by Peppe Pagano
When you are preparing a motorcycle trip on a big adventure bike, one of the most important – and most often underestimated – choices is the tyres.
They determine comfort, safety, riding feel and even the kind of roads you will be able to tackle with confidence.
There is no perfect tyre for everything, but there is the right tyre for your trip.
Why choosing tyres is essential
Big adventure bikes are designed to be versatile:
tarmac, broken roads, easy or more demanding dirt.
But no tyre can excel everywhere without compromises.
Choosing the right tyre means:
- improving safety
- increasing comfort
- reducing fatigue
- really making the most of the bike
The first question to ask yourself is simple:
what kind of trip am I about to take?
100% road tyres: for trips mostly on tarmac
If your trip will be almost entirely on tarmac, with at most the occasional gravel road, road tyres are the most logical choice.
When to choose them
- long trips on tarmac
- mountain passes
- touring two-up
- heavy luggage
- comfort and mileage as priorities
Advantages
- excellent grip in the dry and wet
- more stability at high speed
- more even wear
- less noise
They are ideal for those who use their adventure bike like a modern tourer, putting the road and smooth riding first.
80/20 or 70/30 tyres: the favourites for motorcycle touring
This is probably the most popular category among travellers on big adventure bikes.
Tyres designed mostly for tarmac, but able to handle dirt, gravel roads and broken surfaces without problems.
When to choose them
- mixed road and dirt trips
- adventure touring
- back roads
- little-travelled roads
Advantages
- an excellent compromise between grip and versatility
- more safety on dirty surfaces
- good mileage
- great overall balance
They are the ideal choice for those who want freedom of route without extremes.
50/50 tyres: for real adventure trips
If the trip includes a significant amount of off-road, 50/50 tyres become almost a must.
When to choose them
- long stretches of dirt
- tracks, mule paths and rough roads
- adventure trips
- exploring off the tarmac
Advantages
- excellent traction on dirt
- more control on difficult surfaces
- more safety in demanding conditions
Compromises
- more noise on tarmac
- less precision when leaning
- faster wear
These tyres require you to adapt your riding style, but they pay you back in freedom and the chance to explore.
Hard-core off-road tyres: only for very specific trips
“Pure” knobbly tyres are designed for mainly off-road use.
On a big adventure bike loaded for travel, they are only suitable for very particular itineraries.
Consider them only if:
- off-road is the main part of the trip
- there is very little tarmac
- the load is light
- you accept big compromises on the road
For most travellers, they are not the ideal choice.
Travelling two-up: even more care needed
If you travel with a passenger and luggage, the choice of tyres becomes even more critical.
It is important to consider:
- the load index
- stability
- behaviour when fully loaded
- how long they last
In these cases, road or 80/20 tyres almost always remain the most balanced choice.
Pressures, load and checks
Whatever tyre you choose:
- always check the correct pressures for a full load
- check the condition of the tyres before you set off
- consider the expected wear over the total distance
A wrong or under-inflated tyre can ruin a trip more than any mishap.
The right tyre is the one that suits your trip
There is no best tyre in absolute terms, but there is the right tyre for your itinerary, your riding style and your expectations.
Tarmac, dirt or a mix of the two:
choose the tyre that lets you travel relaxed, safe and with a smile under your helmet.
Because on a big adventure bike, the real adventure always starts where the wheel meets the road.
