Tag Archives: Motorcycle Tires

Motoz Tractionator GPS and Dual Venture Tires | Gear Review

MOTOZ Tractionator GPS Dual Venture adventure motorcycle tires
The Motoz Tractionator Dual Venture and GPS tires

When I was young and broke, I’d stretch the mileage of a knobby on my Honda SL100 or XL250 by reversing the tread when the knobs began to look like ramps. Not the brightest thing to do, but did I mention I was young and broke? 

I bring this up because the Motoz Tractionator tires in this review – a Tractionator GPS rear and a Tractionator Dual Venture front – are both reversible per the manufacturer. Motoz rates the GPS as a 50/50 off-road/street tire when mounted in the normal position and a more dirt-oriented skin when reversed. The 70/30 Dual Venture front tire’s non-directional tread allows extended use when turned around, which could be handy on a long journey.

MOTOZ Tractionator GPS adventure motorcycle tires
MOTOZ Tractionator GPS

Brian Cornelius at Pacific Powersports, the Motoz U.S. Distributor, assisted me in choosing this setup after I confessed that, like most ADV riders, I spend more time on the pavement than off. However, I will gladly give up some street cornering for better off-road grip at the front. The knobby Dual Venture fulfills that requirement while still allowing plenty of cornering fun on the tarmac.

See all of Rider‘s Tire Reviews here.

Motoz is an Australian company that specializes in off-road and adventure tires, which have been manufactured in a privately owned factory in Thailand for 40 years. The company states its bias-ply Tractionators use a proprietary ply material of a higher denier than used by other tire makers to create a stronger tire. The tread material is a hybrid of silica-enhanced natural rubber and other components for good all-weather performance. Both tires have four nylon plies each for tread and sidewall and are rated M+S, meaning in general that they have widely spaced tread blocks. 

MOTOZ Tractionator GPS adventure motorcycle tires
MOTOZ Tractionator GPS
MOTOZ Tractionator Dual Venture adventure motorcycle tires
MOTOZ Tractionator Dual Venture

It was relatively easy to mount the rear 150/70B18 TL GPS ($239.99) on my Yamaha Ténéré 700 in 50/50 mode, after which I enjoyed excellent traction throughout several days of wandering the Mojave Desert. Through sand, gravel, dirt, and rocks, the Motoz GPS handled it all well. They were fun on the pavement too, with good grip in the corners allowing spirited riding. We didn’t have mud, but I’ve ridden the GPS in the rain with no problems. Center tread depth is down from the Motoz spec of 12.5 mm to 7 mm after 3,500 miles of mixed – but largely highway – use.  

Related: Yamaha Announces Updated Ténéré 700, Other Returning 2024 Models

Likewise, the 90/90B21 TL 54Q Dual Venture ($137.99) kept the front of the Yamaha planted on pavement, hard dirt roads, and sloppy desert gravel. It also took some big hits as I slammed through numerous dry, hard-edged water channels, testing the Ténéré’s forks to the max without complaint from the tire. The middle knobs have a slight rear-side chamfer now, so it may be time to turn it around. 

Overall, I’m a fan of this Motoz pair and consider them a great fit for most adventure travel. Though if expecting mud, I’d consider slipping a 70/30 Tractionator Adventure onto the rear. 

The post Motoz Tractionator GPS and Dual Venture Tires | Gear Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

New Gear: Continental TKC 70 Adventure Motorcycle Tires

Continental TKC 70 Adventure Motorcycle Tires

Continental’s TKC 70 adventure motorcycle tires feature rugged off-road capability with balanced street performance. Combining the best of Continental’s TKC 80 and ContiTrailAttack 3 tires, the TKC 70s are made in Germany and have a speed index of 149 mph.

See Rider‘s tire reviews here.

These tires were designed to address complaints of the short wear-life of the more off-road-oriented TKC80 tires with a more street-oriented design ideal for larger-displacement ADV bikes. The TKC 70s have an 80% on-road and 20% off-road balance, making them perfect for light to medium trails.

