Dirt Bike Tire Guide

Jul 26, 2023 — Fellow dirt devotees, as you may know, trailblazing requires 3 fundamental things: a bike, a trail, and traction. Apart from being patronizing, the latter part of this sentence underscores the importance of your tires' grip on whatever surface you're riding on. Pick the wrong tire type, and you'll either burn through rubber faster than a politician changes their mind, or spend an eternity digging your bike out of some ditch.

Enough stalling, here's a breakdown of the 4 main types of dirt bike tires, plus installation tips for the DIY-minded.

Hard Terrain Tires

If your adventure playground consists of rocky and hard-packed trails, hard terrain tires are your trusty companions. Featuring tightly spaced knobs, they provide excellent traction and stability, making those sharp turns feel like a walk in the park.

Key Identifiers:

• Tight knob pattern for increased contact with the ground.

• Stiffer sidewalls for added durability on rugged terrain.

• Ideal for dry, rocky, or hard-packed surfaces.

Medium Terrain Tires

For riders who enjoy riding on both soft and hard surfaces (no judgement), medium terrain tires are the irresistible sweet spot. Offering a balance between grip and maneuverability, they're ideal for tracks (Supercross, Arenacross) or trails where the terrain is unpredictable.

Key Identifiers:

• Slightly spaced knobs for traction without compromising maneuverability.

• Versatile performance on various terrains – a jack of all trades.

• Ideal for unpredictable scenarios, especially for trail riding.

Soft Terrain Tires

When the heavens open up and mud starts to fly, soft terrain tires (and a good suspension) are there to caress your backside. With widely spaced knobs, they shed mud and sand like a pro, giving you the traction needed to stay in control when things get extra messy.

Key Identifiers:

• Widely spaced knobs to prevent mud buildup.

• Excellent performance in loamy, muddy, or sandy conditions: basically their only intended use.

Dual Sport Tires: A Word on the 50/50 Dilemma

Now, this doesn't quite fit in the dirt tire category per se, but it also does. Sigh, welcome to the fabulous and ever-compromising land of dual sport riding.

Dual sport tires excel at nothing, which is their biggest weakness. But also their biggest strength. They wear down easier than road tires, but in exchange you get moderate traction offroad. Sucks in both cases, except not for the hero of our story: the adventure rider.

Mr. ADV can get across Alaska on dual sport tires and not complain in the slightest. That's because he knows he's traded performance for versatility. He'll get up that hill... eventually. He'll get through that rocky trail... eventually.

But most definitely, he'll be left with the bragging rights of clocking in more kilometers in a season than most do in years. Rest easy, for if you spot one of these mythical figures in the wilderness, justify your wise decision to ride offroad only by asking them how much they paid for all their gear.

Key Identifiers:

• On/off road versatility.

Key Drawbacks:

• Everything else.

Dirt Bike Tire Installation

Bravo, with the perfect tires in hand, the dirt devotee has become the dirt master. Now, to mount those fudging things... Here's what we've got for you:

1. Preparation: Before installation, clean the rim thoroughly to ensure a proper bond between the tire and the rim.

2. Lubrication: A touch of soapy water or tire mounting lubricant on the bead can ease the installation process.

3. Seat the Bead: Gently push the tire bead into the rim's center channel, ensuring it sits securely on both sides.

4. You've Got to Pump It Up: Inflate the tire slowly and evenly, checking for any signs of misalignment as it takes shape.

5. The Final Check: After installation, give your bike a quick spin and inspect for any wobbling or irregularities. Adjust as needed.

Blaze a Trail

There you have it, trailblazers, a comprehensive (I hope so, at least) guide on dirt bike tire types. It's pretty straight forward, and I gather you've come across motocross terms like these before. But if you haven't, thanks for making it to the end of the article. This is the place where I can say just about anything and be (almost) sure that it'll make its way past our editor. So, if you see this, my plan succeeded.

Anyway, you've got traction on your side now. With the right tire factored in, I guess all that's left is to put your skills to the test. Enough reading, get out there!