Any Options for "Off-Road" Oriented Tires?

Lof8 · Apr 3, 2014

I'm planning to buy a Rebel to play with. The plan is a bobber style that I can ride on the street to some dirt roads/trails, hit the trails a little, then ride home. I don't want a dual sport - I just want a cruiser than can go off-road a little.

The look of dirt bike knobbies is sweet on a bobber in my opinion. So what are my options for something that will fit on the Rebel wheels?
Thanks

bB2NER · Apr 4, 2014

A rebel doesn't like gravel or off road much at all.
Not near enough suspension travel.

JimH · Apr 4, 2014

Just wanted to disagree slightly with this comment.

Duckster · Apr 4, 2014

Long wheelbase and low ground clearance.. not good for dirt. That and the swingarm is pretty light weight more suited for street use.

Shadow Shack · Apr 4, 2014

I wouldn't call the Rebel long in wheelbase, Honda's CR250 is an inch longer...but there are many things that make the Rebel not offroad worthy. For starters, head pipes that hang below the frame tubes. One good bump can quickly replicate Eddie Murphy's "banana in the tailpipe" effect (Beverly Hills Cop if that's flying over anybody's head).

I used to jump my 85 before I chopped it, and can tell you it's not good for the top motor mount either.

jsonder · Apr 4, 2014

I dragged the pipes trying to do that on modest sized cobbles with my Rebel.

That led me to dual sports.

Finding knobbies for the 15-inch rear wheel will be a trick.

Lof8 · Apr 4, 2014

Thanks for input guys. Lets presume I won't actually go off road then and I just like the look of a knobbier tire. Any options at all?

IrishXJ · Apr 4, 2014

The Rebel might not be designed for gravel or dirt, but it sure can do it:

Malcolm Rose (1938 - 2010)

Saw a REAL adventure rider today - ADVrider

Unless you're in it to be 'unique' or 'challenged' (or you yourself are challenged), a dual sport is inarguably still a better choice. You can find KLR 250s all day long for $2000.

ArtW · Apr 4, 2014

I know some mebers have knobbies up front, rear is more of a challenge
I think Gyro has knobbies on the old warhorse

Lof8 · Apr 4, 2014

I even kind of like the look of the tires on the red bike at the top of the forum page. Are those a factory tire? That rear tire with a dirt bike knobby up front might fit the bill.

ArtW · Apr 4, 2014

probably so
they deff aren't knobs of any sort

Carassius · Apr 4, 2014

Shinko make a 3.00-18 that might suit the need...model is SR241
Shinko SR 241 Series Front Rear Tire 3 00 18 | eBay

Carassius · Apr 4, 2014

And then there is this one for the rear
Motorcycle Tires (130/90-15) photo,Details about Motorcycle Tires (130/90-15) Picture - lonngbao

bB2NER · Apr 4, 2014

Wow, they do have dual sport rebel tires over there. Wonder how much shipping would be?

ArtW · Apr 4, 2014

nice google-fu there Carassius

Carassius · Apr 4, 2014

I was considering them myself when I was in the market for new tyres, but decided to go with standard cruiser tyres as could not source them locally and we have strict tyre restrictions here so didnt want to risk importing

Lof8 · Apr 4, 2014

ArtW · Apr 4, 2014

if any of those are rebels, they are far from stock bikes

Lof8 · Apr 4, 2014

#4 is the only rebel. I'm aware they are all far from stock. I plan to strip and cut mine pretty substantially as well. No hard tail though.

ArtW · Apr 4, 2014

looking forward to the build thread

briand · Apr 4, 2014

perhaps this isn't even a relevant question, but:

What is the total weight of:

1 Honda Rebel 250 chain guard
1 Honda Rebel 250 front brake caliper

...assuming these were "bobbed" to avoid dragging excess weight around, what measurable increase in MPG, top speed, or efficiency is achieved by removing 1/1000th of the vehicle weight?

flitecontrol · Apr 4, 2014

Not much. But removing the front sprocket cover, rotor, front fender, substituting a smaller tank, shorter exhaust (no heavy mufflers), turn signals and other useless stuff, that gets rid of tons of useless weight!