The tread block pattern makes these tires quiet and stable on the road while providing good capability for off-road use. The Multi-Grip compound technology allows for different levels of hardness on the central tread and shoulder areas for both longevity and grip. Aggressive rain grooves add to the all-weather capabilities of the TKC 70 tires.

The Continental TKC 70 adventure motorcycle tires are available in a variety of sizes starting at $179.95, and they are eligible for Continental’s free 3-year roadside warranty.

The post New Gear: Continental TKC 70 Adventure Motorcycle Tires appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires Celebrates 50 Years

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires

Dunlop celebrates its 50th year of producing motorcycle tires in the U.S. this year. Founded in 1923 in Ontario, the company moved its motorcycle tire manufacturing to Tonawanda, New York, in 1973. Five years later, Dunlop began what would become a vital relationship with Harley-Davidson, which saw such innovations as wide white walls and multitread touring tires.

Today, Dunlop continues to produce high quality motorcycle tires. As a testament to the quality of these tires, our reviewer in a test of the Dunlop American Elite tires stated: “In fact, in over 48 years of riding motorcycles (don’t judge), these are the best road tires I’ve ever tried.” Dunlop is also the official tire of MotoAmerica and American Flat Track racing series.

For more information about Dunlop’s storied history and current offerings, read the press release below.


BUFFALO, NY — It may be hard to believe that Dunlop has been a critical part of the western New York Community for 100 years now, with its first tire rolling off the assembly line in 1923. For half of those 100 years, this factory produced over 20 million motorcycle tires for the North American market. Back in the early 1970s, motorcycle tire molds were moved from the Dunlop plant in Whitby, Ontario, across the Canadian border to the nearby Dunlop factory located in Tonawanda, New York, just outside the Buffalo city limits. By 1973, this plant was producing the K81, K70, and eventually the K88 motorcycle tires.  

Dunlop Motorcycle Tires
Dunlop has been manufacturing motorcycle tires in Tonawanda, New York, just outside the Buffalo city limits, for 50 years.

Fast track to March of 1978, a Dunlop K181 built in that same Tonawanda plant won a tire shoot-out conducted by Harley-Davidson in San Antonio, Texas, which would solidify its future and change the course of history for the brand and the people designing and building tires at the Tonawanda plant. That shootout win started a relationship with Harley-Davidson that eventually led to Dunlop being awarded the Original Equipment tire business for 1981 Harley-Davidson Sportster motorcycles. This partnership has lasted over four decades with the two companies collaborating on numerous tire innovations, including things we take for granted, like wide white walls and multi-tread touring motorcycle tires.

See more Dunlop Motorcycle Tires news and reviews here.

Today, Dunlop Motorcycle Tires remains the largest motorcycle tire manufacturer headquartered and fully operational within the United States. The company is the largest motorcycle tire producer based in the North American market. “It’s incredible to think this facility has been building motorcycle tires for fifty years. Even more remarkable is the brand’s partnership with Harley-Davidson and how that relationship has pushed our technology and innovation to deliver world-class market-driven products for North American riders,” said Mike Buckley, Dunlop Motorcycle’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Having the R&D and manufacturing located so close to the market has been invaluable to our success. It’s not just about touring tires though; additionally, our support of North American Road Racing and Flat Track with tires designed and built here further demonstrates our commitment to this market.”

The company’s R&D team, located in Buffalo, New York, has been committed to American racing and is the official tire of MotoAmerica and American Flat Track series, where all the tires used in the series are developed and manufactured by Dunlop in its New York facility. In addition, many of Dunlop’s popular tires, like the American Elite, D401, D402, D407, D408, Sportmax Q5, Sportmax Q5S, Trailmax Mission, and many more are produced in the same footprint that started production in 1973.

