WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT STICKY ENDURO TIRES

The sticky enduro tire is a relatively new product that has been replacing the popularity of using trials tires on enduro bikes. These special tires have been hard to find in the past, though we have seen them for years on many top pro racers’ bikes, but you couldn’t just go down to your local dealership and easily pick one up. Trials tires have been working for this extreme application over the last 10 years, and riders have been pumped with them on their enduro machines. They like the grip in rocks, as well as the taller sidewalls that not only flex for a better ride in hostile terrain but let the pliable knobs snag traction when there is very little. The trials tire, however, has some noticeable disadvantages on soft, sandy or muddy terrain, mainly when braking. The knobs clog easily and have trouble clawing for purchase when the going gets sloppy. If you are looking for something new to try and want to tap into what most professionals are racing on in the extreme enduro setting, take a look at this list we put together. The advantages of the sticky tire are that they grip well on rocks, they clean out in mud so you have good braking, and in transitions from sand or mud to rock, they flat kick the trials tire to the side of the trail. Sticky enduro tires have become easy to find as of late and easy to buy at local dealers and online stores. Here’s the information and prices found on these eight tires that are available in America.

DUNLOP GEOMAX AT81 EX
The AT81 already has a championship-winning record, scoring numerous titles in AMA National Enduro competitions, Grand National Cross-Country and other series. The new AT81 EX was built on the same tread pattern and construction as the AT81 but adds ultra-grippy compounds to the equation.

AT81 rear tread-block shape and
distribution, plus flexible knobs help
the tire penetrate down through
the surface dirt for extra traction across a broad range of off-road applications.
New high-wear-resistant rear-tire compound offers enhanced chipping, tearing and wear appearance
Lateral grooves on the shoulder knobs provide additional biting edges and allows the knobs to be more flexible
Rear center blocks are arranged inline to provide a larger contact patch for maximum traction
Dunlop’s “plush pad” recess design between tread blocks enhances
compliance for bump absorption and ride comfort

Available size: 110/100-18

Price: $120 Contact: www.dunlopmotorcycletires.com

GOLDENTYRE GT369X GUMMY
Goldentyre’s GT369 and 369X tires are specifically designed for the rigors of EnduroCross and SuperEnduro racing. They have been tested and developed by Taddy Blazusiak to meet the special demands of SuperEnduro, and available in both a standard compound and an exclusive X gummy compound for unmatched grip no matter the conditions. The reinforced sidewall has yielded a very popular tire for the EnduroCross/extreme and hard-core enduro riders.

EnduroCross tire designed and tested by Taddy Blazusiak to conquer the most demanding courses on the planet
Two compound options to help match the requirements of the terrain
Reinforced carcass and 110/100-18 size designed for 250F and 350F competition in SuperEnduro/EnduroCross
Oversized knobs and wide gaps provide the perfect combination of self-cleaning
DOT-approved

Available size: 110/100-18

Price: $140.36 Contact: www.goldentyrewest.com

KENDA EQUILIBRIUM K787
The DOT-approved Equilibrium is “trials meets enduro” and offers the best qualities of a trials tire and motocross tire all in one product. It’s a super-sticky race compound for unbeatable grip in both wet and dry conditions.

A trials tire and off-road tire all in one product
Trials-inspired center tread design for the best possible traction
Motocross-style shoulder knobs for aggressive cornering
Super-sticky race compound for grip in both wet and dry conditions
Braking scoops in center area provide the stopping power that a trials tire can’t
Ultra-soft casing for maximum terrain adaptation
DOT-approved

Available size: 450-18 (110/100-18), 120/80-19

Price: $76.88–$83.88 Contact: www.powersports.kendatire.com

IRC GEKKOTA
IRC’s IX09 Gekkota tire is specially designed with a two-ply carcass for flex and the gummy knobby compound for traction. It targets riders looking for maximum traction in rocky/nasty terrain.

The lug design features a large, spaced-out layout that helps clean debris
Super-flexible knobs flex, bend and grab on a wide variety of terrain. In simple terms, the Gekkota is a hybrid tire that features a trials rubber compound and a motocross tread pattern for maximum traction.

Available size: 110/100/18

Price: $121.95 Contact: www.irc-tire.com

IRC GEKKOTA VE-33The IRC VE-33 Gekkota is brand new to the line and was developed and tested in extreme enduro/off-road conditions, making it a viable option for singletrack riders and enduro racers. IRC developed a new gummy compound that doubles for riders looking for a little less knob flex than their standard Gekkota.

The two-ply plus Breaker carcass structure resists puncture and optimizes stability over a range of speeds
The new, stiffer gummy compound acts as a suspension component within the tire
Proper rigidity of the sidewall with gummy compound will provide extra bump-absorption performance
Tall blocks are designed to provide a larger contact patch and also flexibility for maximum traction no matter the conditions.

Available size: 110/100-18

Price: $116 Contact: www.irc-tire.com

KENDA IBEX K774
Released in 2017, the Kenda Ibex was developed by the SRT Pro race team for EnduroCross and extreme enduro racing. This is the tire of choice for many top pros in the EnduroCross series. It has a very tall knob and has worked well in the looser terrain mixed with rocks. It would be a great tire for mud and creek riding because of its knob height but still makes great traction on wet rocks. We have even used this tire in the sandy Southern California desert and were happy with the way it could climb hills while maintaining the gummy rock-crawling feel.

Designed for EnduroCross and extreme enduro-type conditions
Super-soft and -flexible rubber compound for maximum bump absorption and terrain compliance for obstacles like rock gardens and log crossings
High wet-traction compound
developed by top pro EnduroCross riders
Open, aggressive drive pattern for max grip and clean-out
Shoulder knob pattern designed for large contact patch and support for soft compound during cornering
Ultra-soft casing for maximum terrain adaptation

Available size: 110/100-18, 120/100/18

Price: $76.88–$79.88 depending on size Contact: www.powersports.kendatire.com

MOTOZ HYBRID GUMMY
MotoZ’s range of Hybrid tires is known for their reinforced sidewalls, and flex zone under the tread is now available in a gummy BFM compound. The Mountain Hybrid combines the DNA of a trials tire and a serious off-road tire. The Xtreme Hybrid gummy has a more aggressive tread (for mud and sand), and the MotoZ Arena targets the EnduroCross aficionado.

Natural rubber/soft-gummy BFM compound
Hybrid carcass with reinforced sidewalls
DOT legal (Mountain and Xtreme Hybrid)

Available size: 110/90-19 ($105.99), 110/100-18 ($104.99), 120/100-18

Prices: $100–$108.99 Contact: www.pacificpowersports.com

SHINKO 525 HYBRID CHEATER
Shinko’s newest enduro/extreme, singletrack 525 Hybrid Cheater trail tire finds traction in the most extreme conditions.

Designed for soft/intermediate terrain
Best of both worlds—soft, sticky rubber compounds like the Trail Pro trials tire in a knobby tread pattern to work in a wide variety of soil conditions
Where a trials tire falls short in braking and loose soil conditions, the 525 Cheater bridges that gap to make it an effective hybrid off-road tire
Wide self-cleaning tread design

Available size: 18- and 19-inch sizes

Price: $89.95–$102.95 depending on size Contact: www.shinkotireusa.com