Submitted by
iloj
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, Wa, USA Date Reviewed: October 27, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Came with used bike
Strengths:
Good feel absorbing small roots and rocks when straight on and upright. Good grip and feel going over logs and log stacks.
Weaknesses:
Sidewalls do not have good traction. Lean just a little off of upright and you loose traction easily on just about any surface.
Bike Setup:
2001 Specialized FSR Enduro
Bottom Line:
These tires were brand new with a used bike purchase. The tires feel very "balloonish", absorbing small roots and rocks when hit straight-on - very plush and good control, until you lean the bike and get on the sidewalls - anything other than upright and you loose traction quickly - I've got the cuts and bruises to prove it. If these tires had better sidewall traction, they would be much better. It's definitely not a fast, race tire, but good if you like climbing over obsticles, like rocks, log stacks, etc.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
aa1pr
a Weekend Warrior
from Brandon VT Date Reviewed: July 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:
BackWoods
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Local
Strengths:
Good construction, tread depth adn thickness
Weaknesses:
Sidewall in my opinion
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager, Kenda
Bike Setup:
Does it matter
Bottom Line:
wanted the Velociraptor but it is not available wider than 2.1 so I thought what the hell if I use the moto raptor on the back and the mutano raptor on the front as it is similar to the velociraptor front tire design and it works amazing. Nice knobs for cornering.
This tire has the digging power for those fast take offs. handles mud great so far.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RE1GN2
a Weekend Warrior
from Victoria Date Reviewed: November 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
The Hartland
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Very long lasting. Wears down pretty slowly.
Cheap.
Good traction on dry and soft dirt.
Low rolling resistance on roads.
Weaknesses:
Bad cornering. Side knobs do not work. I repeat, do not work (cut).
Terrible traction in wet. Might as well use slicks.
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis, Michelin
Bottom Line:
Good for everything with the compromise of bad traction in wet conditions. So-so cornering. The best tire would be to fix the side knobs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Florida Date Reviewed: March 19, 2008
Favorite Trail:
San Falasco
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Blue Sky Cycles
Strengths:
Handles great on a wide variety of trail surfaces and conditions. good stopping power, doesn't seem to drag much. Looks cool.
Weaknesses:
so far, none.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda
Bike Setup:
Mongoose Blackcomb
Bottom Line:
I definately recommend this tire if you aren't sure what you're goign to encounter on the trail. it can put up with a lot of abuse. It can take a mediocre bike and make it great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ernie
a
from pasadena, california Date Reviewed: October 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
After a year, the 2.4 Motoraptors still have tread. Its hard to believe because it doesnt have that much knob height in the first place, yet its not a hard 90 duro rubber either. Its like between a 50-60.
Weaknesses:
The folding version is hard to find. Most stores carry the folding Velociraptors, Weirwolfs, Mutano or Timberwolfs. Maybe because the 2.4 folding Motos are cheaper and dont have a bigger profit margin? I dont know.
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Kinetics, Maxxis High Rollers and Mobsters
Bike Setup:
Kona Stinky
Bottom Line:
You cant beat this tire for all mountain riding and in most dry conditions. I've been caught with this tire in a huge downpour in Big Bear, California riding through a singletrack that turned into creek and they performed flawlessly in wet conditions. The side knobs are puny, unlike my WTB Timberwolves yet they hold very well in curves, too. For the PRICE, VALUE, ALL AROUND RIDING and huge availability (on the net only, hint hint WTB) the Motoraptors are hands down the best tire I think for XC and FR bikes period. Second are the 2.5 WTB Timberwolves and third is the 2.3 Kenda Kinetics.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from SE Pennsylvania Date Reviewed: October 1, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Blue Sky
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Cinder, Hutchinson Bulldog, Velociraptors, WeirWolf, Nevegals, etc.
Bottom Line:
What a great tire! Any terrain, any condition, don't think,just ride! It works on the rocks or in the mud. The 2.4 size looks mean too. I'm sure there are better tires out there but at $20 I don't think you'll find a better value!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andre
a Cross Country Rider
from Park City, Utah Date Reviewed: August 16, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$12.00
Strengths:
Good and wide and strong and comfortable and eat it up...
Weaknesses:
A little heavy and wide for rolling but usually worth it.
Similar Products Used:
Continental Slash, WTB 2.1 somethingaruthers that were good in the rear.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper Hardtail
Bottom Line:
I got these from a friend who works at a bike shop super cheap. They are kevlar bead and folding and they said "we don't like WTB tires" for whatever reason so they sold them to me super cheap. I run matching 2.4 MotoRaptors both front and rear. Bottom Line: They are killer, and about as good as it gets for a light 2.4 tire. I weigh 230 lbs (I'm 6'5) and ride hard and they are solid and roll and climb and do everything around here great. I ride lower pressures (35 psi about) and I have ridden the crap out of them and they have not flatted once. They also look and feel brand new after 300 miles easily with some time on pavement as I ride to the trails too. I have been reading on the forums and the local bike shops also highly recommend them for Moab too. It doesn't rain here much but I've had them out in light mud and rain and they have been fine for me. Most of our rocks and sharp and give good traction regardless of the weather. On the roots, loose and tight dirt, loose rock, almost everything, they have been killer. I have been thinking of switching to maybe something smaller in the rear for more power/less weight and something fatter up front. A good little bulge with these both front and rear is fine and still super solid. They have also protected my rims very very well, no pinch flats or dings. I have not/do not do any real drops (I'm about 1.5-2' max with agressive cross country riding) and they have been great. The rear does swing out a little on tight little trails when sitting down/putting majority of weight in rear with lower pressure but that is standard. I recently put on some wider oversized handlebars and slightly longer stem and I feel like a good strong steering setup combined with these tires, especially up front, really awoke the life out of the front tire. Even with a lower end front shock, they will just and and chew up just about anything you throw at them. Really no complaints and again I would say about as good as it gets for this type tire and 2.4. Also killer value in my opinion too. I would buy these in a heartbeat again. I only wish they made a 2.5 for the front and a 2.3 for the rear.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Downhiller
from Boulder Date Reviewed: August 2, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$23.00
Purchased At:
pricepoint
Strengths:
Tough tread & sidewall, solid cornering and climbing traction, trustworthy in high speed corners.
Weaknesses:
Dog slow on pavement (who cares?).. Tread packs up a bit in mud.in muddy conditions.
Similar Products Used:
Maxxis, Kenda, Specialized, IRC, Panaracer (ps - the Panaracer Cinder is absolutely the best traction you'll ever see if you don't mind a 2.25).
Bike Setup:
Intense Uzzi VPX
Bottom Line:
I gave these a shot after having a pair of Maxxis Advantage shred on me on their 3rd ride and am glad I did. These hook up great on loose and rocky terrain (CO front range) and provide solid and predictable cornering. I've seen a few people mention weight/speed as a detractor and I'd have to disagree. The weight is pretty average for a 2.4 tire and they roll as quick on the trails as any aggressive tread tire this size, especially considering the traction. The only time they feel slow to me is on pavement. It actually feels faster to ride on a dirt shoulder than on the road itself. They did seem to pack up fairly fast on a rainy day but we don't get enough rain here to really give them a fair mud rating. So far they've also proven themselves through miles of pounding on jagged rock trails without losing a single tread. Given the price on these they really can't be beat as an "all mountain" 2.4 tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Racer
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: August 1, 2007
Favorite Trail:
anything technical
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$35.00
Strengths:
Grips well, nearly indestructable, rolls well (for a fatty)
Weaknesses:
heavy, but hey it's a 2.4" (800-850g depending on who you believe)
Similar Products Used:
just 2.1" xc tires, nothing fat
Bike Setup:
Yeti AS-R (btw, why do people list their headset/seatpost/skewers when writing a tire review??? To impress us?)
