Steering - How it works

The basic components of steering include rake, trail, and offset.














The trail plays a role in stabilizing the front-end by helping your tire produce a restoring force that attempts to keep your motorcycle moving in a straight line. The longer the trail, the more the motorcycle will resist turns and be more stable on straight line driving. A shorter trail allows for quick and easier turns. The shorter trail makes the motorcycle want to "fall" into the turns.

The rake plays a role by allowing any lean of the wheel to be transformed into a turn of the wheel towards that lean. A more vertical rake allows the bike to handle bumps and ruts well, HOWEVER, by having a smaller rake you create a smaller trail and forfeit some straight line driving stability. A smaller rake also produces a lighter handling feel when turning. As you increase the rake, the motorcycle will produce a more heavier or sluggish handling feeling since the weight of the chassis is attempting to self-straighten the fork as it hangs in the steering axis.

The trail and the rake directly affect each other. If you shorten one, you automatically shorten the other. The opposite is also true. If you increase the angle of the rake, you also increase the length of the trail.

The third basic element is the offset. Offset is defined in millimeters (mm) and is measured from the centerline of the top of the steering stem axis to the centerline of the top of the fork tubes. An offset provides a second option for the setup of how the motorcycle will handle. The smaller offsets (35mm - 60mm) allows the motorcycle to angle more into the corner and push through the turn. However on exiting the corner, you will experience less traction allowing you to turn easier and stay on the inside of the track. As you increase the offset (60mm - 75mm) you obtain more traction coming out of the corners, but the greater offset forces the motorcycle into an upright position and you will drive more towards the outside of the track coming off the corner.

Other factors such as weight transer when braking, fork length, and tire size may also play a role in changing the trail and rake and should be given consideration when determining your set-up.

KENDA Tire

Kenda offers 2 rubber compounds for most of there race tires... Sticky and standard. The
standard is designed as a good balance between traction and slow wear but if you are looking for more performance and do not mind giving up some of the wear rate the Sticky rubber is a good choice.

benefits of sticky rubber
1. soft and sticky altenative to regular rubber compound
2.improved traction especially on hard packed dirt and cement start pad
3.low temperature/quick warm up feature
4. suitable for applying ice studs for winter riding

Kenda offers many different tread patterns and sizes in Motocross tires

SOUTHWICK II (type : Front-K780/Rear-K780)
* New design for sand/mud conditions
* Front and rear patterns offer tall knob depths for deep bite
* Large radius supports at knob base reduces roll over in soft areas with hard base
* Wide space between rows self clean treads even at slow speed
* Standard race compound allows for increased wear durability and quick warm-up on cement start pads
* light 4-ply rated casing with reinforced sidewalls
* DOT approved from tire

MILLVILE MX (type : Front-K771/Rear-K771)
* ADULT / YOUTH SIZES
* Designed to meet the famous "Millville" mixed terrain
* The unique dual rotation tread pattern allows for a wide range of applications from "Unadilla Gravity Cavity" loam to loose soil over hard base
* Reinforced knob base for excellent durability
* New factory style racing tread compound for high grip on soft surface with a hard base
* Lightweight casing ply material for reduced unsprung weight
*This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by Spring Creek MX Park in Millville, MN.

WASHOUGAL MX (type : Front-K775/Rear-K775)
* ADULT / YOUTH SIZES
* Designed to meet the demands of intermediate terrains
* New tread pattern for intermediate conditions
* Triangular shaped knobs to reduce knob flex on hard base areas
* New casing structure with reinforced sidewalls




BUDD'S CREEK MX (type : Front-K780/Rear-K780)
* ADULT / YOUTH SIZES
* Designed to meet changing course conditions on dry terrain
* New directional tread pattern for hard to intermediate conditions
* Dimpled knobs for improved traction on hard surfaces
* New casing structure with reinforced sidewalls




TRIPLE new! (type : Front-K781/Rear-K781)
* Developed and tested in Arena Cross and Super Cross races
* Low profile sidewall for improved cornering stability and cornering traction
* Tread pattern designed for hard packed, slippery surfaces
* Dimpled knobs allow for quick tire warm up and extra traction
* Lightweight 4-ply rated casing structure with reinforced sidewalls
* Sticky race compound


SAND MAD new! (type : Rear-K782)
* Designed specifically for deep mud or sandy MX course conditions
* Paddle shaped knobs for improved acceleration
* Lightweight 4-ply rated casing
* Sticky race compound





PARKER DT (type : Front-K774F/Rear K-775)
* Casing/compound designed to meet the demands of the toughest desert terrain
* 6-ply rated casing offers 30% more cut resistance
* New natural rubber compound for extended tread wear and reduced knob chunking
* DOT approved