Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17

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Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17

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Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Six bikes, six riders, twelve bikes. The country roads and everyday tire tour test.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Also in the luggage are: The Dunlop Roadsmart III, …

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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…Pirelli’s Angel GT, …

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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…the Road Attack 3 GT from Continental, …

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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…Michelin Road 5, …

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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…Bridgestones T 31…

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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…and the Raodtec 01 from Metzeler.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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The tests were carried out as in the 2015 touring tire test in Corsica. The journey via Toulon had more logistical reasons, as the Italian ports from Germany are ideal.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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With six dot-like BMW R 1200 GS and six different sets of tires on the rims, the boundary conditions are set.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Mark … and go!

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Just where? Actually, it doesn’t matter. Whether to the left, right or back … In Corsica there was only one goal and that was: to leave as much rubber as possible on the track in the shortest possible time.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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There wasn’t just wetness on the wet test track.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Raindrops knocking on my visor …

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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In principle, the wisdom of old drivers also applies to this test: Slippery? It’s only slippery in your imagination.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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In addition to the test on wet roads and temperatures in the ice cellar, the next stage was only about one thing: the profile.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Which rubber is particularly wear-resistant, which buckles too early?

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Precise for the tough tire calculator.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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What remains by the way, the drivers are not only safe on two wheels.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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…and a break, also to plan the next route, is always good.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Then the measurements can also continue. How much grip has the tire lost, you put it on the scales?

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Tell me where the most beautiful curves are … You don’t have to look far for them in Corsica.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Six sets of tires had to prove themselves over 3600 kilometers and in four evaluation chapters.

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The drivers have their own personal opinion: Jorg Jutzeler (52), non-partisan, incorruptible and wonderfully calm. 1st place: Dunlop Roadsmart III; 6th place: Metzeler Roadtec 01.

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Jorg Lohse (48), Service Minister, likes to operate as a backbencher. 1st place: Pirelli Angel GT; 6th place: Metzeler Roadtec 01.

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Sebastian Schmidt (37), secret works council, can no longer be demolished. 1st place: Dunlop Roadsmart III; 6th place: Metzeler Roadtec 01.

Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17
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Karsten Schwers (46), Tire Test Chancellor, leads the cabinet around every tricky bend. 1st place: Pirelli Angel GT; 6th place: Metzeler Roadtec 01.

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Gabriel Winter (54), age president, pulls on the cable like on the black Krauser. 1st place: Bridgestone T 31; 6th place: Metzeler Roadtec 01.

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Tobias Wassermann (37), as opposition leader, is looking for the faster line. 1st place: Dunlop Roadsmart III; 6th place: Continental Road Attack 3 GT.

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Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17

Touring tire test 120/70 ZR 17 and 180/55 ZR 17
Wetness test, wear and tear and country road

For the touring tire test 2018, the following applies: unwind a season in fast motion, lose a lot of profile, in the shortest possible time. We found out for you which tire performs best in the wet test, wear and tear and country road / everyday categories over a distance of 3,600 kilometers and six BMW R 1200 RS.

Jorg Lohse, Karsten Schwers

06/14/2018

The first and last in our big touring tire test are only separated by a meager twelve points. With 500 possible points! Hardly a sheet fits in between. The fact is, the level is extremely high. So high that you can’t even speak of losers. Especially since every tire will find its lovers whether its characteristics.

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Conclusion

Despite the ungrateful placement, the Metzeler Roadtec 01 is still a well-balanced all-rounder that is particularly impressive in adverse weather. His deteriorating quality during the tour is his undoing. The Bridgestone T 31 is the recommendation for long-distance tourists who are fully gas-resistant. But when it is wet, others are a little better. The Michelin Road 5 is the first choice for bad weather drivers and the Continental Road Attack 3 GT the recommendation for economically calculating kilometer guzzlers. The offer the best mix from all worlds Dunlop Roadsmart III and the Pirelli Angel GT. The Dunlop Roadsmart III is even more convincing at the end of the journey than at the beginning. As the senior in the field (since 2013!), The Pirelli Angel GT is a real endurance runner anyway.

1st place: Dunlop Roadsmart III

Weight: The front tire weighs 4.7 kilograms, the rear 7.5 kilograms.
Country of Manufacture: The Dunlop Roadsmart III is manufactured in France.


Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17


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Dunlop Roadsmart III.