Bottom Line:
Great tire, only drawback is it's weight. Corners well, floats over rocky sections, deforms around rocks/roots really well so you don't lose traction. I have never flatted this tire, despite running low pressures -- normally I use 32-33psi but I'm lazy about pumping it so most of the time it probably has 25-32. I'm light (160lbs) and pick good lines, but I'm really fast and can run these at low pressures on really rocky descents without pinch flatting. I'm going to try a skinnier & lighter tire next time, but if it disappoints I'll come right back to these. Even after 2 years of lots of riding these don't show much wear. I highly recommend for aggressive XC riders and freeriders.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
P Giles
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancashire Date Reviewed: March 19, 2007
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$12.00
Purchased At:
chainreaction
Strengths:
they look big and chunky
Weaknesses:
the tyre has no stablity or feel on hard cornering, washing out at any moment and as for mud just dont go their!
Bike Setup:
Turner 5 spot
Bottom Line:
the tyres looked good on the bike, but looked even better on E-BAY! i have Gone back to riding on Paneracers FR.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
fatcat
a Weekend Warrior
from los angeles, california USA Date Reviewed: December 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$24.00
Purchased At:
sports chalet
Strengths:
the 2.4 are a tad heavier and lots wider than the 2.1 but the traction is 50% better, it does very well pedaling up sandy conditions.
Weaknesses:
youre not going to win a XC, 24hr or ANY race with these tires, you will not be able to beat your friends up a trail either. Plan on being second to the last or being last place with these tires, but you will have a smile on your face because of the traction and the downhills.
Similar Products Used:
Maxis 2.35 Mobsters
Bike Setup:
on a Intense Spider (barely fits) and Santa Cruz Bullit
Bottom Line:
The wire bead 2.4's are only MSRP 22.99. You cant beat that price with a stick for a wide freeride/trailbike sized tire, period. Also it will fit on most 4-6" travel trailbikes as well, so you can gain waaaaay more traction than a 2.1 tire. The only thing that this tire doesnt do well is roll fast and the side knobs are small, unlike a Maxxis tire. On a XC or trailbike, unlike a 2.1, this tire is sluggish, it will get you tired fast when climbing. If you are a race freak or weight weenie, dont buy these because like I said you will be the slowest rider in your group. But the traction and sense of more stability is always nice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kent West
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV USA Date Reviewed: November 14, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Moab Spider Mesa
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Jenson
Strengths:
Hook up well with pretty good bite on most surfaces, predictable cornering.
Weaknesses:
Heavy, not as supple as you might think from a 2.4 tire.
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Pyro, Hutchinson Scorpion 2.3
Bike Setup:
Motobecane Fantom FS Elite, Rock Shox Revelation, Ario with lockout
Bottom Line:
Finally, a set of big air volume tires I like. They bite in nicely and keep you going where most 2.0 or 2.1 tires would lose traction. You can run them at 30 pounds (I weigh 200 pounds) and not get pinch flats (so far). My one complaint is that they have a round cross section. This makes them bounce more than a flatter-shaped tire would. If they used a flatter C-shape cross section like some of the Michelin large volume tires, they would be fabulous. They are heavy, but you gotta expect that in a 2.4 inch tire. All in all, a very good set of tires, especially for the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from Maine Date Reviewed: October 20, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Aggie trails
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Bergers Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great climbing tire in dry rocks and roots. Good float and traction in mud. Can easily take a big drop. I think they are not as wide as a true 2.4.
Weaknesses:
Pretty heavy for XC. Stay off the roads (but that's preaching to the choir).
Bike Setup:
Solid HT XC rig with Marzocchi MX Pro 120mm.
Bottom Line:
The XC trails around here are rocky and rooty. Mud gets WAY deep in spring and fall. Wet rocks and fallen leaves are SLIPPERY. The MotoRaptors handle the dry conditions SO much better than the wet. They'll slide off the side of rocks after a rain that they'd grab and climb over dry. That and the weight are their only weaknesses. If the trail is dry, they're fantastic. They'll grab well climbing over <=12 inch logs in the trail. They float and grab very well in deep mud. They can take any hit that a XC ride can throw at them. On those short patches of road, be prepared to work harder or fall behind others, so stay in the woods!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada Date Reviewed: April 1, 2006
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
came with bike
Strengths:
hookup great on almost everything except ice, even work good when theres snow
Weaknesses:
tread wears away fast
Similar Products Used:
kenda kenetics
Bike Setup:
06 Iron Horse Yakuza Chimpira
Bottom Line:
These tires work great, priced average, and overall are a great tire, but the tread seems to wear away very fast if riding on pavement.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Monument, CO Date Reviewed: March 11, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Templeton Trail (Palmer Park)
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$24.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
A real Rocky Mountain FAT TIRE... Great for technical XC and All Mountain riding in the Rockies... Great traction at low tire pressure... Provide confidence in varying terrain conditions (jagged rock, slick rock, sand, loose rock, snow, loose dirt, etc.). Great for climbing up the nasty stuff and even better for bombing back down. A tough tire that can take abuse.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
29" Motos on my Gary Fisher Mt. Tam
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert
Bottom Line:
These tires work great on dry rocky trails... Work well in snow and shed mud well in the Winter and Spring. They may not be the lightest tire, but if you're a strong technical rider who likes to ride over and through anything then this is for you... Great for climbing up the nasty stuff and even better for bombing back down. I've ridden Motos in NM, CO, and UT and these will not let you down. These are a great all condition fat tire. Only time I ever got a flat is when I ran them way too low. Run at 31-33 lbs and they provide unbelievable traction with real pinch flat protection...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cali Biker
a Weekend Warrior
from San Anselmo CA Date Reviewed: December 23, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Mt Tam, Pine Mountain, Tamarancho
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Sunshine Bikes in Fairfax
Strengths:
Excellent, predictable traction in corners and under hard braking. Easy to run at 30 psi without worries.
Weaknesses:
I guess they're a little heavy, but not by enough to make a difference.
Similar Products Used:
WTB Timberwolf and Velociraptor; some Continentals, too.
Big, knobby tire digs into the trail under hard braking and cornering. If I could fit the Timberwolf's (2.5"), I'd probably ride them. These are the next best thing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Terrance
a Cross Country Rider
from Issaquah, Washington, USA Date Reviewed: May 16, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
issaquah ski/cycle
Strengths:
inexpensive, good traction in corners, sheds mud well, lasts a long time
Weaknesses:
heavy
Bike Setup:
03 jamis dakar xc comp w/shimano disc
Bottom Line:
I put this tire on the front of my bike in combination with a 2.14 sized motoraptor on back and so far I have few complaints about the tire. Yes it is fairly heavy for xc riding and is probably out of the question for xc race but this tire hooks up pretty well wet or dry. it takes on wet roots and rocks fairly well and sheds mud easy. I ride about 2 to 3 times a week and they lasted all winter long.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matthew
a Downhiller
from Australia Date Reviewed: May 5, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Nanga
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Fix Cycles
Strengths:
This tyre is very strong and is good for all conditions
Weaknesses:
Tyres feel very heavy
Similar Products Used:
Kenda, Extremely good light feel tyres, it would be great if my bike had these tyres
Bottom Line:
The tyres are very hard to ride at a good speed with on the road or pavement ( wrong conditions ) Id have the rear tyre pumped alot more then the front giving more traction and to help with speed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ERIC RIDER
a Weekend Warrior
from PORTLAND,OREGON-USA Date Reviewed: September 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
IS MY SECRET
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
CAMBRIA BICYCLE OUTFITTERS
Strengths:
WHAT A BURLY TIRE; IT'S HELD UP TO JUST ABOUT EVEYTHING I'VE THROWN AT IT INCLUDING SOME JUMPS AND DROPS THAT NEARLY BROKE MY OLD FRAME. WHEN GOING AROUND HIGH SPEED BERMS AND CORNERS IT BARELY "DISHES OUT" WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE IS LOWER THAN IT SHOULD BE. THE TREAD HAS ALSO HELD UP A LOT LONGER THAN SOME OTHER TIRES ON THE MARKET, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A HARDER DUROMETER.
