New Tires D606 + MT21

Short dual sport ride with my new Dunlop D606 rear and Pirelli MT21 front tires.

0:00 Gas Tank
2:49 Tire Change
7:36 Muletown Rd
10:08 Puddle
15:45 Bike 1st Impressions

2024 KTM 500 EXC-F

[maraudermitchelli]

I have a channel, I'm 59 and took 35 years off from riding, I just started riding my KTM EXC-f 500 in September. You're a more confident riding than I am. Thank you for sharing because of you I will not be buying a tire changer. I subscribed ride safe.

[RidingWithDom]

Bro after a couple tire changes you’ll be a pro 👌 your urethra will thank you 🤣🤣😂😂

[vornamenachname]

I changed tires 3 times in my live by hand . It was 2 time K60 from Heidenau and TKC80.
Alsways extremely exhausting, had no stand or something, just the levers.

K60 are stiff like... .

Never want to do that again, but so I think I can do it in the field in an emergency.

I have MT21 on my WR250R. There is a lot of asphalt here and very few gravel or offroad.
But for searching the spots, the MT21 is perfect. Pretty good on road but with pretty good offroad quality.

[thejsmith]

Buddy this is the best motorcycling video I've ever seen. I could not relate more. 😂

[brumfiba]

I agree with you about it being good in stock form. I have a 2022 500 and there has never been been a moment where I was like "you know, I wish this thing was faster". It'll lift the front wheel in 1st to 3rd gear with just a twist of the throttle and do well over highway speed with plenty of passing power in 5th and 6th. I cant see myself ever messing with it.

[DualSportDoug]

3:20 - HOLY CRAP, that cost is highway robbery. When I have a shop do my tires, I pull the wheel off the bike and take it to them. One place charges $35.00 per tire - it's a small independent accessory / service store. My KTM dealer wants $40.00 per tire, which is up from $35.00 back in 2020.

[joseguzman]

Thanks for being honest! I was debating on doing the change myself and you make my decision easy 😅

[discoveror]

Your candid reactions are refreshing. Given how tired you, likely, were by 1 AM, I'll bet that the job wouldn't seem nearly as bad the next time, especially, if you started, say, on a weekend morning. What if you had to repair a tire out on the trail? If you'd done it a few times, I suspect that the experience would be a lot less stressful and tiring.

I got a WR250F for the same reason: a lightweight, dual sport. Your riding (skills) seems just fine - perfectly suitable for enjoying the sights ... and getting home in one piece!

Mine seems treacherous to get off it, too (despite a 35" inseam); so, I was reluctant to add saddlebags to get in the way. Fender and handlebar bags get tools off my back.

[DualSportDoug]

GOOD CHOICE on the D606 / Mt21 combo. I've been running that combo on my DRZ since 2007. It still seems to be the gold standard tire combo in the DRZ crowd for people that mainly ride off pavement but also need a DOT tire. Prior to 2007, my DRZ had MT21 front and rear when I bought it used in 2006. Prior to that I had two DR350SEs. I ran MT21 front and rear on those two bikes dating back to 1996 or so.
After the MT21 rear wore out on my DRZ, I switched to the D606 because I was seeing how they lasted longer and were more durable compared to the MT21 rear when I looked at them on everyone's DRZ in my circle of riding friends. There were about 8 of us with DRZs back in 2006/2007.

I decided to switch to the Tusk DSport rear back in 2020 because it's half the price of the D606. I put the DSport rear and MT21 front on my KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days in 2020. I think the D606 is more durable after seeing minor issues on the DSport after 400 miles of riding around Silverton, Colorado that summer.
I am still running the MT21 front on my DRZ and will be on my second DSport rear this season.

The ONLY reason to switch to a DSport rear is if someone doesn't want to spend $120+ that the D606 costs.

NEVER go to a D606 or DSport front. They will make you kiss the dirt eventually. The MT21 is better than either of those two on the front, for the type of riding you do.

[DualSportDoug]

1:08 I'm with you on "never changing tires" (at home). There's a big risk of puncturing a tube when doing them at home whether using a stand or just tires irons. The D606 is a very stiff tire too. I have ZERO desire to fight that battle, so I'm OK with paying a shop to change my tires with their fancy machine.

[richardconnoly]

How cold were the tires when you fought to put them on? :)
Get the tires warm first. A hot sunny day works best. Otherwise, bring them into the house first for a day and at least overnight so they can be soft and would be much easier to take off and on. The good news is that when you get a flat, even on a cold day, is that the tires get warm, especially if you let them run a bit soft, and so on trail road repairs can be fixed quickly with practice. But cold tires are a nightmare for anyone without hydraulics.

[travishimself]

You’re going to have to do a change on the side of a trail sooner or later so it’s a good skill to have. Best to do it with the tools you take with you though. Might have been a 10 hour job lol. I’ve used MT21/D606 forever on my WR. Not sure about my 500 though. I’m still on the stock metzeler 6 days extreme. Maybe motoz enduro IT next. Summer here so I’ll be burning through tyres.

[jrothmotorcycleadventures]

Great reviews! I’m getting ready to purchase this bike. How many miles can you get when the light goes off at half tank? How far from then until your walking?

[trailblogger]

great video as always. I'm green with envy. even more than any of your other machines

[rickmarchand]

my 2023 husky fe350 came with the d606 tires from fators, they had a recall so that's what they put on. they do great in the dirt but ok on the street.

[Monacheman-x]

I enjoy your honest approach to riding and wrenching. Great for most of us who are not professionals. Still wanting to get a new 500 after selling my 2012 350EXC. Trying to decide between 501FEs or 500EXC but being height challenged I am considering the 501FEs

[jctoth]

Great video. Can you do one where you compare the Beta 430 to the KTM 500? I would be interested in the similarities, differences, what you like and don’t like about each. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[chazman]

I have the D606 on mine. It is great. Except on sandy asphalt. I found that out today. HA HA HA AHA I had the same issue with the gas cap.

[HVACOG]

I have the same bike ! Looking for new tires

[Rubi-RedRider]

Nice! Yes it is a very cold day. I wss about to go out riding today too, but hell no, too cold! Where were you riding at? That looks like Clear Creek area...