Table of contents
- Enduro tires in sizes 110/80 R 19, 150/70 R 17 in the test Liability reserves for travel enduros
- Unfortunately, the Bridgestone A40 was late
- Conti Trail Attack 2 is an old friend
- Dunlop Trailsmart is the newcomer
- Enduro tires from Metzeler and Michelin
- Pirelli enduro tires set the bar high
- Test candidates
- Continental Trail Attack 2
- Dunlop Trailsmart
- Metzeler Tourance Next
- Michelin Anakee III
- Pirelli Scorpion Trail II
- Country road and motorway
- Enduro tires in the wet
- Final scoring
- This is how MOTORRAD tests
- Short test Bridgestone A40
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34 pictures
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Enduro riding …
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Especially during the wet test, the GS rolled out with a different set of tires every 30 minutes.
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Which means something like: piecework for the Michelin man.
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The tires first had to prove themselves on country roads and motorways.
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We examined, among other things, the handiness, steering precision, cornering stability, grip in an inclined position, …
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… Liability when accelerating, straight ahead with a load, driving behavior with a pillion passenger or behavior at the limit.
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While this time the focus was on road use, part 3 of the tire test in MOTORRAD 14/2015 will shed light on off-road performance.
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In classic enduro use, the tires naturally also have to prove themselves off-bike.
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The results of this in MOTORRAD 14/2015. You can download the complete test as a PDF in our digital archive “MOTORCYCLE E-Kiosk” download.
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Our candidates also had to prove themselves on the wet track. Whether adhesion when accelerating …
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… or grip in curves, we examined nine different criteria.
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During the rest of the testing, the more fun parts changed (motorcycling), …
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… the less fun parts (stopping to measure the profile), …
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… the very fun parts (enduro riding) …
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Even without the Bridgestones, there was enough for our editors and crew to do.
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The Bridgestone A40, which replaces the Battle Wing, were not there.
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Pirelli Scorpion Trail II
Weight: front 5.3 kg, rear 7.2 kg
Country of manufacture: Germany
Information / approvals: Pirelli Germany, Tel. 0 61 63/7 10, www.pirellimoto.de.
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… this not only includes rushing down dirt roads and …
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… to jump over crests, …
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… but especially with the big travel enduros and adventure bikes …
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… also the excursion on the country road …
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… or even driving on the autobahn.
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The weather is not always as nice as it is here, …
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… even in wet weather, the bikes invite you to adventure.
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In order to be prepared for all of this, the motorcycle needs the right soles.
So we packed a BMW R 1200 GS Triple Black as well …
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Michelin Anakee III
Weight: front 5.6 kg, rear 6.9 kg
Country of manufacture: Thailand
Information / approvals: Michelin Reifenwerke, Tel. 07 21/53 00, motorrad.michelin.de.
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Metzeler Tourance Next
Weight: front 5.1 kg, rear 7.2 kg
Country of manufacture: Germany
Information / approvals: Pirelli Germany, Tel. 0 89/14 90 83 02, www.metzelermoto.de.
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Dunlop Trailsmart
Weight: front 5.2 kg, rear 7.6 kg
Country of manufacture: France
Information / approvals: Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany, Tel. 0 61 81/68 01, www.dunlop.de.
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Continental Trail Attack 2
Weight: front 4.9 kg, rear 7.1 kg
Specification: front “Z”
Country of manufacture: Germany
Information / approvals: Continental Reifen, Tel. 05 11/9 38 01, www.conti-moto.de.
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… five current pairs of tires plus a crew who take turns changing tires and testing tires.
Were there…
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… and the not at all fun parts (changing tires) constantly.
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The pit stop is all about seconds: the wheel change should be done as quickly as possible, while the data recording is read out at the same time, which reveals the lap times of the test candidates.
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And we reveal which enduro tires performed best on the BMW R 1200 GS Triple Black.
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MOTORRAD was able to borrow the old GS as a test motorcycle from Karl Maier, the BMW dealer from Neufinsing. The “Triple Black” special model is still in the fleet there. 1st hand, single room 5/13, safety and touring package, 13,288 km, 13,490 euros.
If you are interested: Tel. 0 81 21/8 15 15, www.motorrad-kmaier.de.
accesories
tire
Enduro tires tested 110/80 R 19, 150/70 R 17
Enduro tires in sizes 110/80 R 19, 150/70 R 17 in the test
Liability reserves for travel enduros
In tests with the BMW R 1200 GS, five enduro tires in the dimensions 110/80 R 19, 150/70 R 17 have to show who has the best grip reserves not only in the rain.
