When embarking on the quest for new touring motorcycle tyres, riders are met with a landscape as varied and challenging as the countryside itself. The stakes are high; the wrong choice can lead not only to diminished ride quality but also to safety concerns that no rider should ever have to face.
With the myriad of tyre options on the market, each boasting different features, from longevity to grip, wet weather performance to comfort, the process of tyre choice can feel like navigating a labyrinth without a map.
This is where we come in. Drawing upon our extensive expertise in the world of two-wheeled touring, we aim to be your compass in this complex terrain. Our mission is straightforward: to guide you through the selection process with clear, informed, and thoughtful recommendations. By shedding light on the best touring motorcycle tyres of 2024, we endeavour to ensure that your ride is not just safe, but also enjoyable. Let us steer you away from the pitfalls of poor choices and towards the open road of well-informed decisions.
The tyres which come out on top
These 5 tyres have stood above the rest when it comes to touring performance this year, each measured against 5 key areas we deem to be the most important to you when riding, dry grip, wet grip, feedback, handling and mileage.
Here’s what and why they made it to our list of 5 best motorcycle touring tyres 2024.
- Metzeler Roadtec 02: Versatile performer in both wet and dry; adapts to riding style and acts as 2 tyres in 1 with innovative tread design for enhanced grip.
- Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart IV: Advanced durability and handling, optimised for long rides with JointLess Tread technology for consistent wear and comfort.
- Bridgestone T32: Superior wet braking, larger contact patch for increased stability and feedback, designed for all-weather confidence and control.
- Pirelli Angel GT II: Gran Turismo inspired, excels in wet conditions with high-silica compounds; ensures dynamic, long-lasting touring performance.
- Michelin Road 6: Exceptional wet grip, improved longevity; offers safety and performance with advanced silica compounds and tread technology.
Continue reading to get all the details on each tyre and how they succeed in each of these 5 areas.
If you’re after our overall best motorcycle tyres for this year, we have a blog for that too!
What to think about when buying touring tyres
Selecting the right touring motorcycle tyres is a crucial decision that can greatly affect your ride’s quality, safety, and enjoyment. Here’s how we have measured the worthiness of each tyre for you. These points are what you need to consider to ensure you make the best choice:
Dry Grip:
The tyre’s ability to maintain traction on dry roads is paramount. Look for tyres that offer superior dry grip to enhance stability and control during cornering and acceleration. This ensures a safer and more enjoyable ride.
Wet Grip:
In the UK, where wet weather is a common occurrence, the importance of wet grip cannot be overstated. Choose tyres with excellent wet grip to increase your confidence while riding in the rain. This feature can make a significant difference in your safety and comfort on wet roads.
Feedback:
Good tyres should communicate what’s happening between the road and your bike. Look for tyres that provide clear feedback, allowing you to feel more connected to the road and make more informed riding decisions. This connection enhances your control and the overall riding experience.
Handling:
The way your motorcycle handles, especially on long tours, is crucial for an enjoyable ride. Tyres play a significant role in handling, affecting everything from steering to stability at high speeds. Opt for tyres that improve handling, making your bike more agile and responsive.
Mileage:
Touring tyres need to withstand thousands of miles of varied terrain. Therefore, choosing tyres with high mileage is essential for long-lasting performance and value. Look for durable compounds and designs that promise extended tyre life without sacrificing grip or safety.
Considering these factors will help you select the best touring motorcycle tyres for your needs, ensuring a blend of safety, performance, and longevity. Whether you’re cruising country roads or navigating city streets, the right tyres can transform your riding experience.
The best for 2024
Now we have shown you what to look for in a set of touring tyres, let’s get into the top choices for this year, in no particular order:
Metzeler Roadtec 02 Motorcycle Touring Tyre
The Metzeler Roadtec 02 Motorcycle Tyre is a standout and all new for 2024 choice. It has been designed for those who demand the best in versatility and performance for their super-sport touring bikes. The name is two-fold, it’s the successor to the highly successful Roadtec 01 and 01SE and it functions as 2 tyres in 1 by utilising an ‘Adaptive Tread Pattern’ technology.
It’s a tyre designed to enhance your riding experience, offering next level adaptability, which can suit both your riding style and the conditions you face.
Here’s how the Roadtec 02 shines across essential performance factors:
Dry Grip: The Roadtec 02’s Adaptive Tread Pattern technology is a game-changer, providing the tyre with the ability to shift its behaviour to suit your ride, the thinner portions of the tyre grooves close up at higher speeds, enhancing grip. In dry conditions, this means the tyre can offer the agility and precision of a Supersport tyre, ensuring superior grip and confidence in every turn.
