[atleastbehandy]

Let's collect a list of all the front tire choices and any ride reports for the tire.

In general, the size closest to stock is 130/80-18 or 5.10-18. Also, the stock tire weighs 8.65lbs and the front rim is 2.5" wide.



For reference, here are some calculated tire sizes (which is not always accurate but should be close):

Specification  Sidewall  Radius  Diameter  Circumference  Revs/Mile  Difference

100/90-18         3.5in  12.5in    25.1in         78.8in        804       -4.2%

120/80-18         3.8in  12.8in    25.6in         80.3in        789       -2.4%

130/80-18         4.1in  13.1in    26.2in         82.3in        770        0.0% (STOCK SIZE)

150/70-18         4.1in  13.1in    26.3in         82.5in        768        0.3%

120/90-18         4.3in  13.3in    26.5in         83.3in        761        1.2%

110/100-18        4.3in  13.3in    26.7in         83.8in        756        1.8%

140/80-18         4.4in  13.4in    26.8in         84.3in        752        2.4%

130/90-18         4.6in  13.6in    27.2in         85.5in        741        3.9%

These are the tires I have researched:



Bridgestone TW203

Avg. Price: $65

Use: 20% Dirt / 80% Road

Sizes, Weight:

130/80-18

Notes:

Bridgestone TW302

Avg. Price: $70

Use: 50% Dirt / 50% Road

Sizes, Diameter, Weight:

4.60-18, 25.9", ~12.6lbs (per my bathroom scale)

120/80-18, 25.9", ~13lbs

130/80-18, 26.57", ~11lbs

Notes: Review

Continental TKC 80

Avg. Price: $130

Use: 60% Dirt / 40% Road

Sizes, Diameter, Weight:

3.50-18, ?, ~13lbs

120/90-18, ?, ~14lbs

140/80-18, ?, ~15lbs

150/70-18, ?, ~15lbs

Notes: Rated for Mud and Snow (M+S). Can fit snow chains

Dunlop D606

Avg. Price: $95

Use: Approximately 50/50 based on customer reviews

Size(s), Diameter, Weight:

120/90-18, 26.80", 12.2lbs (per my bathroom scale)

130/90-18, 27.40", 14lbs

Notes: Review on the old TW200 forum

Dunlop D908RR

Avg. Price: $195

Use:

Size(s), Weight:

140/80-18, 14lbs

IRC 110R

Avg. Price: $95

Use: 10% Dirt / 90% Road

Size(s), Weight:

4.50-18,

5.10-18,

120/80-18

IRC GP-1

Avg. Price: $95

Use: 20% Dirt / 80% Road

Size(s), Weight:

4.60-18, 15lbs

5.10-18, 16lbs

Notes: Review

Kenda K270

Avg. Price: $75

Use: 50% Dirt / 50% Road

Size(s), Diameter, Weight:

4.50-18, 26.90", 15.28lbs

4.60-18, 25.65", 11.60lbs

5.10-18, 26.90", 15.08lbs

120/80-18, 25.88", 10.39lbs

Notes: Lightest tire in this list

Kenda K760 Trakmaster II

Avg. Price: $70

Use: 90% Dirt / 10% Road

Size(s), Diameter, Weight:

110/100-18, 27.06", 13.38lbs

120/100-18, 27.22", 14.29lbs

Kenda K784 Big Block

Avg. Price: $95

Use: 40% Dirt / 60% Road

Size(s), Diameter, Weight:

140/80-18, 26.8", 14.9lbs

150/70-18, 26.3", 16.4lbs

 

[atleastbehandy]

Continued.



Heidenau K60 Scout

Avg. Price: $140

Use: 50% Dirt / 50% Road

Sizes, Weight:

120/90-18

140/80-18

150/70-18

Notes: Review

Maxxis M6006 (No longer made, but old stock still around)

Avg. Price: $80

Use: 50% Dirt / 50% Road

Sizes, Weight:

130/80-18,

Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahara

Avg. Price: $145

Use:

Sizes, Weight:

120/80-18,

140/80-18,

Michelin Cross AC10

Avg. Price: $70

Use: 90% Dirt / 10% Road

Sizes, Weight:

100/100-18

110/100-18

120/90-18,

Michelin T63

Avg. Price: $70

Use: 50% Dirt / 50% Road

Sizes, Weight:

110/80-18

120/80-18

130/80-18

Pirelli MT21

Avg. Price: $80

Use: 90% Dirt / 10% Road

Size(s), Weight:

120/80-18, 14lbs

120/90-18, 14lbs

130/90-18, 15lbs

Notes: Popular winter tire on ADV rider

Shinko 700

Avg. Price: $80

Use: 40% Dirt / 60% Road

Size(s), Weight:

4.60-18, ~17lbs

130/80-18, ~17lbs

Shinko 705

Avg. Price: $75

Use: 25% Dirt / 75% Road

Size(s), Weight:

120/80-18, 15lbs

Shinko SR244 "Golden Boy"

Avg. Price: $60

Use: 50% Dirt / 50% Road

Size(s), Weight:

4.60-18, 17lbs

5.10-18, 17lbs

Notes: Recommended for front or rear use, Review on the old TW200 forum

Shinko SR241

Avg. Price: $55

Use: ??? ("Enduro Universal")

Size(s), Weight:

4.0-18, 12lbs

Notes: Recommended for front or rear use. Measures 4.5" wide x 26 3/8" high

 

[lizrdbrth]

Nice.

 

[operose]

Great post!



