What Off-Road Tires Are Right for You

Having the right style tire for the terrain you will be riding in is essential to discovering and knowing your bike's full potential. There are many tires out there that offer capabilities for one type of terrain and also other tires that offer a range of terrain it can handle and perform well in. Before knowing how to choose which tire will be right for your off-road bike, consider understanding tire size, locating the direction of the tire, and finding the lightest point of the tire. We will go over tire types and tread designs.

Paddle Tires:

Paddle tires are built specifically to be ridden in the sand only. Typically, tires have tread blocks but paddle tires have a scoop shape that helps shovel and grabs the sand making the bike move forward. Paddle tires on your off-road toy will give your bike the greatest boost and power potential when riding in the dunes. If you try riding on any hard or semi-hard terrain will cause an uncomfortable and bumpy ride and wear down the paddles fast. There are a range of paddle tires to choose from and price range from each brand.
Terrain: Sand
Starting at: $40 and up

Knobby Tire:

Also known as Desert tires the knobby a designed for tough rocky and harsh desert terrain. Knobby tires have evenly spaced tall lugs that dig into loose rock and dirt. A major advantage these tires have is that they have stiffer sidewalls and a rubber compound that are made to handle any obstacles that can rip your tires apart like jagged rocks, loose shale, and any sharp edges. There are a range of trials tires to choose from and price range from each brand.
Terrain: Rocky Desert
Starting at: $60 and up

Trials Tire:

Trials tires are designed to make sure you get the most traction possible on any hard and slick surfaces. The tread pattern is tightly packed, has a flat crown, and flexible sidewalls. The rubber compound that this tire has is very soft and can feel sticky to the touch. All of these characteristics allow the tires to have a very large contact patch that can flex and deform in order to grab onto terrain—resulting in massive amounts of traction but they do wear quickly.
Terrain: Dirt trails
Starting at: $30 and up

Soft-Terrain:

Soft terrain tires are designed to reach maximum traction in soft soil or dirt. The knobs on this tire are spaced wider than usual which helps scoop the soft terrain and keeps you moving forward. They’re made using a hard compound that focuses more on the treading. If you try to use a soft terrain tire on hard terrain it will result in knobs being ripped off the tire because the tread will be too stiff.
Terrain: Soft soil, dirt
Starting at: $84 and up

Hard-Terrain:

Hard terrain tires are can be similar to knobby tires. They are designed to withstand jagged rocks, jutting roots, sharp sticks, and unseen obstacles in water holes (etc.). Hard-terrain tires are popular in off-roading and enduro. They give you the traction needed when the ground gets loose but durable enough to fend off debris build-up between the knobs. Hard-terrain tires also use a soft rubber compound that has more flex in order for each lug to deform, grab onto the terrain, and increase traction.
Terrain: Trails, dry desert floor
Starting at: $96 and up

Conclusion:

Having the right off-road tires on your motorcycle will enhance your overall riding experience immensely. Knowing your tires and having them at proper psi will also make a difference in the performance of your off-road vehicle. There are many brands to choose from and are at a wide range of prices. Keep in mind with price come quality in most cases. Also, sometimes you will have to test out these tires and eventually find the one that best fits the terrain your riding in, it comes down to the preferences of the rider. We hope this helps in finding the right off-road tire for you!

Related:

-What Street Tires are Right For You

-Master These Skills Before Taking Your Dirt Bike To The Track

-Mastering the Dunes on a Dirt Bike

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