Wet Grip: Equipped with a 100% silica-based compound, the Roadtec 02 offers exceptional wet grip. This, combined with its innovative Central Longitudinal and Lateral Grooves, ensures efficient water evacuation and a safe, secure ride in wet conditions, giving you peace of mind no matter the weather.
Feedback: The consistent behaviour and performance offered by the Roadtec 02, thanks to its common tread pattern design on both front and rear tyres, ensure you receive clear and precise feedback from the road. This allows for a more connected and engaging riding experience.
Handling: The tyre’s Adaptive Tread Pattern and Dual-Compound Rear Sizes enhance handling by providing stability at high speeds and cornering grip. Whether cruising straight or navigating curves, the Roadtec 02 offers a balanced and responsive ride.
Mileage: Designed for longevity as well as performance, the Roadtec 02’s advanced materials and tread design contribute to outstanding mileage. Its durable construction means you can enjoy many rides without compromising on performance or safety.
The Metzeler Roadtec 02’s blend of technology make it a top-tier tyre for touring riders. Its ability to adapt from a sport-touring to a super-sport character based on your riding style not only makes it versatile but ensures it provides the grip, stability, and performance you need, regardless of conditions. Opting for the Metzeler Roadtec 02 means choosing a tyre that evolves with your riding, ensuring every journey is as enjoyable and safe as possible.
Buy this tyre if:
- You value versatility: The Metzeler Roadtec 02 is designed for riders who demand a tyre that can adapt to varying conditions and riding styles. Its Adaptive Tread Pattern technology ensures optimal performance whether you’re cruising on wet roads or pushing the limits on dry tarmac.
- You prioritise safety and performance in wet conditions: With its 100% silica-based compounds and dual-compound rear tyres, the Roadtec 02 offers unmatched grip and stability on wet surfaces, making it a top choice for riders who often find themselves navigating through unpredictable weather.
Don’t buy this tyre if:
- You exclusively ride in off-road conditions: While the Roadtec 02 excels on tarmac, its design and features are not optimised for off-road use. Riders who spend most of their time on dirt or gravel may want to consider tyres specifically designed for off-road conditions.
- You’re looking for the most economical option: The advanced technology and materials used in the Metzeler Roadtec 02 come at a price. If budget is your primary concern and you’re willing to compromise on some of the advanced features, there may be more cost-effective options available.
Click here to check the latest price of the Metzeler Roadtec 02 motorcycle tyre.
Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart IV Motorcycle Touring Tyre
The Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart IV gives significant enhancements over the Roadsmart III. This tyre stands out not just for its performance but for the way it combines technology and design to enhance every aspect of your ride.
Let’s explore how the Roadsmart IV measures up against critical performance factors which matter to you, highlighting its unique features and the benefits they bring to the rider.
Dry Grip: The Roadsmart IV utilises Dunlop’s Multi-Tread (MT) technology, providing a blend of compounds that ensure exceptional grip on dry roads. This technology optimises the tyre’s contact with the road, offering a stable and secure ride, even at high speeds or in tight corners.
Wet Grip: Enhanced wet performance is a hallmark of the Roadsmart IV, this will be the first area you notice the improvements over the Roadsmart III. Thanks to its advanced compound and optimised tread pattern. These features work together to ensure superior wet grip, reducing the risk of slippage and improving safety and control in challenging weather conditions.
Feedback: Incorporating Dunlop’s Dynamic Front Formula (DFF) technology, the Roadsmart IV offers balanced steering, stability, and feedback. This innovative design ensures that riders feel more connected to the road, enhancing confidence and enjoyment, especially when navigating through complex routes.
Handling: The tyre’s low steering effort and fast warm-up time contribute to its nimble handling. Whether navigating urban streets or open highways, the Roadsmart IV responds with precision and ease, making for a smoother and more responsive ride.
Mileage: With its JointLess Tread (JLT) and Multi-Tread (MT) technology, the Roadsmart IV is built to last. These technologies not only extend the tyre’s life by reducing wear but also maintain consistent performance over time, ensuring that you can enjoy uninterrupted touring without frequent tyre changes.
By choosing the Roadsmart IV, you’re opting for a tyre that excels in dry and wet conditions, offers superior feedback and handling, and promises long-lasting mileage. It’s the perfect companion for riders who demand the best in safety, performance, and durability when touring.
Buy this tyre if:
- You often ride in wet conditions: The Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart IV excels in wet performance, offering superior grip and safety. Its advanced compounds and tread pattern are specifically designed to tackle challenging weather, making it ideal for riders in rainy climates.
- You value long-lasting durability: With technologies like JointLess Tread (JLT) and Multi-Tread (MT), the Roadsmart IV is built for longevity. If you’re looking for a tyre that offers extended mileage without compromising on performance or comfort, this is a solid choice.
