Tri Z trail tires?

[jsimonh]

My Tri Z still has the factory 22's on back, but they are worn down pretty bad. I just got my hands on 2 sets of wheels/tires. The 1st set is 21-11-8 Goodyear tires on rims. They look kinda like sand tires, but not realy . The second set is 18 inch ITP Holeshots on rims, with very good tread still .

My question is for the riding I do (pastures, trails, and some track) what would be the best overall tire the Goodyears, ITP, or sell both and buy more 22's?

What size do you Tri Z guys use, and would I have to change my gearing for the 18's?

[nouseforaname90]

If you went with the 18's, you could probably go up in sprocket size. And the Holeshots sound like what you would want to use, but I don't exactly know what these Goodyear tires look like. Post a pic of them.

[twgranger]

I would sell them both and get some 20's, either razr's or itp's. Im running 20x11x9 razr's on my Z.

[jsimonh]

I'm just excited because I gave next to nothing for both sets , and the ITP's are in really good shape. I don't have a digital camera or I would snap a picture . I found this picture on Dennis Kirk. This IS NOT what they are, but they resemble them. The Goodyears have the same tread pattern just not as aggressive, maybe 1/2 tall tread. When seen the Goodyears I thought they were sand tires, but I don't think thats what they are.

[nouseforaname90]

Those look like they would be a good trail tire. If you can, just put both sets on your Z and see which you like better after a little bit of riding. If you like neither, sell them and get a new pair of Razr's or something.

[chris200x]

Those tires in the pic have unbelievable hook up! almost too much.. I think they would be hard to break loose if you had to in a pinch... I know from past experiences lol. I'd go with the razr's or holeshots. If you run 20's your loosing ground clearance (bad for trail riding) you gotta sacrifice something somewhere...

[TimSr]

Unless you are doing lots of mud and woods riding, Id nix the Goodyears, and even if you did that type riding, they are not a great choice for a trike. They are too hard and way too heavy, and aimed more at utility quads. Your stock tires make better mud tires, and there area lot of better choices for that use. Seeing as you are in OK, with mostly dry riding conditions, and the type riding you are doing, a flat profile tire like the Holeshot, Razer or Turf Tamer would serve you well, but Im no fan of 18" tires on the Z for trail riding. I suggest 22" but you might be satisfied with 20". The swingarm drags on EVERYTHING. The 18" work good on a track, but the TriZ has a unique rake, and for it to handle well you need to slide the forks up in the mounts 1-2 inches, depending on front wheel size, or it will ride like a chopper. 22's work best on the Z for trail riding, especially if you have any swingarm ground clearance issues at all, such as ruts, logs, rocks, and all those other goodies we encounter in Ohio. The flat profile tires work much better on a track, but you get a rougher ride in exchange for that. If track riding is minimal, you may be bet off to look for another tire similar to the stock ones. They offer great traction, a smoother ride, but you dont get near the powerslide ability on the track. I have two sets of mounted tires and run 22" All-Trax for trails, and 18" Turf Tamers on the track,(though Id rather have 20"). Two teeth on the front sprocket pretty much equalizes the gearing between the two tire sizes, though I usually just leave the extra low gearing on the race track when I switch tires, and operate everything one gear higher than normal when I race since I usually only run about 3 gears on most tracks anyways.

[jsimonh]

Thanks for the detailed answer TimSr ! So far it seems my best bet would be to sell both sets and look for some good 22's. The clearance issue had be worried because there doesn't seem to be much there to begin with. The trails here are not to bad, but probably to much for 18's. If anyone else has an opinion I'd love to here it.

[Kintore]

I would sell them both and get some 20's, either razr's or itp's. Im running 20x11x9 razr's on my Z.

I have the exact same on my unit as well. I like it but when I did my top speed dropped, but there was more acceleration. And So far my swingarm touches on a few things but nothing real serious.

[edog]

Unless you are doing lots of mud and woods riding, Id nix the Goodyears, and even if you did that type riding, they are not a great choice for a trike. They are too hard and way too heavy, and aimed more at utility quads. Your stock tires make better mud tires, and there area lot of better choices for that use. Seeing as you are in OK, with mostly dry riding conditions, and the type riding you are doing, a flat profile tire like the Holeshot, Razer or Turf Tamer would serve you well, but Im no fan of 18" tires on the Z for trail riding. I suggest 22" but you might be satisfied with 20". The swingarm drags on EVERYTHING. The 18" work good on a track, but the TriZ has a unique rake, and for it to handle well you need to slide the forks up in the mounts 1-2 inches, depending on front wheel size, or it will ride like a chopper. 22's work best on the Z for trail riding, especially if you have any swingarm ground clearance issues at all, such as ruts, logs, rocks, and all those other goodies we encounter in Ohio. The flat profile tires work much better on a track, but you get a rougher ride in exchange for that. If track riding is minimal, you may be bet off to look for another tire similar to the stock ones. They offer great traction, a smoother ride, but you dont get near the powerslide ability on the track. I have two sets of mounted tires and run 22" All-Trax for trails, and 18" Turf Tamers on the track,(though Id rather have 20"). Two teeth on the front sprocket pretty much equalizes the gearing between the two tire sizes, though I usually just leave the extra low gearing on the race track when I switch tires, and operate everything one gear higher than normal when I race since I usually only run about 3 gears on most tracks anyways.

Keep them on the quads,they do better on them.

[jsimonh]

Here is a picture of the Goodyears. I found it at tiresunlimited.com . The ones I got are not new, but pretty close . I may use them on my Z until I can sell the ITP's and get some 20inch Holeshots or 20-22inch Turf Tamers. Or.... I may leave them on till they wear out. I have so many choices, but so little money .

[edog]

Those look good.I like