Jorg Lohse, Karsten Schwers
06/11/2015
How can you actually make a universal artist like the “old” air-cooled BMW R 1200 GS even better? The simplest but most effective measure: You simply put on a set of new tires. However, this tuning method presupposes that the tire industry peeled appropriately prepared material from the baking molds. That in turn stands and falls with the sales figures in this type of tire. But where only little is sold, it is not worth costly development work. After all, as a commercial enterprise, you also have to calculate the “return on investment”. Of course, motorcycles like the R 1200 GS – old and new models – have been top sellers for years. Which means that tire sales will be secured as the stock grows. Especially since the endurance traveler usually has a corresponding hunger for kilometers and, thanks to the high mileage, ultimately comes more often to change tires.
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Enduro tires in sizes 110/80 R 19, 150/70 R 17 in the test
Liability reserves for travel enduros
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Let’s tick off the sore point of this test under the keyword “mileage”. Because you will look in vain for wear values on the following pages. the Test of touring tires in the last issue of MOTORRAD may have been able to give a small impression of how complex it is to analyze the mileage of motorcycle tires. Especially if it should not only be practical, but also comparable.
tire
6 pairs of touring tires in the test
Touring tires on Suzuki GSX-S 750
read more
Unfortunately, the Bridgestone A40 was late
2015 would actually have been a great year to take a closer look at the enduro tires from this point of view. After all, three of the six premium brands are competing with new profiles. However, Bridgestone has calculated the timing of the new A40 as the successor to the heavily grayed-out Battle Wings so tight that even at the start of the test in mid-April there were no tires from Japan available. Which is why the A40 only appears as a side note in this comparison. Because only long after the start of the test, a copy of the A40 could still be driven against its five competitors. But since the important wet test results were already wrapped up at the time, it was only the impression under ideal conditions (sunny, warm and dry) on the country road and motorway.
All the others, on the other hand, could be scrutinized much more intensively. And since the last wear test for this type of tire was not that long ago (issue 11/2013, driven on the Triumph Tiger Explorer), cross-references to the mileage expectations can be drawn.
tire
Six touring tires in a 4,000-kilometer test
Tire dimensions 120/70 ZR 17, 180/55 ZR 17
read more
Conti Trail Attack 2 is an old friend
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This time the test focused on paved terrain. In part 3 of our tire test, we then clarify the candidates’ off-road skills.
First in alphabetical order is the Conti Trail Attack 2, an old friend. In our tests, the tires from the Hanover-based tire bakeries repeatedly stand out for their sportiness and agility. The TA2 with the front tire in Z specification is no exception on our test GS. Especially since he feels even more comfortable on the BMW R 1200 GS than on the hard-tuned Triumph two years ago. While pronounced shimmy clouded the driving comfort there, this year there was no longer any noticeable effect on the GS. Only when it comes to straight-line stability do the hyperactive Contis traditionally weaken in our tests. High-speed on dead straight pistes is not the strength of the TA2 – on the other hand, it literally craves curves of all kinds. Any enduro driver who is equally talented will be happy with the Conti. In which it shouldn’t rain, because the Conti doesn’t really like wet roads. Whereby you have to put the last place in the table this year into perspective. In the test two years ago, the TA2 showed that it can be driven much better in the rain than its predecessor. This year, however, his undoing is the fact that the two current new releases have rushed forward vigorously.
Dunlop Trailsmart is the newcomer
Let’s get to D like Dunlop and thus compared to the first newcomer. We were amazed to see that Dunlop had already taken the Trailmax TR91, which was successfully launched in 2011, off the market. It will now be completely replaced by the Trailsmart and unfortunately will not continue to run as a cheap budget tire. Of course, you can clearly feel the genes of the TR91 in the successor. This already knew how to convince on the country road, and the Trailsmart successfully remains true to this character.
The same picture emerges in the wet, where the Trailsmart gives the pilot a feeling of security. The problem with the TR91 was its high level of wear and tear, which Dunlop is now trying to get a grip on with the Trailsmart with a new compound, improved silica and a new tread design. Did that actually work? Unfortunately we have to postpone this question for a year …
Enduro tires from Metzeler and Michelin
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Two years ago we tested the wear and tear after 4000 kilometers. At that time the Triumph Tiger Explorer was used, this year the BMW R 1200 GS Triple Black.
With the next two tires in the sorting, however, this question can be answered more clearly. Because both the Metzeler Tourance Next and the Michelin Anakee III took part in the enduro tire test two years ago and got their 4000 kilometers long rub on the Triumph Tiger Explorer.
