In-Depth Comparison of Six Adventure Tires
The British magazine RIDE recently conducted a thorough comparison of six adventure tires for maxitrail motorcycles: Bridgestone Battlax A41, ContiTrailAttack 3, Dunlop Trailmax Meridian, Metzeler Tourance Next 2, Michelin Anakee Road, and Pirelli Scorpion Trail II. Among them, the ContiTrailAttack 3 received the highest rating from two of RIDE’s experienced testers, Simon Hargreaves and Carl Stevens.
Adventure motorcycles have become market leaders in recent years, and for good reason! These bikes offer a comfortable riding position, touring capabilities, amplestorage, off-road potential, and the ability to tackle various terrains. Given the increasing number of users wondering which tires can maximize the performance of their maxitrail bikes, RIDE compared the top six tires in the market to find the most versatile option for predominantly on-road use.
RIDE’s two testers, Simon Hargreaves and Carl Stevens, bring over four decades of combined experience and have different riding styles, providing a balanced opinion on the best all-terrain tire for a maxitrail.
How Were the Tires Tested?
Notably, the testers were unaware of which tires they were testing until the end of the evaluation. Each pair of tires was assessed for handling, confidence, stability, ride quality, and feel. Additionally, tread depth was measured to analyze wear, along with normal operating temperature and central hardness. The testing conditions were normal (sunny, light wind, and 18ºC) with tire pressure set as recommended by each manufacturer.
The route included a mix of conditions to accurately test each tire’s performance. It covered approximately 18 miles on highways and roads in both good and poor conditions, plus an urban segment to check low-speed behavior. The BMW R 1300 GS was chosen for the test rides, operated in Dynamic Pro mode with traction control and ABS activated.
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Testers’ Opinions on the ContiTrailAttack 3
Out of the six tires tested, the ContiTrailAttack 3 emerged victorious, earning the highest scores from both testers. The Continental tires excelled in all five test areas, achieving a total score of 76 out of 100 points.
Both Simon and Carl concluded that the ContiTrailAttack 3 performs exceptionally well on the BMW R 1300 GS and on asphalt, proving to be versatile and effective in various aspects. Here are their detailed opinions:
Steering
Simon Hargreaves: “Instantly more confident from new. Steering is slower, more deliberate, less reactive, and heavier. Turn is nice and even, suspension feels more under control and less reactive.” Score: 8/10.
Carl Stevens: “Steers nicely and confidently at low speeds, although it takes a bit of work to get them turning at higher speeds.” Score: 8/10.
- Confidence
Simon Hargreaves: “Only tyre so far to set off traction control – I reckon it’s because it’s heavier and bumps kick the rear off the tarmac. But it’s the opposite of skittish – suspension reaction is slower.” Score: 9/10.
Carl Stevens: “A good level of confidence is felt straight away, although they are a little vague at lean.” Score: 7/10.
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- Stability
Simon Hargreaves: “Way more stable than others. Less flighty, less brittle, calmer and more reassuring. No wiggling or movement at the bars.” Score: 9/10.
Carl Stevens: “Not the most stable offering, especially mid-corner at higher speeds over less-than-perfect tarmac.” Score: 7/10.
Ride Quality
Simon Hargreaves: “Very even feel front-to-rear, and squashes bumps more effectively. Seems to work well with the GS’s semi-active suspension.” Score: 9/10.
Carl Stevens: “The ride quality is solid enough not to complain about, although it isn’t exceptional, with a little bit of noise and vibration.” Score: 7/10.
- Feel
Simon Hargreaves: “Not a tyre through which you can feel every nuance of the road. But they soak up smaller bumps better than others.” Score: 8/10.
Carl Stevens: “A reasonable level of feel and feedback, but not quite enough to always have full confidence to truly maximise the BMW’s credentials.” Score: 7/10.
- Observations
Simon Hargreaves: “In most riding conditions it suits the GS better than the others. Not sportiest, but comfiest.”
Carl Stevens: “A good all-rounder tire, but neutral, tyre that offers a reasonable level of everything.”
Overall, the ContiTrailAttack 3 stands out as the top recommendation for adventure motorcycles primarily used on-road, providing a balanced blend of performance, comfort, and versatility.
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