What are a good set of front tires for the trails that are better suited to take a hit from a rock than the stock tires? I was out riding some trails on Friday when a rock put a serious gash in the sidewall of the stock tire.

 

For trails move up to 22's in rear and 23's in front for more ground clearance. I run the Holeshot 22" XCT in rear & Holeshot 23" HD in front. They are both 6 ply and very durable.

 

Front tire opinions:
Baja stock tires - crap
Holeshot 22x7x10 6 ply - awesome tire, loved it
Bandit XCR 23x7x10 6ply - to tall wit to big a tread, weird handling feelin on hard pack, awesome in snow tho
regular Bandits - to square, didnt like the look, but hooked up
Fast Trekker's - same as bandits
Front Pro XGT 21x7x10 4ply - very good tire, never had a prob wit em, hold their own in nasty 6ply situations
Holeshot 03 21x7x10 - very nice, liked them better than the previous 22"

im gettin 21x7x10 6ply Razr II's next

 

The stock Ohtsu radials are tissue paper thin, and it is the exception to the rule to actually make it through a weekend without a flat if you ride in rocky terrain. I have owned three DS650s, and have used a few different tires. Here's my take on front tires:

Stock Ohtsu radials: Superb handling, but I never made it through a single day without a flat.
ITP Holeshot XCT 23"" Good handling, ... and bulletproof.
ITP Holeshot XCR-03 21": Best handling of any tire I have used, ... and bulletproof.
Bandit XCR 23": A bulletproof narrow profile tire that has a narrow contact patch with narrow tread blocks, that make it very very quick handling. If you even think about turning you are already going that direction. Very crisp and sharp handling, but may be a bit too much if you are not ready for it. These are the tires I am running now, and I plan on going back to the Holeshot XCR-03s next summer.

OuterLimit

 

I use holeshot XC 22x7x10 fenders on, lots of hours no flats..

 

There is a new brand of tire out called Xdriv. There tires were specifically designed for rocky, knarly conditions. I just got a pair for my DS and really, really like them. They are alot cheaper than the holeshots with alot of the same features. They built there sidewalls alot thicker than the holeshots, and supposably are alot tuffer. They definitely ride stiffer, and I have noticed that they don't roll as much as my Razor II's did. I have only had them for a week, and have only had a chance to ride twice with them, but really like them. I paid $425 for all 4 with Douglas rims on them through a local dealer.

 

i hate the 23" Bandits and love them, i'm not a big fan of the holeshot as the soft rubber wearing quickly and buddy has them on the front of his ex and riped a hole in the sidewall, i'd take razrs over holeshots, but unless i see anything else new that i like i'll be sticking with the bandits, i've never had any leaks, only had a slow slow leak on my right tire but that was the tire that got ran over by the truck with the rim getting bent pretty good so still pretty impressed with them

 

Thanks for all the reviews. Lots of choices when it comes to tires. Deciding between the Razr II's or Holeshot HD.

 

I agree with JMAC650 I really like the XCT's