IN
THE
WIND
P36
Dunlop Introduces New MX53 Tire
D
unlop introduced its latest
intermediate/hard-terrain
Geomax motocross tire, the
MX53. The MX53 will eventually
relieve the MX52 of its duties as
the company's popular line of
intermediate/hard terrain tire.
Prior to the MX53, Dunlop's
MX52 tire was the go-to tire for
those looking for a good-perform-
ing tire that offered ample trac-
tion, compliance and tread wear.
Dunlop's soft/intermediate MX33
tire is a favorite for pros and seri-
ous MX/supercross racers for its
excellent feel and traction, but
lacks the durability of the MX52.
Even so, Dunlop expected the
MX33 to be its top seller, only to
discover that the MX52 has been
flying off the shelves quicker than
the MX33. Turns out, the aver-
age motocrosser, and even pros,
were willing to sacrifice a little bit
of performance for a tire with a
longer lifespan.
As much as they like the
MX52, however, buyers still
wanted a tire with more versatility,
and Dunlop listened and devel-
oped the MX53.
Dunlop didn't just give the
MX53 a new tread pattern and
call it a day; instead, the MX53 is
pretty much new from the ground
up. The knobs are taller, the
rubber compound is different,
there is a new "block-in-a-block"
knob design, and the sidewall
is thinner. There are also new
tie bars between select knobs
to reduce flex at the base of the
knobs, which is said to improve
durability. The front tire fea-
tures a taller profile for a larger
contact patch, which Dunlop
claims provides gentler handling,
increased maneuverability, and
The taller knobs of the
new Dunlop Geomax
MX53 tire take an even
deeper bite out of the
track. PHOTOS: KIT PALMER
