dual sport tires for a road bike?

**Psilocybes** · #1 12 Jul 2006

My front tire fits 110/80-17 and the rear is 130/70-18.

Id like a tire thats like 80% road, 20% dirt but I cant find anything to fit my bike. Am i reading the tire sizes wrong or am I just out of luck?

Thanks.

**muthaf9cka** · #2 12 Jul 2006

Most dual sports tyres are 19" or 21" fronts. 17" seems a little small. What bike is it for?

**parkie** · #3 12 Jul 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psilocybes

My front tire fits 110/80-17 and the rear is 130/70-18.

Id like a tire thats like 80% road, 20% dirt but I cant find anything to fit my bike. Am i reading the tire sizes wrong or am I just out of luck?

Thanks.

I run Michelin Anakee 150/70x17 on the rear & a Michelin Sirac 110/80x18 on the front on my TDM850.

The Sirac is actually meant to be a rear but works well as a front - fit it in the reverse direction to the directional arrow. Or not - have had it fitted both ways and not noticed any difference.....
I run both tubeless and have Slime in them to cope with any punctures.

Tyres work OK on dirt, really well on tarmac wet or dry - scrape the pegs all the time, very confidence inspiring.

Also give very high mileage - the perfect tyre, eh?

I know another fella running IRC 410s18 front & Conti TKC 80's rear with good results - up to you.

- just re-read your post & saw you have 17 front and 18 rear rather than 18 front & 17 rear.....

My info is probably of no use to you then

**JonStobbs** · #4 13 Jul 2006

Have a look at the Avon Distanzia's.I run them on my XL600LM(130/90-17 rear,90/90-21 front) and i know they do them in 18* aswell for your rear.Don't look very off-roadable but you'd be very surprised where they'll go! Only a bottomless Welsh bog has managed to completely stop me yet.

**Psilocybes** · #5 13 Jul 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonStobbs

Have a look at the Avon Distanzia's.I run them on my XL600LM(130/90-17 rear,90/90-21 front) and i know they do them in 18* aswell for your rear.Don't look very off-roadable but you'd be very surprised where they'll go! Only a bottomless Welsh bog has managed to completely stop me yet.

The bike is a 1995 Yamaha XJ600.
Ive seen 17" wheels but does how closely does the aspect ratio and tire width have to match?

something like this
Avon 17" 120/70-17 Front Tubeless Blackwall Radial Tire H
Thats about as close as I can find.

Psil

**Dodger** · #6 13 Jul 2006

I wouldn't worry too much about the aspect ratio , the width will probably be the limiting factor for fitting it on your bike .
Different brands of tyre , although ostensibly the same size ,when compared side by side will show a considerable difference in ACTUAL size .
So you'll have to try out a close match and see if it will fit under the fender/between the fork legs/within the swingarm .
I'm running some dual sport tyres on a classic road bike and they are not only a lot cheaper than pattern originals they also work great .