Pirelli MT 43 Motorcycle Tire

Comments about Pirelli MT 43 Motorcycle Tire:

Installed on KTM 300 MXC. Installed with 2 rim locks and ran with 10 psi. Used for three day ride in northern California mountains. 300 miles included paved roads, Forestry roads, two track, single track, rocks, roots, fallen logs, water crossings, mud and dry loose rocky terrain. I was able to ride over difficult terrain with ease.

Comments about Pirelli MT 43 Motorcycle Tire:

I bought and installed a pair of these on both my WR250R and DRZ400S last summer. I had fallen in steep avalanche rock and cracked my tibia. Was looking for more control in loose rock.

They were very hard to seat on the rims. I broke the bead and reseated them several times trying to get them to run true but the fronts would not. They zing and flex on pavement and aren't much fun to go down the road with.

Another thing is the 4.00 back tire raises your seat almost an inch. My WR250 was already high and I had to adjust it down as much as I could.

Also, keep at least 18 lbs in the back unless you have wheel locks. I spun mine on the back with 12 lbs, tore the tube, and walked home - they will not run flat like a Dunlop 606. I now run 18 in the back and 14 in the front.

In summary, they did solve my problem riding steep downhills with lots of loose rock, but they have several negatives compared to a dual sport knobby.

I should have just tried them on one bike. I will probably ride the summer with them and then go back to the Dunlop 606.

Comments about Pirelli MT 43 Motorcycle Tire:

Did the Malcolm Smith Baja ride out of Santa Veronica last weekend on the Pirelli MT 43 Motorcycle Tire. Loved it! It was a lot of tight single track (raining) and it was a breeze to cross trees, climb rocks... even in the very wet conditions.

It cleared up in the afternoon and we did some 3rd, 4th and 5th gear two track. Again good grip at high speed. Wear after 2 days of riding was minimal (but I am not usully that hard on tires).

For the 2011 KTM 450 EXC with 200 lbs of rider I give them two thumbs up.

Comments about Pirelli MT 43 Motorcycle Tire:

I have a new-to-me '09 Husqvarna TE610 bought for it's low end torque and Trail Riding prowess AND it's ability to get me and ALL my camping gear TO the Trails. This MT43 Trials tire was suggested by another TE610 owner. Replaced an MT21 knobby and it made a WORLD of difference riding from northern NJ to the CT/RI border --- just over 400 miles round trip --- then it RIPPED on the trails! NO limitations from this tire. Aired down to 12 lbs PSI and GREAT grip on rocks, roots, gravel, loose pine needles, etc! Did NOT miss the knobby AT ALL, but no REAL mud to speak of, so no report there. Mud would be it's one possible weaker spot, but I think it'd fair better than most might think... Key for me: Versatility. Road-worthy and VERY Trail-worthy. Bike was loaded down with a FULL Giant Loop Great Basin (ALL my camping, cooking, etc. gear), a duffel, and about 8 lbs of tools.