Road tyres for adventure bikes: the best tyres for 21 & 19 inch

Adventure bikes have long since stopped being pure adventure machines. Many of them are now ridden almost exclusively on tarmac - often more sportily, faster and more ambitiously than ever before. Still, you sometimes get the impression that marketing departments and manufacturers want to cram the "adventure spirit" into everything, tyres included. But on the road, a knobbly tyre is anything from something you have to get used to to a downright hindrance. Long-distance or sporty riding on tarmac places completely different demands on tyres. Anyone looking for the best tyres for on-road adventures on an adventure bike should take a closer look at the following.

Adventure bikes with a 21-inch front wheel have their design roots in the off-road world. The large diameter brings stability and directional stability, but poses particular challenges for tyre developers when maximum tarmac performance is the goal. Modern 90/10 tyres impressively demonstrate just how much sportiness is possible today, even with 21 inches. Despite modern and highly advanced tyre technology, however, the angular profiles eventually reach their limits. This list does include tyres which, according to the marketing brochure, are designed in small part for loose off-road terrain, but in our experience they spend at least 99% of their real lives on tarmac and are therefore recommended here.

Adventure bikes with a 19-inch front wheel, on the other hand, are clearly much closer to classic road bikes. The choice of road tyres is considerably larger here. Pure sport touring tyres can be fitted that make no compromises whatsoever towards adventure or off-road and reach an even higher level of performance on tarmac. But first, let's start with the long-legged, big-wheeled adventure bikes.

Michelin Anakee Road - a modern all-rounder for the road

The Michelin Anakee Road is officially designed as a 90/10 tyre and represents the road-oriented spearhead of the Anakee family. Technically, Michelin draws on proven sport touring solutions. 2CT+ technology combines a hard compound across the entire tread with softer shoulders for more grip at lean. A 100 percent silica compound ensures high wet grip and quick warm-up. The comparatively robust carcass gives the tyre additional stability on poor roads.

In the long-distance test on the BMW R 1300 GS, the Anakee Road proved to be a forgiving, comfortable tyre with clean handling and plenty of confidence in the rain. In the wet in particular, it ranks among the strongest tyres in the field. Emotionally, it remains rather unremarkable: it does everything right without making a particularly strong statement in any one direction. Anyone looking for a hassle-free, modern road tyre will find a solid solution here.

Pirelli Scorpion Trail III - sportiness without regrets

The Pirelli Scorpion Trail III is one of the sportiest tyres in the 21-inch segment. Its tread design is clearly inspired by the Diablo sports tyre family, with a high land-to-sea ratio for maximum contact patch on tarmac. The radial sizes use 100 percent silica, complemented at the rear by a dual-compound construction. A zero-degree steel belt provides stability at high speeds and under full load.

In the 1000PS test of the Scorpion Trail III, the tyre impressed with very precise turn-in, high stability and a decidedly sporty feel. In the wet, too, it performs at sport touring level. Despite its adventure name, the Trail III is in practice a clear-cut road tyre for riders who want to ride their adventure bike dynamically. The Scorpion Trail III is my personal favourite - always reliable, high-performing and confidence-inspiring. On it, during the same tour in March when we rode Ducati Multistradas from Barcelona to the Pyrenees, I cracked 50° of lean angle and experienced -3°C in a snowstorm on the pass. Unlike the rider, the tyre was unfazed by these extremes.

Metzeler Tourance Next 2 - comfort meets modern performance

The Metzeler Tourance Next 2 is the logical evolution of a classic. With a high silica content, a new tread design and significantly increased carcass stiffness, it aims for consistent performance over its entire mileage. A silica-rich compound is used at the front for quick warm-up, while a dual-compound structure at the rear provides grip and durability.

In the test of the Tourance Next 2, the tyre came across as extremely calm, stable and confidence-inspiring. On poor roads in particular, it plays out its comfort reserves without losing precision. Ridden hard, it remains neutral and controllable for a long time. A very well-balanced road tyre for high-mileage riders who value comfort and safety.

Bridgestone Battlax A41 - better than its reputation

The Bridgestone Battlax A41 is a classic 90/10 tyre focused on tarmac. A high silica content and a stability-oriented tread pattern are designed to deliver good wet grip and high mileage. Technically, the A41 is a neatly executed road tyre with no experiments.

In the test of the Bridgestone A41, it showed harmonious, easily controllable riding performance. Its image suffers, however, from numerous OEM versions, for example on the BMW R 1250 GS, which offer lower mileage. The regular aftermarket version is significantly better but is often underestimated. A solid tyre for riders who put reliability ahead of emotion.

Dunlop Trailmax Meridian - proven, but no longer brand new

The Dunlop Trailmax Meridian was introduced in 2020 and is clearly aimed at heavy adventure bikes. Technologies such as JointLess Belt, MultiTread rubber compound and high silica content ensure stability, quick warm-up and decent mileage.

In the test of the Trailmax Meridian, the tyre worked very harmoniously on big bikes like the BMW R 1250 GS. It offers good feedback and clean traction, but no longer quite reaches the sporty level of the latest competition. Still a usable tyre, but technically no longer at the cutting edge.

Continental ContiTrailAttack 3 - the sporty all-rounder

The ContiTrailAttack 3 was developed completely from scratch and borrows heavily from the RoadAttack 3 in technical terms. TractionSkin means practically no waiting time for scrubbing in, and the compound reaches its operating temperature extremely quickly. Tread pattern and carcass are clearly designed for sporty riding.

In the test of the ContiTrailAttack 3, the tyre impressed with neutral turn-in, high precision and enormous stability under acceleration. Even at a sporty pace, it remains forgiving and predictable. For many, it is currently one of the best road tyres for 21-inch adventure bikes.

