GS-Riders International

The test vehicle


picture copyright as well for all test results by MOTORRAD


Total Ranking:

1. Continental Trail Attack - 329 Pt.
2. Metzeler Tourance EXP - 299 Pt.
3. Pirelli Scorpion Sync - 293 Pt.
4. Dunlop D607, 291 Pt.
B. Bridgestone BW 501/502 - 287 Pt
6. Michelin Anakee II - 275 Pt.
7. Avon Distanzia - 269 Pt.


Ranking Dry Tests:
Trail Attack
Scorpion MT90
Tourance EXP
BW 501/502
D607
Distanzia
Anakee II

Ranking Wet Tests:
Tourance EXP
Anakee II
Trail Attack
BW 501/502
Scorpion MT90
D607
Distanzia

Wear Results: (declining order)
1. Trail Attack, D607, Distanzia
2. Anakee II, BW501/502, Scorpion Sync, Tourance EXP

With 81 points the Trail Attack was the best in terms of wear, the Tourance EXP the least best with 57 points. Translated to km this means the mileage of the Trial Attack would be 8,900 km, for the Tourance EXP 6,200 km (for this particluar test set-up and circuit used).

source: member Stromverschwender at http://www.v-stromforum.de

Some details from the MOTORRAD edition 11/2008 tire comparison test.




1. Dry Tests - 2. Handling - 3. Steering precision - 4. Grip cornering - 5. Grip under acceleration - 6. Transition zone (meant is if the window before skidding is wide with advance feed back, or narrow with no feed back) - 7. Setting-up moment (meant is how strong the tire tends to bring the bike up when breaking under inclination) - 8. Stability under inclination, touring - 9. Stability under inclination, sport - 10. Stability under inclination, with passenger - 11. Straight stability - 12. Braking power transmission - 13. Total points

14. Wet Tests - 15. Handling - 16. Steering precision - 17. Grip cornering - 18. Grip under acceleration - 19. Transition zone - 20. Braking power transmission

21. Tire Wear (Tire wear over the 4309 km test distance)

22. Measurements - 23. Braking distance (in meter) 100 - 0 kph, dry - 24. Negative acceleration in m/s2, dry - 25. Braking distance (in meter) 100 - 0 kph, wet - 26. Negative acceleration m/s2, wet - 27. Lap time on a wet race track

Tire Wear
The tire wear test was done by a group of 7 riders on 7 GS ADV, over 4309 km from Germany over the Alps to Italy and back. The riders changed the motorcycles every 50 km to eliminate riding style differences. From each tire measurements were taken at the end of every ride day. The riders stayed together as a group at all times. Roads: 40% Autobahn + 60% country roads.



Hinterrad = rear tire, Vorderrad = front tire
Ausgangsprofiltiefe = Thread depth new, Profiltiefe am Testende = Profil left at the end of the distance, Theoretische Gesamtlaufleistung = Theoretical (calculated) Mileage (assuming 1.6 mm is the end)



Hinterrad = rear tire, Vorderrad = front tire


Conclusion
The clear winner in this MOTORRAD tire comparison test is the Continental Trail Attack, with a huge gap to the second best. It convinced with the overall best dry performance and also with the least wear in this test field. It's qualities in the wet are lesser pronounced, but suffices for a satisfactory 3. position in this department. The Metzeler Tourance EXP positions itself with a healthy margin above the second runner up in the wet tests, the Michelin Anakee II. At the same time the EXP holds the red lantern for tire wear. Our recommendation: Mile munchers grab the Continental. For anyone to whom mileage is not priority but safety under wet conditions, the Tourance EXP delivers.

Update: A more complete English translation clicky

Just for interest: How is the ranking, if wet performance is not important? Quite different.

Rank / Tire name / points (MOTORRAD ranking)
1. CTA: 252 pts (1.)
2. D607: 223 (4.)
3. Scorpion Sync: 222 (3.)
4. Distanzia: 217 (7.)
5. BW: 215 (4.)
6. EXP: 209 (2.)
7. Anakee II: 195 (6.)

The ranking includes only counting of dry performance and wear points.

Avon Distanzia
Not perfectly steady on straights, and a bit of unrest when cornering where recognized. This is probably somewhat unavoidable for a tire using such big profile blocks. The biggest disadvantage: Once it comes to its limits it smears away out of a sudden, with no warning signs. The tire provides no much feed-back. In the wet it starts skidding early, and has the longest wet breaking distance. The Avon trails this test field.

Bridgestone Battlewing
The problem with the Battlewing as well is giving a warning feed-back before the tire reaches it's limits. In particular in the wet it does not give any response before disaster steps in, and both tires at the same time loose ground contact. The strengths of the BW are staying on track without the need for corrective steering input, good handling, and good stability when cornering. Together with an average wear result, this tire in the end stays in middle of the test field.

Continental Trail Attack
This tire delivers an excellent performance in all relevant departments, like straight line stability, cornering stability, handling. And it does all well regardless riding solo or loaded with a passenger. The no. 1 ranking in the dry environment is accompanied by a second no. 1 rank in the wear test - that's a well rounded showing indeed! Alone the wet performance could be a bit better, and here in particular suddenly skidding without warning should the tire be brought to its limits.