Country road / everyday life: He is now in second place with 136 points. After 3,600 km he is in first place with 135 points.
Two things are particularly astonishing: On the one hand, the Roadsmart III is completely foreign to the Dunlop’s typical sluggishness when turning in, on the other hand, it drives increasingly better as the mileage decreases. When new, a slight nervousness (“wobbly”) is noticeable, especially when running straight ahead, but this has almost disappeared by the end of the tour. With great adhesive reserves and very good handling, a very sporty touring tire.

Wet test: (85 points, 6th place)
If it gets inhospitable, the Dunlop quickly carries the red lantern. The feedback for the available adhesion reserves is very subdued, and when braking and accelerating ABS and traction control regulate very early.

Wear and tear: (83 points, 2nd place)
Low abrasion values ​​bring the Roadsmart III to the fore even if it is cost-effective.

Conclusion: Attention sporty country road drivers! With the wonderfully manageable Roadsmart III, you are ideally positioned on winding roads – and even over a long period of time. But there is one thing he doesn’t really like: bad weather!

MOTORCYCLE rating: 439 points

1st place: Pirelli Angel GT

Weight: The front tire weighs 4.1 kilograms, the rear 6.3 kilograms.
Country of Manufacture: The Pirelli Angel GT is manufactured in Germany.


Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17


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Pirelli’s Angel GT.

Country road / everyday life: He is now in first place with 137 points. After 3,600 km he is second with 132 points.
Its balance brings the Pirelli to the top in this chapter. Although it is not the most agile rubber on winding country roads, it can still be moved around the corner in a really sporty way. At the same time, however, it also manages to stay stable in the lane with passengers and luggage when the bolt is on the track. As the mileage increases, however, smaller compromises have to be made in terms of stability and steering precision.

Wet test: (93 points, 1st place)
With top traction, the Angel GT pulls across the wet asphalt without batting an eyelid. The delay values ​​are also correspondingly good. Thanks to this level of grip, the Pirelli joins the Michelin on the podium.

Wear and tear: (77 points, 4th place)
Even dismantling front and rear, the whole thing is not dramatic. Overall neat.

Conclusion: As the longest-serving tire in this comparison, the Italian “made in Germany” is far from being retired. On the contrary: the mix of stability, sportiness and safety in the rain puts it in first place.

MOTORCYCLE rating: 439 points

3rd place: Continental Road Attack 3 GT

Weight: The front tire weighs 4.8 kilograms, the rear 7.0 kilograms.
Country of Manufacture: The Continental Road Attack 3 GT in Germany.


Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17


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Continental Road Attack 3 GT.

Country road / everyday life: He is now in fourth place with 134 points. After 3,600 km he is fifth with 127 points.
Normally, Contis are a stunner on country roads with their unbelievable agility. The (reinforced) GT version recommended for this BMW is appealing because of its stability and neutrality, but less because of its handiness and feedback. The standard RA-3 is better there. Despite the low levels of wear and tear, the driving performance is noticeably reduced: handiness and steering precision are reduced, the set-up torque and counter-steering are more pronounced.

Wet test: (90 points, 3rd place)
The GT shines on wet roads just like the standard RA-3 in last year’s test. The grip level in corners and when accelerating is just as outstanding as the braking performance from 100 km / h.

Wear and tear: (86 points, 1st place)
In this chapter the most robust tire pairing in the test – an endurance runner for kilometer eaters.

Conclusion: The Road Attack 3 GT finished the 2018 tire test with its brilliant performance in the rain, but above all with its top mileage. Those who follow the curve should, however, prefer the more agile standard version of the Conti.

MOTORCYCLE rating: 437 points

4th place: Michelin Road 5

Weight: The front tire weighs 4.2 kilograms, the rear 6.0 kilograms.
Country of Manufacture: The Michelin Road 5 is manufactured in Spain.


Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17


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Michelin Road 5.

Country road / everyday life: He is now in fourth place with 134 points. After 3,600 km he is fourth with 130 points.
The Road 5 is a well-made country road tire, the good qualities of which do not diminish even with increasing mileage. However, with its characteristics, which are more geared towards maneuverability, high-speed drivers have to accept a slight loss of stability, which is less of a deterrent to sporty bend fans. The relatively large loss of profile on the front wheel increases the steering force a little more.

Wet test: (93 points, 1st place)
Tread design and new rubber compound bear fruit, in the rain the Road 5 is clearly ahead. Metzeler and Pirelli offer more grip when accelerating, but the Michelin scores with top feedback from the front.

