Hey everyone, I am thinking about replacing my stock front tire with something more bitey. I have not yet experienced any washout but will be doing a lot more dirt road/trail riding coming up. Plus, there is quite a bit of sand where I am too. Any thoughts of what to use. I read previously that the Maxxis 6006 was a good replacement in the past, but I don't think they are making it anymore. Thoughts please, thanks tons.
What tire should I use to replace stock front to help avoid washout
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I believe at smalltires.com they are offering the M6006.
http://smalltires.com/store.cfm?act...-1ac6c8b10fb1&StartRow=1&Size=18&Brand=MAXXIS
http://smalltires.com/store.cfm?act...-1ac6c8b10fb1&StartRow=1&Size=18&Brand=MAXXIS
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Ah,
the long running tyre question.
For softer going and expecially sand, avoid going wide with the frint tyre. Narrower tread works a whole lot better... strange but true.
I use a Pirelli Rally Raid MT21 x 120 wide (it's a rear tyre). What you are looking for is a rear tyre that is not to knobbly and looks like it won't slide sideways so easily. That means you need a nice block pattern around the eadge of the tyre tread. Have a look at the more dedicated off road front tyres and you will get the picture. Folks that have had a ride on my TW comment that the front steers very well and bites well. A 120 section tyre seems to work well, you can go wider of course, but you will pay dear in soft sand...
Hope you find something you like,
Ben P.
the long running tyre question.
For softer going and expecially sand, avoid going wide with the frint tyre. Narrower tread works a whole lot better... strange but true.
I use a Pirelli Rally Raid MT21 x 120 wide (it's a rear tyre). What you are looking for is a rear tyre that is not to knobbly and looks like it won't slide sideways so easily. That means you need a nice block pattern around the eadge of the tyre tread. Have a look at the more dedicated off road front tyres and you will get the picture. Folks that have had a ride on my TW comment that the front steers very well and bites well. A 120 section tyre seems to work well, you can go wider of course, but you will pay dear in soft sand...
Hope you find something you like,
Ben P.
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I agree.
The "thinner/skinnier" front tires cut into the sand and you can steer the bike. The fatter front tires "float" on the sand and steering is much more difficult.
Imagine driving on the beach with the front wheel in a tire track that was made by a 4x4 that previously passed that way.
When you try to get out of the track the front wheel will just follow the groove - like a train on tracks.
You keep on turning the handle bar to get the front tire out.....
And then suddenly it does bit into the sand to get out of the track and you`ll go over the handle bars..... unless you were doing it slowly with your feet ready to stabilize the bike.
I personally think the fat front tire is much more useful on the road than off-road.
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I picked up a Shinko (it says Golden Boy on the side). I went with the 4.10 -18 It's a lil bit smaller than the stock tire. In the sands of South Jersey it performs very well and does ok on the pavement. For the money (34 bucks)
its the only tire I need for the riding I do.
its the only tire I need for the riding I do.
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I've been running the Maxxis 6006 for about 6,000 miles. It's a 130/80-18. If I was going to replace it I would definitely go with a 120. The first time I took the 130 on the pavement through some twisties I was amazed at how much more steering effort it required to get the bike back upright coming out of a corner. Probably due to the heavier tire. I've gone over the handle bars several times trying to get out of ruts. I really can't recommend going over the bars, it's not a lot of fun.
Tim
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100 Posts
I would also like to replace my front tire for riding in sand, have Bridgestone 130/80-18 66p, so if I put on a Maxxis M6006 what size would it be to be smaller?
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If you are turning the handlebars at any speed faster than walking that is why you fall.
I don't have any problem with a 130/80 Kenda Trackmaster on the front. In fact, it works better than the 120/90 Dunlop I used to run. On an East Texas ride, which was anout 70% sand, the Kenda had no problem. No problems with the bigger tire in the Ozarks or at Big Bend. Big Bend is all sand, gravel, and rocks. Yes, the heavier tires require more effort to control, but not so much that most any girlyman couldn't do it.
I don't have any problem with a 130/80 Kenda Trackmaster on the front. In fact, it works better than the 120/90 Dunlop I used to run. On an East Texas ride, which was anout 70% sand, the Kenda had no problem. No problems with the bigger tire in the Ozarks or at Big Bend. Big Bend is all sand, gravel, and rocks. Yes, the heavier tires require more effort to control, but not so much that most any girlyman couldn't do it.
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158 Posts
I switched to a Michelin T 63 up front from stock and i ride in sand ,gravel ,and on paved roads. The T 63 is inspired by the desert tires Michelin makes. They are S rated and feel stable at hwy speeds as fast as the Little T Dub can go.
Thanks for that info, will check it out because that is exactly conditions I run.
2018 KLX250 camo ; former owner of 2006 TW (retired at 23k); 19' S3, 09' F-250, 97' Cherokee
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610 Posts
I've had a dunlop D606 120/90-18 on for about the last three thousand miles or so. The tire, in it's first thousand miles was smooth and ultra grippy on road. However after many a hard braking in the front on the pavement a very irregular wear pattern emerged and now the tire "hops" at low speeds. I'm ready for a new one as well. The tire remains a beast off road, however like others have stated, the large blocks push the sand more than rolling over it.
I'm looking at a Bridgestone TW302...anyone try this? I looks chunky and large blocked, but they are closer to avoid such an odd, quick wear pattern. I also like the looks of the kenda as well.
If the D606 did not wear in such a way, as a front tire - I'd recommend it. Otherwise, stay away please.
I'm looking at a Bridgestone TW302...anyone try this? I looks chunky and large blocked, but they are closer to avoid such an odd, quick wear pattern. I also like the looks of the kenda as well.
If the D606 did not wear in such a way, as a front tire - I'd recommend it. Otherwise, stay away please.
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1,417 Posts
Yeah, I'm having the same problem. After 30+ years of street bikes, this is my first really off road capable bike.
Before owning this bike the only time I rode in sand/gravel was when the pavement suddenly ended while I was following a van.
That didn't end well.
I'm finding that all my reflexes need to be changed when the riding surface changes. It's difficult, but I'm learning.
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