Featuring a smoothly radiused profile and deep open tread pattern, these tires can handle the ‘dust-on-crust’ of a dry summer as well as the torrential rains of spring. The well supported knobs provide dependable performance climbing descending, carving or drifting.
Submitted by
debusama
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane, Washington
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2009
Strengths: Versatile, decent traction.
Weaknesses: Heavy, high rolling resistance, price
Bottom Line:
I’m a little surprised by how positive the other reviews have been. Maybe I’m biased because these came on an XC bike, and they are not really good for fast XC riding. I consider 720g to be pretty heavy for a 2.14 considering that a mountain king 2.2 is 460g, and a IRC Mibro 2.1 is 520g, and the rolling resistance is pretty high. On smooth hardpack, I feel like I’m rolling thought grass. On the up side, traction is OK. There is no particular condition for which I was really impressed by the way they are preformed, but there also isn’t any particular condition in which the tire doesn’t get at least OK traction, it’s done alright in snow mud, sand, rocks and roots. I’ll keep the tires on for the spring when the trails are still moist with patches of snow, but when things try out, I’ll put on something lighter and faster. Not a bad deal if you are looking for a tire you can leave on all the time for recreational trail riding. Not built for speed.
Similar Products Used: Kenda blue grove, Nevgal, Karma, IRC Mythos.
Bike Setup: Jamis Dakar XC
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Submitted by
NA1NSXR
a Cross Country Rider
from Tustin, CA
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2008
Strengths: No glaring weakness in performance, weight
Weaknesses: bead is a little tight during mounting
Bottom Line:
I got a relatively good deal on the 2.14 comp version which can't be considered heavy although the race version is much lighter. I run in it in the rear mounted backwards and it is providing me with excellent traction on climbs and in the corners. Usually, when I mount the tire this way I am accepting diminished braking performance from the back but this tire is braking respectably hard before gradually losing traction in the rear. I like the performance of this tire in the dry conditions around my area, on terrain ranging from rock to sand. My bike is an older hardtail so the thinner rims and this relatively thin tire have me running it at 40-45psi, higher than what most bikes nowadays run, but the performance is still good. WTB says this tire is for loose conditions but on hard surfaces I find it to roll just fine, maybe even faster than tires I have used or tried in the past which provide this level of performance.
Overall I am extremely impressed with this tire and I will likely replace it with the race version when mine wears out, unless I can still find this manufacturer listed 710g steel bead version for $16 and change again. I bought this and a Mutanoraptor 2.14, having never used either model before, and I am much more impressed with the Motoraptor. It strikes a very nice balance of everything in the world of compromise that is mountain bike tires.
Similar Products Used: WTB Velociraptor Rear, Continental Traction Pro
Bike Setup: 80mm steel hardtail, rim brakes
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Submitted by
Dirtdevil555
a Weekend Warrior
from The "D"
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2008
Strengths: Grips well in most trail conditions.
Weaknesses: I've had my Motoraptors (2.24 in front; 2.14 rear) for about 7 months. Aleady I've had 2 knobs on the rear tire tear completely off down to the mesh. One knob was located on the sidewall area, the other on top of the tread. I don't ride rocky, rooty trails and I'm not hard on my bike. Don't know what happened, but I'm not happy and now have to replace the tire in fear of a flat.
Bottom Line:
For the price I am not satisfied with the durability. Perhaps I got a tire from a bad batch of rubber...who knows. Gonna give kendas a try now.
Submitted by
Squads
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia, PA
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2008
Strengths: Lightweight, good traction in dry to damp conditions, excellent durability thus far (still looks new after 6 months), looks cool, sheds mud well
Weaknesses: skinny for a 2.14 tire (more like a 1.9), hard rubber doesnt grip well in wet conditions
Bottom Line:
I have the Race version of the tire (kevlar bead, DNA rubber). From what I understand, it is much better quality than the wire bead version. The 2.14 was on sale, otherwise I would have gone with the 2.24 version.
I've only have/would run this as a rear tire. It has held up very well on tough, rocky trails. Everyone seems to be obsessed with running huge, high volume tires, but this tire does everything well and will climb much faster than big fatties. Run a bigger tire up front, where its needed.
The only weakness is the rubber will spin out on wet rocks or roots. That is the nature of any hard-rubber tire. They are much more durable, especially as a rear tire, than sticky tread tires. I use this tire with nevegal 2.1 front in dry/damp conditions and switch out to nevegal 2.1/2.3 rear/front in the wet stuff.
I will be looking into a weirwolf or bigger motoraptor to run as a front tire.
Submitted by
Erick Rico
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2008
Strengths: Great grip, durable, and look nice.
Weaknesses: The front wheel slips, but that is under hard downhill with dirt. (only front wheel)
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome for begginers, for they will not leave you alone in a long trail. As for pros, you might want to consider getting the 2.24, on the front wheel if you will be on trails alot.