In terms of riding dynamics, adventure bikes with a 19-inch front wheel are already very close to classic road bikes. The smaller front wheel allows significantly more direct turn-in, greater precision at lean and, above all, the use of pure sport touring tyres that no longer need to make any concessions to off-road ambitions. This is exactly where the big advantage of this category lies: maximum performance on tarmac combined with high everyday usability, very good wet performance and decent mileage. Modern sport touring tyres are now so capable that on country roads they barely limit even sporty riders - only in midsummer heat and at a very ambitious pace do the physical limits become apparent compared to genuine supersports tyres.

Michelin Road 6 / Road 6 GT - the modern worry-free package

Developed as a true all-rounder, the Road 6 works on roadsters, sport touring bikes, touring machines - and also on big adventure bikes with a 19-inch front wheel. Technically, Michelin relies on a completely redesigned tread pattern with an optimised groove ratio, combined with Water EverGrip sipe technology. This ensures that the sipes open up as wear increases, maintaining wet performance throughout the tyre's entire lifespan. 2CT+ technology front and rear combines high stability with very good shoulder grip, while the elaborate carcass architecture ensures both comfort and high-speed stability.

In the test of the Michelin Road 6 on adventure bikes, the tyre proved to be a real confidence booster. Especially in the wet and in cool temperatures, it conveys enormous safety while remaining nimble and precise. Ridden hard, it holds up for a long time; only in midsummer conditions on heavy, powerful adventure bikes does it reach its thermal limits. For the vast majority of road riders, however, the Road 6 is an almost perfect overall package.

Continental ContiRoadAttack 4 - hyper touring with a sporty soul

The ContiRoadAttack 4 is Continental's take on a modern hyper touring tyre. Visually, the pronounced slick area on the shoulder stands out, and technically there is a clear focus on sporty tarmac riding behind it. EasyHandling technology provides extremely light-footed, neutral turn-in, while what Continental calls GripLimitFeedback delivers very forgiving behaviour at the limit. A full-silica compound named RainGrip promises high wet grip, and TractionSkin allows practically no waiting time for scrubbing in.

In the test of the ContiRoadAttack 4, the tyre impressed above all with its precise handling on poor tarmac, in tight hairpins and in changing grip conditions. On heavy adventure bikes in particular, the CRA4 feels astonishingly light-footed without ever seeming nervous. Ridden hard, it stays stable for a long time and gives very clear feedback - a tyre for riders who want to combine touring with sporty ambitions.

Dunlop Roadsmart IV - agility without nervousness

The Dunlop Roadsmart IV is a completely new development and is specifically offered for adventure bikes with a 19-inch front wheel as well. At the heart of the concept is a newly designed contour that makes the tyre drop willingly into lean, then stabilise there and track evenly through the radius. Combined with a new rubber compound, high silica content and optimised tread grooves, the result is a very well-balanced overall package.

The test of the Dunlop Roadsmart IV on adventure bikes showed impressively how much a tyre can change the handling of heavy bikes. The KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, BMW R 1250 GS and Triumph Tiger 1200 GT feel noticeably more agile without losing any composure or stability. The confidence is particularly impressive: whether dry, wet or cold - the Roadsmart IV builds up grip very quickly and remains predictable even under hard acceleration. An ideal tyre for road-oriented adventure bike riders who value neutrality and safety.

Bridgestone Battlax T33 - a balance of mileage and feel

With the Battlax T33, Bridgestone is taking a new approach and dispensing with different specifications. Instead, one tyre is meant to work on everything from a sporty naked bike to a fully loaded tourer. This is made possible by a newly developed centre compound and 3LC technology on the rear. The aim was to retain the performance of the T32 while significantly increasing mileage.

In the test of the Bridgestone T33, the tyre impressed with very fine front-end feedback, neutral turn-in and high stability at lean. On 19-inch adventure bikes in particular, it proves composed, comfortable and surprisingly dynamic. High-mileage riders especially benefit from the targeted increase in mileage without having to sacrifice a sporty feel.

Dunlop Sportsmart TT - when sport touring is no longer enough

Despite their extreme versatility, even modern sport touring tyres reach their limits in hot conditions. For very sport-oriented adventure bike riders, Dunlop offers a rare, even higher-performing alternative in the Sportsmart TT. The TT is not a classic sport touring tyre, but a genuine 50/50 road/track tyre. Designed without silica, it delivers maximum grip in dry, hot conditions and remains stable even under very high loads. Technologies such as NTEC RT even allow reduced tyre pressures on the race track.

During the best lap time attempt with the BMW R 1300 GS at our home race track, the Dunlop Sportsmart TT had to show how well this tyre can unleash performance even on heavy bikes. With success! On the road and on the race track, you can go full throttle without compromise. The price for this is clear: in cold and wet conditions, the TT demands considerably more restraint. It is not an everyday tyre, but a specialist tool for ambitious riders.

Pirelli Angel GT II - solid, but no longer state of the art

The Pirelli Angel GT II was long one of the benchmarks in the sport touring segment. With a dual-compound construction, a wide temperature window and high robustness, it still delivers decent performance today. Compared to the competition, however, it is getting a bit long in the tooth - the last update was more than 5 years ago. Apart from the adventure tyres, though, the Angel GT II is the only Pirelli tyre that fits adventure bikes with a 19-inch front wheel, which is why it is on this list.

The test of the Angel GT II in Sicily showed that the tyre copes well even with unpredictable road conditions. The carcass soaks up potholes in corners and other loads, conveys safety and doesn't leave the rider in the lurch. On top of that comes very good grip, handling and a sense of safety in the wet.

Has this report piqued your curiosity? Current prices and the best deals for the tyres mentioned are available from our tyre partner Zweiradprofi Pauer.