PIRELLIDual-SportAdventure

MT 21™ Rallycross

Name: MT 21™ Rallycross Motorcycle Tires
Brand: PIRELLI
Rating: 8.2 (9 reviews)

Pirelli's legendary 90/10 knobby — built for riders who live in the dirt and only tolerate pavement when necessary.

MTC8.2/10★★★★☆Dual-Sport · Dirt Dominant

PIRELLI MT 21™ Rallycross motorcycle tire

motorcycletireco.com

BrandPIRELLI

TypeDual-Sport / Adventure

FitmentFront & Rear

Sizes9

90/10 off-road bias construction prioritizes dirt, gravel, rocks, and sand over pavement refinement — this is a trail tire that happens to be street-legal

Aggressive, widely-spaced knob pattern bites hard into loose and intermediate terrain, shedding mud and debris while maintaining traction under power

Reinforced casing handles the punishment of rocks, roots, and technical single-track without sidewall failure or premature wear

DOT street approval means you can legally ride to the trailhead and back — just expect knob noise and a livelier feel on asphalt

Decades of enduro and rallycross competition heritage make this one of the most proven off-road tire designs on the market

Wide fitment range covers the most popular dual-sport and adventure platforms — from 250cc trail bikes to larger adventure bikes

Riders Also Considered

Terra Force-EX SM Super Light

Select Size

Prices use MTC dealer formula · Load/speed index explained in the FAQ below

Fulfillment

Live pricing · Walk-in mount & balance available

🛞 Running a spoked wheel? Shop 21″ inner tubes →

Save below MSRPIn-stock · ships fastWalk-in install

MTC Rating

MTC Score

8.2/10

★★★★☆

Best suited to riders spending the majority of their time on unpaved surfaces who need a DOT-legal tire capable of handling serious off-road terrain.

Performance

Dry Grip8.7

Wet Grip6.8

Street Manners5.9

Track Capability3.2

Mileage7.1

Value8.4

Best For

Trail-First Adventure Rider

You're on dirt 70% or more of the time — fire roads, desert runs, single-track — and you use pavement mostly to link riding areas together. Comfort and highway manners aren't your priority; off-road bite and durability are. The MT 21 was built exactly for this kind of riding.

Perfect Match

Enduro Competitor / Hard Off-Road Rider

Enduro events, hard enduro, rally-style desert racing — you need a tire that won't flinch on rocks, roots, or loose shale. Street miles are purely a means to an end. The MT 21's knob structure and reinforced casing are proven in competition conditions that would destroy lesser dual-sport tires.

Perfect Match

Balanced Adventure Tourer

If you're splitting your miles more evenly between pavement and dirt, or you're planning long-distance routes with substantial highway sections, the MT 21's 90/10 bias will work against you — faster street wear, more road noise, and limited lean angles on asphalt. A 50/50 tire like the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR will serve this riding style far better.

Consider Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR or similar 50/50 adventure tire

Full Size Chart & Part Numbers

Pos.	Size	Load/Speed	P/N	MFR Part #	UPC-A	Our Price / MSRP
Front	80/90-21	—	0316-0496	3988700	8019227398878	$148.89$180.50Save $32
Front	90/90-21	—	0316-0497	3990400	8019227399042	$149.61$181.36Save $32
Rear	110/80-18	—	0317-0650	3988800	8019227398885	$154.28$187.01Save $33
Rear	120/80-18	—	0317-0651	3988900	8019227398892	$164.23$199.10Save $35
Rear	120/90-17	—	0317-0649	3988400	8019227398847	$171.00$207.28Save $36
Rear	120/90-18	—	0317-0652	3989000	8019227398908	$169.20$205.07Save $36
Rear	130/90-17	—	0317-0736	3989100	8019227398915	$177.66$215.33Save $38
Rear	130/90-18	—	0317-0737	3988500	8019227398854	$171.00$207.28Save $36
Rear	140/80-18	—	0317-0653	4404500	8019227398830	$147.12$178.35Save $31

Frequently Asked

It means this tire was engineered to perform on dirt, not asphalt. On the street, the tall knob structure produces a smaller contact patch than a road-oriented tire, which limits lean angles and generates noticeable tread noise at highway speeds. Handling is predictable and the tire is perfectly safe for street use, but wear will accelerate if you're logging heavy pavement miles. Think of road time as the price you pay to get between trails, not the main event.

