Continental TKC 80² - First Roll-Out in Portugal

Manufacturers often make grand promises about their new products, even when the updates are little more than cosmetic. In this case, however, the bold claims are surprisingly justified. After four decades, Continental is rolling out an entirely new generation of its iconic knobby tire. The TKC 80 gets a genuine successor with the TKC 80². The second generation’s name is presented with a superscript, akin to a square symbol, but pronounced "TKC 80 Gen Two."

The original TKC 80 remains in the lineup as a "Second Liner" with a robust 25 sizes. Although it has been updated over the years, the Conti engineers say they eventually hit a technical ceiling. To make noticeable progress, they had to extensively modify the tread pattern, rubber compound, and carcass. This was a step they hesitated to take for a long time, given the TKC 80's enduring popularity over the decades. However, after 40 years, the time had come to make this move.

A key requirement for the developers was that the new TKC 80 Gen 2 remains visually uncompromising and unmistakable. The tire should continue to look rugged, robust, and distinctly aimed at off-road use. At first glance, it should be clear that this tire is meant for off-road use. Like its predecessor, the TKC 80² is designed as a 50:50 tire for both road and off-road use. However, the second generation was expected to significantly improve on both surfaces. This is a challenging task, as finding the ideal "compound" illustrates: hard rubber compounds perform much better off-road and are less prone to damage, while softer variants generate significantly more grip on asphalt.

A glance at the tread surface reveals where Conti has made changes. The sequence of the tread blocks has been redesigned to ensure that more rubber is in constant contact with the road. Particularly in the central area, the modified arrangement of the central knobs has increased the so-called footprint. This aims to improve stability at high speeds while reducing rolling noise. Overall, the positive profile on the tread has increased by 17 percent. Despite the larger rubber contact, the tire is not supposed to lose its bite off-road. On the contrary: the new block design provides more biting edges, enhancing and equalizing mechanical traction on loose surfaces, giving the rider more control. Additionally, the outer lugs have been staggered, and the negative ratio increased to improve lateral guidance off-road.

The front and rear tires also have specifically different profiles. The tread blocks on the front tire are sharply angled in the direction of travel to provide more grip when braking off-road. On the rear tire, the block design is oriented oppositely to ensure maximum traction during acceleration.

In addition to the tread pattern, the rubber compound of the surface and the carcass have been revamped. Thanks to new nylon materials, the carcass now absorbs shocks better while retaining its contour. Off-road, the extra-thick rubber withstands sharp stones and similar hazards, while on the road, comfort is not compromised. Conti claims to have resolved this conflict with the new carcass tuning and increased contact area.

On asphalt, the TKC 80 Gen 2 is said by developers to feel significantly more road-oriented, almost like a 70:30 tire—a promise we were able to verify while carving corners on the grippy roads of Portugal's hinterlands. Even at ambitious speeds and considerable lean angles, the TKC 80² consistently provides impressive grip. The limit during aggressive braking or acceleration is broad and well-defined, allowing riders to ease off the throttle on a powerful R 1300 GS before the intended power slide turns into an unintended highside launch. However, Conti sees the most significant leap in performance on wet roads. In comparative tests at the Contidrom, the new tire was 4.5 seconds faster in wet conditions than its predecessor, with lap times under a minute—a clear safety advantage in the rain, even for the average rider.

While Conti doesn't promise a significant increase in mileage for the second generation of the TKC 80 due to the marked improvement in wet grip (as combining both is nearly impossible), the new generation is expected to make small strides in wear resistance. The wear is intended to be more even, which should particularly please riders of heavy adventure bikes. On long highway stretches, knobby tires tend to wear unevenly, adversely affecting handling and steering precision. The TKC 80 Gen 2 is designed to maintain its round profile longer, providing more consistent handling over time. Conti also claims to have noticeably reduced the rolling noise in both high and low-frequency ranges by employing "frequency interruption" through varying distances between the central tread blocks.

Overall, Conti promises with the TKC 80 Gen 2 a tire that doesn't fall short of its legendary predecessor in any discipline, yet makes clear advancements in many areas. Improvements are particularly noticeable in wet grip, mechanical traction off-road, and stability at high speeds. Enhanced handling and grip on dry asphalt are also expected. Mileage and durability in off-road use are intended to remain on par with the well-known TKC 80.

An interesting tidbit: the successor to the iconic TKC 80 wasn't developed at motorsport events like the Dakar Rally or various adventure test rides around the globe, but entirely under ideal test conditions at a Conti development center in Texas, USA. There, 24 standardized test tracks are available, enabling a meaningful direct data comparison of each prototype.

The new TKC 80² will be available from spring 2026 in ten common sizes for all current adventure bikes.