Table of Contents
- Finding the Right DR650 Tires
- ProCycle's Top DR650 Tire Recommendations for Highway-Focused Adventures
- ProCycle's Top DR650 Tire Recommendations for Balanced On/Off-Road Adventures
- ProCycle's Top DR650 Tire Recommendations for Aggressive Off-Road Adventures
- Is There Such a Thing as the Perfect Tire?
- Useful OEM Suzuki DR650 Tire and Wheel Information
Finding the Right DR650 Tires
Finding the right tires for your DR can transform your riding experience, whether you're tackling aggressive off-road trails, cruising highway miles, or splitting time between street and dirt. At ProCycle, we've spent over twenty years helping DR650 riders choose the perfect rubber for their dual-sport adventures. Our expert tire recommendations are organized by riding style—from street-focused touring to 50/50 dual-sport versatility and serious off-road performance. Each category features three carefully selected options ranked by best-selling popularity, great value for budget-conscious riders, and exceptional quality for those seeking premium performance. Whether you're searching for street-legal knobby tires, adventure motorcycle tires, or the best DR650SE tires for your specific terrain, we'll help you find the ideal match for your big thumper.
ProCycle's Top DR650 Tire Recommendations for Highway-Focused Adventures
When your Suzuki DR650 adventures include 80% pavement and 20% gravel or hard-packed dirt roads, you need dual sport tires that excel at highway commuting, long-distance touring, and canyon carving while maintaining enough off-road capability for occasional detours. ProCycle recommends proven tires that deliver confident cornering on twisty pavement, comfortable cruising during extended road trips, and reliable traction when you venture onto gravel roads. These street-biased options prioritize on-road performance with predictable handling in wet conditions, reduced road noise for all-day comfort, and impressive mileage that keeps you riding longer between tire changes. You'll often hear of these tires called: 90/10 , 80/20 or 70/30 tires. While they aren't designed for mud or extreme off-road terrain, they're perfect for DR650 riders who spend most of their time pavement pounding with occasional exploration on maintained dirt roads and fire trails. Below are our top tire recommendations for this riding style:
Shinko 705 Series Dual Sport Tires - BEST SELLER!
Kenda K6342 Trakmaster DTR Dual Sport Tires - GREAT VALUE!
MOTOZ Tractionator GPS Dual Sport Tires - EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY!
ProCycle's Top DR650 Tire Recommendations for Balanced On/Off-Road Adventures
When your Suzuki DR650 adventures are split equally between pavement and off-road terrain, you need versatile dual sport tires that deliver confident performance across diverse conditions. ProCycle recommends tires that provide stable highway cruising and reliable cornering on paved roads while offering aggressive traction on dirt roads, gravel trails, and rocky terrain. These balanced options feature moderately aggressive tread patterns that bite into loose surfaces and two-track trails without sacrificing on-road stability or generating excessive road noise. Perfect for riders who transition between asphalt and trail riding throughout the day, these tires handle everything from forest service roads and fire trails to weekend commutes and backroad exploration. The tires in this group are often referred to as: 60/40 , 50/50 , or 40/60 tires. While they may not excel in deep mud or extreme single-track conditions, they're ideal for DR650 adventurers seeking true go-anywhere capability for mixed-surface riding. Below are our top tire recommendations for this riding style:
Dunlop D605 Adventure & Trail Dual Sport Tires - BEST SELLER!
Shinko E804/E805 Adventure Trail Dual Sport Tires - GREAT VALUE!
MOTOZ Tractionator Adventure and Dual Venture Tires - EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY!
ProCycle's Top DR650 Tire Recommendations for Aggressive Off-Road Adventures
When your Suzuki DR650 adventures prioritize serious off-road terrain with only 20% pavement, you need aggressive knobby tires built for gnarly trail riding and technical single-track conditions. ProCycle recommends proven off-road tires that excel in challenging terrain including loose dirt, rocky trails, deep ruts, and nasty mud where traction is critical. Often called: 30/70 , 20/80 or 10/90 tires. These dirt-biased tires feature tall, widely-spaced lugs that bite into soft surfaces, channel mud effectively, and provide confident grip when the trail gets sketchy. While they'll handle the occasional highway stretch to reach the trailhead, these knobbies are purpose-built for riders who spend their time tackling technical terrain, exploring backcountry trails, and pushing the limits on demanding off-road routes. Perfect for true adventure riders who prioritize off-road capability over street manners, these tires deliver the aggressive traction and durability you need when the going gets tough. Below are our top tire recommendations for this riding style:
Dunlop D606 DOT Knobby Tires - BEST SELLER!
MOTOZ Tractionator Desert H/T DOT Knobby Tires - GREAT VALUE!
Pirelli MT21 RallyCross DOT Knobby Tires - EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY!
Is There Such a Thing as the Perfect Tire?
The reality is that no single tire can excel at everything and that's exactly why ProCycle offers tire recommendations tailored to your specific riding style. Just as different dual sport motorcycles are engineered for different purposes, tires are designed to shine in particular conditions. A lightweight enduro bike excels on technical single-track but struggles with highway stability, while a heavier adventure tourer conquers long-distance pavement but feels cumbersome on tight trails. Tires follow the same principle: aggressive knobbies that claw through mud and provide confidence on gnarly terrain will feel vague and noisy during highway cruising, while street-biased tires that deliver smooth cornering and comfortable road trips will slip and slide when conditions get muddy. The "perfect" tire is simply the one that matches where and how you actually ride your DR650. By honestly assessing your typical pavement-to-dirt ratio, you'll select tires that maximize your confidence and enjoyment rather than compromising performance with a jack-of-all-trades approach. That's why ProCycle helps you choose the right tool for your adventure — because the best tire is the one that's perfect for your ride.
Useful OEM Suzuki DR650 Tire and Wheel Information
The Suzuki DR650 comes from the factory with a 21x1.85 rim and a 90/90-21 tire on the front. The OEM rear rim is a 17x2.50 and the rear tire is a 120/90-17. We find the factory front tire size to work well and we generally like to up rear to a 130/80-17 for a little better contact patch. We offer Supermoto and Adventure wheelsets that utilize different sized tires, but this page is dedicated to the stock rim combination.
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