Heavily dependent on your dirt-to-pavement split and how hard you're riding. Riders running 70-80% off-road typically get solid performance for 3,500–5,000 miles before the knobs round off enough to affect traction. Push that ratio toward 50/50 or more pavement and you can expect the rear to square off earlier, potentially in the 2,500–3,500 mile range. Rocky terrain and aggressive throttle will shorten that window; smooth dirt and controlled riding will extend it.

Yes — provided your route is predominantly unpaved. The MT 21 has completed transcontinental expeditions where gravel and dirt make up the bulk of the mileage. That said, if your adventure route runs 60% or more on pavement, you'll be fighting the tire's nature the whole way: more road noise, faster wear, and less confidence on wet asphalt. In that scenario, a true 50/50 adventure tire is the smarter long-haul choice.

In wet dirt and mud, the open knob spacing clears well and maintains traction — that's exactly what this tread pattern was designed to do. On wet pavement, the story changes: the limited asphalt contact patch means grip levels are moderate at best. Ride conservatively in the rain, stay off painted lines and metal surfaces, and dial back your lean angles compared to what you'd use in dry conditions. The tire telegraphs what it's doing, so you'll have warning — just respect its limits.

It's one of the benchmark choices for desert terrain and has deep roots in desert racing heritage. Run lower pressures in sand to increase the footprint and improve flotation, and the knob geometry rewards you with solid forward bite and manageable sliding behavior. Dedicated sand-specific tires may have a slight edge in pure dune conditions, but for mixed desert riding — hardpack, whoops, sandy washes — the MT 21 is an excellent all-around choice.

For street riding, stick close to manufacturer specs — typically around 18–21 psi front and 21–25 psi rear, adjusted for your bike's weight and load. Off-road, most riders drop to 12–18 psi depending on terrain: lower for sand and rocks to maximize traction and cushioning, higher for hard-pack where you want more support. Before heading back onto extended pavement sections, air back up — running low pressures at highway speeds generates heat and accelerates wear. A small portable compressor is worth carrying.

Pirelli MT 21 Rallycross Tires in Orange County — MTC

Motorcycle Tire Center in Orange, CA stocks the Pirelli MT 21 Rallycross for Southern California dual-sport and adventure riders who spend the majority of their time off the beaten path. Whether you're launching into the desert trails east of Riverside, hitting fire roads in the Angeles National Forest, or logging miles of Baja gravel, the MT 21's 90/10 off-road bias and proven knob construction give you the traction and durability to ride hard and get home. We carry the full MT 21 size range and can mount and balance your new set the same day you walk in — no appointment needed.

At MTC, we sell the MT 21 at below-MSRP dealer pricing because we move serious volume and pass the savings directly to riders. Walk-in mount and balance is straightforward: $69 per tire to mount, $9.95 per tire to balance, and $3.50 per tire for disposal of your old rubber. Serving Orange County riders from Irvine, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Fullerton, and Huntington Beach, we're the shop that treats you like a rider rather than a transaction — and we'll give you straight talk on whether the MT 21 is actually the right tire for your riding style or whether a 50/50 option makes more sense for your route.

Questions about sizing, fitment, or how the MT 21 compares to other dual-sport options? Call us directly at (714) 516-9059. Our staff rides and understands what aggressive off-road use actually demands from a tire, and we're happy to help you make the right call before you buy. The MT 21 has earned its reputation over decades of enduro and rallycross competition — come see us in Orange and put a set on your bike.

Riders Also Considered

PIRELLI

MT60™ Dual Sport

A street-biased dual-sport tire built for riders who ride pavement hard but still need real off-road capability when the road runs out.

Urban ExplorerAdventure TourerSerious Off-Road Rider

View tire →7.8

PIRELLI MT60™ Dual Sport

A street-biased dual-sport tire built for riders who ride pavement hard but still need real off-road capability when the road runs out.

