I’ve been battling with which tires to choose to replace the OEM set. There is a huge selection of different options out there and many different outside the factory spec sizes will fit and work. The problem is to know which ones will fit, as tire dimensions differ greatly, even if the specs are the same. Some reference pics and user experiences would be especially valuable when someone has succesfully mounted tires outside the factory spec ones.
I thought it would be helpful to all Rally (and CRF 250L) riders to gather a database of different tires that owners have fitted on their bikes. This info can be in part found at different forums and owners groups, but it’s a real chore to mine for that info.
What I hope to get from you Rally owners?
1. Photos from your tires (mounted on the bike of course)
- Photos that show clearances would be ideal
- especially the space between the tire and rear swing is often crucial
2. Specs of the tires shown in the photos
- Make, model, height and width
- Example: Rear: Pirelli MT21, 120/80 -18, Front: Pirelli MT21, 90/90 -21
3. Your opinion on the tires (optional)
4. Your photo credit info and possible links to your homepage etc.
I will credit the photos with your name if you want and add a link to your homepage, YouTube channel or what have you, if you so desire.
You can send the photos and specs to me by e-mail at honda250rally (at) gmail.com
To get this going I will start
Pirelli MT21
Specs: Rear: Pirelli MT21, 120/80 -18, Front: Pirelli MT21, 90/90 -21
Michelin Desert / Michelin T63
Aucun changement de comportement ni de performance sur le bitumpe par rapport à la monte d’origine,uniquement un grip supplementaire sur la terre et c’est uniquement celà que je recherche car je n’utilise ma Rally que sur les pistes….
Google translation
No change in behavior or performance on the asphalt compared to the original tires, only an extra grip on the ground and that’s only thing what I’m looking for because I use my Rally on the tracks….
Michelin Sirac
Michelin Anakee Wild
Can’t tell you much about offroad-performance yet (I don’t think there will be much difference in dry conditions), but onroad (first 80km) cornering felt much better than with the IRCs. The Rally doesn’t tip over so fast, it seems much smoother.
I think grip in muddy conditions should be better too, because of the bigger gaps at the back.
MT21 feels more sticky on dry asphalft and more controllable on gravel roads. Front end likes to wash out but it’s easily fixable. For me it always happens when I most expect it. The feedback is better from this tire, especially the rear. It feels at home offroad, rides like on rails on greenlanes, but on stone paved roads it starts “seeking”, which results in a slight wobbling in the handlebar. IRC had that effect too, but to a lesser extent. Overall, I am satisfied with the tyre, but not overly impressed. I have yet to test it in rainy and muddy conditions. Bet it will suck on wet asphalt and will tear in mud.
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I use metzeler karoo 3 for front and sahara for the rear. Same size. Intend to use karoo 3 for rear as well, but no stock at here. Better for IRC on asphalt, but haven’t tried long enough at dirt to notice the different.
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Running 130/80/18 Michelin T63 on rear and Motoz Tractionator Desert H/T on front 90/100/21
They don’t have as good street performance as the stock tires under braking. Cornering is still good enough as long as you aren’t trying to ride like it’s a supermoto. Offroad, heaps better. My terrain is from the mountains to desert trails and sand.
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Mitas MC 23 Rockrider tyres are 40% road 60% off-road (I have 90/90-21 and 120/90-18). I made 3000km trip on them. 1/3 on road and 2/3 on trail (mostly gravel road but also many sections with dry and wet sand, mud, forest paths).
+definitely better off-road grip
+they stayed clean in most mud sections
+I like them on sand
+amazing durability
+price
-much louder on asphalt
-similar road grip as stock tyres
-percetible greater driving and turning resistance on asphalt
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que tal MITAS E07????
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Hiya, just put on the TW301 and 302 in default sizes and the difference is just awesome comparing them to the stock ones. Both on and off-road grip improved significantly. I use the bike to commute to the office every morning and apply a bit of mud during the weekends. Best!
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We have two Rallies. His and hers.
The original tires made it to about 7000kms, so that will give you an idea of how (gently) the bikes are used.
TKC80 90/90-21 front. 120/90-18 rear.
The rear is slightly taller than the original, helps to slightly lower revs at “highway” speeds.
standard 14t sprocket gives gps 100kph@about 6500rpm.
13t sprocket gives 100kph@about 7000rpm
Mostly touring north Sweden and Finland and northern Norway. With about 25kg of extra luggage each. We are “normal” weight of,,,
he – 100kg, she – 80kg in all riding gear.
Works well in typical conditions of wet gravel that is mixed with mud and sand. Not been stuck so far even in forest muddy grass tracks.
No problem on the few TET tracks we have done.
Front max mileage is about 20,000kms. Rear is about 10,000kms but by this time they are more street use tires than off road 🙂
Wear slows down as the tires square off.
Generally use 2bar (28psi) for the front all of the time. Don’t really get the dreaded cupping the front tires are known for – maybe because we dont commute stop and go too much. Rear is generally also 2bar or 1.5bar for slow exploring. Easy tires to put on and take off at home.
Will use these tires again as don’t have much to complain regarding grip at 5c and on icy patches when ridden very carefully. So, wet tarmac is fine in our opinion. So far, no punctures. Lucky!
Note that the tkc80 140/80 is almost the same dimensions but the knobs are spaced further apart than the 120/90 and the thread profile sits rounder. Compared to a colleague’s bike – this made his tires wear out faster in the center than the closer spaced knobs of the 120/90 that wear out from edge to edge..
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