New rear tire

Just received my new rear tire today. Purchased a Mefo Explorer for my XR650L. First time to remove and mount a tire. Went pretty smooth. Just need to balance it and should be good to go. Center tread depth measured 14/32 much better than the 4/32 I removed.

How does the Mefo look in person? I'm due for a new rear tire and was thinking about switching to a Mefo rear from the MT21 I have on there now.

Looking forward to your initial riding impressions.

New tire looks great. Reported to be a 50% dirt 50% street tire that can last between 7000 & 9000 miles. Down side $. I don't mind paying for quality. Lot of guys in the Tri-cities running the 606's which look pretty killer but I ride mine 35 miles to work and back on the freeway. Almost went with the Distanza. There's always next time.

Thanks for the email

I agree with your assessment on mileage. My Pirelli MT21 is getting wasted by a few commuter trips. I am past 50% tread with only about 800 miles on it. I can't afford to change a tire with every other oil change.

Mefo explorers used to cost under a hundred bucks when they first hit the scene a few years ago. Market demand has increased their price.

BUT... I think I am really doing 50/50 now and except for ripping up the grass on my own little A-loop for practice I'm a forest service dirt road kind of rider.

2 cents per mile vs. 6 cents per mile is a no brainer. Compared to my MT21 cost vs. mileage that makes a Mefo a 24 dollar tire.

Nice to have a PNW opinion - Thanks

I wish something like that came in a size for my bike. rear 150/70-17

Mefo make a tire called the super explorer. It might just come in your size.

Nope just looked they don't make any tires in my size. I would go with Heidenau K60 but the aren't making any right now.

thanks for the pic, looks like a nice tire !

You'll probably find that it doesn't need to be balanced.  I have found that unless it is a full knobbie tire they don't need to be balanced below 70 or 80 mph.

how is the sidewall? nice and stiff?