Are you looking for the best dirt bike tire for riding in the woods? Perhaps you have read somewhere that getting good tires can improve your game on the track, immensely. Well switching your tires may not bring your skill level from novice to expert in a heartbeat, but when you have the right tools, it will make a difference.
Dirt bike racing has gained popularity over the years. It all started in the early 1860s when an innovator named Pierre Michaux installed a steam engine, the first of its kind, on a velocipede. This is when the motorcycle racing obsession began, starting with time trials in the UK.
The sport began its evolution in the spring of 1906. The past time soon became a matter of beating each other’s times and by 1924, the UK was hosting the first official race, which was called a scramble. The name eventually evolved into motor cross racing, which was derived from
Are you In a Hurry?
If you are in a hurry and do not have the time to go through the different blogs and posts on how to shop for the best tires, here are a few tips. Look for tires with great traction. You will also need to know the type of terrain you will be cruising on. Wooded areas have varying ground firmness depending on different factors. There are tires made specifically for different terrain. The tires you get will depend on whether the ground is hard, soft or intermediate.
You will also want to look for tires with great reviews on durability and safety standard tests. Check also how stable they are and what sort of balance they will offer you.
We have done the homework, and found some of the best tires on the market today, that are best suited for dirt bike riding in wooded areas. Our favourite pick is the Michelin Commander II Rear Motorcycle Tire. The rubber compounds offer you a great wet grip, without compromising durability. The square bead-wire package improves casing rigidity, handling, and ease of installation. This tire also has Adt (Amplified Density Technology) which provides a highly dense more rigid tire casing which helps deliver excellent feedback and handling in all conditions.
| Image | Name | URL |
|---|---|---|
  | Michelin Commander II Rear Motorcycle Tire | CHECK PRICE |
  | CONTINENTAL MOTION Tire Set | CHECK PRICE |
  | Heidenau K60 Scout Dual Sport Rear Tire | CHECK PRICE |
  | Bridgestone Exedra Max Rear Motorcycle Tire | CHECK PRICE |
  | Duro HF319 Front/Rear 4 Ply 3.25-18 Classic Vintage (K70) Motorcycle Tire | CHECK PRICE |
Michelin Commander II Rear Motorcycle Tire
There is no doubt as to what Michelin provide where quality is concerned. This is a product that delivers remarkable traction on whether you are riding in wet or dry conditions. The performance of the tires does not come at the cost of durability.
Even better is the fact that installing the tire could not be any easier. The innovation that Michelin deliver is that there is enhanced density. There is an improved tread pattern. This will ensure that wear and tear will not be uneven. If you are wood riding, you will know the importance of this as you take on varying terrain.
Pros
- The tires are incredibly durable.
- There is no uneven wear.
- We love the brand.
- There are several sizes to choose from.
Cons
- Tire beading can be a challenge.
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CONTINENTAL MOTION Tire Set
Continental is another tire brand that does not need an introduction. This is a set that is perfect for woods riding. You get both the front and the rear wheel at a reasonable price. The pattern on the wheel is striated an in an outward motion.
This ensures that you get great traction as you ride on all sorts of terrain. As with other Continental tires, durability is never in doubt. The treat pattern is what the manufacturer describes as “force-oriented”. It features a steel belt construction on the rear tires. What that gives you is more stability and comfort. Both of which are key characteristics when taking on the woods.
Pros
- The pair of tires are reasonably priced.
- They are quite durable.
- They provide great stability and balanced.
- There is great traction on all terrain.
- Shipping time was exceptional.
Cons
- There is more deflection that we would have liked on hard corners.
- Grip can be temperamental on some tires.
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Heidenau K60 Scout Dual Sport Rear Tire
We had yet to use Heidenau tires. As most of us do, the bigger brands tend to have the most allure. Once in a while, you give the others a shot. That is what we did. There were no regrets whatsoever. The first thing to catch our eye was the tread pattern of the wheels.
It left no doubt that you would get good traction. This is key when riding in the woods. The depth of the lugs in the tire patterns promises durability. This is marketed as a “sport” tire. You will get great stability when hitting the corners at speed. It is geared to take on both wet and dry conditions.
Pros
- It takes on the corners with good balance.
- The tires are very durable.
- They provide great traction.
- It performs better than expected in muddy conditions.
Cons
- The tire was a little noisier than we expected.
- Could have been more durable.
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Bridgestone Exedra Max Rear Motorcycle Tire
As we do with the more popular brands, we approached this one with higher expectations. The first thing that we noted was how wide the profile shapes were on the tires.
