MXA PRODUCT TEST: SEDONA MX887 IT TIRES: Spend Less Bread For Tread; The Sedona MX887 IT Is Designed For Intermediate-To-Hard Terrain

On Oct 30, 2009 Last updated Nov 14, 2018

MXA PRODUCT TEST:
SEDONA MX887 IT TIRES

WHAT IS IT? A new, Western Powersports exclusive, intermediate-to-hard terrain tire combination.

WHAT’S IT COST? The price range is $42.95 to $76.95?www.wps-inc.com or (208) 376-8400.

CONTACT? www.wps-inc.com or (208) 376-8400.

WHAT’S IT DO? The Western Powersports (WPS) Sedona line began with ATV tires and, due to their success, WPS decided to expand into motorcycle tires. The Sedona MX887 IT is designed for intermediate-to-hard terrain, which is the standard terrain choice for the best-selling, all-around offroad tires. Currently, the MX887 IT is Sedona’s only terrain choice, but a softer terrain tire will be available in the fall (most likely with an ST suffix).

So, if the MX887 IT is WPS’s first and only tire, how did they come up with a number as high as 887? The tire is named in memory of a well-liked local racer, Brian Byrd, who raced with number 887 and died at a fundraising ride day event.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Sedona MX887 IT tires.

(1) Rubber compound. When we first held the MX887 IT tires, the knobs felt softer than most intermediate terrain tires. They also felt soft during installation, which made mounting them super easy. Luckily, the Sedona is a dual-compound tire with a harder rubber compound in the center of the tire for straight-line wear and a softer rubber on the transition and biting edges.

(2) Price. A Sedona 110-19 rear costs $69.95. That’s an enormous savings of about $35 over any other tire we have on an MXA test bike.

(3) Weight. The Sedona 110 rear weighs a little over 13.3 pounds, which is definitely on the heavy side (almost a pound and a half heavier than most high-end tires).

(4) Durability. The durability of the MX887 IT is good for a tire with such soft edge knobs. The edges aren’t bulletproof, but they hold their own in most cases. Knob height stays tall over time, and as a non-directional tire, the MX887 IT can be reversed to get even more life on a fresher edge.

(5) Concrete starts. The Sedona excels on concrete starts. Our method was to spin the rear wheel to clean off debris and heat up the hard-compound center knobs (we made sure to do this burnout within 30 seconds of the gate dropping). Thanks to the harder center and softer edges, the Sedona seemed to find great traction on concrete.

(6) Braking. The performance under hard braking leaves something to be desired. Under heavy loads, testers could feel the knobs on the front tire squirm, which is an unnerving feeling to say the least. Braking performance of the rear isn’t very good either, but it’s consistent because the rear isn’t prone to hopping and stays planted in moderate chop.

(7) Traction. At race pace, the MX887 IT is a little skittish. The front Sedona is always on the verge of letting go, while the rear seems to hold a line as long as the ground isn’t too hard. We thought that the soft rubber would make the Sedona better on hard terrain, but the tall knobs tend to roll over.

(8) Sizes. Sedona tires come in the following sizes: 70/100-17, 70/100-19, 80/100-21, 90/100-14, 90/100-16, 110/100-18, 120/90-18, 100/90-19, 110/90-19 and 120/80-19.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Our grievances are in three areas: (1) Unsprung weight is crucial, and the MX887 ITs are heavy. (2) The front MX887 IT squirms under braking. (3) The mix of dual-compound rubber and tall knob heights doesn’t seem to be in balance.

This is a budget tire for a budget rider, but not a race tire?regardless of your budget.