Wear and tear: (74 points, 5th place)
Harmless at the back, the profile loose at the front. The Road 5 buckles particularly quickly at the front.

Conclusion: All in all, the new Road 5 is the recommendation for all-weather drivers who take bends and who value crystal-clear feedback in wet conditions. In return, you can confidently accept the higher wear and tear.

MOTORCYCLE rating: 431 points

5th place: Bridgestone T 31

Weight: The front tire weighs 4.4 kilograms, the rear 6.9 kilograms.
Country of Manufacture: The Bridgestone T 31 in Japan.


Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17


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Bridgestone T 31.

Country road / everyday life: He is now in second place with 136 points. After 3,600 km he is second with 132 points.
The brand new touring tire from the Japanese shines especially on brisk overland trips. Anyone who chases the motorway with a full load and under full throttle will be convinced of its superb stability even beyond 200 km / h. When it comes to country road curves, we like feedback, precision and balance. These good properties are retained even with increasing wear.

Wet test: (87 points, 5th place)
The placement sounds more dramatic than the T 31 actually is in wet conditions. Although it has to line up a bit behind the competition in the rain with its grip reserves and braking performance, it still remains a manageable tire even in adverse weather.

Wear and tear: (72 points, 6th place)
The orgy of kilometers – especially at the rear – is particularly hard on the Bridgestone.

Conclusion: The newcomer of the year can put itself in the limelight with brisk kilometer junkies. Full throttle on the autobahn, quality even with decreasing mileage. That earns points for everyday life. Its drawback: the high level of wear and tear.

MOTORCYCLE rating: 427 points

5th place: Metzeler Roadtec 01

Weight: The front tire weighs 4.4 kilograms, the rear 6.4 kilograms.
Country of Manufacture: The Metzeler Roadtec 01 is manufactured in Germany.


Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17


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Metzeler Roadtec 01.

Country road / everyday life: He is now in 4th place with 134 points. After 3,600 km he is in 6th place with 123 points.
At the start of the test drive, the new generation of touring tires from Metzeler presented itself overall as balanced, neutral and stable. Only the slightly more pronounced righting moment when braking in an inclined position distinguishes it from the competition. As the mileage increases, the Roadtec 01 becomes increasingly stubborn and needs to be counter-steered more strongly in an inclined position. Handiness and steering precision have noticeably decreased.

Wet test: (90 points, 3rd place)
If the competition drifts away a little in the sun, the Metzeler can quickly catch up again on wet roads thanks to its smooth feedback. The grip level in the rain is just phenomenal.

Wear and tear: (80 points, 3rd place)
In terms of quantity, the loss of profile is harmless, but the driving characteristics suffer.

Conclusion: Anyone who winds up the Roadtec 01 will initially be satisfied with the speedy country road curves. In the long run, however, the overall good driving characteristics decrease significantly. The Metzeler, on the other hand, is a real bank in the rain.

MOTORCYCLE rating: 427 points

Touring tires in new condition

The hitting and stabbing cannot be any closer. When new, all tires initially shine equally on country roads and in everyday life.


Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17


MOTORCYCLE

Nevertheless, clear differences can be felt. In general: Are the tires more manageable or designed for the greatest possible stability? Here you have to decide for yourself what is important to you. Pirelli’s Angel GT as an overall very balanced tire forms the golden mean. Bridgestone’s T 31 will convince high-speed tourists with its ultra-stability, Dunlop’s Roadsmart III the curve followers.

Ranking

1.Pirelli Angel GT (137 points)

2. Bridgestone T 31 (136 points)

2. Dunlop Roadsmart III (136 points)

4. Continental Road Attack 3 GT (134 points)

4. Metzeler Roadtec 01 (134 points)

4. Michelin Road 5 (134 points)

Touring tires in everyday and country road tests

When new, Pirelli is on pole, Bridgestone and Dunlop are tied for second place. 3,600 kilometers later, of course, the mileage nibbled on the performance. However, this is not synchronized with the actual profile loss. Bridgestone as the loser from wear and tear remains at a high level and retains its good driving characteristics. Pirelli loses little profile, but more of its dynamism and has to let Dunlop pass – who has gained in quality!

Ranking:

1.Dunlop Roadsmart III (136 points)

2. Bridgestone T 31 (132 points)

2. Pirelli Angel GT (132 points)

4. Michelin Road 5 (130 points)

5. Continental Road Attack 3 GT (127 points)

6. Metzeler Roadtec 01 (123 points)

Touring tires in the wet test

Good weather driver read away! Or maybe picked in, in case a rain shower surprises you? Either way, the most important finding is quickly mentioned:


Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17


MOTORCYCLE

0.15 seconds separate the Pilot Power 2CT from the latest successor Power RS ​​in the wet test. This is nothing.