About Dunlop Motorcycle Tires

Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit the Dunlop website. Follow @ridedunlop on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter for the latest Dunlop news. Use #RideDunlop and/or #RaceDunlop to share your Dunlop moments.

The post Dunlop Motorcycle Tires Celebrates 50 Years appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

New Gear: Shinko E804/E805 Adventure Motorcycle Tires

Shinko E804/E805 Adventure Motorcycle Tires
Shinko E804/E805 adventure motorcycle tires

Great adventures start with great preparation. Get ready for your next trip with Shinko’s E804/E805 adventure motorcycle tires, which are designed to perform both off-road and on-road.

These tires have a heavy-duty carcass for larger adventure-touring bikes and feature a classic big-block pattern that can tackle off-road obstacles while providing a stable and comfortable ride on pavement.

See Rider‘s tire reviews here.

The E804/E805 tires are ideal for situations in which riders spend 40% of their time on-road and 60% off-road. They feature stable sidewalls for riding on soft surfaces, and they are DOT approved and Mud and Snow rated.

Prices for the Shinko E804/E805 tires range from $88.32-$171.71, and they are available in a variety of sizes.

The post New Gear: Shinko E804/E805 Adventure Motorcycle Tires appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Bridgestone Adventurecross AX41 Adventure Tires | Gear Review

Bridgestone Battleax Adventurecross AX41 adventure tires

Manufacturers of adventure tires strive for the holy trinity of performance: traction on and off the road, performance in the wet, and longevity. Bridgestone comes very close with its Adventurecross AX41 tires, which are rated for 40% on-road and 60% off-road.

I tested these tires for nearly 1,000 miles on my KTM 1190 Adventure R with tubeless spoked wheels (21-inch front, 18-inch rear) in various conditions – solo, solo with luggage, two-up, rain on- and off-road, and in temperatures from the 30s to 90s – and at stock tire pressures (36 psi front, 42 rear). Most testing was completed on the BDR-X PA Wilds, a 500-mile loop in Pennsylvania that’s about 80% dirt and includes a few optional expert sections. 

Bridgestone Battleax Adventurecross AX41 adventure tires KTM 1190 Adventure R

For those who crave serious bite off-road but don’t want to sacrifice on-road performance, the search for optimal adventure tires never ends. Even though the AX41s are rated 60% off-road, I was able to push them hard on pavement. They turn quickly and remain stable at triple-digit speeds. The staggered knob pattern provides good surface contact, and the tread blocks on the shoulder provide a solid feel when cornering. 

Performance could be better on wet pavement, but I experienced minimal slippage out back when traction control was turned off. And despite the aggressive tread, tire noise on pavement is reasonable.

Off-road is where these tires truly perform. I tested them on slippery clay, river crossings, sharp rocks, sandy sections, and deep gravel. The big tread blocks provided confident grip and traction, even when conditions got greasy in wet clay or loose in sand. With TC off, I was able to push hard through slippery corners and enjoy some big, well-controlled power slides. On slick river crossings, the tires deflected as expected. They also tracked where I pointed them when rolling over big rocks on steep declines and self-cleaned well in mud. 

See all of Rider‘s Adventure & Dual-sport Motorcycle reviews here.

When new, the front tread depth is 7.9mm, and the rear is 9mm. After 1,000 hard-charging miles, with about 600 of those off-road, I measured 4.6mm front and 3.8mm rear. At that rate, I can probably get 2,500 miles out of the front and 2,000 out of the rear. Lighter bikes and less aggressive riding can probably double that.  

Choosing the best tire based on your adventure riding style is crucial for a positive experience. I’m pleased with the performance and reasonable longevity of the AX41s, and I’ll spoon on another set when these are roasted. 

See all of Rider‘s tire reviews here.

Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41 adventure tires are available in various sizes and are priced from $160.86 to $340.42.