Weaknesses:
I MUST SAY THAT ASIDE FROM THE WEIGHT, THIS TIRE IS FLAWLESS, ALTHOUGH IF YOU DO ANY STREET/URBAN ASSAULT, THIS IS A SLOW TIRE, BUT IT IS MADE FOR FR/DH.
Similar Products Used:
WTB WEIRWOLF (EXCELLENT TIRE ALSO),IRC MYTHOS,SPECIALIZED RAD RED,
Bike Setup:
SOUL CYCLES TITAN JUMPING HARDTAIL/MARZOCCHI Z1CR/ALL THE NAME BRAND DH PARTS.....RACE FACE/FSA/TRUVATIV/SUN-RINGLE/HAYES/AZONIC/ARROW/IRC(REAR TIRE)/DT/WHEELSMITH/REAL DESIGNS/ODI/SHIMANO,ETC......
Bottom Line:
THE PRICE OF MOST FR/DH TIRES IS AROUND $45-80, SO THIS IS REALLY A KILLER TIRE FOR THE PRICE OF $30-40 AT MOST SHOPS. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS TIRE AND MOST OTHER WTB TIRES IS SECOND TO NONE, WITH EXOTIC RUBBER COMPOUNDS (SOME ARE PATENTED) AND LONG LASTING TREAD. THE BOTTOM LINE IS YOU SHOULD INVEST IN SOME WTB TIRES SOON, ESPECIALLY THE MOTORAPTOR! HAPPY TRAILS.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Petersburg, FL Date Reviewed: August 8, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Alafia state park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Came with bike
Strengths:
Traction, durability, traction, sidewall strength, oh, and traction! These tires are very forgiving, and offer no unpleasant surprises when pushed hard.
Weaknesses:
These feel heavier than the 695 grams they're supposed to weigh, and don't impart a great sense of being "nimble". Slow on pavement, but that's not where they're supposed to be ridden.
Similar Products Used:
Hutchinson mosquito
Bike Setup:
Maverick ML7
Bottom Line:
I just came in from a day in the swamps here in rainy central Florida, and the WTB's really shined, traction-wise. Florida singletrack runs through grassy fields, cypress heads and oak hammocks, as well as areas of deep sand. The motoraptors suprised me by not sliding or spinning on the bazillions of wet roots I encountered, as well as their ability to claw through deep, silty swamp bog mud. I got to roust some wild hogs, chasing them through a swampy, tall-grass field, and the tire's tall lugs just kept pulling and pulling, even when I was sure I was going to have to give up and walk. The hogs didn't take me too seriously, and went right back to rooting. The only area these tires couldn't keep a bite on was in some slippery, soapy clay on a few of the short (it's Florida), steep climbs. I don't know what tire would've hooked up there; Maybe some of those Continental survival protection uber-knobbies. Anyway, I wish these were a little lighter, had a little more "flick", but otherwise they're super-solid. I'd recommend these to beginning and intermediate riders for pretty much any terrain and soil condition you can point a bike at.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a
from Austin, Texas, USA Date Reviewed: June 13, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Urban
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
The Moto does really well on dry ground, and rocky when the psi is low. Not too bad for freeriding either. They hold up to 5 ft. + drops well
Weaknesses:
One word-wet
Similar Products Used:
kendas
Bike Setup:
DMR hardtail
Bottom Line:
Basically, use these when it hasn't rained in the last week. I've ridden trails when its dry, and Ive ridden trails when its wet, and I fell over several times when it's wet. Also it always makes me paranoid to freeride in the wet b/c it always feels like they might slip out from under me. Trust me on this-front at 25-30 psi, rear at 45-50. If you dont have a low psi on the front, they dont give very good traction, and when the psi is higher in the rear it climbs a lot better and you can go faster on the roads. I've probably logged quite a few miles on these suckers going between my house and spots to ride, being that I'm 15 and dont have a car If you have the rear at like 55 psi its not too painful to ride 15 miles+. Overall good tires, dont wear down too fast or pop or w/e.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mech
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ Date Reviewed: March 5, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Trail 100 and it's offshoots
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Jenson USA
Strengths:
Appears very durrable, good grip.
Weaknesses:
Rocks pick up easily in the aggesive tread and beat the snot out of the frame and drivetrain.
Bike Setup:
Stock 03 Specialized Enduro
Bottom Line:
The tires give great traction but unless I can learn to go fast enough to throw the rocks at the people behind me then I will need to change to a tire with a tighter tread pattern. They work great in the sand, hard pack and hard rock but when the rocks get deep and gravely the tread picks them up and carries them into the frame and drivetrain.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Middleburg, VA Date Reviewed: February 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
freedom trail
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
very wide, good traction, not as bad on road as you'd expect for such a big tire, cushy-provide an added degree of suspension with its high volume, long-lasting
Similar Products Used:
WTB Velociraptor 2.1
Bike Setup:
Giant Warp DS3
Bottom Line:
My previous bike was outfitted with the Velociraptors, which I thought worked quite well. The Warp came outfitted with the Motoraptors, and I have no complaints about them. They seem to work in just about all conditions, provide good grip, though they do seem to work better in dry than wet. Granted you could probably get even greater traction than I do if you run the tires at lower pressure. I run them fairly high, at 45-50psi, because to run them low makes them too slow. But even at the higher pressure they work fine and run quite a bit faster. They aren't so great on the road, quite slow, so you would need to pump them up to the max if you planned to spend any amount of time on road. But, of course, these tires aren't intended for road use! A further plus is the longevity of these tires -- I have had these tires on my bike since I bought it two years ago and they still have another year or two left in 'em, so as for value, you can't do much better. A good, all-round tire that goes the distance. A 4 chili overall rating, since I don't have much experience with other large tires.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jacob O'Neall
a Downhiller
from Eubank, KY, USA Date Reviewed: January 11, 2004
Favorite Trail:
any that's good
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
First and foremost: DURABILITY, and then traction, + more traction and a bit more tracion, oh, and the weight isn't to bad for a tire this big and this durable, and the price is unbeatable
Weaknesses:
What? Any tire this good doesn't have any that could be called a weakness, even the name sounds big & strong: MOTORAPTOR
Similar Products Used:
many wtb tires: Tyrannoraptors (my favorite all time) Primal Raptors(Good in sticky mud) Nanoraptors, Mutanoraptors, and a couple Kenda tires
Bike Setup:
see earlier review
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up review of the one a made about a year ago. The tires are still wearing great, I'll still get another year of hard riding out of this set, and when they finally wear out I'll without a doubt buy the exact same tires again. I looked at the new Timberwolfs, and they looked pretty good also. I'm still going to stay with the Motoraptors though. Anyone who wants a tough, reliable tire needs to buy these. They don't weigh too much more than alot of the 2.1 tubeless tires made right now, but they give alot more traction and protection from flats than any of the smaller tires could ever provide. Also, you could always use some Stan's Notubes sealant to convert them to tubeless to keep the overall weight down, I plan on doing that myself.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Santa Barbara Date Reviewed: August 8, 2003
Weyless SP, Hayes Hydraulic Disks, Fox Rear Shock, 2003 Re-worked Duke SL U-Turn, Truvativ Stylo Cranks, Egg Beater Pedals, Sette Ti Skewers, Ti bolt kit, Weyless Carbon bar.