Strengths: Very good overall tire. This is my Semi-All sonditions tire- (not mudfest or hardpack) This tire has extremely confident cornering and climbing abilities. Braking bite is average. On muddy trails, the tire still retains alot of it's handlng abilities, and clears out fairly well.
Weaknesses: a small bit of extra weight. On extremely hard out of the sadddle climbs, the tire can slip and slide a bit, but regains traction extremely fast.
Bottom Line:
I'm a U-18 racer in the Expert Class, and I ride and race this tire hard. This tire gives confidence and is great.
Similar Products Used: I used the non-DNA compound versions with a wie bead. The tread is different, and the way the tire reacts with any tipe of trail is different. The DNA tire is much more confident, lighter, and clears better than the non-DNA version. Pony up and get the real thing
Bike Setup: 07 marin indian fire trail. Mostly stock with some bling
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Submitted by
Terry
a Weekend Warrior
from Arkansas
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2007
Strengths: Review for MotoRaptor 2.14 race folding kevlar bead w/DNA rubber: Tread design perfect for most conditions. Tread wear is excellent, even after riding on pavement. Very tough and durable. Great traction on nearly every type of terrain I have found, with the exception of areas with lots of tree roots. Very easy to mount due to the folding bead.
Weaknesses: Side knobs hang on roots at higher speeds more than I would like, they could be a little shorter.
Bottom Line:
Very good tire, I would recommend it to anyone. When I first looked into buying new tires, I was set on the WTB Weirwolf model, but ended up buying these MotoRaptors instead because they happened to be on sale, and I have been pleased and do not regret the purchase. Folding bead was unbelievably easy to mount on rim, I will probably never go back to a regular wire tire ever again.
Similar Products Used: Stock Bontrager Jones XCR 2.25 frt. 2.2 rear that came on my bike.
Bike Setup: 2006 Gary Fisher Wahoo. A few upgrades here and there.
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Submitted by
James Black
a Cross Country Rider
from Oldham
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2007
Strengths: Great alround grip in all conditions...just adjust the pressures and they will do almost anything. Light enough to race but sturdy enough to take the rough stuff. Price is good and they don't drag.
Weaknesses: Need to buy the DNA folding tyre for the best result.
Bottom Line:
This is the best alround tyre for grip in all conditions. It works on the front or rear equally as well. Good low weight and little drag, with the pressures adjusted to accommodate different terrains this will do it all. Light enough to race but sturdy enough to take the rough stuff.
Submitted by
Ricky Dean
a Weekend Warrior
from Gt.Britain
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2007
Strengths: Light, fast, dead predictable, great rear tyre with a 2.24 on the front. Lugs dont squirm. Corners well and stable all rounder, good climber and solid on the braking.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I got these MotoRaptor 2.14's on the back and 2.24's on the front of the bike when I bought it on Ebay, so they were second hand. I intended to change them right away because I didn't like the look of them. Iv'e ridden them hard now for 6 months and they have been brilliant. I thought that an " all-rounder" of a tyre meant jack of all trades ....master of none, but I have got to say that these have not been lacking in any way. Corner really well and braking is solid, plenty of grip on climbs and downhills. They are worn now but have lasted really well and I am going to get 2 new ones exactly the same. The thing I like as well is that they still work O.K when the tead is getting low but a lot of tyres turn really slippy when the edges are gone from the tread.
Submitted by
Noel
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2007
Strengths: Good grip, good weight... mine is DNA and about 545gramms NOT the 720 stated here!, good braking and cornering, good slow wear, good front or back, works well in the dry and the wet and a good price.
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
Good tyre for any type of rider this side of Downhill. Reliable and well made tyre and plenty of grip wet and dry. This tyre in the DNA is very light and it's well made. I ride a wide variety of terrain...rocky, muddy, roots, X-country and some nasty knarly descents and I feel fine with this tyre. I like it both on the front and at the back and I am surprised at just how good an "all-rounder" it is. The 2.24 is very good as well.
Submitted by
Dean
a Cross Country Rider
from Altringham U.K
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2006
Strengths: Great grip, light and strong, the lugs hold up well on hard cornering....do the job front and back...great in just about any conditions, the price is great too.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Great tyre for the rider who needs a "do-it-all"tyre. Can be relied on in many conditions and it works well back or front. The price is right, it's light and lasts well. Nuff said.
Strengths: Low weight, low rolling resistance, great grip, predictable, very capable front or rear, thay last well and are a reasonable price.
Bottom Line:
Great all round tyre whether you use it on the front or rear. I use this on the rear with a Motoraptor 2.24 on the front and the combination allows me to ride confidently in almost any sort of conditions, summer and winter and at speed. They wear slowly, are well made, give low rolling resistance and are always predictable.
I am using a Mutanoraptor 2.14 as a front tire. Great tire, but difficult to find. I am willing to give up some rolling efficiency for more braking bite and grip. I ride in dry c Read More »