Best suited for adventure and dual-sport riders who spend the majority of their miles on pavement but want a tire that won't quit when the road does.

Best for

Urban ExplorerAdventure TourerSerious Off-Road Rider

PIRELLI

MT 16™ Garacross

Pirelli's proven dual-sport workhorse — built for riders who split time between OC pavement and weekend dirt excursions without swapping tires.

Weekend ExplorerRally CompetitorAggressive Street Rider

View tire →7.8

PIRELLI MT 16™ Garacross

Pirelli's proven dual-sport workhorse — built for riders who split time between OC pavement and weekend dirt excursions without swapping tires.

The MT 16 Garacross is the right call for adventure and dual-sport riders who need one tire to handle both the 55 freeway and a weekend fire road.

Best for

Weekend ExplorerRally CompetitorAggressive Street Rider

DUNLOP

D908RR Rear

Dunlop's rally-raid rear tire built for large-displacement adventure bikes that eat desert terrain and still need to cover highway miles between stages.

Rally Raider RickBackcountry Explorer EmmaPavement-Priority Paul

View tire →8.2

DUNLOP D908RR Rear

Dunlop's rally-raid rear tire built for large-displacement adventure bikes that eat desert terrain and still need to cover highway miles between stages.

The D908RR Rear is purpose-built for rally-raid and remote backcountry riders who need genuine off-road aggression with enough highway capability to link it all together.

Best for

Rally Raider RickBackcountry Explorer EmmaPavement-Priority Paul

DUNLOP

D606

A genuine off-road performer with street credentials — built for riders who spend real time in the dirt and need DOT legality to get there.

Weekend Trail ExplorerAdventure CommuterPavement-Focused Dual-Sport Rider

View tire →8.2

DUNLOP D606

A genuine off-road performer with street credentials — built for riders who spend real time in the dirt and need DOT legality to get there.

The D606 is the right call for riders who prioritize off-road performance and need their tire to survive a mix of fire roads, loose terrain, and connecting pavement.

Best for

Weekend Trail ExplorerAdventure CommuterPavement-Focused Dual-Sport Rider

MITAS

Terra Force-EX SM Super Light

Competition-grade enduro rubber built for riders who live in the dirt and only touch pavement to get back there.

Technical Trail SpecialistHard Enduro CompetitorBalanced Dual-Sport Rider

View tire →8.2

MITAS Terra Force-EX SM Super Light

Competition-grade enduro rubber built for riders who live in the dirt and only touch pavement to get back there.

Purpose-built for technical trail and enduro riders who need maximum off-road traction and will accept minimal street capability to get it.

Best for

Technical Trail SpecialistHard Enduro CompetitorBalanced Dual-Sport Rider

MICHELIN

Desert Race

Michelin's rally-raid-proven desert tire, DOT-certified for the road sections between epic off-road stages — built for serious adventure and competition riders.

Rally CompetitorRemote Adventure TourerStreet-Focused Adventure Rider

View tire →8.2

MICHELIN Desert Race

Michelin's rally-raid-proven desert tire, DOT-certified for the road sections between epic off-road stages — built for serious adventure and competition riders.

The Desert Race is purpose-built for rally competitors and remote adventure tourers who demand genuine off-road performance and can accept the trade-offs on pavement.

Best for

Rally CompetitorRemote Adventure TourerStreet-Focused Adventure Rider

MITAS

Enduro Trail

A true 50/50 ADV tire built for riders who split time between highway slabs and dirt roads — without compromising either end of the spectrum.

Adventure TourerDual-Sport ExplorerAggressive Off-Road Rider

View tire →8.2

MITAS Enduro Trail

A true 50/50 ADV tire built for riders who split time between highway slabs and dirt roads — without compromising either end of the spectrum.

The Mitas Enduro Trail earns its place as the go-to 50/50 tire for ADV and dual-sport riders who need one tire to handle everything from the 405 to a fire road in the San Gabriels.

Best for

Adventure TourerDual-Sport ExplorerAggressive Off-Road Rider