Tyre Selection For Track Conditions - Honda 2009 CRF450X Owner's Manual & Competition Handbook

Choosing the correct tyre tread pattern and
rubber compound can affect your placing in
competition. The tyres on your CRF offer a
"happy medium" for the variety of soil
conditions the majority of riders are likely to
encounter.
Experienced competitors often switch to tyres
developed for specific terrain conditions. If you
do switch, stay with the factory recommended
sizes. Other tyres may affect handling or
acceleration.
Be aware that tyre sizes (width and aspect ratio)
do vary from manufacturer to manufacturer or
even among tyres made by the same
manufacturer. Variations in tyres, especially the
sidewall profile, can change the attitude of your
CRF and its handling. Tyre variations that raise
or lower the rear of your CRF have a more
significant effect on handling than variations in
front tyres which, generally, don't vary as much.
Often, you can see or feel the change in tyre size.
Another way to check is to measure the rolling
circumference of the old and new tyres. A higher
profile tyre will have a larger rolling
circumference.
If you do switch to tyres designed for special
terrain use, remember they will be less acceptable
in other circumstances. For example, an
aggressive mud tyre will give excellent grip on
wet, loamy terrain, but less impressive grip on a
hard surface.
If you choose a tyre with a sticky compound for
added traction, remember that it may transfer
additional loads to the transmission because it
grips so well, especially when riding in situations
that normally place unusual demands on the
transmission.
Complete consumer information can be obtained
from the various tyre manufacturer
representatives and dealers.
Some general recommendations for specific
terrain follow:
Hard, Slick Soil
Use tyres with many relatively short knobs that
are close together in order to obtain the largest
possible contact patch on the surface. The rubber
compound needs to be softer for hard ground in
order to hook up, but not so soft that the knobs
roll over easily and affect holding a straight line.
These tyres tend to wear more quickly than
standard tyres because of the combination of soft
rubber and hard terrain.
Muddy Soil
Use a more open tread pattern to avoid clogging.
For these conditions, the relatively long knobs
will probably be made from a harder rubber
compound to reduce any tendency to bend back
under acceleration or wear quickly.
Loose, Sandy Soil
Use a tyre that is similar in construction to those
needed for tacky soil and mud, but with a few
more knobs.

Tyre Selection for Track Conditions

Adjustments for Competition
HONDA O/M CRF450X (Eu) 3RMEY620 00X3R-MEY-6200 HONDA O/M CRF450X (Eu) 3RMEY620 00X3R-MEY-6200
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