All touring tires are in the uncritical area on rainy trips without exception and convey a completely safe feeling in wet conditions. But if you place great value on top performance in the rain, you will not be able to avoid the two first-place winners from Michelin and Pirelli. Conti impresses with a brilliantly good braking value from 100 km / h.

Ranking:

1.Pirelli Angel GT (230 points)

2. Michelin Road 5 (227 points)

3.Continental Road Attack 3 GT (224 points)

3. Metzeler Roadtec 01 (224 points)

5. Bridgestone T 31 (223 points)

6. Dunlop Roadsmart III (221 points)

Touring tires in wear test over 3,600 km

GT as in Grand Tour … When it comes to durability, the Conti Road Attack 3, which has been specially pimped for heavy motorcycles, rightly bears its abbreviation.


Touring tire test 120 70 ZR 17 and 180 55 ZR 17


MOTORCYCLE

All in all, it can best deal with the simulation of a typical motorcycle season in just one week. It wins the wear rating primarily thanks to its extremely resistant front, which has only lost 40 percent after 3600 kilometers. At the other end, Michelin: The Road 5 breaks down almost 70 percent at the front over the same distance. Kilometer kings buy Conti.

Ranking:

1.Continental Road Attack 3 GT (310 points)

2. Pirelli Angel GT (307 points)

3.Dunlop Roadsmart III (304 points)

3. Metzeler Roadtec 01 (304 points)

5. Michelin Road 5 (301 points)

6. Bridgestone T 31 (295 points)

This is how MOTORRAD tests

The base motorcycle for this year’s touring tire test is the BMW R 1200 RS, model 2018. During a 3600-kilometer tour from Stuttgart to Corsica and back, the main focus was on the dynamics in everyday life, on country roads and motorways. The behavior in the border area when wet was analyzed on an irrigated circuit on the test site of Michelin in Fontange (southern France). The testers focus on these criteria:

Handiness …
… is the steering force needed to tilt the bike and keep it in line in alternating curves.

Borderline behavior * …
… stands for the controllability of the tire at the limit. Tests on wet and dry roads.

Liability / acceleration * …
… describes the lateral guidance and power transmission in corners of different speeds (wet / dry).

Liability / inclination * …
… the lateral guidance is in the maximum inclined position (wet / dry). A tightrope walk that is only possible on a closed route.

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.

Cornering stability …
… tests the rocking in (alternating) curves and on bumps. Is tested in different modes (solo / with pillion passenger) and in a great lean angle when accelerating.

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 compensated for with a counterforce (pressure) on the inside of the handlebar end. Inflation pressure (according to manufacturer) 2.5 bar at the front, 2.9 bar at the rear.

* The sections marked with an asterisk can be transferred to motorcycles that have a similar geometry to the BMW R 1200 RS own.

Base camp for the MOTORRAD tire test

After 2015, the Mediterranean island is again the base camp for the MOTORRAD tire test this year. Endless curves, mild temperatures and a varied landscape – Corsica is a hotspot for every motorcyclist in spring.

There were more logistical reasons for choosing the crossing from Toulon in the south of France. From Germany, the Italian ferry ports (Genoa, Livorno) are ideal. Those who drive overnight save an overnight stay in a hotel and start directly from the port (Bastia) into the Corsican jungle of curves. Two people with a motorcycle pay around 160 euros for the one-way passage with a cabin off-season. The north of the island is ideal to get in the mood – once around the raised thumb (Cap Corse), you are fully in the mood for the landscape that will be framed by the visor cutout in the coming days. Ideal base camp for our trip: the small port city of Porto in the north-west of Corsica. On the one hand, you can drive through the breathtaking “galleries” carved into the cliffs from here – ideally in the late afternoon hours when the sun makes the rocks of the Calanche glow purple. On the other hand, you can also quickly get to the high mountain ranges of the island – yes, you read that correctly, after all, over 50 two-thousand-meter peaks tower into the sky. Thanks to its compact dimensions (180 km north / south, 80 km east / west), many highlights can be explored from one location on a day trip: L’lle Rousse, Col de Verghio or the chestnut forests of Castagniccia – the center of the Corsican independence movement.

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