However, he has Metzeler this mileage put away surprisingly well. The result after the wear-and-tear ride on the high-grip country roads of the Cevennes was a strong second place: “A plus point in terms of economy”, it said in the 2013 test report. Michelin’s Anakee III performed even better. It took first place in the wear test. Conclusion in the test section at that time: “The profile not only looks extremely robust, it is also hardly impressed on the 4000-kilometer lap.”
Pirelli enduro tires set the bar high
These results can now be combined excellently with the dynamic findings on the R 1200 GS from this year. In turn, the Tourance Next clearly distances itself from the Anakee III. Because Michelin’s enduro tires cannot really stand out in the pure functional test on dry and wet roads. It remains too sluggish on country roads, and when it is wet you miss the feeling of more security. The Metzeler, on the other hand, is completely different. Its big plus point is the balance, which highway drivers will appreciate very much. Even when it is wet, the picture is correct. Also positive: the excellent straight-line stability on the motorway. Together with the experience from wear and tear, that sounds almost like an unbeatable combination with the Metzeler.
The next big tire test in this category promises to be very exciting. Because in terms of dynamics, the brand new Pirelli Scorpion Trail II raises the bar darn high. In any case, this tire is one of the best tuning measures for the BMW R 1200 GS. Sluggishness has never been an issue for the off-road boxer, but after changing tires to the Scorpion Trail II, you might think so. And when it is wet, the Pirelli GS drives in circles around the field of pursuers. The winner of the 2015 enduro tire test does not yet know any shadows. But: its predecessor was the last to wear. But that is what Trail No. 2 wants to do better. In any case, our experience says: This is how much performance costs. Usually also a lot of profile. How much remains to be seen.
After the test is before the test.
Test candidates
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Not only the test candidates had to show what they can do. In addition to driving, the crew was also very busy with the numerous tire changes.
Continental Trail Attack 2
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Continental Trail Attack 2
Weight: front 4.9 kg, rear 7.1 kg
Specification: front “Z”
Country of Manufacture: Germany
Info / approvals: Continental tires, Tel. 05 11/9 38 01, www.conti-moto.de
Conclusion: Conti also builds a great country road tire in the enduro segment with the Trail Attack 2. However, there is a lack of stability on fast travel stages, and grip and therefore confidence is lacking in the rain.
Dunlop Trailsmart
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Dunlop Trailsmart
Weight: front 5.2 kg, rear 7.6 kg
Country of Manufacture: France
Info / approvals: Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany, Tel. 0 61 81/68 01, www.dunlop.de
Conclusion: The newcomer from Dunlop starts his first season with great performance. The sporty qualities of the Trailsmart are convincing on country roads, and its strong grip when it rains.
Metzeler Tourance Next
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Metzeler Tourance Next
Weight: front 5.1 kg, rear 7.2 kg
Country of Manufacture: Germany
Info / approvals: Pirelli Germany, Tel. 0 89/14 90 83 02, www.metzelermoto.de
Conclusion: The Metzeler is and will remain the all-rounder among the enduro tires. Anyone who is on absolute neutrality, high stability and solid rainproofness will choose the Tourance Next from the Munich brand.
Michelin Anakee III
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Michelin Anakee III
Weight: front 5.6 kg, rear 6.9 kg
Country of Manufacture: Thailand
Info / approvals: Michelin Reifenwerke, Tel. 07 21/53 00,
Conclusion: Driving like on rails. Anyone who drives their travel enduro through the country at the ICE speed can use the Michelin to become happy. Curves, especially rainy ones, should be deleted from the timetable.
Pirelli Scorpion Trail II
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Pirelli Scorpion Trail II
Weight: front 5.3 kg, rear 7.2 kg
Country of Manufacture: Germany
Info / approvals: Pirelli Germany, Tel. 0 61 63/7 10, www.pirellimoto.de
Conclusion: Wow, this debut was a success. Pirelli’s brand new sole for the GS class couldn’t be better in dynamic mode. Top country road performance and this crazy show in the rain. Salute!
Country road and motorway
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With a travel enduro you travel a lot on country roads and also on motorways. So a must for our tire test.
In the meantime, the standard tires with which modern travel enduros are delivered from the factory have precisely followed the demands of the drivers. Which means that rough-looking rubber studs are usually not pulled onto the rims. The profile of the current generation of enduro tires is a bit more carved, but the tires are essentially designed for regular road use. By the way, the third part of our tire test in MOTORRAD 14/2015 will clarify in detail how much off-road performance there is actually still in the end Europeans.
