Recommended tires for the Honda Crosstourer

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Recommended tires for the Honda Crosstourer
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Recommended tires for the Honda Crosstourer

A comprehensive tire recommendation was still missing in the interim endurance test of the Honda Crosstourer: which rubbers do the mighty V4 machine particularly well, which less?

Thomas Schmieder

02/14/2013

A comprehensive tire recommendation was missing from the Honda interim endurance test Crosstourer in MOTORRAD 3/2012: Which rubbers do the mighty V4 machine particularly well and which less? Test drives for this could only take place in January 2013. But it was worth waiting. The German brands Metzeler and Continental were able to contribute the latest 2013 tires at short notice, Tourance Next and Trail Attack 2. They are original equipment on the new KTM 1190 Adventure and the water-cooled BMW R 1200 GS. Only the Michelin Anakee 3 was still missing as another new addition.

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Honda’s 1200 series got ten different tire pairings on the spoked wheels – in the dimensions 110/80 R 19 and 150/70 R 17. In these formats, the most common of all travel enduros, a lot turns because they are also top sellers à la BMW R 1200 Wear GS or Suzuki V-Strom 650. For this reason, various tire manufacturers offer not only explicit travel enduro tires but also their sports touring tires as 19 and 17 inchers. In our case, these are Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop and Michelin. All tire combinations had to complete test drives on winding country roads – with very different surfaces in terms of grip and asphalt quality.

Targeting accuracy, cornering stability, neutrality, grip in dry conditions and the moment of erection could be assessed so well. Statements about high-speed stability on motorways or wet grip and wear are still missing. Until the big tire test for travel enduros, which MOTORRAD will start in spring 2013. And the bottom line for Honda’s Crosstourer? Hats off to the high level of tires. Can convince Bridgestone Battle Wing, Dunlop Trialmax and Michelin Anakee 2. But under the conditions mentioned, the new Conti and Metzeler the best recommendation.

Bridgestone BT 023


Recommended tires for the Honda Crosstourer


Gargolov

Honda Crosstourer.

The sports touring tire does not harmonize with the Crosstourer. It makes the Honda unwieldy, it has to be forced into corners. The high effort required to turn in dilutes the line. When exiting a curve, the motorcycle drives outwards, making wide arcs. Noticeable tendency to pitch up when braking in an inclined position. With the BT 023, the Honda chassis looks pretty underdamped. The grip is good when accelerating out, even in cold weather.

Bridgestone Battle Wing BW 501 / BW 502

Clearly the better fitting Japanese tire. The 1200 feels more trustworthy, rolls rounder, more homogeneous and more neutral than with the BT 023. It turns in more easily, its front remains calmer. The self-damping is noticeably better, but the erection moment is also greater. Feedback and steering precision fit in with the Battle Wing. Possible loss of liability is good-naturedly announced by rubbing it away. A balanced pairing.

Continental Road Attack 2

The heavy Honda drives pri-ma with Conti’s sporty road tires: very precisely, precisely and neutrally to the point. Because the handiness is good and the erection moment is low. However, the Road Attack 2 cannot conceal bumpy roads as comfortably as thoroughbred road enduro tires; its own damping is lower. In the endurance test it was shown that the tire, when fully loaded, can cause slight agitation on motorways.

Continental Trail Attack 2

(With “Z” in front) Conveyed complete confidence from the first meter. The Trail Attack 2 make the XXL tourer better than if it were lighter. You are faster and more weird than before. Cheeky, stable and safe, with good feedback. Outstanding handiness meets low set-up torque and good grip. A feel-good tire that has hopefully inherited the high mileage from its predecessor; According to Conti, its wet grip should be improved. A real tip!

Dunlop Roadsmart 2

Must be warmed up a bit for good driving characteristics. Very handy when throwing back and forth in alternating curves. But when folding down from the vertical, the first steering impulse, more effort is required. Rolling comfort less than with enduro tires: on a rough road, the tires rumble a little over uneven ground. Strong set-up moment when braking in an inclined position meets good grip.

Dunlop Trailmax TR 91

Fits well with the Honda, remains neutral on course. Precise and predictable even in the tightest of turns. Front wheel performs trustingly well. Feedback from the rear wheel should be better. Handling is not as light as a feather as with the Conti and Pirelli, it does not fold down so easily from the vertical. High self-damping makes you comfortable and covers slight chassis weaknesses. Only rises up a little more when you grip the front brake.

Michelin Anakee 2

A pairing that is good for man and machine. Easily steers in, leads precisely. Nice and handy, just not as light-footed as the Conti Trail Attack 2 and Pirelli. Makes brisk waving a pleasure, no need to set it up at all. Good-natured, rolls nicely round and neutrally across the entire width of the tire. With a sporty driving style he becomes a little indifferent, possible end of liability is announced by walking. Conclusion: homogeneous and comfortable.

Michelin Pilot Road 3

Very precise and stable, that creates trust. Especially since the rear tire made in Thailand offers plenty of grip when accelerating out. The possible limit area of ​​the “rain masters” is unfortunately not easy to define in cool weather. The Michelins allow very tight lines in bends, but fold down automatically in large inclined positions. Medium level handling, feedback a bit vague. Comfort should be greater.

Metzeler Tourance Next

Optimized for road use, the third Tourance generation impresses with its “round”, light-footed, easy-to-handle handling. Crisp inclines are possible without much getting used to – with a very low set-up moment. Stable construction combined with good damping, especially with the front tire. The comfort is high, the Crosstourer becomes a cross glider. Not quite as sporty as the Trail Attack 2, but extremely balanced.

Pirelli Scorpion Trail

The Honda rides light-footed and sporty on the Pirellis, reminiscent of a BMW R 1200 GS. And can also be braked far into the corners. When driving at a very slanting angle, the tires slip away quite early, but very gently, but can be caught again easily. Self-damping (comfort) could be greater in the case of the rather tight-looking front tire. Tire for a 285-kilo tourer, really cheeky. Overall, more sensual, less harmonious.

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