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5” x 18 front tire #152742 01/12/22 07:46 AM
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heirhead Offline OP
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Hello,
Need something better for sand, closer to TW.
Anybody put a rear wheel on front with a 5” wide tire on xt225.
Would be riding on street also.
Might work or stupid?

Thanks,

hh
wwm


always lost
Re: 5” x 18 front tire [Re: heirhead] #152743 01/12/22 02:49 PM
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peejman Offline
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You'd have to figure out brakes and see what would fit between the forks. It would probably be easier to just get a TW.


This shall pass, be still and know.
2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
Re: 5” x 18 front tire [Re: heirhead] #152744 01/12/22 03:53 PM
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Muniac Offline
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We did a reasonable amount of riding in sand on the stock XT225.

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]
Sugar sand in Warner Valley, AZ basically level terrain.

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]
A little deeper sand. Note rear wheel.

Sand situations come in many forms. Some of which the stock bike will handle fine with proper riding technique. A wider front tire will provide marginal assistance. The bike's limited power and ability for its rear wheel to maintain speed will likely make certain sand rides impossible. We encountered this on grades in washes. Also riding in bentonite.

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]
Sandy wash mildly graded. Stock bike will travel through this without any problems. Squirrelly riding but manageable with proper technique.

[Linked Image from photos.smugmug.com]
Another form of sand where traction and power are limiting factors with the XT225. Couldn't summit this steep grade.

So it's hard to advise until more information is provided about what type of sand riding you'll be doing. The places we've been that are more "sand" extreme (Cinders OHV Area, AZ) you'll need 400 CC minimum and a paddle tire. Let us know what your sand riding goals are and more accurate information can be provided. The stock bike with a good knobby tire on the rear gets you through a lot of sandy conditions. Always within reason, however. Ride safely.


Evolve & Simplify
Be There or Be Nowhere! A Few Adventures & Video
Re: 5” x 18 front tire [Re: heirhead] #152745 01/12/22 04:48 PM
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skypupbob Offline
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Proper riding technique is key to riding sand. Rather than looking for a wider front tire, learn to shift your weight back and stay on the throttle, to float the front wheel. A little speed is your friend ! If you slow down too much the tires dig in and the bike wallows around and you can't keep it going straight.
When I first took my stock XT south and started riding the sand washes, I was worried it wouldn't have the power to pull the sand, but I found out that it was fine and could get up on top when in second gear. That being said, I'll admit that I haven't ridden steep sand like the dunes at Glamis, only washes.
Next time you are on sand, try scooting your butt back and getting the speed up a little so the bike can float on the surface instead of digging in. I'm sure there are u-tube videos about sand riding that may help you with proper technique.
I used to dread sand, but now I like it . It's fun!

Re: 5” x 18 front tire [Re: heirhead] #152746 01/12/22 05:19 PM
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onceona50 Offline
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If I had to ride deep sand on 2-wheels, I'd buy a TW.


2018 XT250 New 06/12/18. Now at 13,900 miles.
Re: 5” x 18 front tire [Re: heirhead] #152747 01/12/22 09:27 PM
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Muniac Offline
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Riding sand is fun and a soft fall while practicing. skypupbob - What you describe has been my experience. A stock XT225 will do "reasonably" well if handled properly. A TW might be easier to manage in deep sand. I have no experience with that bike. But giving up street legal might be a deal killer for the TW. Having a bike that is plated, registered and insured was a HUGE advantage for the exploring we did. On more occasions than I can count, a LEO would come sniffing around our bikes only to move on.

When in Torrey we did a big loop going out of Capitol Reef, NP through the desert and closing back on route 12. There was one small uphill section of sand (500') that we just made it. Also riding the UP in Michigan we hit a few sections of sand we had to turn around. Too deep, too steep and too little power. Those hills beat us. Tons of riding in sandy washes without problems, however. Ride safely.


Evolve & Simplify
Be There or Be Nowhere! A Few Adventures & Video
Re: 5” x 18 front tire [Re: heirhead] #152749 01/13/22 07:52 AM
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heirhead Offline OP
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Thanks for your responses,
On my 5th XT, have had 4 TW200s ALL street legal, they all are from Yamaha.
Riding off/on road for 55 yrs. TW is like cheating in the sand no matter how deep.
XT better almost everywhere else IMHO other than mud. Ride on freeway and it is suicide on TW in SoCal. Sometimes hate both bikes as pilots clogs so easy from Ethanol.
Have tried everything that you are thinking, but thanks for the thoughts.
Might try Goldentyre Fatty as 4” wide and will fit XT.

Thanks,

hh
wwm

Last edited by heirhead; 01/13/22 07:58 AM.

always lost
Re: 5” x 18 front tire [Re: peejman] #152750 01/13/22 07:56 AM
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heirhead Offline OP
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Hello,
Couldn’t you just lace up a 18” rim, same hub?

Thanks

hh
wwm


always lost
Re: 5” x 18 front tire [Re: heirhead] #152751 01/13/22 04:55 PM
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peejman Offline
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Originally Posted by heirhead
Hello,
Couldn’t you just lace up a 18” rim, same hub?

Thanks

hh
wwm


Assuming such a thing exists, sure. But you're still limited by the forks.


This shall pass, be still and know.
2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
Re: 5” x 18 front tire [Re: heirhead] #152754 01/14/22 12:20 AM
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heirhead Offline OP
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Yep, Forks 5" wide, plenty for a fatty.

thanks,

hh
wwm


always lost
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