The post Bridgestone Adventurecross AX41 Adventure Tires | Gear Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

New Gear: Bridgestone Battlecruise H50 Motorcycle Tires

Bridgestone Battlecruise H50 motorcycle tires

The Bridgestone Battlecruise H50 motorcycle tires, designed specifically for cruising on big-displacement American V-Twins, provide durability, deliver smoother handling, and increase rider comfort for long-distance touring. The tubeless tires’ handling capabilities allow large bikes to turn smoothly at both low and high speeds to reduce fall-in characteristics during turns, and the optimized rigidity distribution reduces vibrations by absorbing energy inputs from the road surface to prevent fatigue on long rides.

The Bridgestone Battlecruise H50 motorcycle tires are available in a range of tire sizes, with pricing starting at $207.83.

The post New Gear: Bridgestone Battlecruise H50 Motorcycle Tires appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Shinko SR999 Long Haul Motorcycle Tires | Gear Review

Shinko SR999 Long Haul motorcycle tires

Shinko SR999 Long Haul motorcycle tires are designed for V-Twin cruiser and touring motorcycles, and they handle as good as they look. The tread has rain grooves that run in an alternating diagonal pattern, almost like claw marks, and the styling nicely complements my Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. But more importantly, those grooves evacuate water efficiently for reliable wet-weather grip, which is essential on the west coast of Florida, where I live and ride. It may be called the Sunshine State, but the Gulf of Mexico sends frog-choking storms our way year-round.

See all of Rider’s tire reviews here.

V-Twins like my Harley are heavy bikes, and the SR999 Long Hauls carry the weight of the machine, rider, and gear very well thanks to their reinforced carcass, aramid belting, and rubber compound, which was formulated for high mileage and confident grip in a range of conditions. Shinko USA’s website has a size chart for the SR999 tires, and there are numerous sizes, with diameters ranging from 15 to 21 inches. The load index ranges from 54 (467 lb) for an 80/90-21 front to 84 (1,102 lb) for a 180/55B18 rear.

A set of SR999 tires were installed on my Softail by Ricachet, one of the best mechanics in Tampa, at HellBenders Motorcycles. Soon after leaving the shop, we had a typical surprise Florida storm roll in. I had barely scrubbed in the tires before the skies opened up. I carefully worked my way through evening traffic, and the tires felt stable and reassuring.

Shinko SR999 Long Haul motorcycle tires

My route home took me onto Interstate 275, and I’m not ashamed to admit I was squeezing the handlebar pretty tight. The Shinkos rolled along smoothly, and as I got up to speed, I noticed…nothing. No squirm, no hunting for grip, just steady cruising like it wasn’t even raining.

After that initial wet ride, I started racking up miles on my daily commute. The SR999s exhibit good stability, give me a lot of confidence in sharp turns, and provide an all-around smooth ride. What I really appreciate is that, despite the reinforced carcass, I don’t feel every bump in the road like I’ve felt with other tires. They handle most of the rough spots on the highway – seams, cracks, gouges, and potholes – without drama.

Shinko SR999 Long Haul motorcycle tires

This is my first experience with Shinko tires, and while I was initially reluctant to try an unfamiliar brand, I’m glad I did. After a few thousand miles on the SR999s, they have exceeded my expectations, and I feel more confident and safer with them on my bike.

Shinko SR999 Long Haul tires are available in a range of front and rear sizes and are priced from $114.95 to $269.95.

The post Shinko SR999 Long Haul Motorcycle Tires | Gear Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

New Gear: Dunlop Sportmax Q5 and Q5S Tires

Dunlop Sportmax Q5 and Q5S motorcycle tires
Dunlop Sportmax Q5 (left) and Q5S (right) front motorcycle tires

While developing the Sportmax Q5 and Q5S tires, Dunlop focused on front tire performance since many rider aids available today already accentuate rear tire performance.

Read all of Rider‘s Tire Reviews here.

