Motocross Tire Mousse: Fitment, Sizes and Buying Guide
TOKYOMODS / MOUSSE FITMENT
The right motocross tire mousse starts with four details: tire brand, model, full size and rim width.
A mousse replaces the inflated inner tube with a foam insert, eliminating pneumatic tube flats. Its fit determines how well it supports the tire, while compound and condition influence the response you feel on the bike.
Matching a “120” tire to a “120” mousse is not a reliable sizing rule. This guide uses examples from the official NitroMousse fitment chart to show how to select the correct part number for motocross and off-road applications.
Read the tire size and rim width separately
A marking such as 110/100-18 describes nominal tire width in millimeters, the aspect ratio and the rim diameter in inches. Here, the sidewall height is nominally 100 percent of the width, and the tire fits an 18-inch rim.
That marking does not tell you the rim's width. A wheel marked 18 × 2.15 has an 18-inch diameter and a 2.15-inch rim width. Rim width describes the distance between the bead seats, not the tire's outside width.
Record the tire's full brand and model name as well. An MX33 and MX34 are different tire models, even when both say 80/100-21. Check the actual wheel on the motorcycle, especially if a previous owner changed it.
Keep those details with your tire order. A photo of the sidewall and rim marking can help resolve a naming or sizing question before you buy.
How to use the NitroMousse fitment chart
Find the exact tire brand and model, then match its size and your rim width. Read across to the Platinum or Plushie column and record the complete part number.
| Tire model | Tire size | Rim width | Platinum | Plushie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunlop MX33 | 80/100-21 | 1.60 in. | NM21-235 | NMS21-235 |
| Dunlop MX34 | 80/100-21 | 1.60 in. | NM21-220 | NMS21-220 |
| Dunlop AT81 | 110/100-18 | 1.85 in. | NM18-285 | NMS18-285 |
| Dunlop AT81 | 110/100-18 | 2.15 in. | NM18-305 | NMS18-305 |
| Dunlop MX53 | 100/90-19 | 1.85 in. | No Nitro match listed | No Plushie match listed |
| Dunlop MX53 | 100/90-19 | 2.15 in. | NM19-255 | No Plushie match listed |
The first pair shows a tire-model difference; the second shows a rim-width difference. The final pair shows why a nearby chart row cannot substitute for your exact combination. These are selected examples; consult the current manufacturer chart when ordering.
If the chart has no match or directs you to measure, use Nuetech's tire-measuring instructions. The process requests an inside-surface measurement, bead width and rim width so the manufacturer can assess the fit.
Platinum or Plushie: choose the intended response
Once the application is matched, consider the riding conditions. Nuetech positions Platinum as its standard 10–12 psi-equivalent feel for general off-road use, including motocross. Plushie provides a softer 6–8 psi-equivalent feel for slower technical riding and hard enduro.
Those numbers describe approximate response, not measurable inflation pressure. You do not set a mousse to 10 psi with a pump. The tire carcass, insert compound, fit, temperature and wear all contribute to the result.
For motocross, Platinum is the natural starting point within Nuetech's stated range. If your riding also includes slow technical sections, describe the whole ride when choosing a compound. A preference for more compliance does not justify selecting an undersized insert.
A mousse has no quick air-pressure adjustment, but its feel is not permanently fixed. It changes with use, and some brands offer specific tuning products. Begin with the supported fit and compound before considering any manufacturer-approved adjustment.
What happens when the mousse fit is wrong?
An insert that leaves excessive space inside the tire can provide inadequate support. Nuetech warns that an undersized NitroMousse can feel unstable and wear prematurely. Excessive tightness can make mounting difficult; forcing the bead with long levers can damage the tire.
Installation resistance alone does not prove the insert is too large. Tire-bead position and mounting technique matter. Recheck the application and follow the installation method before substituting another size.
Likewise, a used mousse that suddenly feels very soft needs inspection. Review the insert's condition, lubrication and tire match rather than assuming that the change is useful extra traction.
Can you mix mousse and tire brands?
Use a documented application from the mousse manufacturer. NitroMousse publishes matches across many tire brands, as the Dunlop examples above demonstrate. A listed NitroMousse application does not establish the correct Michelin Bib Mousse or another brand's insert for that tire.
Michelin's Bib Mousse guidance provides applications for its own tire ranges, including Starcross, Enduro and Desert Race. Michelin does not guarantee fitting or performance in other tire brands. Matching the sidewall numbers alone is therefore insufficient evidence for a Michelin-to-Dunlop pairing.
Use the exact tire model within the relevant manufacturer's guide. A broad description such as “enduro tire” or “desert mousse” identifies a category, not a verified combination.
Plan installation and maintenance with the purchase
Include the correct mousse lubricant, rim protection and required mounting equipment in your plan. NitroMousse requires a properly fitting, functioning rim lock. Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions for fitting and lubrication.
Use NitroLube or an approved alternative for NitroMousse; use the specified gel for Michelin Bib Mousse. Ordinary mounting paste should not be assumed suitable for long-term contact between the insert and tire.
Inspect during tire changes and follow the service guidance for your use. Heat, speed, age and lubrication affect mousse life, so there is no universal hours-of-use promise. Replace an insert that no longer provides the required support.
NitroMousse and Michelin Bib Mousse are intended for off-road use. Observe the operating limits for the exact product and check your event's equipment rules when preparing a race bike.
Find the matched insert at Tokyomods
Use the chart's part number to locate the product. Examples from the table include:
- NitroMousse Platinum NM21-220.
- NitroMousse Platinum NM18-305.
- NitroMousse Platinum NM19-255.
- NitroMousse Plushie / Soft options, where a matching NMS part number is listed.
A product title may show a nominal tire size while its insert fits several documented applications. Compare the complete SKU with the chart result, then keep the tire and rim details in your order notes.
Motocross mousse fitment questions
Is rim width the same as tire width?
No. Tire width is part of the sidewall size; rim width describes the wheel's bead-seat spacing. Look for the rim's size marking or use the wheel manufacturer's specification.
Can I reuse a mousse in a different tire?
Possibly, if it remains serviceable and the new tire-and-rim combination supports that insert. Recheck fitment and condition. Moving a worn mousse into a narrower tire is not a universal reuse rule.
Does “no Plushie match” mean I should choose the closest size?
No. It means the chart does not list a Plushie application for that combination. Ask for fitment guidance, choose an available supported option or reconsider the tire setup.
Will a mousse prevent every tire problem?
It eliminates pneumatic tube flats. Tire cuts, bead damage, wheel damage and insert wear still require attention. Correct fitment supports the tire's intended behavior; it does not make the complete wheel indestructible.
Get your mousse fitment right before mounting
Send Tokyomods your tire brand, model, full size and rim width, plus the kind of riding you do. We can help you find the listed insert and the installation supplies for your setup.