Michelin Anakee Adventure 2 Test on Road and Gravel

Michelin invites journalists to the international presentation of the Anakee Adventure 2 in beautiful Tuscany. In sunny weather and dry conditions, the invited journalists head out on a wide portfolio of modern adventure bikes toward the famous Strade Bianche and the Eroica Panorama road.

The range of bikes used could hardly be greater. From relatively light and agile machines like the Yamaha Tenere 700, through the CFMOTO 800MT-X, to mid-class models like the BMW F 900 GS and Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin with 21-inch front wheels, everything is represented. The field is rounded out by classic big adventure touring bikes like the BMW R 1300 GS and the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 with a 19-inch front. One thing all the bikes have in common, however: they roll on the new Michelin Anakee Adventure 2.

In total we cover just over 200 kilometers. The route runs over winding, sometimes narrow asphalt roads typical of Tuscany, as well as over finely gravelled sections of the Strade Bianche. Here the new tire from Michelin is meant to show its versatility. But before we get to the joys and limits of the latest black gold, let's take a look at the technical side of the Anakee Adventure 2.

With the Anakee Adventure 2, Michelin positions a road-oriented adventure tire that should nevertheless offer sufficient reserves for excursions on loose ground. The classification as an 80/20 tire doesn't describe actual everyday use, but rather the development priorities. It's about where the tire is meant to have its strengths - not about how often it's ridden off-road.

Development focused on three central points above all: less rolling noise and vibration, improved mileage, and higher grip in the wet. At the same time, off-road capabilities were meant to remain at least at the level of the predecessor. Overall, development took about two years, during which around 600,000 test kilometers were covered. For Michelin, the Anakee Adventure 2 is the most important tire launch of the year in the motorcycle segment.

On board is the already familiar 2CT technology, where a harder rubber compound in the center of the tread minimizes tire wear while softer rubber on the flanks provides traction. The rubber compound used in the Anakee Adventure 2, however, is the real novelty and sensation. Because for better wet grip you typically need softer compounds, while a tire's mileage is better with harder rubber compositions. To achieve both opposing development goals anyway, the new silica-based rubber compound was specially developed and patented for the Anakee Adventure 2. According to the manufacturer, significant progress in mileage and wet grip is possible as a result. Compared to its predecessor, the Anakee Adventure 2 is now said to last 14% longer and offer 10% more grip in the wet. But exactly which technology or rubber component is responsible for this improvement is secret. Michelin plans to use the new rubber recipe in further tires as well, including in the automotive sector.

The tread design of the Anakee Adventure has also been reworked. With a negative tread ratio of 32 percent, the tire sits exactly between road-oriented concepts like the Anakee Road (16% negative tread ratio) and clearly more aggressive knobby tires like the Anakee Wild (62%). The tread design also plays an important role in noise behavior. Michelin speaks of a significant reduction in rolling noise of 30%, achieved through the targeted arrangement and angle of the tread grooves.

The test starts on completely new tires and in fairly cool temperatures. In the early morning hours, the CFMOTO's tire temperature display shows just eight degrees. It's all the more pleasing that the Anakee Adventure 2 conveys a trustworthy feel after just a short time. After about ten to fifteen minutes at moderate country-road pace, the tire is up to temperature and starts working cleanly.

Turn-in behavior is a major plus here. The Michelin proves pleasantly harmonious and predictable. Especially on adventure bikes with a 21-inch front wheel, some tires cause the bike to almost "tip into" lean angle from a certain point onward. This behavior doesn't occur with the Anakee Adventure 2. From upright all the way to greater lean angles, everything builds up linearly and is well controllable.

On bikes with a 19-inch front wheel, this impression is reinforced even further. The wider tread provides an additional boost in stability and confidence, especially in faster cornering sections. Overall, the result is very neutral riding behavior.

The tire also shows no weakness in grip level on dry asphalt. Even with a spirited riding style and hard acceleration out of corners, grip levels remain high. Of course, modern adventure bikes with their power can bring the tire to its grip limit at any time, but in normal to sporty use the Michelin feels very confident.

A particular focus was placed on the topic of noise development. In a short workshop we were even shown how different frequencies arise through tread design and groove angle. This is also the reason why many more knobby tires "sing" on asphalt. In practice, it turns out that the Anakee Adventure 2 does produce typical rolling noise of a coarser tread in the range between about 75 and 100 km/h, but at a rather subdued level. Noticeable if you listen closely, but hardly disturbing. Vibrations also didn't strike me negatively while riding.

Despite its name, the Anakee Adventure 2 is not a tire for hard off-road use. Both the negative tread ratio and the height and design of the knobs are too limited for that. The relatively round tread profile, especially on wider 19-inch front wheels, also reduces the possible lateral grip forces on loose ground.

Even on the comparatively easy gravel sections of the Strade Bianche, it quickly becomes clear where the limits lie. Traction can be overcome quickly on modern, powerful, and heavy adventure bikes, especially under acceleration. This clearly shows that the tire was primarily developed for use on asphalt.

Nevertheless, the Anakee Adventure 2 offers clear advantages over pure road tires. On gravel roads and simple farm tracks, the robustly designed carcass provides pleasant self-damping. Bumps, edges, and smaller impacts are noticeably softened, which increases comfort.

In addition, the transverse tread grooves contribute to mechanical interlocking with the ground. Compared to road tires with predominantly longitudinally oriented grooves, this results in a noticeable boost in traction and control. For occasional excursions off paved roads, the Michelin is thus well suited, as long as you keep the limits of the concept in mind.

The Michelin Anakee Adventure 2 clearly positions itself within the existing Anakee family and closes the gap between purely road-oriented and clearly more off-road-focused concepts. After this test day, it's also easy to define which type of rider the tire is intended for.

Anyone riding a large adventure bike with a 19-inch front wheel, who moves almost exclusively on asphalt and has no ambitions toward gravel or off-road, is probably better served with a pure road tire like the Michelin Road 6. There's no real need for compromises here.

For bikes with a 21-inch front wheel, the Anakee Road represents the most road-oriented option within the Michelin lineup. It's ideal for riders who are basically at home on asphalt but very rarely take on loose ground.

The Anakee Adventure 2 is aimed at riders who are mostly on the road but regularly take small detours onto gentle gravel roads or farm tracks. In this use case it offers more reserves and security than a pure road tire, without having to accept significant disadvantages on the road. Visually, too, it looks a bit more like an adventure tire than the Anakee Road.

Anyone who seriously wants to go off-road and seek riding fun there won't get around coarse knobby tires like the Anakee Wild or comparable models.

The exciting question remains whether the new rubber compound can actually deliver the promised progress in wet grip and mileage in everyday use. That couldn't be checked in dry Tuscany. Future tire comparisons and long-term tests will reveal more. The first impression under dry conditions, however, is clearly positive and shows that Michelin has put together a very well-balanced all-rounder for light adventure use with the Anakee Adventure 2.