Don’t buy this tyre if:
- You ride casually: Your motorcycle trips are sporadic and brief, rendering advanced features less crucial.
- You demand a tyre for track use: The Roadsmart IV shines on open roads and in touring scenarios rather than the race track. For those dedicated to track days or competitive racing, a tyre crafted specifically for high-performance track use would be more appropriate.
If you want to find the latest price for the Roadsmart IV, hop on over to the Demon Tweeks website.
Bridgestone T32 Motorcycle Touring Tyre
Next on the list is the Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T32 tyre. This tyre sets a new benchmark when tackling the unpredictability of wet roads, providing a sense of control and confidence that is unmatched. The T32 represents the culmination of Bridgestone’s commitment to innovation, offering significant improvements in safety, stability, and overall performance.
Let’s delve into how the T32 excels across the 5 essential factors that matter to you when touring.
Dry Grip: The T32’s advanced compound and tread design ensure top tier dry grip, providing you with a reassuring sense of security and performance under sunny skies. This tyre’s ability to maintain traction, sets a high standard for touring tyres.
Wet Grip: Bridgestone has significantly enhanced the T32’s wet grip capabilities, thanks to its Pulse Groove pattern design technology. This, coupled with a 7% shorter wet braking distance than its predecessor, ensures that you can confidently navigate through rain-soaked roads with reduced stopping distances. Plus it’s the area you want grip, come bad weather.
Feedback: The increased stability offered by a 13% larger contact patch on the rear tyre, compared to the T32’s predecessor, translates into superior feedback when riding. This enhancement allows for you to better understand the road conditions, especially in varied weather conditions.
Handling: The dedicated GT version of the T32 is specifically designed for middleweight and heavy motorcycles, offering optimised handling characteristics. This tailored design ensures that regardless of your bike’s size or weight, you’ll experience improved control and responsiveness.
Mileage: Bridgestone doesn’t compromise on longevity with the T32. Its innovative 3 Layer Compound and NanoPro-Tech technology work in tandem to extend wear life significantly. This, combined with the High Tensile Super Penetrated Cord, means the T32 is built to last longer, offering consistent performance over time and making it a cost-effective choice if you are aiming to go on a long tour.
The Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T32 tyre offers control, safety, and durability. The T32 is engineered to enhance your riding experience, making every journey safer and more enjoyable.
Buy this tyre if:
- You prioritise safety and confidence on long tours: The Bridgestone T32 is designed to provide unparalleled safety features, including enhanced grip and shorter braking distances, making it ideal for those who embark on long journeys and value a tyre that can handle diverse weather conditions with ease.
- You’re looking for a tyre that performs consistently over time: Thanks to Bridgestone’s cutting-edge technology, the T32 offers consistent performance throughout its lifespan, maintaining its grip and handling characteristics even as miles accumulate, making it perfect for riders who don’t want to compromise on performance as their tyre ages.
Don’t buy this tyre if:
- You’re seeking an ultra-lightweight tyre for maximum speed: The T32 is built for stability, handling and durability, which might not align with the needs of riders who prioritise speed and agility above all else, particularly those involved in competitive speed-focused events, or track use.
- Might not be the best fit for bikes used primarily in urban settings with small journeys and minimal highway travel.
The Demon Tweeks website the latest price for the Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T32 tyre.
Pirelli Angel GT II Motorcycle Touring Tyre
The Pirelli Angel GT II is another stand out touring tyre and one you should consider if you’re looking to update your current set of tyres. As the successor to the widely celebrated Angel GT, the Angel GT II marries the grand touring ethos with Pirelli’s unmistakable sporty edge, creating a tyre that promises exhilarating performance without sacrificing longevity.
Continue reading to explore how the Angel GT II performs in the key areas important to you.
Dry Grip: The Angel GT II’s dual compound layout ensures exceptional grip on dry roads, a direct inheritance of Pirelli’s racing lineage. This technology allows for a secure connection with the road, providing confidence when you’re giving it some.
Wet Grip: As with all the tyres in this list, the Angel GT II stands out for its performance in wet conditions. Incorporating high-silica compounds and leveraging DIABLO™ Wet technologies. You can enjoy peace of mind during rainy rides.
Feedback: The innovative tread design, influenced by PIRELLI DIABLO™ racing tyres, minimises unnecessary steering inputs, offering riders clear and direct feedback. Important if you are out on a mountain trial, this feature ensures a more intuitive and comfortable riding experience, reducing fatigue over long distances.