The Q5’s front tire is now 2mm taller and 2mm narrower for a more compliant tire with an improved turn-in rate, and the Q5S’s front tire is 7mm shorter for a lighter and more responsive feel. The compound has also been improved to enhance dry grip by changing the polymer to make the tires softer and adding a traction resin.

The Q5 tire starts at $250.22, and the Q5S starts at $219.45.

The post New Gear: Dunlop Sportmax Q5 and Q5S Tires first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Shinko White Wall SR777 Tires | Gear Review

Shinko White Wall SR777 Tires

Whitewall tires like those offered by companies like Shinko were not the first thing that came to mind when I considered new tires for my 2011 Harley-Davidson Blackline. Normally I look for a black set that balances the line between cheap and reliable, but the whitewalls pulled me in like a tractor beam, so I thought I would give them a shot.

Most of the riding I do is cruising around rural roads in western Minnesota, and these new tires required a test that only our fair state could offer. Cold winters and hot summers are tough on our roads, creating plenty of bumps and potholes for riders to evade.

See Rider‘s North Central U.S. touring stories here. 

When the Shinko White Wall SR777 tires arrived, since it was my first time with whitewalls, it came as a shock to find that the white was actually a vibrant blue. Turns out the “blue” was a thin layer of soapy material that protects the whitewalls during shipping. My set was installed by Motoprimo Motorsports, and they cleaned the tires before installation. 

Shinko White Wall SR777 Tires 2011 Harley-Davidson Blackline
Shinko White Wall SR777 Tires on a 2011 Harley-Davidson Blackline

The install was just in time for a three-day, 1,000-mile ride up through the center of Minnesota, from Minneapolis to International Falls. Conditions included rain and mist, temperatures of 50-85 degrees, and even a few gravel farm roads. The tires delivered a comfortable ride and provided much-needed confidence that I didn’t know I was missing. Cornering felt smooth – as did swerving, especially when evading road obstructions and the occasional deer. The tires dealt with the distressed roads well, dampening the worst of the bumps and buckled asphalt. Wet roads did not have a negative effect on grip, though I didn’t feel the need to push that threshold too much.

Shinko White Wall SR777 Tires front
Shinko White Wall SR777 Tires rear

When new, the white on the tires is bright, and it stayed that way for the duration of my trip, which was surprising considering the dust and debris that accumulated on them. Though the tires require a little more maintenance to keep clean, it is well worth it if you want your bike to stand out amongst the common rabble.  

See all of Rider‘s tire reviews here.

Shinko tires are designed in Japan, manufactured in South Korea, and distributed by Western Power Sports. Shinko constructs a range of street, off-road, dual-sport, and scooter tires. SR777 cruiser tires are available in White Wall and Black Wall versions in a wide range of sizes starting at $96.95 for front tires and $156.95 for rears.

They feature an aramid belt, and a Heavy Duty version with a reinforced carcass is also available. For riders who want a stylish, sturdy, and comfortable tire, they’re a good choice.

The post Shinko White Wall SR777 Tires | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

Continental RoadAttack 4 Tires | Gear Review

Continental RoadAttack 4 Tires

The Continental RoadAttack series are sport-touring tires that strike a balance between performance and longevity. They’re ideal for sport-tourers, standards, street-biased adventure bikes, and moderately powered sportbikes.

See all of Rider‘s tire reviews here

The Evolution of Continental RoadAttack Tires

With each generation from Continental, the carcass, compound, profile, and tread design have evolved. When the first RoadAttack debuted in 2005, it introduced Continental’s ZeroDegree belt, a continuous steel wire that runs radially around the tire carcass in the same direction as travel, which enhances stability.

In 2010, the RoadAttack 2 introduced TractionSkin, Continental’s proprietary “pre-scrubbed” tread surface that doesn’t require slippery mold-release agents and all but eliminates a break-in period for the tires. The RoadAttack 2 also featured MultiGrip, whereby a single compound is heat-cured in a progressive fashion to provide better wear in the center of the tire and more flex and better grip on the shoulders. MultiGrip provides a smooth transition between zones rather than the abrupt transition that can occur with multi-compound tires.

