Best Tyres For Touring And Adventure Bikes – Segment Wise Breakdown

Looking For Best Tyres For Touring And Adventure Bikes? Here Are The Best Options

The article introduces you to specific tyre choices within a certain adventure and touring bike category. Install them to attain maximum joy and safety on your road to adventure.

 

• Touring/Adventure tyres for 200-350cc and 350-650cc bike categories.
• Perfect fit tyres for Honda CB200X, KTM 250 Adventure, BMW G 310 GS, Kawasaki Versys 650, RE Himalayan and others.
• CEAT Gripp XL, Apollo TramplR XR, Reise TraceR 01, Vredestein Centauro ST, Metzeler Tourance, Pirelli Scorpion Trail II and many more.

 

If there’s one category of motorcycles which has seen a steady increase in popularity and acceptance in recent times, it is that of adventure and touring motorcycles. Perfectly suited for Indian tarmac conditions, the touring and adventure motorcycles prove versatile while riding in urban conditions, taking on bad roads with ease and challenging the roads less taken.

Along with the long travel, front and rear suspension setup they come with, the touring and adventure motorcycles are capable of being versatile due to their all-purpose tyres. While both touring and adventure motorcycles might have similar tall stances and upright riding postures, the tyres they come equipped with differ, making their overall purposes more particular and individualistic.

Most popular adventure and touring motorcycle tyres belong to the mass-market end of the market, which is subtly divided into two parts – the entry-level bike tyres for beginners in the 200-350cc category and more premium tyres for seasoned riders in the 350-650cc category. Following are different types of tyres in varying tyre sizes suitable for both touring and adventure motorcycles in the mass-market categories: 

 

• 200-350cc Touring & Adventure Bikes

This category of touring and adventure motorcycles starts with the hardcore off-roader Hero Xpulse 200 4V, while the Yezdi Adventure also came at a later stage and joined it. These two motorcycles have established themselves as go-to motorcycles for those who are new to adventure motorcycles and want to hone their off-road riding skills.

The Hero XPulse 200 4V and Yezdi Adventure with more hardcore set of off-road spec tube-type tyres, which can handle the worst of terrains and ensure better traction, grip and aquaplaning characteristics. Some of the popular tube-type tyres available in the market match these tyre sizes Apollo Actigrip, CEAT Gripp XL and Reise TrailR 50-1.

The other touring and adventure motorcycles in this category – Honda CB200X, KTM 250 Adventure, BMW G 310 GS, Suzuki V-Strom SX – are also capable of taking bad roads, but not as hardcore as the Hero Xpulse 200 4V. These motorcycles come with comparatively softer tubeless tyres, which are more road-biased with decently large tread blocks to take mild off-road terrains. 

The popular tyre brands available in the tyre sizes of these motorcycles are Apollo TramplR XR, CEAT Zoom XL, Reise TrailR 50-1, Vredestein Centauro ST and Metzeler Tourance.

 

Tyre Pattern	Front Tyre Size	Rear Tyre Size	Motorcycle Model
Reise TourR 30-1	90/90-21	120/80-18	Hero Xpulse 200 4V
CEAT Gripp XL
Apollo Tramplr XR
Pirelli MT60 W	90/90-21	130/80-17	Yezdi Adventure
Metzeler Tourance Next
Reise TrailR 50-1
CEAT Zoom XL	110/70-17	140/70-17	Honda CB200X
Apollo Tramplr XR / Apollo Tramplr ST
Ralco Speed Blaster
Reise TracR 01	100/90-19	140/70-17	Suzuki V-Strom SX
CEAT Gripp X3
Michelin City Pro
Reise TourR 30-1	100/90 R19	130/80 R17	KTM 250 Adventure
Pirelli Scorpion Trail
Metzeler Tourance
Vredestein Centauro ST	110/80 R19	150/70 R17	BMW G 310 GS
Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR
Metzeler Tourance

 

• 350-650cc Touring & Adventure Bikes

This category of motorcycles is for those who wish to upgrade from entry-level touring and adventure bikes to larger-sized and more powerful motorcycles. Here too, there are more touring-oriented motorcycles like the KTM 390 Adventure, and Kawasaki Versys 650. These bikes have relatively softer compound tyres with large tread blocks for more touring-friendly riding. For these motorcycles, tubeless tyre options like CEAT Gripp XL, Vredestein Centauro ST, Metzeler Tourance, Reise TracR 01 and Pirelli Scorpion Trail II are the best bet.

At the same time, there are motorcycles in this segment, like the KTM 390 Adventure SW, Royal Enfield Himalayan 411 and Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT, which are designed with the intent of enhancing the riding experience over the worst of terrains. For such hardcore motorcycles, tube-type tyres like CEAT Gripp XL, MRF MoGrip Meteor M2 and Metzeler Tourance tyres are worthy options. 
 

Tyre Pattern	Front Tyre Size	Rear Tyre Size	Motorcycle
Reise TracR 01	100/90-19	130/80-17	KTM 390 Adventure
MRF MoGrip Meteor M2
Reise TrailR 50-1
Vredestein Centauro ST	120/70-17	160/60-17	Kawasaki Versys 650
Pirelli Scorpion Trail II
Reise TourR 30-1	100/90-19	130/80-17	KTM 390 Adventure SW
Vee Rubber VRM-163
Reise TrailR 50-1
Apollo ActiGrip	90/90-21	120/90-17	Royal Enfield Himalayan 411
CEAT Gripp XL
Michelin Anakee Adventure
Vredestein Centauro ST	110/80-19	150/70-17	Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT
Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR
Metzeler Tourance

 

Conclusion: 

The surge in popularity of adventure and touring motorcycles is a testament to their versatility in navigating the diverse landscape of Indian roads. These motorcycles are not only comfortable on urban streets but also excel on rough terrains, making them a perfect choice for riders seeking thrilling adventures.

One key aspect that adds to the adaptability of these motorcycles is the variety of tyres available in the market, catering to the specific needs of different bike categories. So, choose wisely and embark on your next adventure with confidence, knowing that your motorcycle and its tyres are equipped to handle the road less travelled.

 

FAQs:

 

1. How do I choose the right tyre for my adventure motorcycle?

   You can choose a tyre as per your surface requirements. For instance, if you are out on an adventure, where most of the surface consists of rough areas, you can choose a proper off-road tyre. Similarly, if most parts of the journey comprise long haul travel and less unpaved surface choose a dual-purpose tyre.

 

2. Which tyre is best for the 200-350cc touring and adventure motorcycles?

   Apollo Actigrip, CEAT Gripp XL, Apollo TramplR XR, Reise TrailR 50-1, etc., are some of the best tried and tested tyres for dual-purpose needs.

 

3. Which tyre is best for the 350-650cc touring and adventure motorcycles?

   CEAT Gripp XL, Vredestein Centauro ST, Metzeler Tourance, Reise TracR 01, and Pirelli Scorpion Trail II are well-balanced tyres used for adventure tours in India by enthusiasts.

 

4. Can I use the same tyres for both on-road and off-road adventures?

   Using the same tyres for both on-road and off-road riding calls for trade-offs. While you’ll have the convenience of not needing to change tyres frequently, you might sacrifice some performance in either on-road or off-road situations.

 

5. What’s the importance of tyre size and pattern in off-road performance?

   The tyre size and tread pattern are crucial factors that significantly impact the off-road performance of a motorcycle. The right size of the tyre ensures apt traction and grip over the surface. Similarly, the larger ground clearance results in better stability over rocks, roots, or other obstacles, reducing the risk of getting stuck or damaging the underside of the motorcycle.