tires are great.....

 

More rubber? The power loss as I see it comes from the fact that the tire has a larger diameter...
The larger diameter of the tire in effect gives you "taller" gearing (more highway speed).
The smaller countershaft and larger rear sprocket give you "shorter" gearing (less highway speed).

The two counter-act. It has nothing to do with how much rubber. It's all about diameter.

 

or should I say circumfrence? - potato, pototo

 

Maybe I am thinking about it incorrectly, but I wanted the larger tire for the larger contact patch on the road. As I have said many times before, I ride my bike on the road a bunch, so I want as much rubber on the road as possible. I know that more rubber equals more friction to overcome equals some power loss, but I am willing to sacrifice a little ooomph for the peace of mind of knowing that I have a better handing tire on the road.

If I am off base on this, someone please educate me, because I would love to have the added safety/stability without sacrificing any power.

 

you didnt have to get a larger tire in diameter to achieve this chris, you would achieve that with tread pattern, the trak masters dont have much rubber touching the ground, thats why they arent good on the street (not the only reason) but for better grip/ on road performance, you want more tire touching the road.... stand under?

 

I've not had much problem with mud, but submerged tree branches, that's another story. As far as the contact patch goes, yes a wider taller tire will have a bigger footprint, but the tread pattern ultimately decides how much rubber is on the road. The 606 is more offroad oriented than the c858 which is a 50/50 tire. The 606 has a non directional pattern, just square lugs. The 858 has ***** as well as vertical and horizontal lugs which will help with directional control and braking just because of the way the will or won't flex. Until I got ~100 miles on the 858 it was a very grabby tire in that it would pull when crossing ridges or cracks in the pavement, but now that its broke in it tracks nicely and corners well too, the 603 I never really felt comfortable with on the road. I'd say a 5.10 C858 or a K270 would get you the most rubber on the road short of say trailwings or a street tire.

 

Probably gonna go with the Trackmasters anyway.............seems to get better reviews with concern to their dirt capability. Not all too worried about street performance as there is not where I need the performance.
The stock 603s just plain suck in the loose dirt, sand and mud; I am aware that they are not made to perform as such, I just want something more aggressive. It seems that the trackmasters are the more aggressive DOT tires around, unless I am mis informed??

I'm sure these would even be a HEAVIER tire, but I again am not all too concerned with the added beef, as long as it grabs and holds better than the stockers...........
People with the Kenda Trackmasters feel free to add your review here...............
Dave

 

I'm sure tire weight affects acceleration, but I would also think that the taller tire would have an effect on the gearing. A taller rear tire makes your gearing taller and negatively affect your wheelieability. [&:]