Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A42: More mileage from 2027

The adventure bike can do a lot. In everyday life, though, it often heads through town, along the motorway and into the next set of twisties. It's precisely these adventurers, who spend most of their time on tarmac, that Bridgestone is targeting with the new Battlax Adventure A42. It succeeds the A41, unveiled in December 2017, and is designed to combine safety, economy and comfort on long tours. The segment is growing: according to Bridgestone, demand for adventure motorcycle tyres in Europe has risen by 45 percent over the past ten years.

More wet-weather reserves or more mileage? Bridgestone promises both with the A42. Compared to its predecessor, the manufacturer cites 14 percent less tyre slip under straight-line acceleration. This is intended to support stability in the rain. In terms of mileage, the press kit lists an increase of 18 percent at the front and 25 percent at the rear. A larger contact patch is also meant to benefit stability and comfort. In internal tests, tyre noise was reportedly reduced by 15 percent compared to the predecessor. The comparison figures come from Bridgestone.

Behind the announced improvements are new tread compounds and a revised construction. At the front, Bridgestone uses a flexible polymer intended to improve grip on the road surface. At the rear, a polymer aimed at wear resistance and higher mileage is used. The proportions of silica and carbon have been adjusted in both compounds. This is meant to strike the balance between wet performance and durability. For the construction, Bridgestone draws on the fundamentals of the Battlax family and combines them with new materials and a design tailored to road-oriented adventure bikes.

Visually, the new tread pattern, inspired by adventure riding, follows the current Battlax line. Its job goes beyond looks, though: the technology, called Pulse Groove, serves to channel away water. A revised groove layout is also meant to increase tread stiffness. Bridgestone aims to improve wet performance, mileage and noise all at once. The focus remains firmly on the road, from the city to the long tour.

According to Bridgestone, the gradual global market launch begins on 1 January 2027. This is not a confirmed delivery date for every single size in every country. The press kit does not mention prices for Austria, Germany or Switzerland.

The first size range comprises three front and three rear tyre sizes. The designations, including load and speed indices, are taken from the size table provided.

For 2028, Bridgestone announces the following additional sizes:

Regarding the UM marking, Bridgestone gives a specific fitting instruction: if the tyre in question is mounted on a tube-type rim, an inner tube must be used.

What is the Bridgestone A42 designed for? The Battlax Adventure A42 is aimed at adventure riders who spend most of their time on the road. Bridgestone cites city traffic, motorways and winding roads as well as comfortable touring over long distances.

What is the A42 supposed to do better than the A41? Bridgestone cites 14 percent less slip under straight-line acceleration, 18 percent more mileage at the front, 25 percent more at the rear and 15 percent less tyre noise. These are manufacturer figures, not our own test results.

When is the Bridgestone A42 coming and how much does it cost? The global launch is set to roll out gradually from 1 January 2027. Additional sizes have been announced for 2028. Specific prices and country-specific delivery dates are not included in the press kit.

What does UM mean for the announced sizes? For these versions, Bridgestone requires an inner tube to be used when fitted to a tube-type rim.