That bike will probably run sub 12 second quarter miles and do 110 mph top end. :whistling:

briand · Apr 4, 2014

LOL. Well, I already won this game -- see my "ultimate bobber" post in another thread on this forum.

I'M RICH!!!!! muhahahahaha!

IrishXJ · Apr 4, 2014

I don't even own a Rebel, much less half of one -- at least not until tomorrow morning. Do I have a fortune on my hands? Should I call an attorney?

JimH · Apr 4, 2014

Before I found out the Rebel wasn't supposed to be able to be ridden on gravel roads, I did it all the time. In fact, since those are the smallest, least-traveled roads around my house, those are the roads I learned to ride on when I got my first Rebel. The Reb did just fine on them. No, it's no dual sport, but really, is there a reason why it shouldn't be able to putt down a gravel road if you take it easy? Have you seen some of the bikes people are riding in 3rd world countries and where they ride them?

Just two cents from a relative noob. Not worth much...

Jim

Duckster · Apr 4, 2014

Nobody said you can't ride dirt roads with a Rebel. the key word is "road" .

I think the question somebody asked was about riding "in the dirt" or "dirt oriented" which conjures up something quite different from riding on a dirt road.

Shadow Shack · Apr 4, 2014

Here's the original context:

Lof8 said:
The plan is a bobber style that I can ride on the street to some dirt roads/trails, hit the trails a little, then ride home. I don't want a dual sport - I just want a cruiser than can go off-road a little.

Dirt roads, okay. Trails, not so much. Off road, really not a good idea. That's where all the comments are stemming from.

Duckster · Apr 4, 2014

Good dirt roads are different from pavement only because of the surface. The traction is not as good as asphalt, but it can be smooth and almost as good. loose gravel demands more respect, but still the ride can be pretty smooth, and things like suspension travel, ground clearance and ruggedness of components don't really become issues.
If you're going to ride a lot on unimproved trails or off road, you will be a lot happier on a dual sport like say the Yamaha XT225 or a Kawasaki Sherpa. I'm sure honda makes something comparable, but those are 2 that i have ridden quite a bit in the training program, and they are both great bikes.

jsonder · Apr 4, 2014

Many of the gravel roads in Montana were wash-boarded within a few weeks of their annual grading by the county. The Rebel frame and suspension isn't really up to doing that on a regular basis.

In southern Arizona the county seems to grade the roads twice a year after the two "rainy seasons", as shown below. I've ridden that road on a Rebel and it wan't bad after grading.

flitecontrol · Apr 8, 2014

That brand (Yings Yixk?) is new to me.

ShenValleyFlyFish · Apr 8, 2014

Gyro was in touch with someone at some point but would have had to import the whole hundred minimum order. Would think someone had some but finding them is the trick. Maybe someone on an off roading site would know. Bet there are some in Mexico, which would be an easier reach with NAFTA.

"It's an ill wind that doesn't blow somebody some good."

gyrojunkie · Apr 8, 2014

I was going to mention the 100 tire order but got side tracked with Granddaughters home work last night. My front tire by the way is a triales tire and plan to relace the rear rim to 16" to match it. As for dirt roads I have had no problems and the suspension is as good as any dirt bike I grew up with in the 60's and early 70's.

Lof8 · Apr 8, 2014

gyrojunkie said:
My front tire by the way is a triales tire and plan to relace the rear rim to 16" to match it. As for dirt roads I have had no problems and the suspension is as good as any dirt bike I grew up with in the 60's and early 70's.

Thank you for this input! I don't plan to be motocrossing the damn thing, I just want to take it off the paved roads occasionally! - and look more impressive when it is on the street

Any Options for "Off-Road" Oriented Tires?

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