ENDURO TIRES: Tusk Talon, Michelin Xtrem, Dunlop AT81EX, IRC & More

I review all of the best and newest hard enduro rear tires from Tusk, Michelin, IRC, Dunlop.

[TheTurboHO]

For our sharp rocks and sandy stuff in New Mexico the XT 454 has been the best in terms of performance and life. The AT81 EX is a little grip piece but doesn't last as long. Definitely give the 454 a shot

[dirklawyer]

Kudos on your enduro tire breakdown, IMO one of the best I have listened to in the past 5 years. Personally I ride mostly soft and hard enduro on my Sherco 300 SE and I ride ID, CO, UT and AZ most every year so terrain wise I have some experience with a variety of tires over the years. Rarely do I agree much with any 'enduro tire' study due to bias, and the numerous variabilities that exist in the enduro world, from riders personal enduro experience in a vast variety of terrain, difference in enduro bikes, riders ability, riders technique...tire spinner, tubliss system, tubes or mousses, and one of the most important tire pressures, endless. We are blessed to live in an era where about all of the enduro bikes and enduro tires available to us today are light years better than 20 years ago, ENJOY!

[sam-wwwk]

Hard enduro rider since 17. Went through most the tires you have there and agree with all. Except, the m5b is my favorite. It climbs better than all, lasts longer than all, stiff side wall a plus before they figured that out as a selling point. It's only downside is a little less gummy in the rocks, but even here in southern utah the reality is that's only part of the time, and almost everything hooks up on slickrock, especially when you're aired down with tubliss. I"ve found it's the loose stuff that makes or breaks a tire. I ride trials too, so I get the gummy thing, but hard enduro isn't trials.

[BjorkOffroad]

Thanks for taking the time to do this and sticking with your experiences. You definitely have some conditions in the PNW very unlike what we have in MN

[laurentpillet]

@WA semi-hard enduro Wow great video! Thanks so much for the great comparisons! I'm surprised you're running at 2 psi, I've never dared go that low with my tubliss.(tested about 5 psi) Have you ever tested the standard IRC ve33 (not S)? I'm looking to mount a 100 tire for driving in similar conditions (wet roots and wet terrain in the Alps).

[lukefish]

Appreciate ya sir!
Got a te300i and need a new rear.
But I live in the blue ridge mountains of NC and it’s a lot of rock but the woods can be real soft in areas.
Can’t decide.

[Dubie-tv]

Great job, I’d love to see a front tire review from ya

[SethMceleney]

Awesome video! Still wondering why so little company’s make a 120 gummy?

[CoolEyeColorado]

Love the VE33S. That’s what I keep using.

[NINEENDURO]

Great topic! EVERYONE is always looking for the best tire to help there riding! Great vid

[DeadShedHead]

Great video dude. Extremely helpful when making a decision

[meanmachine]

I dont understand why the 525 was popular. Really one of the worst ive used. 505 is much better even in soft conditions. Snow is the only place the 525 was better.

[MeanPig]

Can you have a copy of that product Matrix that people can print up put in here somewhere. Super helpful review. Also, same experience with the M5B. Piled my bike into side of the hill in slick wet terrain. Bad wreck! Pulled that thing off the next day with only a few hours riding on the tire. I have a couple of months until rain so plan on using it again now until rainy season.

[davidanderson]

I have had a couple AT81EX so far and really liked the sidewall at low air pressure. Trying a VE33s currently, so far working well on mixed PNW conditions.

[masterbeta]

when i ran the michelin extreme it was amazing. holds up surprisingly well in turns and lasts forever. i got like 25 hours out of mine granted i run my tires until i absolutely feel i cant use them anymore. i agree its not great in the soft stuff but i would say thats its only downfall. high speed or slow speed it worked great for me. if it wasnt for the JX8 and the price it would be my favorite. To me the jx8 and michelin extreme are so close and jx8 is way cheaper. the at81ex is a good tire but i notice i get punctures really easily. the ibex i feel it doesnt handle well in the turns and the knobs just chunk right off. the shinko cheater is heavy and when it comes to any wet rocks or roots it just doesnt grip at all. good video.

[tylermadl]

Have you ever had a Wig Racing tire???

[zacharysmith]

Oh shit. Barnes? We should ride together out at Walker this winter in the suck. I was looking to see if I really needed the ERM for my 25 xcw and came across your channel. Also, you're right about the VE33s. Crazy life and works in almost everything. Ever consider going back road racing?

[ridgerunnersmc]

Good video! I've ran all of those except the 525. The AT81ex is definitely the best out of all of them for performance. It doesn't last as long as the others, but the performance is great. Now....if u want one tire to rule them all, try the Mitas XT-754. It is my all time favorite and the only tire I will run from fall to spring. Then, when we hit summer months, it's the Mitas EH-07 140. Motas tires for the win. It's gonna be hard for me to want to try any other. Give them a shot!

[MYZTKON]

VE33S has been my go to. Looking at the GT333NX. How do they compare? Was debating a switch from VE33S/VX30 to the GT333NX/GT216AA. Would that be a mistake? See you have reviewed both…

[Dubie-tv]

I’ve used the VE 33s for the last two yrs, don’t ever plan on changing….i run the mx33 on the front it does ok but i think there has to be a lil better all rounder front tire out there ???