Not much difference between those. Any new knobbie is gonna feel squishy on pavement compared to a worn tire. They'll all do the job just fine.

So far, so good though...with the Shinko 255.

My cousin and I rode on various terrain for several hours; same gearing and tires. Adequate in mud and sand (actually more stable in sand than knobbies), and quite good on gravel, grass, and fallen vegetation. Very smooth and quiet on asphalt. We will see about lifetime.

I know that it doesn't make a lot of sense, but I had trials tires on my Gas Gas 320 Pampera, and they worked fine there; decent life too.

No skree or flat rocks out here in Lake Villa, so we will have to see in Colorado (though again, the previous experience with the Gas Gas showed no problems)

Alexd

I currently have a Bridgestone Gritty front with a Dunlop Geomax rear, works well. The worst I've had were Michelin AC10's, terrible on over-banding & white lines, felt like I had a flexi-frame.

I have run at 12psi for the off-roading but last week I was going out on tarmac only so put 18/20psi in, what a difference on road, the bike felt twice as quick, whipped up to a 60mph burst much easier.

Just purchased and installed a Pirelli MT 43 on the rear of my XT-225. Was generally impressed by the reviews but would not suggest this tire for the XT-225. My initial install left me with no more than 1/8 inch clearance between tire and front of swingarm and my chain was at maximum length. Added the needed length of chain for further adjustment but found axle pulled to end of slot and chain was now way to loose. Most of my riding is dirt so I am inclined to favor lower gearing which this tires larger diameter compromises. Then with the limitations of clearance and chain adjustability I would suggest you pass on buying a MT-43.

It will likely rub at speed if it's that close.
I have a chum who also fitted a MT43 to her xt225, with no real probs, an extra 2 links in the chain, dunno what sprocket sizes. It is a big tyre, I had one on my old DT175MX, we extended the swingarms on those to get that tyre in.

I have a 2 link extra length chain fitted with 16/47 sprockets & a 120/90 Dunlop Geomax. Clearance ok with this set up.

With no chain on and the MT-43 rear pushed forward against the swingarm, the axle is just a tad past the halfway point on the adjusting slot. In essence, if you are able to get a modicum of clearance, likely you virtually no chain adjustment left. In reality, the snail does not seem to tell the whole story. When I added a paired section of chain (two links), I was stumped why I could not get the snail past "7". After removing the snails and reversing the axle so I could view the axle in the slot (chain side) It was all the way to the end. Likely at 68 I won't be inclined to ride (off road) more than a season or two more. With luck and a bit of chain stretch I will be fine. Would suggest that anyone considering this tire to give serious thought to gearing, clearance and chain adjustability.

Not much to play with eh m8, could try gaining a bit with different sprocket sizes, eg if you got 15/45, a 47 or 48 might help give a bit of adjustment without pulling the tyre to far in. What sprockets you running?

Don't want to seem obsessively negative about this tire. To me, though the MT-43 IS a very nice tire, fitment, at least on the XT-225 can offer up more than a couple of hassles. There are other less frustrating options.
==== I like lowend pull so soon as I saw how much greater the diameter of this tire is compared to stock, knew a sprocket change would be needed to keep my lowend. Have a 50 on the rear and had a 14 on the front. Given the tire diameter mandates that the axle position "starts" in the center of the adjustment slot. With my 14/50 combination, the chain was either to tight or to loose. I purchased a 13 and that gave me a little wiggle room and could be fitted. The negative here is, both clearance and adjustability are very limited over other 'good' options. Given others have used the MT-43, my guess is, stock gearing 'seems' to work. When I say seems, remember, the diameter of that tire WILL change your gearing. As well, you WILL now be dealing with reduced clearance. And lastly, you WILL have reduced adjustability given your axle will "start" at the mid-point of the adjustment slot.
=== The choice is certainly yours. My thought was, buy a nice tire and ride. This purchase and install involve more thinking and limitations. I can deal with both, but if I wore this tire out, I would most certainly go with a different tire. On the plus side, I am looking forward to the softer/comfort this tire will likely provide on rough trails.

I have the Shinko 241 is also a DOT trials type tire which comes in a 3.5-18 so there's none of this aggravation dealing with such a big tire.

General consensus is that he Kenda K270 and Shinko 244 are basically on par - except on the street, the 244 corners more confidently due to better supported side-lugs. If you compare the two you will see it.

I haven't used the K270 because I chose the 244 when I had to make that decision. So far I absolutely love the 244. Nearly as good offroad as the Kenda K760 Trakmaster II (except for MUD) and MUCH better on tarmac. I expect it to last at least 3 times longer than the K760.

Note: I am only running the 244 on the rear, because the front K760 Trakmaster II still has tons of life left.

(I know you didn't ask, but) like XTmonster, I also really loved the K760 Trakmaster II on the rear of my Xt225 for offroad. It is the closest thing you can get to a true offroad tire and still be DOT legal. Clears itself of mud and hooks up in loose sh!t like no other. BUT I only got about 3000 km out of it and it only had about 30% tread left in the middle. It truly is a 10/90 rear tire. As I said, I left the front K760 on my bike because it is getting great mileage and I find it really good off-road. A bit hummy on the tarmac though.

The 244 is close to the perfect 50/50 tire, but I am not sure I would love it as a front tire for off-road use.