Bottom Line:
My bike is setup enduro (XC/Freeride cross). The fork stem was cut a little high so that you don't feel like your going over the bars. The bike came with the 2.14 WTB Mutanoraptor up front and 2.14 WTB Motoraptor in the rear. These tires are good compared to my Hutchinson Pythons but felts wobbly, like the sidewalls gave. I also got flats on both tires. Switched to the 2.5 Kevlar Weirwolf Front and 2.4 Kevlar Motoraptor race and its like a NEW bike again!
I have been riding these tires for the past 3 weeks, 2-3 rides a week and cannot believe the traction. It even adds a little suspension travel. The tires are realively lite for there size and compared to full DH tires. I notice less sidewall give on these tires than the 2.14's.
These tires have improved my skill level and fright level. I can do things on these tires that would have caused me to CRASH before. I have been stuck in steep downhill ruts with loose stuff and these tires got me out. The braking is just amazing, they grab the ground and do not lockup, unless you want to go over the bars!
They better not discontinue this tire because I cannot see tires getting better than these. These tires are perfect for So. California conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Stott
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, England Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$18.00
Strengths:
Fantastic grip on hardpack and loose gravel, big carcass gives lots of protection on rocky, technical trails, cheap at £25.00 a pair from CRC, hardwearing
Weaknesses:
Scary on wet surfaces, a bit heavy for general trail use.
Bike Setup:
Orange Sub 5, Fox suspension, Raceface, XTR, 317's on Hope XC's
Bottom Line:
I bought these for a trip to the Alps to offer a bit more puncture resistance than my regular Fire XC's... and they were truly outstanding!
Not one puncture in a full week riding some of the best trails in Europe is testiment itself, but in addition, it's grip on the super fast, hard, dusty downhill courses was fantastic, as was it's ability to crash through the technical rocky/rooty steep stuff without complaint.
I would definitely categorise these as a dry weather tyre though - on the one day it rained they were very scetchy, and offered minimal grip on soil based surfaces (though grip on gravel was undiminished).
They are also pretty good on tarmac... the lowish side knobs don't flex much and allow pretty silly lean angles as several car drivers will atest to - as I overtook them under breaking in to hairpins :-)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Randy Deibel
a Weekend Warrior
from Ocean Shores WA. Date Reviewed: July 19, 2003
Favorite Trail:
We make our trails in WA.
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
LA Vogue
Strengths:
Good,stong,nice all around tires
Weaknesses:
1700 miles,half paved,half trails, Just had my first flat. I ride hard wreak lots and never have any problems
Similar Products Used:
irc
Bike Setup:
Gaint Rainier,Race face crank LX drivetrain SCOTT Bars all around bad ass bike
Bottom Line:
These tires rock thats it, can't wait to get some 2.5s
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john mckeon
a Weekend Warrior
from nyc, ny usa Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hartshorne
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Good grip,nice round profile
Weaknesses:
SIDEWALLS BLOW OUT TOO EASILY.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized enduro 2.2(pretty good),kenda kolossal dh(good but heavy)
Bike Setup:
santa cruz heckler with marz z1, mav 521 rims,thompson and chris king and avid mechs
Bottom Line:
I am a clydesdale (6'6" 240) and I was angry when my front tire had a blowout on the sidewall but I had been pretty hard(lots of rock gardens at speed) on it so I just let it go and got the kenda dh for the front. But when the rear tire's sidewall blew out I almost lost my mind, I was riding in Central F'in Park. So if you are over 220 and plan on doing four foot drops(stairs in Central Park) then just forget them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Theodore Jump
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: May 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Emma Long Metro Park & Porcupine Rim
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint.com
Strengths:
High air volume, sturdy, aggro tread, good rubber compound, round profile, good side-knob strength, good sand flotation owing to volume
'02 Enduro FSR, king/f219 wheels, stock frame & fork, etc.
Bottom Line:
Great all around tire; even performer in all conditions; works well in wet season here in Austin on the wet limestone trails; excellent in hardpack; decent on wet roots; excellent in Moab this april;
if your frame 'n fork will fit and you can muscle the mass these are great all-around tires, help a lot on a hardtail giving it some suspension but worked fantastically on my Enduro.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek
a Cross Country Rider
from Strafford, NH USA Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003
Favorite Trail:
local snowmobile trails and anything that is a challenge
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Tony`s cyclery Dover, NH
Strengths:
This tire is agressive and is good under all conditions. It has realitivly large center and side nobes with woork very good under constant pressure. They are seam to always grip into whatever you need them to. They also are not to bad on the road which is a quality that is hard to find on a agressive DH like tire. If you are thinking about getting it don`t think anymore; its the right one to get whether you ride XC, downhill or just everything you will not be dissapointed at all. Go for it !
Weaknesses:
The arent any weaknesses that I have come across. I have been riding on them for about a year now and I ride alot, so if I didnt find anything wrong with them there probably isn`t anything that you will dislike about them.
Similar Products Used:
I have used Panaracer XC Pro; which are good tires and I will give them credit. As for me I wanted something a little more agressive, but if you dont know what you want, the Panaracers XC Pro are going down in price and they are not to heavy. So they would also be a good tire to use.
Bike Setup:
I have a Univega DS 950 series. It has LX components and alot of WTB parts.
Bottom Line:
These tires are great, if I were to buy a new tire I would buy some more WTB`s. I have been happy with all of the products.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jacob O'Neall
a Downhiller
from Eubank,Kentucky, USA Date Reviewed: February 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
any thats rough and technical
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Durability, traction, not to heavy for it's size, everything else.
Weaknesses:
none, nadda, zip
Similar Products Used:
Kenda Kinetics, WTB Tyrannoraptor
Bike Setup:
2001 Mongoose Pro Valient, Rockshox Psylo, Sun Mammoth rims, WTB speeddisk xc hubs, Formula Activa mechanical disk brakes, Truvativ cranks, Shimano LX
Bottom Line:
Great tires. True "all-conditions" capable. Work great in mud, clay, hardpack, even pavement. Very durable, I regularly do four/five foot drops, dirtjump, and downhill over rough terrain. No flats in a year of use. These aren't even the DH models either, just the race. I weight about 160-165Lbs, and run 35-38 psi. You will not be disappointed in these tires. Price Point sells them for $20 a piece. Buy as many as you can.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
G Man
a Downhiller
from West Linn, OR Date Reviewed: February 23, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Hospital Hill
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Quite possibly the ultimate freeride tire! And what a BARGAIN! Hooks up great in everything but clay-mud.
Weaknesses:
Tightly spaced knobs clog with the clay-type mud. Not much straight-ahead grip for climbing.
Similar Products Used:
Way too many tires to list.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur
Bottom Line:
Fast rolling tire with excellent side grip - you can push on this all day and your confidence will sky with every run. A little heavy/large for pure XC unless you're over 200 lbs but freeriders will love this - use front and back (you don't need uphill traction for freeriding!).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wendell
a Weekend Warrior
from Occupied Mexico Date Reviewed: January 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$40.00
Strengths:
Now this is a tire. Very thick sidewalls. GREAT traction.
