31, 2011, 08:06:59 pm: Ordered 4 tyres from Col on Monday & received them on Wednesday at $140.00 + freight they are still alot cheaper then (last a heap longer made in Chec republic )the Mitchy & are not tubeless. Give em a go
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Curly3 on March 31, 2011, 08:46:47 pm: Col's the man to see for Dirt Track tyres.
He's pushed the importers to include the 400/18's as they were unaware that there may be a market for them.
So if you want easy access to a quality, reasonably priced tyre, support him if you can.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: firko on April 04, 2011, 06:46:33 pm: Does anybody have an opinion on the Pirelli MT43 trials tyre for dirt track? I need a tyre for my new flat tracker for the HBBB at Easter and someone suggested this to me. I've just re read this thread and there seems to be a surge towards Mitas over Michelin. I''ve got a 2 ride old Michelin on one bike so it'll be a good comparison as both bikes are almost identical except for 250/360 differences. I'll contact Col.
Is the Pirelli any good though?
Also, does anybody handle the Dunlop K180 flat track tyre here in OZ?
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Grasy 6 on April 04, 2011, 08:19:28 pm: Hi Mark,
Anthony (my son ) & myself used the Mitas at West Wyalong yesterday , all other bikes had Vee Rubber & Mitchy. The Mita was the winning ticket Son won 250cc final out of 18 in class,I won Classic final on a 250cc & 2nd in over 35yrs modern on a 250 against 450 & 530cc bikes .
Re the Pirelli you will take it of the rim & burn it or give it to your worst enemy. :D
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: steve234 on April 05, 2011, 10:38:39 am: Firko K180's can be obtained through the "Team Moto" dealership chain. The more we buy the more they order each year.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: matcho mick on June 01, 2011, 11:18:34 pm: read & weep freaky ;D, :P
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Freakshow on June 02, 2011, 12:28:24 pm: i just bought a S/h WR rim for my 07 YZ, so you just swap rim out depending on what your doing. WR are 18" and you can frun proper trial tyres, the michi and dulops are sticky as, the speedway 19' dont drive like they do on a slider.

IF you want to try a speedway 19 here i have some you can have for a test run. they dont work on the moderm MX, they just fishtail even at 5 psi.

JUSt keep hitting ebay up and you will find a complete wheel for you r bike in 18" for $200, its nothing in the scheme of things. And im a tight arse and i havent looked back with the S/h 18" wheel life is easier all round.
Title: Re: Kenda tyre, what's the word on the street?
Post by: Freakshow on June 07, 2011, 03:18:12 pm: Quote from: matcho mick on June 01, 2011, 11:18:34 pm
read & weep freaky ;D, :P

All good here mick, ended up figureing out how to get them to stay on. so the michy wnet fine all day and gripped like i have never had in 2 years ....... go so bad the front kept sliding out ( so know im onto buying new fronts). also got onto the dunlop D803 i think it was. $120 same as vee rubber, we have dolomite and it didnt fall apart so thats another option on the soft tracks.