First of all, however, this test went on a varied country road section into the Jagsttal with a total of six tire pairs – the region between Wurzburg and Heilbronn is an insider tip for motorcyclists who are addicted to curves! Wait, six tire models in the test, but only five in the table? Yes, because unfortunately Bridgestone did not manage to deliver the A40 as the third new release in this segment on time. Which is why we couldn’t use the tire on our wet test track. Therefore, it remains with a pure driving impression under ideal conditions on a dry road. It goes without saying that this is not enough to be included in the rating. But it’s enough to get a first impression.
In addition to the country road performance, the high-speed stability was checked on the nearby A 81. Because our long-term test KTM 1190 Adventure has shown again how neuralgic high-legged companions react to top speed. Hence the exciting question: With which tires does the GS drive over the track and how on rails??
Conclusion:
The two first-placed winners can be used without hesitation. On the other hand, those who value extreme agility in country road mode but can do without maximum stability should also consider the Conti Trail Attack 2. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a balanced mix of everything, you will be happy with the Metzeler Tourance Next.
Enduro tires in the wet
Dusty slopes, magically glittering coastal roads or majestic Alpine passes. Of course, on a GS, Varadero, V-Strom or Super Tenere you think carefully about such destinations and not about a slippery, rainy and bitumen-strewn patchwork of asphalt. But when the pilot is actually on such a stretch of road, he thinks about the choice of his current tires with beads of sweat on his forehead.
To do this, please briefly recall the table of the country roads / autobahn scoring. First and last placed only ten points separate – with 150 possible. That’s not seven percent. Our wet test evaluation, however, shows that the differences on rainy roads are much more serious. A total of 20 points separate places one and five – out of 100 possible. And that although the R 1200 GS with ABS and traction control is already well equipped for use in adverse road conditions. Especially the line with the braking distances speaks volumes. While the boxer with the best tires is standing on the wet surface after around 55 meters, in the worst case it rushes one or two car lengths further with the Conti or Michelin. Not a pleasant idea, is it?
Conclusion:
With a full six point lead, the new Pirelli puts the two not at all bad rain tires from Dunlop and Metzeler in their place. An amazing tire in the wet, Conti and Michelin, on the other hand, are only second division
Final scoring
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Table of scores for enduro tire test of size 110/80 R 19, 150/70 R 17.
A final table that has not been seen in tire tests for a long time. The brand new Pirelli Scorpion Trail II won this enduro tire test on the old R 1200 GS with a huge lead. The second newcomer of the season, Dunlops Trailsmart, can place well, but not significantly differentiate itself from the Metzeler Tourance Next, which was test winner two years ago. At that time it also scored with very good wear values.
This is how MOTORRAD tests
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While the tire change is being prepared up front, the laptop is downloading the data records. In addition to the subjective perception, there are also specific values for speed, inclination, etc..
The 110/80 R 19 and 150/70 R 17 tire sizes are still among the best sellers, which is why we did not choose the BMW R 1200 GS with a water boxer as the basic motorcycle for the test, but rather “the old one” with an air-cooled engine. The wet test took place on the Michelin test site in Fontagne (Salon-sur-Provence / France). The dynamic test is primarily about these properties:
Handiness …
… is the steering force to tilt the machine and to keep it in line in alternating curves.
Liability / acceleration … *
… describes the lateral guidance and power transmission in corners of different speeds (wet / dry).
Steering precision … *
… in passages of different speeds with complicated curve radii. Provides information about whether the motorcycle is following the desired course, which is specified by the steering forces, or whether clear line corrections are required.
Borderline behavior … *
… stands for the controllability of the tire at the limit. Test on wet and dry roads.
Cornering stability …
… tests the build-up in (alternating) curves and on bumps. Is tested in different modes (solo / with pillion passenger) and in a great lean angle when accelerating.
Liability / inclination … *
… is the lateral guidance in maximum incline on wet and dry asphalt. A tightrope walk that is only possible on a closed route.
Straight-line stability …
… is tested at high speed. Does the motorcycle remain stable on course or does the commuting disrupt the journey??
Setup moment …
… refers to straightening up when braking in an inclined position. This reaction must be balanced out with a counterforce (pressure) on the inside of the handlebar end.
Filling pressure in the test: 2.2 bar at the front, 2.5 bar at the rear.
Short test Bridgestone A40
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Bridgestone A40
The changing of the guard was overdue. For years, the Bridgestone Battle Wing was ranked under “also ran” in our tests. It is tragic that the new A40 did not arrive in time. It was only enough for a quick comparison against the competition on a dry road. His strengths there: stability, neutrality and good feedback. In terms of handiness, however, Conti, Dunlop and Pirelli have the edge.
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