Great tire if you aren't concerned so much about weight. If you ride tubeless, get some Stans and put it in there and it is the same weight as most of the other tubeless tires, but wider and with better traction. I ride a Mutano Raptor on the front the same way. I can't recommend Stans enough for this application (no, I don't work for them). I had a hole that was 1/4 of an inch in the mutano raptor the other day, and it sealed up in fifteen seconds with the stans. Gooday.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dan
a Weekend Warrior
from palm bay, fl Date Reviewed: January 10, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$38.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
killer grip, rolls pretty fast, sure-footed cornering, look big and nasty.
Weaknesses:
slightly heavier than others i've ridden, but don't let that deter you.
Similar Products Used:
hutchinson mosqutos (wire bead and gold), pythons, panaracer xc pro's, and bontrager jones'
Bike Setup:
2002 jamis dakar, rhyno lites, thompson elite post, and weyless dh stem.
Bottom Line:
this tire is a bad mo-fo. adds much needed confidence over the mosquitos. i know that comparing these two is kind of an apples and oranges deal, but as far as an all around tire, the moto wins hands down. i dont like to bash other people's bikes or products, but i must mention that the mosquito is in my opinion a piece of crap. it washes out in turns, but makes up for it by sliding on anything damp or not at a 90 degree angle on the trail, and god help you if its a combination of the two. on the other end of the spectrum is the moto. it bites very well in the corners and rolls very fast for a tire of its size. i would recomend this tire to just about anyone, especially to the clydesdales out there who have the extra horsepower to compensate for the slight weight penalty that comes with these monsters. they may require a small transition phase when stepping up from an ultra light 2.0 or maybe my pistons just need some more work. i'm about 245lbs and i'd much rather go through or over things than weave around them.these tires take the edge off what the suspension doesn't absorb (whether thats good or bad i don't know). get em, you won't be disappointed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BruceF
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA Date Reviewed: November 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
That's a secret
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
B.I.Cycle Bainbridge Island
Strengths:
Super traction in all conditions...Even wet pavement !! Seems to be flat proof but I only weigh 170 #... I regularly ride very steep downhill chutes that are loose and rocky, torn up by motorcycles...these tires provide outstanding traction and control in these conditions and yet seem to have great grip on pavement too !
Weaknesses:
None !! (they are a bit heavy, and they are a bit hard to push along... but hey, not bad at all for a 2.4)
Similar Products Used:
Hutchinson Mosquito and Python
Bike Setup:
02 Giant Rainier
Bottom Line:
What the world needs is a really good cheap tire !! and these are even better !
I can't say enough good things about these tires...truly tire nirvana...the steel bead ones are really cheap
I was looking for a good knobby tire for superior traction for the steep loose downhill tracks that I ride, but would also provide good grip on wet pavement. I am a 35 mile per day bike commuter and I wanted to use the disc-brake Rainier as a Rain bike. The WTB Motoraptor 2.4's are just the ticket .. I didn't these completely opposite requirements could be met by any single tire, but the Motoraptors are truly outstanding !!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Encino, CA-USA Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
The one I'm on
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
Light for its size, aggressive tread design, excellent grip, price.
Weaknesses:
May wear quickly if trips to the dirt require riding on pavement.
Similar Products Used:
IRC Kujo DH, WTB NanoRaptor, Panaracer Fire DH, Specialized Enduro Pro
Bike Setup:
'02 Specialized Enduro, Sun Singletrack wheels
Bottom Line:
This is a great all-purpose tire. Over the past year I've tried a number of different tire combos and the Motos have the best combination of features with the fewest compromises. The Kujos are an excellent tire, but at 1100+ grams each they were a struggle any time I needed to climb before hitting the fun stuff. The Motos don't have the stiff sidewalls of the Kujos, but they are almost 500 grams lighter per tire and they can be run as low as 35 psi without too much concern for pinch flats. They handle extremely well in all kinds of terrain and do surprisingly well in loose gravel. I do a lot of nightriding and since putting the Motos on my Enduro I feel a lot more confident bombing down the singletracks and rutted downhills of the Santa Monicas. Their grip in loose, sandy corners is excellent and I notice a lot less drift or slide than with some of the other tires I've used. The rounded tread and staggered design of the side knobs makes climbing out of shallow ruts easier and more predictable.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin Date Reviewed: October 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Tough for normal use... reasonably fast rolling... corners well on dry, hardpacked, dusty trails.
Weaknesses:
Not good in soft soil.
Similar Products Used:
Nokian Gazzi Core 2.3
Bike Setup:
Junk and stuff
Bottom Line:
So after a few months of using the Gazzi's I began to notice that they would drift in corners and slide out too easily. Coincidently, the weather's dried up and the trails are hardpack now. Dusty, cracking, etc. The side knobs on the Gazzi's are good for softer soil, but the WTB took up the slack when it came to harder, dryer stuff. They don't slide around and let me keep a truer line without constantly making minor adjustments to my carves. They will start to flake out if I get too far off the side of the singletrack where the soil is softer and looser, but that's my fault anyway -- don't widen the trail, yada, yada.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg C
a Cross Country Rider
from Mass Date Reviewed: September 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
ridge trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Strengths:
Size toughness
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
michilin wildgripper hot continental vertical pro.
Bike Setup:
2002 Tracer set up as a tough trailbike.......
Bottom Line:
I dig these tires. They roll fairly fast for a big tire. Climb well and descend well. No wash out in corners or while braking. Can handle the power of disk brakes. I have ran them with various air pressures...I currently run the front about 30-35, and the back at about 37-40 psi. I have run them as low as 20 in the very wet. A great all around tire!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from AK Date Reviewed: September 20, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$23.00
Purchased At:
Paramount
Strengths:
Inexpensive, nice and wide!
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Team Control 2.0, IRC Backcountry 2.25, WTB Velcioraptor 2.1
I like this tire. I previously had an IRC Backcountry 2.25 as a front tire and was not happy at how it slid out in all conditions. The IRC was not an improvement over the stock Team Control when it came to handling. The Motoraptor is better for steering yet still retains the IRC's ability to roll over everthing and give a smooth ride.
I'm glad I bought it. Especally at the price I did.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Flacke
a
from Salt Lake City Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Nice round profile Great for the street Good grip on hardpack and looser stuff
Nice tire, I ride a lot of street with these and love them. Side walls are a little thin for a lot of rocky riding. Great for hardpack and still good on losser sand and gravel, they slide smoothly and the nobs are supported and don't fold.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
amtbkr
a Cross Country Rider
from melb, australia Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Similar Products Used:
michelin
Bike Setup:
giant ac3, sun rhino lites
Bottom Line:
does all loose and technical sections brilliantly up and down....but a bit heavy on the up kind of unstable cornering and doesnt shed mud impressively reasonable tyre for aggressive xc...that is, if you dont mind feeling the weight despite the grip it still rollls well on blacktop other tyres with heaps of grip slow u down but this one ..as much good for my trailriding as i dont race or do serious dh it does save u...better control
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Abraham Altamirano
a Weekend Warrior
from Puebla, Pue. Mexico Date Reviewed: May 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Many different.
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came with the bike
Strengths:
A very big tire to attack the hills up and down, with enough air volumen you prevent a hit on the rim. In technical sections you get confidence and even with high pressure (50 up to 55 PSI) there is a comfortable ride on pavement. I have these tires on my 2001 Giant Warp DS1 -they came with the bike- and after 1 year I thought to swap them but realized the compound is long lasting because both tires front and rear look the same after 1000 miles.
