Kenda Klaw XCF Front/XCR Rear
The front Klaws were not as responsive as other tires, making for slow steering. They did, however, hold up to punishment in the rocks exceptionally well. Once we discovered these tires' hidden talent for the rough stuff, we made a point of seeking out some of the worst sections of trail. We found the tires worked well in the harshest of sections without deflecting in a manner that would typically upset the direction of your quad. The Klaws are a great choice for fast riding on rock-strewn trails. We were never comfortable with the vague feeling they offered--as if we were riding with two giant marshmallows attached to our front rims. Our rear tires provided good traction and predictable sliding, but overall, this combination of front and rear tires just didn't feel right. They seemed to wallow in a way that gave the sensation of trying to balance on top of a log in water. One thing you'll notice about Kenda tires is they are true to their size--meaning a size-22 tire has an outside diameter of 22 inches compared with, say, the 22-inch ITPs, which actually measure 21 inches. As such, the Kendas offered the most ground clearance but also rubbed against the fender mounts on hard landings. Overall, they showed poor handling when used on the DVX.
Size (f/r): 22x7-10/22x11-9
Weight (f/r): 11.6/18.17 lb
Price (f/r): $76.69/$94.19
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Kenda Knarly Rear
The Knarly is a sturdy 6-ply tire, but with its strength comes significant weight. While not the heaviest of the bunch, it ranked fourth from the top in the heft category. We ran these tires with the Kenda Klaw XCF fronts. We never became comfortable with how the Knarlys worked on the 400s. They didn't slide well and made the machine feel very top-heavy. They pro-vided good traction in the rocks but were just awful on off-camber root-covered sections, which are common in this part of the country. On several occasions we stopped on hillsides, and the Knarlys had a difficult time finding a grip compared with all of the other tires. We would not recommend them for use on our 400 test machines, but we would be interested in seeing how a lower-profile model of the same design would do.
Size: 22x11-9 (rear)
Weight: 18.35 lb
Price: $62
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Maxxis M943/M944 iRazr Radials
If too much traction could be a bad thing, then these tires would win the award for it. We found the iRazrs could hook up practically everywhere, requiring us to always be on the alert when punching the gas. In spots in which other tires would slip, the iRazrs would grab and loft the front wheels; these are incredibly sticky tires. The outstanding traction actually prevented the front tires from tracking as well as anticipated partially because of the light front end. These tires provide one of the smoothest rides in this bunch. Incredible traction just about everywhere did affect our ability to slide, which was important when negotiating some of the tighter mountain trails. Make no mistake: These are excellent woods tires--you just need to get used to them. The iRazr has a much lower profile than other Razr models, which did slide considerably better, by the way.
Size (f/r): 21x7-10 6-ply/20x11-9 6-ply
Weight (f/r): 11.9/17.3 lb
Price (f/r): $93.07/$107.95
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Maxxis M931/M932 Razr
These tires performed remarkably well in soft terrain but quickly lost our confidence in the rocks. They handled especially poorly in sections containing roots or any kind of off-camber slipperiness. The Razr front meat did not corner as expected and often broke free without warning. Under heavy braking, these tended to skid more than the other tires in this test. The rear Razrs slid predictably and steered well using power. We found the Razr difficult to mount when compared with others. This is one tough tire at a very reasonable price. Available in both 4- and 6-ply ratings.
Size (f/r): 22x7-10 6-ply/20x11-9 6-ply
Weight (f/r): 11.55/16.35 lb
Price (f/r): $76/$85
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Maxxis M933/M934 Razr2
A sturdy tire that handled exceptionally well in the rocks and at speed but was unpredictable in slick conditions. Designed specifically for GNCC use, this tire is terrific for all kinds of fast-paced woods riding but warrants caution around anything sloppy. Our first impression of the front tire's tread pattern was that of complete skepticism, but that was quickly put to rest a few miles down the trail. The Razr2s go where you point them and offer remarkable braking power. These tires provide a smoother ride than most with the cost of feeling somewhat heavy. Our test tires showed very little wear after lots of use, so you can expect these sneakers to last. If you can stomach the price, we think you will find these to be terrific tires for woods riding and racing.
Size (f/r): 22x7-10 6-ply/20x11-9 6-ply
Weight (f/r): 13.35/18.15 lb
Price (f/r): $104.44/$113.13
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Ohtsu H-Trak M/R 101 Front Radial & H-Trak M/R 501 Rear Radial
Our Ohtsu test tires exhibited signs of wear almost immediately. After just one short trail ride, the knobs were rolling and had experienced some chunking. While offered at a very reasonable price, they could prove expensive to run depending on how and where you ride. Two hours into testing, a front tire blew out from a sidewall puncture. This was repeated days later on the opposing front side. When you consider the M/R 101s have the thinnest sidewalls and are the lightest of the batch, it is easy to understand why. Unless you enjoy plugging tires, we would not recommend these for rock-infested trails. We did manage to sneak out to a local MX track and can therefore attest to their terrific manners in the soft stuff. Overall, the Ohtsus offer good traction and handling and the ability to stop on a dime. Out of all of the tires, these were some of the easiest to mount. If you've never heard of Ohtsu, just visit your local Honda dealer--in fact, that's the only place you can buy them. Ohtsu tires are original equipment for Honda's TRX250R and TRX400EX models.
Size (f/r): 22x7-10/20x10-9
Weight (f/r): 10.79/13.15 lb
Price (f/r): $58.99/$57.99
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