Dunlop Trailmax D607
The D607's handling is not quite as feather-light as some of the competitors. It requires some more steering input. But once in inclination it stays on track there solidly. The performance ratings are never the best, but it is a predictable performer and it always stays consistent, regardless the load of the bike. The wet tests reveal as well a very narrow transition zone before the tire skids away; in this case its the rear first.

Metzeler Tourance EXP
While the EXP's handles very easy, it also behaves a bit more nervous than the competitors from Pirelli, Bridgestone and Continental. For example, under extreme inclination it feels a little unsteady. Some of the measurements relevant for riding safety are absolutely top. So is the wet performance. This tire is the no. 1 choice for all-weather riders, indeed. Another one of the pluses is good feed back when approaching limits, for example before it skids away in corners. The biggest drawback of the EXP is the mediocre mileage.

Michelin Anakee II
On the dry it is a strange tire. We could feel a certain instability already when we rode with average speeds on country roads. With passenger the tire looses out even more. It does not provide a planted and solid feeling, in particular when cornering. Fast breaking action is not the domain of the Anakee as well. Surprisingly it comes to top performance showings in the wet. There we got short breaking distances and very good feed-back, before it reaches the limits. The Anakee is a two-sided sword: Blunt on the dry side and sharp the wet side.

Pirelli Scorpion Sync
While the handling is not quite as brilliant as some of the competitors, the Sync compensates with solid straight line performance and stabil cornering, regardless road surface, and with or without load. No surprises anywhere, even the feed-back before it reaches limits is good and reliable. As good as the dry performance is, the wet performance is average only. Another negative is the relative short mileage of the rear. This makes it a bit difficult to actually recommend the tire for something, even though overall result is not a bad 3. rank.

This information is extracted and translated from a report published by the German magazine MOTORRAD NEWS, edition 08-2008. It lists adventure tourer tire choices, characterises the tires, and is meant to ease tire selection.


Avon Azuro-ST 45/46
Mainly the high mileage possible is what speaks for this tire. It is best used in the summer heat, when riding long distances over the highways. Lesser well covered is the sportive side, and the grip offered when it's cold and wet. Which makes it lesser suitable for mountain carving.

Avon Storm ST
The Storm is seen as the successor to the Azuro. Unfortunately it is not fabricated in the required front's 19 inch size. Therefore the Brits like to combine the Storm on the rear together with the Azuro on the front. In terms of grip and handling it clearly displaces the Azuro. And the mileage is good, too.

Avon Distanzia 43/44
The Distanzia puts honors to its name. Since this rubber is already in the market since a couple of years, it is not anymore contemporary on the technology side. The thread pattern promises hefty Enduro style, and it actually does quite well on gravel. It takes a long time to warm up. Before it ventures into more sportive activities, it should be ridden warm carefully.

Bridgestone Battlewing 501/502
The most contemporary product from the market leader: It allows a sportive riding style on country roads. It has good braking stability and stays well controlled when cornering. High grip reserves are paired with remarkable good mileage. The mileage plus is not bought by a harder rubber but by the generous thread depth. At the moment this is one of the top tires in the market.

Bridgestone BT21
Similar to the Avon Azuro + Storm pair, Bridgestone as well combines the modern sport touring tire (BT21) on the rear with the older front (BT20). This is almost a pity, because the modern BT21 means real progress. Therefore, the advances do arrive only half at the customers end. Nevertheless this pairing is worth a recommendation for all long distance riders who stay on the asphalt.

Bridgestone Trailwing 101/152
Not so fresh all-rounder, which can be characterised by being the connecting link in between an pure road tire and an old school soft-enduro tire. The relative high percentage of negative thread pattern does not really make it good enough in mud, but quite usable on gravel. Long highway cruises or corner carving are not too much to the Trailwings liking.

Continental Road Attack
This touring sport tire is Continentals entry into the world of modern radial tires. The Road Attack sets a very good starting point for the company. The on-road only tire is most suitable for sportive excursions outside of highways, on smaller roads it is perfectly at home. Even in the rain it convinces to a 100 %. High levels of fun and safety are met with meagre mileages.

Continental Trail Attack
Continental has a hot iron in the fire with this top up-to-date pseudo trailie tire! As it can be seen from the thread pattern, this tire is derived out of the super-moto world, it has no preference for mud and dirt. But on the asphalt it has a brilliant corner carving performance, and also the achievable mileage is nothing to be hidden. A strong recommendation.

Continental TKC80
The tire for the rough. Now being a classic, the TKC has always been the choice for desert rides and enduro trainings in the past. Likewise some boulevard off-roaders appreciate this Conti, because it combines fairly decent asphalt riding with the design of off-roading. On the highways and when it's wet some extra care is needed.

Dunlop Sportmax D220
A bit aged is the Sportmax D220. Being a more touristy than a sportive oriented tire, it appeals to riders with priority for high tire mileages. Clean steering precision and good high speed stability are the other outstanding features here. It's a solid choice in the middle price segment for long distance riders.