Handling: With its top handling capabilities, the Angel GT II ensures that every journey is smooth and enjoyable. The tyre’s unique structure maintains consistent contact with the road at various lean angles, offering stability and responsiveness whether you’re touring or engaging in more spirited riding.
Mileage: The Gran Turismo Concept Evolution and the tyre’s specially-developed contour are designed for regular wear and longevity. With this tyre, you will find that it retains its performance qualities over time, making it a wise choice if you’re thinking of going on a long tour this year.
Whether you’re navigating city streets or exploring winding country roads, the Pirelli Angel GT II is a symbol of how far tyre technology has come, providing riders with a blend of safety, performance, and durability that’s hard to match.
Buy this tyre if:
- You want versatility: Ideal if you go from city to commuting to long-distance touring, the Pirelli Angel GT II offers adaptable performance across a wide range of road conditions and riding styles.
- Performance in all weathers is a priority: With its advanced wet grip capabilities, this tyre is perfect for those who are happy to ride in the rain.
Don’t buy this tyre if:
- You mainly ride on tracks: If your focus is on achieving the best lap times and your riding is predominantly on race tracks, there are tyres specifically designed for track performance that would better suit your needs.
- Minimalist touring is your style: Riders who prefer ultra-light motorcycles and minimal gear, aiming for a very specific type of touring experience, might find the robust nature of the Angel GT II more than what’s needed for their journey.
Interested? We have the latest price for the Pirelli Angel GT II on the Demon Tweeks website.
Michelin Road 6 Motorcycle Touring Tyre
Despite launching in 2022, the Michelin Road 6 Motorcycle Tyre still shines at the top of Michelin’s tyre offering. It houses first in class innovations, combined with a legacy built on two wheeled achievements. The Michelin Road 6 outstanding road and wet weather grip are reasons alone why you should consider it and why it’s on our list of best touring tyres 2024.
Let’s break down how the Michelin Road 6 stands up against key factors critical to every rider.
Dry Grip: While the focus is often on wet performance, the Michelin Road 6 doesn’t compromise on dry grip. The 100% Silica Technology, coupled with its advanced tread pattern, ensures exceptional traction on dry surfaces, providing you with confidence in every twist and turn.
Wet Grip: A standout feature of the Michelin Road 6 is its remarkable 15% improvement in wet grip over its predecessor, thanks to updated grooves in the tread which help push water away more than its predecessor, the Road 5.
Feedback: The Michelin Road 6 offers exceptional road feedback, allowing riders to feel more connected to the road. This enhanced feedback results from its innovative tread design and silica-based compounds, which work together to provide a responsive and engaging riding experience.
Handling: The tyre’s new tread pattern not only boosts grip but also significantly improves handling. This design ensures that you can have precise steering and stability.
Mileage: Thanks to its high-tech compound, the Michelin Road 6 increases tyre longevity by 10%, translating to longer intervals between tyre changes. This durability, combined with its performance capabilities, makes the Road 6 a cost-effective choice for riders looking for long-lasting quality.
The Michelin Road 6 Motorcycle Tyre blends thrilling performance with uncompromising safety and extended durability.
Buy this tyre if:
- You frequently ride in wet conditions: The Michelin Road 6, with its 100% Silica Technology and new tread pattern, offers a 15% improvement in wet grip compared to its predecessor. It’s ideal for riders who prioritise safety and performance on wet roads.
- You’re looking for longevity in your tyres: Thanks to its high-tech compound, the Michelin Road 6 increases tyre longevity by 10%. If you value a tyre that reduces the frequency of replacements and provides long-term value, this is the tyre for you.
Don’t buy this tyre if:
- You primarily engage in off-road adventures: The Michelin Road 6 is engineered for road use, offering superior performance on tarmac. Riders who spend most of their time on trails or in off-road conditions might find other tyres more suited to their needs.
- You are on a very tight budget: While the Michelin Road 6 offers excellent value in terms of performance and longevity, its upfront cost may be higher than some budget options. If initial cost is your main concern, you might want to explore more economical choices.
If this has piqued your interest and you want to see the latest price of the Michelin Road 6, go to the website.
In summary
In wrapping up our exploration of the best touring motorcycle tyres for 2024, it’s clear that the right tyre can significantly enhance your riding experience.
Selecting the best touring motorcycle tyre involves careful consideration of dry and wet grip, feedback, handling, and mileage. Each tyre recommended in our line up has been chosen as they excel in these critical areas, ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and will make sure you look the part – as tyres are more than just something to help you get where you’re going!
No matter where you’re going there’s a perfect tyre to meet your needs. If you’re still uncertain which tyre is the ideal fit for your motorcycle and riding style, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our experts are here to help you make an informed decision, ensuring you hit the road with confidence and the right tyres beneath you.
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