Weaknesses:
Cornering is not the best going fast but remember this tire was made to attack hard terrains. In fact it´s not an xc tire, ít´s a freeride and allmountain tire with downhill chances.
Similar Products Used:
No similar products tested.
Bike Setup:
On my 2001 Giant Warp DS1. Front and rear.
Bottom Line:
Very good tire to go fast on straight trails up or down. It´s also good on technical sections for example on rocks and sand. If you look for those freeride, allmountain or downhill adventures you make a good choice with this tire.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Louis Gomez
a
from Tucson Date Reviewed: May 16, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Traction, stability, light weight, price.
Weaknesses:
Washes out in soft stuff on the front.
Similar Products Used:
Goodyear Wrangler MTS
Bike Setup:
Heavy duty trailbike
Bottom Line:
Good tire for agressive trail riding or light free riding. I plan on going with a more agressive front tire, perhaps a Weirwolf or Conti Explorer.
If your not an XC racer go fat. Fat is good. Fatties will bail you out where skinnies will fail you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin Date Reviewed: May 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$19.00
Purchased At:
PricePoint
Strengths:
Rolls fast for a big tire... sturdy... cheap... decent grip.
Weaknesses:
Kinda porky... doesn't corner fantastically.
Bike Setup:
Two wheels of pleasure
Bottom Line:
I began using this tire on the front and wasn't too thrilled with the cornering. They didn't feel much better than the Hutchison's that were on the front before, and they were heavier so I wasn't too impressed. I swapped in a Nokian Gazz Core 2.3 and am pleased with the front performance now.
So now I have a couple of these WTB's lying around and after reading around a bit, I decide to use it as the rear since the Nokian in the rear is just too slow. And we have a new life for the tire. I'd hafta say this tire works a bit better in the rear. Rolls reasonably fast and grips better than the Hutchinsons. I found myself cranking up hills that I'd have to downshift and sit down to get up with the Nokians. Although the Gazzi's grip well, there is no hiding there sluggish nature (expected from a tire with that kinda tread). No undesirable slidding either on my WTB's. Overall, I was quite surprised that it rolled as well and climbed as well as it did.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
WALDO HOLMES
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington,Virginia Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Fountainhead
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This is for the wire "comp" version. Rolls fast for a wide tire. The wire version is pretty sturdy unlike the kevlar version. Big volume protects rims against impact. Climbs well on the back. Doesn't wear too fast. Hard rubber makes for a good rear tire. Cheap compared to other freeride tires. Not as heavy as full dh tires.
Weaknesses:
Not enough traction for me to keep on the front. Slippery when wet.
A nice wide, fast and sturdy tire for the back of my bike only. I think the motoraptor 2.4 wire version is an excellent value. Performance is very good especially when teamed with a good front tire like a 2.5 Weirwolf. Good luck!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ali
a Downhiller
from Chicago, IL Date Reviewed: March 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Cappodocia, Turkey
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Came with the bike
Strengths:
2.4 size Tread pattern Great on dry and hard packed snow Pinch flat resistant Perfect combination for a freeride tire
Weaknesses:
Sloppy on mud and slashy snow
Similar Products Used:
IRC Kujo Michelin
Bike Setup:
Giant AC AIR
Bottom Line:
Great tire for allround freeride use, if you do one particular type of ride like riding only in mud or dry pack, choose a special tire but this one is good enough for allround freeride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Uncle-aLz
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine, CA Date Reviewed: February 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Santiago, Aliso Wood, Crystal Cove, San Juan
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
The Path Bike Shop
Strengths:
Large size, great control, weight not an issue if you're in shape. 775g is not a big differnce from 650g smaller tires.
Weaknesses:
None!
Similar Products Used:
Michelin WildGripper XLS
Bike Setup:
GT XCR 2000 w/all XT Components, Fox Float RL Rear Shock, New Fox Vanilla RLC 100mm Front Shock, XT Hydralic Disk Brakes, NiteRider Digital Pro Lite. XT hubs and wheels.
Bottom Line:
This tire is awesome for the front! I run the Mutano 2.24 in rear with the Moto 2.4 up front and it has worked out great for me. This is the best setup! I am 205-pounds and the weight of the moto is not an issue up front. You definitly need to buy the moto for the front. Mutano is the best rear that I have used. Great traction with low resistance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matrix
a Downhiller
from TN Date Reviewed: February 22, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Freeway
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
here & there
Strengths:
Good tread design grips good
Weaknesses:
Sidewalls a little thin=finch flats w/o 40 psi on the back of a hardtail..
Azonic DS-1 -Manitiou BLACK elite 120mm --Singlespeed drivetrain--Platforms--Azonic Riser--Kona Clump stem--Oury grips(the best)--Mammoth wheels/XT disk hubs---AVID V-brakes---UN52bb---Marin 6061 cranks--Truvativ DH ring 40t---
Bottom Line:
Have not thouroughly tested these tires yet...They seem real good..Will flat w/o airing them up to 40 psi in the rear!....Lighter than full-on DH tire & really adds cuch & Much better handling/control...Great tire for the money...Also Black is good{no funky green or other colors}...Roll nice n fast....Try some !
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert Reitzel
a Weekend Warrior
from Evanston, Wyoming, US Date Reviewed: February 6, 2002
Favorite Trail:
bear river
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
bingham Cyclery
Strengths:
good grip on snow, I don't know about dirt yet because there is nothing but snow here. low rolling resistance
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Specialized team master 1.95 and IRC 2.1
Bike Setup:
Giant full suspension, Mavic X221 rims,
Bottom Line:
Best Tires I have. I will keep on getting them. I have them on front and rear. Your shouldn't buy these if your check book is small and can't ride very good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
McFook McFook
a
from Boston Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Big, grippy, big, go over stuff in a swell fashion. Wicked stiff sidewalls resist pinch flats.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
All of them
Bike Setup:
Rigid Yo Eddy
Bottom Line:
These fellas are the goods, dude, and you really, really need them.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from cacade mtn's Wa state Date Reviewed: January 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
to many
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Singletrack cycles
Strengths:
Size and weight tread pattern is OK
Weaknesses:
Not enough edge knobs
Similar Products Used:
IRC Back country, Maxxis hard drive, Ritchy ZED, and more
Bike Setup:
Stock 2001 Rocky Mountain Element with Avid Mech disc's
Bottom Line:
Big tire lots of cushion adds about another inch of "felt" travel front and rear. Tread is not real deep but width makes up for that in traction. It's been great on the rocky wet trails I ride. It has worked in snow very well also. I have not used it in Mud yet. I run them at 35PSI and have a couple hundred miles on them off road with no flats. They roll down hill nice! They do not suck the energy out of you on the road or the up hills. I really can't think of a better comprimise tire. This one is big and it's light 750g per tire. My Back country tires were over 600 and they were 2.25 size. 150g difference per tire. They really brake outstanding as well. The Disc brakes can be hard on your tracking when you brake hard in gravel. skinny front tires often want to slide out. These seem to brake straight and true. I noticed this right away when I put them on. The Maxxis hard drive tires would want the slide out with hard front braking but these stay nice and straight. Although the fork dips quite a bit.