Continental RoadAttack 4 Tires BMW F 900 R
Photos by Killboy

In 2013, the RoadAttack 2 Evo featured RainGrip, a high-silica compound designed to deliver optimal performance in wet conditions. Four years later, the new RoadAttack 3 came with EasyHandling, a specialized alignment between the contours of the front and rear tires said to result in neutral handling behavior, especially in hairpins and during slow cornering.

All these technologies go into the new RoadAttack 4, with the addition of Continental’s latest trick: GripLimitFeedback. The unique combination of the tire’s carcass construction and tread compound provides improved feedback to the rider when the tire approaches its traction limit.

The RoadAttack 4 features a new compound and an updated tread pattern that, according to Continental, boosts wet weather performance, offers faster warm-up times in cold and wet conditions, and provides dry grip on par with many sport tires.

Continental RoadAttack 4 Tires BMW F 900 R

A new silica-rich compound improves wet grip without sacrificing mileage, a new blend of resins makes the tire more sticky even when cold, and the entire rubber stew has been optimized for use with modern ABS and traction control systems. Continental describes the RoadAttack 4 as a “hyper-touring” tire intended for today’s 150-plus hp sport-tourers, adventure tourers, and sportbikes.

Where the Rubber Met the Road

To test some of those claims, Continental invited us to the BMW Performance Center in Greer, South Carolina, which is across the street from the factory where all BMW X-Series SUVs are built. The Performance Center offers automotive and motorcycle training, and the grounds include a closed-course circuit, a large skidpad, and various off-road obstacles and trails.

A wide range of BMW motorcycles were fitted with RoadAttack 4 tires. I saddled up on an F 900 R, which has an 853cc parallel-Twin that, based on our last test in 2020, makes 88 hp and 58 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel.

Related: 2020 BMW F 900 R and F 900 XR | Road Test Review

BMW’s instructors started us off with some basic exercises, such as a slow ride using just the clutch to control speed, as well as fast and slow cone weaves. We moved on to swerving and braking exercises at speed, and I quickly gained an appreciation for the RoadAttack 4s’ grip and handling.

Continental RoadAttack 4 Tires BMW F 900 R

When we were instructed to accelerate from a dead stop to 30 mph, pass between two cones, and then close the throttle and apply maximum braking, the F 900 R came to a quick halt. When our target speed was increased to 50 mph, I neglected to stand on the rear pedal when I grabbed a handful of front brake lever. The F 900 R has ABS, but I was in Dynamic mode, which reduces intervention at the front wheel. The front tire provided reassuring grip as the back wheel raised up into a graceful, unintentional stoppie, the likes of which I’ll probably never replicate.

Continental RoadAttack 4 Tires BMW F 900 R

In the afternoon, we embarked on a spirited ride on cold, damp backroads, and we ended the day with a game of cat and mouse on the track, where we pushed the tires to their limits. Regardless of conditions, the RoadAttack 4s warmed up fast, provided confident handling on a variety of road surfaces, and clung tenaciously to the tarmac.

On Day 2, I selected an R 1250 RT for a longer test ride on some of the most serpentine roads in the southern Appalachians. At 615 lb, the RT outweighs the F 900 R by 144 lb, and its larger engine makes an additional 37 hp. The performance of the RoadAttack 4s was even more impressive on a larger bike that placed greater demands on the tires. We didn’t get a chance to test the RoadAttack 4s on wet roads, so we’ll order a set soon and report back.

Continental RoadAttack 4 tires are available in a variety of sizes, with 17-inch and 19-inch fronts, 17-inch rears, and a GT version for heavyweight bikes.

The post Continental RoadAttack 4 Tires | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com