Each tire is manufactured using a rubber compound that delivers more mileage. You will notice that the grip is pretty good in both wet and dry conditions. It does just as well when taken off-road. That is what makes it an ideal pick for woods riding. These are tubeless tires.
Pros
- The tire delivers good handling.
- It provides good traction on both wet and dry surfaces.
- Manufactured by a brand that we trust.
Cons
- The jury is still out on durability
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Duro HF319 Front/Rear 4 Ply 3.25-18 Classic Vintage (K70) Motorcycle Tire
Our final pick was from another brand that we ought to further familiarise ourselves with. The first thing that you will notice is that the tires have a deep lugged pattern.
These are key to providing you with a good grip on both wet and dry roads. They are ideal for taking on muddy roads as well. Perhaps the best part is how lovely the tires look. They are a design that most motorcycle lovers will be familiar with.
Pros
- The tires provide good grip.
- They bear the classic design and look.
- They are quite light.
Cons
- There is a bit of a buzzing sound when riding.
- Their performance when braking left a lot to be desired.
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Buyer’s Guide
A good dirt bike tire will give you great traction and will also encourage good balance.
How do you take a dirt bike tire off? The first thing you want to do is pull the cotter key off the axle that holds the tire on. Now you can pull the nut off of the axle and subsequently pull the chain off as well.
You can now use a rubber mallet to beat the axle out of the wheel. When the axle is far enough through, you can now pull it out the rest of the way with your hands.
Racers in this era used street bikes, and these were pretty dangerous. Thanks to technology, bikes have become safer and come fitted with specifics, such as tires for different terrain. Today’s bikes come equipped with suspension, which replaced rigid frames, and the swing fork rear suspension was made.
Riding in the dirt is pretty fun when you have the bike that allows you to do this well. When people think of dirt bike riding, they usually think of motocross racing. It involves high speeds on rough natural terrain which includes wooded areas.
Enduro racing, on the other hand, happens on a course that most racers who usually ride through wooded areas are unfamiliar to. Riders start in a row and leave at one-minute intervals. There are several other types of racing that one can get into, but we want to take a look at what you need to blaze the wooded area trails.
Looking for tires for dirt bike racing in the woods means you want something specific, that offers you specific rewards. This article explores the tires you need to be looking for and the features that will allow you to have the most fun in the dirt, safely.
How do you change a dirt bike tire?
Now that the wheel is off, you can take the valve core out of the tire with a valve core tool and release the air. Make sure that the nut is not removed off of the bead lock, just make sure it is loose. once the tire is deflated completely, you will need to break the bead loose on both sides.
Push down so that the tire moves away from the rim. Now spray soapy water in between the rim and tire all the way around on both sides. Then take a tire iron and wedge it between the rim and tire. Once wedged use leverage from the rim to pull the tire up and away.
When it is pulled, go about 5inches down the rim and use the leverage that is there. Keep doing this until one side of the tire is off the rim. If you are doing this to change the tube then you can pull it out through this bit. If you are changing the entire tire you can keep with the action of separating the two until the entire tire is off.
What tools do you need to change a dirt bike tire?
Change your tires using these tools, and your job will be ten times easier. A tire changing stack will let you change the tire on a stand. Doing it on the ground can make it pretty difficult. Changing a tire requires a certain level of expertise so that you do not ruin your tire. But this is made even harder if you try doing it on the ground.
You will also need utility work gloves. These will help protect your hands as you get down and dirty. Also, look for a pro valve core remover. This tool will let you deflate the air from your tires easily. A Motion Pro Spoon Type Tire Iron will help you get the right amount of leverage when you need to get the tire off and put on the new one.
A tool that is probably the least likely on your mind, is baby powder. Use this to stop your tube fro chaffing on the inside of the tire. Chaffing can cause your tire to go flat
You will also do well with a pro bead buddy which helps keep your hands free when fitting your new tire. As you change your tire, you will also need to be able to check the pressure. A digital tire pressure gauge will help you with this.
Do you need a rim lock on a dirt bike?
A rim lock on a dirt bike is a clamp that holds your tire in place on the rim and is found on every dirt bike. It fits between the tire and the tube with metal cleats on the bottom to grip the inside of the tire bead.
Why do dirt bikes have spokes?
Dirt bikes have spokes to increase strength. Torsional strength allows the rider to transfer drive and braking torque from the hub to the rim. The number of times a spoke crosses other spokes on the same side increases torsional strength.
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Final Thoughts
There are different tires available on the market today for dirt bikers who want to take on wooded terrain. We certainly hope that our top picks help you choose the one that is best suited to your bike and the terrain you intend to ride. Happy shopping!
