Ultimate Hybrid Dirt Bike Tire Buyer's Guide

Even if you've come to the conclusion that a hybrid tire is right for you, there are still many considerations to take into account when selecting a new dirt bike tire. Hybrid tires combine the aggressive knobbies from standard motocross tires with the soft, tacky compound found on a trials tire, resulting in an aggressive off-road tire that's ready to tackle a variety of terrains. In our ultimate hybrid dirt bike tire buyer's guide, Chase goes over the best hybrid tires along with the differentiating features that separate each tire to help you decide which tire is best for you.


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Chapters:

0:00 - Intro
1:14 - Kenda Equilibrium & IRC IX-09 Gekkota
2:41 - Tusk Recon, IRC VE33S Gekkota & Shinko R525 Cheater
5:13 - IRC JX8 Gekkota, Dunlop Geomax AT81EX & Tusk Talon
8:27 - Recap

[IRCTireUSAMoto]

We love seeing more hybrid gummy tire options in this industry! Although we have three options, maybe there is room for more..? 😁

[dalepellerin]

I’m sold on the Tusk Talon on the rear. Been running them out in Moab and all over the Rockies for the past 3 months and I love them. Liked my IRC tires too but that Talon was incredible.

[DmitriyAdv]

Great info, I tried a lot of those tires and your breakdown is spot on. There is no best tire out there as it really depends on riding and terrain

[YogiTheBearMan]

Big fan of the Tusk Recon.
Shinko cheater 505 and 525 are really good too.

[adambatchelder]

I absolutely love the kenda equilibrium. Almost no tracks and all the traction. Could use a little more sidewall but it could cost you some traction.

[russssh]

Dunlop AT81EX is just next level good! Tried the Shinko 525 too which is great and cheap.

[easternyellowjacket]

I've experimented with quite a few of these tires and for my riding, the Tusk Recon is Gold. Superb traction in a variety of conditions. Excellent durability. Excellent cost and value for the money. On my RMX450 that I made road legal I even use this thing on road stretches (It is NOT DOT compliant), between trails and it handles pavement exceptionally well at sub 60 mph speeds without wearing too much. An overall fantastic tire.

[rmatvmc]

What's your favorite hybrid tire combo?

[keithncollins]

Tried the equilibrium and ended up on some faster gravel roads at some point and it felt like I was on ice. Amazing traction in the right circumstances but dangerous where it doesn't belong. Then went to the recon and have been super happy with it. Just not DOT approved which is okay because I don't plan to use a lot of pavement. On rides where I will be doing more pavement or higher speeds, I run the TrackMaster on a separate rear wheel and that seems to wear pretty good.

[lostinpa-dadenduro]

PA rocks and forest: Rear: IRC JX8 110/100-18 with Nitromousse Plushie NMS18-305. Front: Michelin Enduro Medium 90/100-21 with Nitromousse Standard NM21-235

[Itsjondillon]

Really curious where the Dunlop AT81 standard would fit in here... The AT81 come in 3 choices.

[RTRrentals]

Appreciate you guys doing these knowledgeable videos

[Goated]

What’s the best tire for cross country gncc type racing

[chrisgall]

Maybe be more specific with durability, you mean knob durability or puncture durability? Got on the Talon now and while it's a great tire when it holds air I get a lot of punctures at my currnt riding location which is beat to hell with sharp rocks etc.. I run tubliss and have never had so many punctures. Going to try the AT81ex next and leave the Talon for when I can ride in the sierras again. Thanks for the great video

[pyrostwistedride]

I'm still confused! I ride PA mostly, but I also travel to WV, TN, etc. On a normal day I can go from hardpack, that mimics concrete, to loamy loose hills with lots of roots, to hills with 4" rocks, to a slimy mucky mess. Im also a new dirtbike rider, that loves going as fast as possible, and still trying to learn technical stuff too.

[richykid]

Great video.
I’m currently running MT21’s front and rears on an FE350s, but they don’t inspire confidence off road for me. Unfortunately here in NJ, we have a lot of sandy trails, and I’m still trying to find something that works.

[jeremyfernandez]

I live in Hawaii VE33s or irc jx8 👍

[pyrostwistedride]

I'm still confused! I ride PA mostly, but I also travel to WV, TN, etc. On a normal day I can go from hardpack, that mimics concrete, to loamy loose hills with lots of roots, to hills with 4" rocks, to a slimy mucky mess. Im also a new dirtbike rider, that loves going as fast as possible, and still trying to learn technical stuff too. The MX52s that came factory arent cutting it though.

[enduro]

VE33s all day! I want to try the Tusk Recon but I run tubliss and hear you can’t do that on the Recon

[williamschuman]

Really like the gummy tires for single track