The 2.4" width on CC bike gives you a huge ability to balance better too. In my opinion you don't have a true mountain bike if you don't have at least 2.1" tires. These 2.4" tires make a CC bike into an all around do it all awesome Mountian bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Manhattan Beach, CA Date Reviewed: January 9, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Sullivan canyon
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Helens
Strengths:
Pretty light for its size, Great cornering. Has worked well for me in all riding conditions!
Weaknesses:
None that I've found!
Similar Products Used:
Tiogas, Panracer, Maxxis, IRC
Bike Setup:
Kona Stinky Delux
Bottom Line:
This tire is a great choice for someone looking for a big fun tire without the big weight. Plus the customer service at WTB is great. It's nice to support a company like them. I know tires are one of those picky things, but in my experience, this is the best tire I have ever ridden.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockford, IL, USA Date Reviewed: December 24, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
Activity Sports and Cycles
Strengths:
Big, grippy, soft rubber compound
Weaknesses:
Doesn't roll like my XC slicks!
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Team Control 2.2, Kenda Klaw XT 2.1
Bike Setup:
Marin Quake, rode other tires on Spec. FSR XC and a "Value Priced" Ti frame converted to a SS (can use a 36X18 with a semi-worn out chain w/o a tensioner!! Yippee!!)
Bottom Line:
This tire comes in varying models with different sidewalls-if you are a hardcore freerider, don't get the lightweight model!! Sheeze!!
Anyway, I weigh 190#'s and with all of my winter junk on, I can run it at 25psi up front over frozen bumpy ground, cement stairs, and 16" drops w/o pinch flats. Only using on the front for now, have an IRC Backcountry on the back (2.25, 775g, steel, came on bike, pumped up to 30psi). I'm more of a hardcore XC rider than a big drop fiend but I like'em. I'm thinking about running one up front on the more technical races for the improved handling, it'd only increase the weight of my rig by about 1/2 of a pound...and that's over a squirley weenie tire. The rubber feels really soft and grippy, I think they are a solid choice.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Bailey
a
from Rocklin, CA Date Reviewed: December 3, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Fast rolling, large size, decent all-around tread pattern.
Weaknesses:
Not the ultimate cornering, but good.
Similar Products Used:
Tioga Factory DH 2.1 and 2.3, Michelin Hot S 2.1, Tioga Factory Extreme XC 2.1
Bike Setup:
Titus Quasi-Moto, Z1 QR20, Mostly XTR and RaceFace, Hayes discs
Bottom Line:
My previous review slammed these hard due to incredibly frequent pinch flat problems I had. It appears I had a defective set of tires. WTB sent me a new one and I haven't flatted it yet, and am running around 30psi. The beauty of these tires is the combination of size, weight, and rolling speed. I think the Tioga Factory DH's corner better, but they are so much slower, and a fair bit heavier (and that's for the 2.1), that I like the overall feel of the MotoRaptor 2.4 better. These tires don't feel like a 2.4 in terms of weight and rolling resistance. But, you still get the nice fat tire and solid performance. I like this more as a front tire, but they work well in back too. The new tire has a "Laser" casing, but it's not the ultra-light one, it's the one that weighs about 775g (the "freeride" version). Really a great all arounder, and very nice through rocky stuff. I can now recommend these highly. If you have any pinch flat probs, just get ahold of WTB, their customer service is something other companies should mimic.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spudmeister
a Cross Country Rider
from Kentucky Date Reviewed: November 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Capitol View, Frankfort KY
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Webcyclery
Strengths:
Grab & hold the trail!! Big & cushy - good weight for size.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
WTB TyrannoRaptor, Geax Blade, Beax Grid
Bike Setup:
Surly 1x1 w/ rigid fork
Bottom Line:
Great tires - holds the trail like no others I've tried. Size is super for rigid set-ups. I wish I had more bikes to put these on.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mauka Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from R.S.M. Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
The Louge
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Co.
Strengths:
Round profile, Smooth rolling, Low weight for 2.4, Great cornering, Can run low psi.
Similar Products Used:
Geax, Panaracer, Specialized, Onza, Bontrager, Ritchey, etc.
Bike Setup:
Intense Uzzi SL
Bottom Line:
I was using a Geax Sedona 2.25 until a friend suggested these and have loved them since. The feel more secure in more conditions than the Geax tires, especially in corners where i can really lean the bike. They weigh more then the Geax, but the benefits are worth the weight of the tires. I use a Panaracer Smoke 2.1 in the rear and its been the best set up for everything but mud. I have yet to pinch flat like other reviews....but then again, you need to know what type of riding conditions you will be using the tire for. I use it for trailriding/freeriding and dont have a problem with the set up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a Downhiller
from Pinole, CA Date Reviewed: September 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:
M&M
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
From my Dad
Strengths:
Good on turning Good with soft dirt Dosen't pinch flat (well at least not under MY weight) Doesen't weigh a lot
Weaknesses:
None at all
Similar Products Used:
IRC Kujo DH
Bike Setup:
Not to be known
Bottom Line:
I LOVE these tires. I used to run the Kujo DH but when I first got these, I diden't know what i was missing. It felt like I was in Paradise on dirt. The bottem line is that these tires ROCK.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from San Carlos, CA USA Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Anything sick at Skeggs
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Downieville Outfitters
Strengths:
Grip, control, pinch flat resistance!
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy for XC
Similar Products Used:
Conti Vert Pro, Extreme Pro
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Heckler w/SID XL, Fox Vanila Float, Hayes disc, Moto Raptor in front only, mostly freeride setup
Bottom Line:
Great tire. I bought this tire after shredding my Conti Extremes on the Downieville downhill. Has worked out great for everyday riding. Don't mind the weight for climbing. I'm a big guy (6'8", 235lbs) and this tire works really well for big riders. I thought the weight would suck for climbing, but it really isn't noticeable.
Is there a rear specific Moto Raptor? Or do you just reverse the rotation for the rear? Anyone using them on the rear?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
4pod
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder CO Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Hairball
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
speedgoat.com
Strengths:
tire width. roundish profile. Thick enough to allow you to run pretty darn low pressures, unless you use it as a downhill tire(which you shouldn't do anyway).
Weaknesses:
Weight. tire width.
Similar Products Used:
conti vert. pro 2.3, toiga 2.1 something, WTB Velociraptor 2.1, various specialized 2.1/2.2 tires.
Bike Setup:
GT I-Drive with WTB rim/conti Vert. Pro 2.3 tire on rear, Sun DS1 rim/WTB moto 2.4 on front.
Bottom Line:
Inspires confidence on nasty sections. Tracks better than anything I've used so far in the CO mtns (loose rocks and dirt, sand). I'm sure a full on DH tire would work better for traction, but it's too much of a weight penalty for me on the climb up. If you want to run mostly/all downhill, don't get this tire.
This seems like a good compromise for aggressive X-country or "freeride". I ised to run the Conti Vert Pro 2.3 on front, great tire, real light, but not as good as this one. I moved my conti to the rear insead. The Conti rolls way fast/easy for a 2.1 none the less a 2.3 tire so it helps make up for the moto's heft on the climbs.
Great product, been waiting for a big-but-reasonably-light tire for a while, I think I found it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gonzostrike
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, MT, USA Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001
2000 Aeon Isis, Fox Vanilla R, Marz Z3QR20, Sun/Ringle Abbah, Velocity VXC, Avid Mech discs, assorted drivetrain parts
Bottom Line:
This tire really shines when you lower the PSI. When I first got 'em, I ran 45 PSI even though I weigh 155 -- I was trying to see how fast they would roll. They do roll faster, but they get sketchy in turns and loose stuff. I now ride them at 30 or 35 PSI and find they have incredible traction in all conditions. They're danged heavy, though. I will try the Conti Vertical/Survival Pro set soon to see how a lighter pair works. 4 chilis because they're heavy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from San Rafael, CA Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Tam - China Camp - Fairfax
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Mikes Bikes
Strengths:
Great in Mud, BOMBPROOF, great traction, goes over anything, and has great range of PSI.
