IRC M5b Evo is the ultimate tire for where I ride.... Sand, Mud, Gravel and Soft Loam. That is why it is such a popular tire!!!!

Love the VE33S. That’s what I keep using.

For our sharp rocks and sandy stuff in New Mexico the XT 454 has been the best in terms of performance and life.  The AT81 EX is a little grip piece but doesn't last as long. Definitely give the 454 a shot

Kudos on your enduro tire breakdown, IMO  one of the best I have listened to in the past 5 years.  Personally I ride mostly soft and hard enduro on my Sherco 300 SE and I ride ID, CO, UT and AZ most every year so terrain wise I have some experience with a variety of tires over the years.  Rarely do I agree much with any 'enduro tire' study due to bias, and the numerous variabilities that exist in the enduro world, from  riders personal enduro experience in a vast variety of terrain, difference in enduro bikes,  riders ability, riders technique...tire spinner, tubliss system, tubes or mousses, and one of the most important tire pressures, endless.  We are blessed to live in an era where about all of the enduro bikes and enduro tires available to us today are light years better than 20 years ago, ENJOY!

Thanks for taking the time to do this and sticking with your experiences. You definitely have some conditions in the PNW very unlike what we have in MN

Nicely done video. Thank you.   I am running a  Tusk Talon and really like it.   I didn't realize how much it looked like the JX8.  I have  a VE33s on the way to try next.  I'd like to try the Plews Monster as well.

Good review,  Pros run FIM tires because they have to and the Michelin is no exception. I found out quick Michelin's tires do not work for me in the southeast running hare scrambles(yes I know HS is different from hard enduro). Michelin sizes are small, the fronts are 1" smaller dia which means 1/2"less cushion so I can feel every little bump.rock and root. I removed the front in less than 2 hours. That and the rear lug patterns just do not work on wet roots or loose hill climbs so I gave upon Michelin.  The JX8 is the rear I use when wet and slick, all the roots get exposed quick on new courses and newly skinned roots are slick. A lot of guys here run the VE33 standard because they last longer.

Great video dude. Extremely helpful when making a decision

Remember, the pros also can run a brand new tire every week, and definitely every race.
I'm always amazed that I show up with what I would consider well worn tires, but other guys will show up on basically racing slicks not knowing just how much they're missing out on

Great topic! EVERYONE is always looking for the best tire to help there riding! Great vid

Oregon rider here; Tusk Talon didn’t do it for me. My go-to tire wasn’t mentioned in this video but the Motoz Arena Hybrid Gummy has been the winner through wet winters in Willamette Valley. Recently picked up a Plews tough one spec B. I’ve been happy three rides in we will see if it’s the new new. As far as summer gummy tires, I think any of these would be fine but you might as well buy a cheap gummy because they burn out so quick. The way I see it is I spend the money for a proper tire in the winter and cheap out in the summer when it doesn’t matter. I even tried harder compound when it’s dry and let that sucker spin!

when i ran the michelin extreme it was amazing.  holds up surprisingly well in turns and lasts forever.  i got like 25 hours out of mine granted i run my tires until i absolutely feel i cant use them anymore.  i agree its not great in the soft stuff but i would say thats its only downfall.  high speed or slow speed it worked great for me.  if it wasnt for the JX8 and the price it would be my favorite.  To me the jx8 and michelin extreme are so close and jx8 is way cheaper.  the at81ex is a good tire but i notice i get punctures really easily.  the ibex i feel it doesnt handle well in the turns and the knobs just chunk right off.  the shinko cheater is heavy and when it comes to any wet rocks or roots it just doesnt grip at all.  good video.

great review thanks

fantastic video- thank you for sharing your experience!

The Shinko 505 grips really well on everything but mud, and lasts longer than some desert Enduro compounds I've used.

Great video!

Plews Tough One Spec B. Fantastic tire here in the North Carolina mountains. Wet roots, rock slabs, creek sections, hillclimbs, off camber side hills, rock gardens. This tire has been very impressive and handled everything I've put it through with ease. I have somewhere close to 30 hours on mine and have plenty of life left. Give it a try when you get a chance.

The problem with the 140’s is the knob height sucks. Maxis are the same. My favourite long lasting and best traction rear tire is the Kenda Trackmaster 2. Dot road rated also! Favourite front tire Shinko fatty. Lots of rocky terrain up here in north eastern Ontario. I run heavy duty tubes and 12 psi front and 8 psi rear. No pinch flats in over 4000  rocky gnarly kms!

I haven't tried any of those except he 525 which I didn't like traction wise. I either run a 505 cheater or 520 DC. The life you get out of a 505 is crazy (even when used as a light adventure tyre) , and the grip on hard terrain is amazing, and I couldn't imagine anything grippier than a 520DC in intermediate terrain.

I have had cheap Tusk tires and expensive tires. 12 different tires at least twice, so l could be sure of how they worked and how they lasted. I am from now on going to spend the money, and get the AT81 . It works great everywhere and actually lasts as long or longer than any other tire.