I have a kenda k270 and like it a lot but it is the only motorcycle tire I have used aside from some small old dirtbikes that don't apply.



My use varies from 50/50 to 75/25 in either direction (would prefer to lean towards dirt/offroad), so definitely looking forward to some reviews

 

[xdac]

I had a kenda 270, the smaller 4.50 one and i really liked it for more dual sport stuff. A friend has the 5.10 side of the same tire and i think i ts way to big and heavy to be a front tire. His takes more to turn and lean with due to more rotating mass..where as the 4.50 size according to him "feels like power steering". I think the k270 makes a perfect 50/50 tire even tho i used it for about 90% off road. It looks pretty decent and is smooth off road.





Now i am running an aggressive dunlop 110/100/18 "rear" front tire and like it even more! its got very thick sidewall and ive been running 6psi in the front. I tend to avoid pavement anyway, so this tire suits me just fine. I can defiantly feel it grab more when i lean or start to wash out on me. My next front tire will probably be the kenda k760

 

[n2o2diver]

For the street oriented



Bridgestone TW203 Trail Wing Dual Sport Front Tire

 

[operose]

Thanks!



Do you ride pavement to get to the trails? How does that go if you ever do?



I am disappointed in the "voids" in the k270 lugs... understand that they probably make the tread blocks flex more, but it prevents me from installing screw type ice studs!! Aaaaarrrrrggghhh did not think I would want to ride in winter when making tire choice, should have gone with a more offroad type tire with solid lugs

 

[xdac]

I usually drive the truck and unload to go riding. Pavement isnt too fun with a 70 tooth sprocket anyway when i top out at 50. If i was to regear and do a little more pavment yes my knobbie front tire would probably hurt me in the corners and when i lean but its not a sport bike..its a flipping 200cc trail bike....



Heres my old bike with the 270 on it.

 

[atleastbehandy]

Well it sounds like the k270 is a popular tire here... I'll add the 4.50 info above.



@operose: I have the same dilemma: want to keep riding, but the stock tires are terrible in the snow!

 

[operose]

Just finished up 20 miles with a rear tire chain and "regular" k270 rear tire on front. Conditions were a mix of fresh packy snow on top of sugar snow on top of a crust w/ more sugar underneath, some packed (but not groomed) snowmobile trails, and pavement covered in a mix of snow+sand.



Can't complain about the kenda. The only times it wanted to wash out were when I let the front go into iced over snowmobile ski ruts. Other than that it was rock solid and I won't hesitate to ride more in the winter. Do really want some screws to help with traction on ice though for sure, just based on the other day's experience in the yard.

 

[operose]

<removed double post>

 

[operose]

<removed triple post, and will stop using my cellphone on this site

>

 

[atleastbehandy]

Just finished up 20 miles with a rear tire chain and "regular" k270 rear tire on front. Conditions were a mix of fresh packy snow on top of sugar snow on top of a crust w/ more sugar underneath, some packed (but not groomed) snowmobile trails, and pavement covered in a mix of snow+sand.



Can't complain about the kenda. The only times it wanted to wash out were when I let the front go into iced over snowmobile ski ruts. Other than that it was rock solid and I won't hesitate to ride more in the winter. Do really want some screws to help with traction on ice though for sure, just based on the other day's experience in the yard.

Sounds like you had 3x the fun!

What size K270 are you running? How is it at high speeds (wobble/squirrelly)?

 

[admiral]

I have a Shinko 244 in 5.10-18, cousin of the 270. Ditto what Operose just mention with for riding in the snow. A ton better than the stock. Off-road/logging roads, it's been super. I ride with lower tire pressure when riding on any type of road surface other than tar (10-12psi normally). I can't compare using a smaller size like xdac has, but I've not felt uncomfortable or had any problems steering or leaning on or off-road.



I don't ride a ton on tar roads, but when I do, I've had no problems there either. Normally I ride around 55-60 mph on tar and it's been nice and smooth, no problems with steering, wobbles or other issues at any speed. Just the whine of a knobby tire on tar.

 

[NumberThree]

I run the IRC 110r, since I'm a bit more road than dirt, but it seems to do well in both contexts.

 

[atleastbehandy]

I run the IRC 110r, since I'm a bit more road than dirt, but it seems to do well in both contexts.

Thanks, added above.



What size did you choose? How does it compare to stock? Any issues?

 

[atleastbehandy]

For the street oriented



Bridgestone TW203 Trail Wing Dual Sport Front Tire

Thanks, added.



Do you run this tire? If so, how does it perform off-road? I have seen a few posts on how bad this tire is in the dirt. But much better than stock for wet pavement.

 

[NumberThree]

Thanks, added above.



What size did you choose? How does it compare to stock? Any issues?

5.10... seems ok, definitely smoother than stock. I think it's probably heavier too, but to be honest, I haven't noticed a big difference in handling. Not as good in muddy, slick stuff, obviously...

 

[operose]

Sounds like you had 3x the fun!

What size K270 are you running? How is it at high speeds (wobble/squirrelly)?

I am running the rear-size tire up front. My TW doesn't go "high speed" really but the tire felt fine up to somewhere near as fast as the bike will go (68mph indicated maybe?). No experience with other tires to base this against though so someone else will have to chime in with a more knowledgeable reply, here.

 

[n2o2diver]

Thanks, added.



Do you run this tire? If so, how does it perform off-road? I have seen a few posts on how bad this tire is in the dirt. But much better than stock for wet pavement.

No I haven't run one of these. A few of the guys with Hollow Mods have, maybe they can offer an opinion.