Pro Taper Dirtbike Tires? Yes.

I recently attended the AIMExpo and stumbled upon something truly unexpected at the ProTaper booth. Amidst the usual buzz, they had dirtbike tires on display, so fresh that I hadn't seen any information on them on the web yet. This is a game changer because we're looking at ProTaper's big step outside of their handlebar and grip bread and butter. These ProTaper dirtbike tires might really change how riders look at getting the ultimate dirt bike set up. ProTaper has really done an extraordinary thing for their brand, especially for their audience. This brand already has street cred for being the best of the best when it comes to control, and now traction is going to have that extra consideration. When looking into getting pro taper dirtbike tires, there are likely a lot of factors to decide. ProTaper Dirtbike Tires: A New Challenger Appears The AIMExpo had all kinds of gear, equipment, accessories and parts to look at for those serious riders and even those in the industry. But the ProTaper tires stopped me dead in my tracks. You ever walk by something and start to second guess your knowledge? It turned out they had just been released *two days* before. No wonder I couldn't find anything online. Two New Tire Options ProTaper offers two lines, each with a front and rear tire: The SMX 04 : These come in a soft/medium compound. The MXT 04 : These are for the medium/hard category. I did not get an opportunity to see them in action, although ProTaper is so trusted it felt like I didn't need to. But for you, it depends on the kinds of places you ride the most to choose one of these. Dirt Bike Tire Sizes Both tire lines have sizes ranging from 80 to 120, and 18 or 19 inches for the rears. All fronts had 21-inch tires, which are standard. You might be an enthusiast who's not sure which might work, and thankfully most dirt bike manufacturers include options. This gives you, as a buyer and an enthusiast, some nice variety. Different track and dirt scenarios require different levels of grip and control. If you've been a consumer of their handlebars and taper grips for a while, the addition of dirtbike tires means that you have more under the same brand. ProTaper Dirt Bike Grips ProTaper has a bunch of different grips. Let's check out each of the most popular, especially the one I had a chance to check out myself in-person. Clamp-On Grips These grips are advertised with an easy installation and slip-free grip. ProTaper uses recent grip and molding technologies for comfort and durability. It removes the need for grip glue because of the clamping feature on the grip. I had the opportunity to give the newest clamp-on grips a try. They were both small and comfy. I also liked the look of them. This is a plus if you need a clamp on style, but don't want to add bulk on your handlebars, which keeps me as a regular user of glue-ons. Pillow Top Grips The big selling point of the Pillow Top Grips is their vibration and impact reduction from the triple density build. The tacky gel-like surface compound adds extra stickiness so you can feel your palm attached, increasing control, for instance. I didn't get to test out those ProTaper dirtbike grips, but it sounds amazing and something that is important when racing or in bumpy terrain. The last thing you want is to not have control when trying to push your dirt bike. I was watching some review and apparently this style is their best seller, even compared to the rest of the selection: Race Cut Grips These race cut grips also offer a blend of traction and feel, using a half-waffle pattern. ProTaper made the Race Cut's for elite racers, as the compound makes vibration a smaller factor. They use an extra soft durometer on the grip too. 1/3 Waffle Grips This offers a good middle of the ground to reduce how many blisters happen because of vibration by a softer, synthetic rubber build. The waffle grips get a solid grip by reducing a row on the traditional half waffle grip. Tri-Density Grips The Tri-Density use the combination of an Anti-Rip tip for wear-and-tear from crashes and an internal composition that will stay connected to the handle. This dual density combo is meant for preventing less fatigue with grip while going down a bumpy road. Micro Grips ProTaper makes Micro Grips specially for small and young riders. The waffle micro grips prevent any hand slipping using large, grippy ends. Considerations Beyond the Finish Line: ProTaper Dirt Bike Tires Here are some other considerations when getting into pro taper dirtbike tires. Compounds: Soft, Medium, or Hard Just like choosing the right tools for a job, your choice of tires affects the feel, your handling, and your race time. Compound selection can affect things such as arm pump that will wear you out during competition. Soft Compounds Soft compounds are stickier on tracks. This means going fast with good traction during races, but it might cause quick wear. Medium Compounds offer a little bit of both worlds and so can handle different race environments. Hard Compounds do well for tough roads, giving the best lifetime, and doing the best with heat buildup. But, hard might mean that its slicker than a racer might need to perform at the highest level. Your tire compounds also apply with grip considerations as well. A ProTaper soft grip won't last long but offers some feel for a better handling that I talked about with you earlier, especially with the Race Cut ones. Consider going harder to prevent the constant changing if you aren't racing or are using it casually. Other ProTaper Accessories ProTaper has a large product line for riding gear and dirt bike parts. They specialize in controls, but also offer a full line of products. Check out some of the ProTaper's catalog: Chain Guides : ProTaper chain guides offer great durability and protection from track debris. Consider getting some chain tools too. Handlebars: They offer different bends and sizes that include options for a micro handlebar . Handlebars control much of your steering and bike protection . Foot Controls: ProTaper offers foot pegs with strong grip using angled teeth. You can even get foot control mounts that adjust. Sprockets: Get long lasting and light sprockets, including rear, front, and twin options for any dirt bike or pit bike . Brakes: Find a variety of rotors, including floating ones, that do well with dissipating heat. Be sure to replace your brake pads . Throttle Tubes: Increase response time from ProTaper throttle tubes . Consider ones made out of aluminum for added toughness. Levers : Find folding levers with various levels of adjustment for quick use during a crash to resist crash impacts. ProTaper has over 35 product categories. This includes support for other power sport vehicles such as ATV / UTV . Frequently Asked Questions How do I choose between soft, medium, and hard compound tires? Choosing your tire compound has a lot to do with the track or environment. Soft tires are better when a course has high traction and needs to be sticky. Medium compound tires are more all-around for different conditions. Hard tires have a longer life and perform better on tough roads, or when there will be heat buildup. Many factors depend on how well you perform, including things such as a triple clamp . Are ProTaper grips easy to install? ProTaper makes a number of different grip types. The clamp-on style removes the need for things like safety wire . This increases convenience with a quick removal and application. You can view install steps from their website or watching different videos online. Conclusion The expansion into the tires for ProTaper changes how this brand is looked at, even in my eyes. The reveal of these new dirtbike tires were such a fresh and well-kept secret at AIMExpo. ProTaper Dirtbike Tires and Grips are a force to consider. The big thing to get at when selecting these tires will likely continue to revolve around your specific needs. I would highly recommend speaking with one of your shop retailers. They're pros at assisting customers for anything, and you could also discuss other product reviews. Keep an eye out on ProTaper's socials as they will start pushing out content with their new tires, and we're excited to see it.