IRC knobbly Tyres-are they any good ?

[bill]

I need a new front knobbly tyre for the DRZ
Currently running Japanese Bridgestone, cost around $65 in Phnom Penh
IRC knobblies (made in thailand ??) now available for ~$40 for the front wheel.
Interested to hear comments.
Are the IRC good value, or, false economy and perhaps better paying more for Japanese Bridgestone or Dunlop ?

 

[Ian Bungy]

Hi Bill,
I have Used alot of them and Had No Problems at all. Mine are the VOLCANDURO. The latest Big Seller here at the Moment is "QUICK" Made in Thailand they are a Re-Labeled Thai Dunlop, Same Factory. I am Trying them and all good so far :wink: Not Sure if they are available in Cambodia? You should have No Problem on a Normal Bike but if You have a Hot DRZ or a Big Power Dirt Bike i have heard of the knobs ripping off when the Tyre gets older and Perishes :shock: Of Course if you use Your Bike alot they Won't Last that long :wink:

 

[bill]

Hi Ian
Thanks for the info.
Just received some info from a local shop.
They reckon the IRC is no problem in the dirt but a bit unstable on hardtop at highway speeds.
Question then is are the made in Japan knobblies any better on hardtop.
Its mainly for dualsport touring (50/50 highway/dirt) but I want the luxury of a front knobbly in the sand.

 

[KZ]

"Made in Japan" is generally way better and way more expensive.
Excuse my ignorance, but is "knobbly" a mix of "knobby" and "wobbly"?

 

[jimoi]

I've burned up a few IRC and agree with Ian. From what you say, I'd maybe go with something more 70/30. A similar tire would be a Dunlop 603 or 605 but they are pricey in Cambodia. I did find them at the Chinese Market in PP but don't remember the price. If it's only a little sand here and there, I was mixing the tire set, full knobbly front and the 605 on the rear in Cambodia, served me well.

The one tire that I did find that lasted the longest was the Dunlop 739, full knobbly lasted quite some time. It was made in Thailand as well.

 

[bill]

Ended up getting another Dunlop D745F knobbly for the front.
Cost $73 fitted in Phnom Penh .
The last one was on the bike for 14000km!!, although its sandworthiness was probably over at ~10,000km.
Still running a cheapo 50/50 tyre on the back which combined with the quality front knobbly seems a good compromise for dualsport riding.

Jimoi
Hows that trip info on Southern Laos going, any updates coming ?