New Tyres For The Desert X (and the Daytona 675)

 While I was stuck at home with the rain tumbling down and attacking various jobs, I thought I’d better get the tyres on the DX sorted out for when it cleared up. The rear Heidenau Ranger was basically worn out and the Motoz Rallz on the front was still going flat every few days.

Out with the old...

Asking around the owner groups this seemed to be a random problem that some owners had experienced while others hadn’t. Despite being a decent tyre, I didn’t want another Rallz just from the inconvenience factor so I asked around about the Motoz Desert HT and the DualVenture. The feedback seemed mixed with both being great tyres from a handling point of view but some guys suffering from the deflating problems (this is specifically on the Desert X).

I had to go to my new bestest tyre supplier, Motorcycle Tyre Warehouse, for a new rear Metzeler TD slick for Will’s Daytona, so I decided to chuck the DX wheels in the car and see what Nigel had in stock. 

I say “bestest” slightly tongue in cheek as Nigel seems to really live tyres if that is possible (unlike the clown show that is Tyres For Bikes - I have a drama every time I go there) . He spent almost an hour explaining the different characteristics of various tyres to me last time I went there and while many might just brush him as annoying, I have another scientific type mate who is the same with mtb tyres (amongst other things) so I get where he is coming from and really appreciate him trying to edumucate my caveman brain on all things tyres!

MTW have a small unit in an industrial complex that is PACKED with tyres. I had an idea that I would throw a Motoz Tractionator Adventure on the rear but was foiled with the front tyre as there were no DualVentures in stock anywhere in Brisbane. The Desert HT sounds like a tyre that would suit 90% dirt well and is a bit harder compound, so a bit too extreme for my intended use…..so what did I go with?

In with the new...

Well, completely out of left field, on the advice of a couple of members of the DX FaceBook page AND Nigel I thought I would try the Goldentyre 823 on the front. I have the 333 on the rear of both dirt bikes and they are aggressive looking, underrated hoops. The front looks super aggressive which is what I want on the dirt. As for the blacktop, I will just take it easy in the twisties while I get a feel and build confidence in it.

On Nigel’s advice I went with a 140 width on the rear tyre. I seem to recall people saying on the FB page the 150 had minimal clearance on the DX and even touched the chain guard, so I was lucky he reminded me. The 140 honestly looks a better fit, is lighter and was about $80 cheaper than the 150. 

😁

So, these hoops are fitted up and raring to go. I just need some dry weather and some inspiration on where to go (and some days off!). 

Do I camp or do I glamp in pubs? After riding light dirt bikes a fair bit lately,  probably the latter - keeping the bike lighter - is more appealing at the moment to be honest. I just need to find some obscure pubs in nothing towns as escaping the hordes is high on my list of requirements.

Will got a new rear tyre too for his track bike after he seemingly ran something over which caused a chunk to depart the right rear of his TD slick and may or may not have contributed to him low siding on the Turn 6 off camber, right hander at Morgan Park a few weeks back.🫤

This is why we went with race glass.

He was ok and the bike was ok as it is a fairly low speed corner but it might have dented his confidence a bit….which I am actually ok with as his confidence was probably starting to outweigh his ability. He needs to slow down and learn…but he is 19 and possibly knows it all……🤔🫣😳🫤😆.

Cheers and thanks for checking in!