Last Updated on January 19, 2023
Taking your bike off-roading in the harshest of environmental conditions can take a toll on your wheels.
Desert biking calls for a pair of hardy, durable tyres that can withstand some rough action while keeping consistent traction.
Tires are possibly the most important asset of your desert dirt bike, they help you put power to the ground and across different types of terrains, so make sure you pick the pair that best suits your needs as a desert rider.
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Best Dirt Bike Tires for Sand Dunes
Maxxis Maxxcross Desert IT
With a specially engineered compound that reduces chipping and cutting in rugged or desert conditions, the Maxxcross Desert IT is an outstanding tire for desert riding.
Brand: Maxxis
Speed rating: M
Desert riding requires a tyre capable of withstanding high speeds and extreme weather, and the Maxxcross Desert IT is up to the task.
The Maxxcross Desert IT has a specially designed compound that improves longevity in rough or desert environments by minimising chipping and cutting. Its design is based on the famous Maxxcross IT tread pattern.
+ Great longevity
– Loses traction as it wears out
KENDA Parker DT K772
This is a great dirt bike tire that will last you a long time. The Kenda Parker DT is ideal for any setting, as it can withstand even the most difficult terrain and conditions. In the desert and everywhere else, you can ride at high speeds with these.
Brand: Kenda
Speed rating: M
This is an excellent, long-lasting tire at an excellent price. The Kenda Parker DT are great for any type of environment, they can handle anything you throw at them, including rocks, roots, mud, and hardpack…. you can ride them anywhere you want. Recommended for high speed desert running and hard / rocky terrains.
+ Good, consistent traction
– Somewhat heavy
Pirelli Scorpion MX Soft 410
These tires look and work fantastically even in the muddiest conditions. The Pirelli Scorpion MX Soft 410 is a low-profile desert dirt bike tyre that excels in soft sand and is ideal for sand dune riding.
Brand: Pirelli
Speed rating: M
Even in the muddiest settings, these tires look and perform fantastically. The Pirelli Scorpion MX Soft 410 is a lightweight tyre that excels in soft sand and is especially suited for sand dune riding.
+ Great for soft sand and mud
– Less resilient
Best Rims for Desert Riding
18” and 19” tire rims offer the best rides and flat protection in the desert, offering both strength and weight.
The Excel A-60 rims are considered to be the sturdiest, heaviest rims out there, which can help for the most challenging terrains out in the desert wilderness.
Excel Takasago Rims are in general very high quality and offer some of the best off-road rim technology for racing. The DID Dirtstar ST-X is another excellent alternative.
What tire pressure to use in the desert?
There is no best tire pressure for riding in the high desert. The only thing you can do is test different psi and see which one works better for you.
Depending on your riding style, you may prefer low (8-12psi) or high (12-17psi) pressure.
Best Chains for Sand Dunes
Best Dirt Bikes for Desert
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