Tusk DSport vs Dunlop D606 after 4k BDR miles

[@take5th]

On second set of D-Sports on a DRZ400. Love them. great on the street (a bit noisy and bumpy but not bad) and great on most surfaces, including sand. I have no idea about rocks or wet rocks as I live in Florida. But for the price, their wearability and great consistent performance have won me over. I run 18 psi rear, 22 up front on all surfaces (carcas seems still, could likely hold wear even with lower pressures) and get 4k miles at least with lots of dirt riding and street riding to get there. Prior, the most aggressive Ive run were pirelli scorpion pro. Very expensive, wore out quickly, very bumpy on road. Also, the traction on the D-sports are slightly less than pirelli in sand, but more consistent. Pirellis traction held on turns until they didn’t, then nothing. D-Sports hold a little less at extreme but slip gradually allowing me to recover extreme cases.

[@danielgreen7159]

I have about 1k miles on the d sport on the rear,I hope I can get 4k out of it . I got about that much out of the original 605. Still running the 605 in front at 5k , no plans to replace it yet I expect it'll go to at least 6k.

[@zipsfranquemont7104]

Th Al’s for the video. Was there a difference in traction in specific surfaces? Road noise about the same? What psi where you running?

[@mattbillenstein]

I didn’t notice any differences - running about 20psi

[@curtmartini66]

I have 4000 on a front Dsport. Love it!!

[@Casey_Schmidt]

I'm currently running a set of D-Sport tires as well. They still have a lot of life left but even so I've kept an eye on what to get next. I'd like to try something different just to get some variety but when I consider the cost and performance of the D-Sport versus the other options on the market, I keep coming back the D-Sport. Rockymountain certainly did a good job with this tire.

[@mattbillenstein]

Same, they're a very good value.

[@jjjjjjjjrifufjssjosskenf]

Dsport rear and 606 front looks like a winning combo!

[@pdubowner]

A LOT of people complain about the 606 front and prefer the MT21 front D606 rear setup.

[@Broxty]

Don't you dare put a D606 up front.... absolute worst front tire.

[@ArbitraryLifestyle]

@@pdubowner I've been hearing/reading the same thing. MT21 up front is better.

[@austinsuman4090]

I have a set of D606 on my DR650 and I have maybe put 1500 to 1800 miles on them and the rear is half worn and the front has every other center knob gone, all the other center knobs are worn from back to front even though I put it facing the correct direction, its almost like I've been riding in reverse. The front also has the belt showing already. Now I'm buying the Trailmax Mission tires to see if I'm staying with Dunlop

[@mattbillenstein]

odd, what tire pressure? more pavement or dirt?

[@austinsuman4090]

@@mattbillenstein I think I was running 30 or 35 psi and I was on more road han dirt. Wasn't sure if my wheels weren't balanced right or what but it looked like I had been riding in reverse the entire time. I had them going in the right direction so I know it's not that I had them on backwards

[@mattbillenstein]

@@austinsuman4090 yeah, I wouldn't expect them to wear great on mostly pavement - kinda the tradeoff running a dual sport tire

[@robinsongguitars]

Nice video. I have run a D606 front before on one of my DS rides only to experience severe front end hunting (wandering) in sand. It would follow other tire tracks and start moving all over the trail. Tried different air pressures. No change. Other experienced riders I know and trust claim the same. This seems to be caused by the chevron tread pattern. I removed it after the first ride ride and mounted a more symmetrical (don't remember what) tire with knobs going straight across the profile. Straight tracking. No more D606 for me. It also seemed narrow for a 90/90. The Tusk D-Sport front also has the same chevron tread pattern. Does it respond with the same hunting in the sand? And it is as narrow as the D606? What about the D605 compared to the D606 and Tusk? Getting geared up for the UTBDR in September and need a good front tire. Will be running the D-Sport 140/80-18 rear. They work pretty good in most situation and mileage is great. Thanks

[@mattbillenstein]

I guess I haven't ridden enough sand to really notice - or enough tires to know the difference? Maybe I'll try a different front next time.

[@stanshingler]

@@mattbillenstein I highly suggest the MT21 for a front; bites like crazy and has good wear attributes. The D606 rear + MT21 front is legendary in the DS/Enduro scene for a reason!

[@FloridaDualSport]

I'm sold on the D606 due to the super stiff sidewalls. Had a pinch flat on the ftont and not aware until i checked air pressure late that day. Think i could ride out on a rear flat if i had too. Would just zip it to the wheel just in case.

[@mattbillenstein]

The DSport sidewall is stiffer - actually makes mounting the tire a PITA imho

[@MontanaDirtRoads]

What pressure di you run at on the highway? Your front was about the best one ive seen from both these tires.

[@mattbillenstein]

Generally 18-20 psi, bike is light and I'm not carrying much. I'm able to avoid pinch-flats on the trails, not have too harsh a ride on the washboard, and it handles pretty decent on the pavement.

[@Kawboy13]

What size was this rear D606? I'm thinking about buying one.

[@mattbillenstein]

Stock - 120/90-18

[@666dynomax]

Do you ever flip the dsport front? I realize it is directional but on road they cup more

[@mattbillenstein]

@@666dynomax Nope, 4-6k out of a $50 tire is enough for me

[@666dynomax]

@@mattbillenstein good point. I may look at dsport. That's phenomenal mileage for the money. They're on my radar. In reality the waypoint is prob more suited to my measured on / off-road use but man I'd give up a lot of road manners for that off-road tire when it's required. I'm super pleased with my d606 rear. Front I'll switch to something else.

[@jeffloucks2120]

For the rears would you say they are comparable in weight? One carcass seem stiffer than the other?

[@mattbillenstein]

The DSport definitely has a stiffer sidewall; I found it significantly harder to mount by hand. I didn't weigh them though, so I wouldn't say it's significantly heavier - not sure.

[@harley2007eric]

hello what is the PSI that you are riding with those tire....

[@mattbillenstein]

~20, i think you're more likely to pinch flat lower

[@Broddi169]

D606 was wornnout in 2k miles. Not sure how yoh got 4k. Lol

[@klxcountry]

What was your off road vs on road percentage?

[@mattbillenstein]

Roughly 80/20

[@klxcountry]

@@mattbillenstein tyvm!

[@mattbillenstein]

​@@klxcountry The D606's fitted new did UTBDR, AZBDR, CABDR, and some slab connecting that together. The DSports got NMBDR, COBDR, and the continental divide tracks in both states - so pretty similar terrain.

[@klxcountry]

@@mattbillenstein excellent info, much appreciated!

[@caleroby9483]

​@@klxcountrySame here.... Still pondering my 650L next tire combo....