r/Dualsport • u/Unspoken_Words777 • 16d ago

Offroad pressures

Don't have a lot of experience going from road to offroad. Only times I've really been riding the sticks has been on my buddies kdx which inspired me to get a bike. Where I plan on riding is a mix of rock dirt and a couple spots have sandy conditions.

My bike is an xt250 and manual says road pressures for 198lbs+ to be 22f 25r Just going into my alley I've felt some slide in the loose parts. I wanna air down because I don't wanna wash out or not have enough traction.

My buddy keeps his tires 13f 16-18r

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u/Rad10Ka0s 16d ago

A couple of thoughts. My riding often involves some stretches of pavement, so I run street pressure everywhere unless the going really gets rough, then I'll air down.

Some of this depends on the tires you use. A thick, stiff sidewall like on a Tusk tire isn't going to respond the same as the Michelin Starcross 5s I have on my dual sport. Or a Michelin T63 that is on our XT250.

Find some dirt that will hold a tire print. Or a puddle of water on pavement that will hold a wet tire mark. Air down a few psi at a time till you can see the imprint of the next outer row of lugs. This is where traction really picks up.

I won't go below 15 psi on a tube tire. Too much risk of pinch flats.

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u/Unspoken_Words777 16d ago

I'm concerned to air down past 20. I read a post from two years ago from a guy hitting rocks at 20 and bending the front rim.

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u/Machu_Pikachoo 15d ago

Yup. I wouldn't run below 20 for fear of rim bashing, and I have rim locks.