Dunlop Trailmax D607
The Trailmax combines contemporary radial technology with a mild enduro design. It's an all-rounder which shines most by it's multi-purpose usage character. But it's not too suitable for highways-racers and corner carving experts. The tire will be soon replaced by an updated version, because the top of the crop is already a step ahead.

Metzeler Karoo / T
It was Metzelers intention to place the Karoo into the niche that once was claimed solely by the Continental TKC80. Off-road it fullfills the mission very well. On-road lesser, because it's knobbies refuse running as smoothly as those from it's competitor. This is in particular true when it's wet. On the other hand it leaves us the chance for awarding a recommendation for desert usage. The newer Karoo T is optimised for ABS brake systems.

Metzeler Tourance
The tire which wrote history can be found on every second BMW R 1150 GS. It's best on asphalt, but not looses on gravel either. Available in many different tire sizes it is still popular with owners of smaller adventure tourers. As classic as the thread pattern looks, in practice the tire is not as rough as it looks.

Metzeler Tourance EXP
The Tourance is available in two flavours. 'EXP' marks the softer compound for asphalt-surfers and cornering extremists. Generally seen the EXP is the more modern, more biased to road usage variant. Superb are the cold and the wet grip.

Metzeler Roadtec Z6
In sport rider circles it's a popular tire, which combines sportive potential with good wet grip and acceptable mileage. The secret is the massive uninterrupted running strip in the center of the rear tire. Another point in it's favour are the short braking distances. Everyone who does not miss an enduro style thread pattern design is right there with this tire.

Michelin Anakee 2
The updated version of the Anakee hardly looks different from it's predecessor. The difference is mainly based in a better compound technology. Michelin promises even better wet grip by not compromising on the good mileage. The thread pattern does well on gravel, but also allows for some instability under harsh cornering. Those who don't ride always on the last edge will not have to bother with this, but simply will like this tire.

Michelin Pilot Road
When the Pilot Road was launched it got benchmark ratings for wet grip, cold grip, and mileage. In the meantime the speed of the tire technology has put it into a position somewhere in the middle of the field. Enough reason for Michelin for offering the improved Pilot Road 2. Unfortunately the successor is not available in the classic adventure sizing, which is why we have to stick with the older version.

Pirelli Scorpion MT90
Visually this could be a twin to Scorpion Sync. The inner values are very different. The main usage area of the MT90 is not road sports. It appeals to mile crunchers who expect good mileage and stability with a heavy loaded bike. Wet grip is not too bad either.

Pirelli Scorpion Sync
This is basically a super-sport tire, which shares a couple of construction details with the Diablos from the Italian tire maker. Therefore this is a hot recommendation to everyone who plans to chase super-sports with their travel enduro bike. If not the humble mileage reduced the fun somewhat! With similar qualities the Trail Attack is tougher.

Those who considered the MT90 may want to have a look at the Scorpion Trail. According to Pirelli it is supposed to be better almost everywhere.

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This is a follow-up to the MOTORRAD tire test summary (starting with post # 2). The MOTORRAD test crew found that some of the tires tested on the current GS models ('08) performed significant different on the older models. Therefore, they took two GS '04 for some follow-up test riding. Logically, the below short evaluation applies to all GS models from 2004 - 2007.

No one is doing anything wrong by using the original BMW choice Metzeler Tourance for the GS. It offers decent grip, it behaves pleasantly neutral and with solid straight line stability, and therefore it matches very well with the uncomplicated touring character of the GS.

The still new Tourance EXP however is not able transfer advantages from development progress over to the 2004 model. Reason: The lighter wheels of the older models*. With EXP on the rims handling of the GS '04 gets overly sharp, if not sometimes nervous. In the tire test MOTORRAD 11-2008 where the latest GS models were used the EXP performed convincing overall on the other hand. The big time for the EXP comes when it's wet. No other tire currently comes close to its wet performance.

For everyone who's preferences are on the sportive side, Continental offers the most suitable tire with the Trail Attack. The Conti convinces with the best dry grip and at the same time it has a low wear. Nevertheless, mounted on the 2004 GS the Conti does not provide the kind of stability and settled feeling many are looking for.

The best allrounder is the Bridgestone Battle Wing BW501/BW502 combo. It is on the OEM tires list for the current model. Its general character is similar uncomplicated and neutral as the Tourance's. With slightly better handling, and with slight advantages in terms of cornering stability over the already good Tourance it is the most balanced tire out of this four. A bit of a draw back is the only average mileage.

Conclusion:
The Tourance and the slightly better Battlewing are the first choice for commuting and touring riders. The Conti fits the bill for the sportive, corner carving guys, and the EXP is a bank for everyone who wants the safety of the best wet tire.

*Remark: Model report by German motorcycle magazine MO said the newer rims being 2 kg heavier. The rims from 2004 - 2007 where supplied by German company BBS, the rims from '08 do come from China.

source: MOTORRAD edition 23-2008 "GS Tune-Up", or check here: MOTORRAD Online