Dunlop recently introduced the all-new Geomax MX51 and MX31 at Southern California’s Perris Raceway. Photos by Kinney JonesDunlop Tires took another step forward in evolution, introducing their new line of motocross and off-road tires – the Geomax MX51 and MX31. Media, industry and sponsored riders got to enjoy the fresh meats from Dunlop at a recent ride day at Perris Raceway in Southern California.The Geomax line is Dunlop’s new bread and butter, replacing both the 773 and ever-popular 756 lines of tires. Dunlop admits they are fully aware of how loyal a following the 756 in particular has, but still, don’t hesitate to confidently replace it with the MX51 line of front and rear tires – which have been in development for five years now. The Geomax MX31 will replace the 773 front and rear soft-terrain tires.Dunlop’s hard terrain tire, the 952, will remain in place and unchanged.The new motocross tires feature a number of changes which Dunlop claims to equal improved performance across the board in traction, grip, braking, bump absorption and durability.
An up-close look at the new Geomax. New Geomax features:
• The new design has a more open center tread and more tread volume in the shoulders.
• A much stiffer carcass and stiffer sidewall allow the tire to handle lower air pressure.
• Larger radius on each knob base designed for increased strength.
• A tie-bar design (A) between knobs gives greater resistance to chunking.
• Recessed areas on the knobs (B) allow for optimum grip.
• Shallow recessed areas between knobs (C) aim at improving overall bump absorption.
• Dunlop says the new design doesn’t add hardly any weight (over the models they replace).
The MX51
The successor to the D756 has some big shoes to fill, but the MX51 looks equal to the task. The front bears a strong resemblance to the 742FA (one our personal fav’s). All knobbies have recessed areas and the rear has recessions on the outer knobs.
The MX31
Dunlop’s newest generation soft-terrain tire is aimed at sand and mud conditions. it has a wider tread profile and more open pattern toward the center. The “shoulder knobs” are chisel-shaped which allow it to cut into softer terrain, which Dunlop claims to help out in the ruts.
After his first ride on them, Supercross Lites East champion Trey Canard called the Geomax, “like a 756 on steroids.” Other pro riders, like Andrew Short have been running the new generation Dunlop tires at the races for a few years now. They’re sold on them – but how about us mere mortals?The soft, wet soil at Perris Raceway for Dunlop’s ride day was like wallpaper glue and to be honest, even an chunked-up desert tire probably would have stuck like velcro. So our testing will continue before we officially report on the Geomax’s performance. At this point, so far so good, and we can say that they feel a lot like D756’s – which, as we all know, is damn good!Check out some more photos from the Dunlop ride day at Perris Raceway.
(Click to enlarge)
Dunlop’s legends and future legends, (left to right) Andrew Short, Jeff Ward, Ricky Johnson, Trey Canard, Malcolm Smith, Broc Glover, Kevin Windham and Jeremy McGrath.
An active legend – Troy Lee Designs Honda rider Jeff Ward’s still got it. The Geomax tires stuck like velcro on the soft, wet dirt of Perris Raceway at the Dunlop ride day.
Malcolm Smith wanted a gold chain so he could wear the new Geomax around his neck.
Red Bull Honda’s Andrew Short likes the new Dunlops and has been racing with them for a few years already.
Doug Dubach gives his feedback on the new tires (or is bragging about how he stuffed Ryan Hughes).
Apparently, the guy on the left used to race, and the guy on the right claims he owns the place.
It’s hard to keep the front end down with all that traction!
Boost Mobile/Troy Racing’s Nick Wey showed up for the ride day.
Dunlop’s Broc Glover
Geomax was here.
