TEN THINGS ABOUT DUNLOP’S NEW FACTORY SPEC TIRE

(1) Factory. Dunlop has never hidden the fact that they provide their top-tier factory riders with “factory spec” tires to maximize performance and allow each team rider to be as comfortable as possible. Dunlop uses feedback from the pros to develop tires for the public. Prototype versions of the MX34 tire were raced at the highest level for two years before coming to production in 2023. Now, Dunlop is releasing its Factory Spec tire to the public. 

(2) D756RR. The Factory Spec tire isn’t the first example of consumers accessing once-pro-only rubber. In 2006-2009, Dunlop offered the D756RR (Race Replica) tire to the public. It worked great on intermediate terrain and won every tire shootout it was in 20 years ago. If it had a flaw it was that durability and lifespan suffered because of the rubber compound. 

Dunlop Race Spec Front tire is slightly heavier than the Dunlop MX34 it is based on—as is the rear 120/90-19, but the 120/90-19 is lighter.

(3) KTM only. The Factory Spec  project came to fruition in collaboration with KTM USA. These tires were originally supposed to debut on the 2025-1/2 KTM Factory Edition models but were left off those bikes due to the price increase they would have caused. Instead, KTM decided to place an order for all 13,500 Factory Spec tires that Dunlop made, and they have a contract to be the sole distributor for these tires in 2025. This means they’ll only be available through KTM dealerships or other retailers that KTM sells them to. Dunlop won’t be able to provide these directly to consumers, and they won’t be available to privateers or amateurs via the Dunlop truck at the races. 

To the untrained eye, the Dunlop Factory Spec tires (above) and production MX34 tires share compound and knob pattern, but not the tire shares the carcass or profile. The Race Spec tire  is 10% less durable the the stock MX34.

(4) Pro only. Dunlop currently has four options for MX34 spec tires on the front and two options on the rear for their top-tier pros. The profile and carcasses are unique to create a different feel, but the compound and pattern are the same on all the Factory Spec tires. When choosing which tires to sell, KTM and Dunlop picked the Factory Spec tires that are used by the majority of factory riders—the same tires that Chase Sexton and Aaron Plessinger used off and on throughout the 2024 season. 

(5) Single radius. The Factory Spec tire has a single-radius profile, while the standard MX34 has a dual radius. For example, a circle has a single radius, while an oval has a dual radius. The oval shape of the standard tires makes it easier to tip into corners and turn sharper, while the round single-radius Factory Spec tire requires more effort to lean into a turn. The pros prefer the more consistent feel that comes from the rounder single-radius tire, while the MX34 was created to be more of an all-around tire for a range of skill levels, and the dual-radius shape of it helps less experienced riders turn down easier in corners. 

(6) Apex. The apex on the Factory Spec tire has a taller profile to make it more stable and to help with bump absorption. The carcass is also stiffer on the Factory Spec tire, and Dunlop claims that the Factory Spec tire excels most when the track gets rougher. The Spec tires are made with polyester and nylon, while the standard tires are primarily made out of nylon. Visually, the production tire has stripes on it, while the Spec tire does not. 

(7) Weight. The carcass on the Factory Spec tire has more material to make it slightly stiffer, enhancing consistency and traction. Because of that, the front tire and the 110/80 rear tire are both slightly heavier; however, the 120/90 rear tire is slightly lighter than the 120/90 MX34 tire. 

(8) Durability. One of the biggest complaints about the D756RR was its durability. The D756RR had a softer compound to work better on concrete starts, which are now non existent at the AMA Pro level, meaning Dunlop doesn’t have to go as soft on the rubber compound. Dunlop admits the new Factory Spec tire is around 10 percent less durable than the basic MX34, but they also believe there’s a market for riders who understand that and are willing to make the purchase anyway. 

(9) MSRP. The 13,500 Factory Spec tires are divided equally between a front tire and two different rears. They are currently only available in the U.S. and only available for big bikes. Dunlop has provided KTM with suggested prices, but ultimately, it’s up to each dealer to determine the sale price. The 80/100-21 MSRP is $159.95. The 110/90-19 rear is $190.95, and the 120/90-19 rear is $193.95. 

(10) First impressions. In our first test comparing Factory Spec and MX34 tires, our test riders could feel how much easier it was to turn with the MX34 front tire; however, they also noticed more wiggle under braking with the softer MX34, while the Factory Spec rubber delivered a more consistent but firm feel.