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
panaracer, speciliazed
Bike Setup:
Stumpjumper Pro w/ct2 bars and WTB front an back
Bottom Line:
This tire is awesome. I rode the factory specialized tires that came with the bike and had two flats within the week from pintching the tube between the tire an rim. This tire on the front will go over/down anything. I run it at about 35 psi and it provides great traction as well as confidence to go through any obstacles on the trail. A little heavy but I am not a racer so weight is not a big deal. The weight is worth it compared to what you get.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tony lara
a Weekend Warrior
from san fransico Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
rockville park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
Rays cycle
Strengths:
comfort,goes over everything,can run very low psi
Weaknesses:
weight
Similar Products Used:
panaracer,specilize
Bike Setup:
cannondale,xtr,magura louise disk
Bottom Line:
this product works well in all condition you'll just have to deal with weight
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
oNEcoG
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenville Date Reviewed: March 22, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Pisgah Nat forrest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Won't tell!
Strengths:
Low tire pressure, awesome handling, full knobs, fast on downhills and weight is not an issue!
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Gunnar single speed, marzocchi z3 light, phil wood kiss off, mavic d521
Bottom Line:
Best tire for all around.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Davis Date Reviewed: March 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Tilley
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$28.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
Traction, switching lines downhill, mud
Weaknesses:
weight
Similar Products Used:
Other front tires from WTB, Specialized, Michelin, Panaracer
Bottom Line:
This is a downright awesome front tire. I had high hopes for it and it exceeded every one of my expectations. It cleans mud well, sticks great to rocky off-camber sections, and holds its line through fast turns. The best part is that it will do exactly what you want it to downhill. If you need to quickly change a line, it will do it. It rolls over anything and never throws you off. Absolutely amazing. This is the best upgrade I've ever done on my bike. Sure, it's a little heavy, but it works so well I left it on for by last XC race and I was able to blow past some fellas downhill because I could just ignore all the ruts and fly down. Really. This is an awesome front tire. I haven't tried it on the back, though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$25.00
Strengths:
2.4 inch tread, and the ability to run really low airp pressure making the tire even wider.
Weaknesses:
2.4 inch tread, the rolling resistance is there, but get inshape and enjoy the traction!
Bike Setup:
C'dale hardtail, Xt/517, raceface cranks, etc... So to be on a Super V with Z1 and Xt disks.
Bottom Line:
I only run the tire in front, it wouldn't fit in the rear anyways. At normal pressure the tire provides better traction that other tires. But at low pressure, and I mean low, the tire becomes amazing. Gives my weenie 60mm fork an extra inch of travel. The tire must spread to close to 3 inches wide with weight on it. And it gives out more traction than I've ever needed. Confidence inspiring! I've gone along an off-camber turn with my whole bike sliding around, while the front tire somehow pulled the rest along. I run the tire low enough so that I can almost touch the tire to the rim, I actually can touch the rim if I really try. Yet still no pinch flats, in fact no flats at all. I ride plenty of stunts and high-speed single track to boot! Sure the tire is a little heavy 775g, but it's sure lighter than a true DH tire or for that matter most anyother tire it's size. If you ride your bike for fun, you can't ask for a better tire. If your racing, I don't think you'd even think of putting this on your race bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Bratteson
a Racer
from New York, NY Date Reviewed: December 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim - Moab, UT
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$37.00
Purchased At:
speedgoat
Strengths:
Fat, bulletproof, traction. Excellent for all round trail riding and jumping off big stuff.
Weaknesses:
None- for an all around trail riding tire. Too heavy for a racing tire.
Similar Products Used:
ritchy z-max, ritchy zed, panaracer smoke/dart, panaracer fire xc...
Bike Setup:
Intense Tracer. XTR/Race Face/good stuff. Sun RhynoLite Rims for trail ridin.
Bottom Line:
Super sweet go everywhere, do everything, trail riding tires. I run them front and rear on Sun RhynoLites. Quickly switching from my light xc racing tires and wheels to Rhynolites and fat 2.4 Motoraptors instanly turns my Tracer into a monster trail bike. : )
Still have to try the Continental Survival Pro 2.3. Those seem like sweet tires too.
Stop reading and ride! : )
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ryan allen
a Cross Country Rider
from sydney australia Date Reviewed: December 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anything
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
inner city cycles (glebe)
Strengths:
excellent traction,comfortable very strong.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
wtb motorapter and maxxis
Bike Setup:
2001 giant warp ds2 duel suspension
Bottom Line:
an exellent tire all round strong,comfy and traction reletivly affordable.if i were you id deffinatly buy these tires write away.and a nother good thing these things are preety damn thick so you can really give them a beating. this tire should be bought for sombody who likes to have some fun.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jesse
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento Date Reviewed: December 19, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$26.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
phenomenal traction at any lean angle, puncture resistance, added "suspension" that these tires provide, ability to run absurdly low tire pressures (28-30 psi) without flats
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Panaracer Pyro, Fire XC Pro, and Smoke/Darts; WTB Tyrannoraptors, Velociraptors, and Enduroraptors;
Bike Setup:
full suspension freeride bike with 2.4 Kevlar Motoraptors front and rear
Bottom Line:
These are the best tires I've ever tried. Don't be a "weight weinie" and avoid this tire because of the 775g weight. They're only a little more than 100g per tire heavier than a Kevlar Velociraptor 2.1 (620g front/660g rear), but they vastly outperform any 2.1 or 2.25 tire I've tried.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pat
a Cross Country Rider
from Aliso Viejo Date Reviewed: December 10, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$35.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Great Traction, wide profile,and durable
Weaknesses:
A bit heavy
Similar Products Used:
Fire XC Pro's, Geax Sedona, Various Specialized
Bike Setup:
Wild Hare
Bottom Line:
I have this tire on the front and it works flawlessly. The wide profile inspires confidence and speed over rocky lose stuff. It's 150 grams heavier than the Sedona 2.3 I was using but its more thorn resistant, larger, and has better traction. Worth the weight for general all around riding. I rather save weight other places than tires.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
AC
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego Date Reviewed: December 9, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Kalo
Strengths:
High Volume, Lots of Floatation, Fast tread design.
Weaknesses:
Possible clearance problems.
Similar Products Used:
All the "Raptors" save for the NanoRaptors, Mythos, Ground Controls
Bike Setup:
32.5 lbs., 4.5" rear travel by 5" front.
Bottom Line:
As a fan of TyrannoRaptors, I was happy to order a set of these for my trailbike. They appear to be improved Tyrannos, with reinforcing webs under the lugs, akin to some downhill designs. At 2.4" they don't appear to be much wider than the 2.25" Tyrannos, but they are significantly taller and may pose some clearance problems. Like their parents, they use small, closely spaced knobs and round profiles versus a gnarly square edged downhill tire. They only weighed a few grams more than the previous set of Tyrannos, but I can feel the difference on a long trail ride. On the same long ride however, I could clean tech stuff that was previously problematic, albeit in a lower gear. So, big picture is that 2.4 Motos are follow on improvements over their predecessors; good southwestern trail tires, obviously not for racers or scary downhills. If you like Tyrannoraptors, you'll like these. Four stars for value and four for overall, remembering that all tires compromise something.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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