simple tire size question 02 gasgas xc 250

[asshat]

Hey been awhile since I have posted.

anyhow, have an 02 xc 250 with what I am going to assume are stock tires (michelin 120 90 18) and i am looking at replacing the rear with a dunlop geomax 51.

my question is i have read that michelins are much narrower than some other tires and that I should probably go with a 110 in a dunlop. I read somewhere that a 120 dunlop is close to a 140 michelin.
I ride with a buddy who thought the wider the better, watching him plow into trees as he tries to wrestle the hell beast around is comical but not for me.

anyhow any input from you guys would be much appreciated.

 

[jhendr3702]

if you look at the sizing on here, i think you are dead on.. it gives a michelin to other size.. and i am with you the bigger tires... no thanks

my 01 300 rear is a 120/90 18 oe michelin.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/391/5171/ITEM/Michelin-M12-Intermediate-Rear-Tire.aspx

 

[asshat]

Hey thanks for that. Been looking at the motorcycle superstore for tires and never even noticed the size reference vs michelin (probably because I was not looking at Michelins). Not sure why some michelin tires refer to this sizing charts and some don't? does this mean some tires are different sizing vs other michelins or all michelins use this sizing? Anyhow thanks I would have ordered a 120 dunlop and wound up with a monster tire that would have overpowered the front of the bike.

 

[asshat]

explained

If any of you guys are wondering. I am sure most of you guys knew this because gasgas uses michelin oem but indeed not all michelin uses the same measurements (huh?) this is a quote from the michelin site

"Due to differences in measurement methods, some Michelin off-road tires are marked differently from the equivalent sizes offered by other manufacturers. These charts indicate which Michelin tires use non-standard markings, and their equivalents under the sizing system currently in use. "

and then it goes on of course to tell you the model tires which use it. I tried to cut and paste for reference but the site would not let me.

anyhow ass bizarre as it is it is what it is . I just want to buy a godamned tire.

 

[motogroove]

The Michelin sizing thing is frustrating for sure.

As for fat back tires, I got the 140/80 -18 Michelin S12xc last year because I was headed for the deep sand of Southwick. I left it on for the rest of the season and love it on the track. Sadly, I didn't try it in the woods even once last year. But out on the track, it really added some nice balance to the mighty 300. And, maybe due to its extra size, the tire has worn very well. I love that meat hook.

 

[jhendr3702]

Hey thanks for that. Been looking at the motorcycle superstore for tires and never even noticed the size reference vs michelin (probably because I was not looking at Michelins). Not sure why some michelin tires refer to this sizing charts and some don't? does this mean some tires are different sizing vs other michelins or all michelins use this sizing? Anyhow thanks I would have ordered a 120 dunlop and wound up with a monster tire that would have overpowered the front of the bike.

you bet.. was just in there looking at that tire for a friend when i saw your thread.. tire sizing to me is wierd. esp when brands are different..

the 08 i just bought has a 120 pirelli on it and it is huge.. i have a bud who is looking for those tires, with a crf450x that has a 140 something on it.. it looks like a tractor tire. it has burned a hole in the air box flap.. but then last year a bought a 100/100 maxxis for the back of my rmx that looks like a mini bike tire...

 

[Bailey28]

I bought one of the Michelin S12's that are for sale on the e-bay. I got the 120-90-18 size.

The 120 Michelin is like everyone else's 100 width. I would go at least a 130 if not the 140 in the Michelin. My bike corners well and I really can't tell that the tire is narrow except for deep sand.

Tires I have considered getting soon:

Dunlop MX31, 120-90-18
Dunlop MX51, 120-90-18
Dunlop D952, 120-90-18
Bridgestone M404 110-100-18
IRC M5B 130-80-18

 

[bchatt]

Bridgestone M404 110-100-18

I have exactly this tyre at the moment. It has done 2 winters and 1 summer. It seems to work pretty well - NZ conditions vary from slippery wet mud and clay to dry dusty rocky grassy. The knobs are rounding off quite a bit now but at least they haven't torn off. I have given up on the S12's because they seemed to shred the knobs after only a couple of rides. They used to be really good but the country of manufacture changed and, well......