90/10? 70/30? What’s the best strategy for my 10000 km motorcycle adventure in south east Europe? I’ve worked my way through all the possibilities and have listed every tyre I can find below. I’ve added notes and split them into groups, based on what I read in the forums.
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT has a common wheel size and uses tubeless tyres so you’ll find a huge selection.
Sizes: Front 110/80 R19. Rear 150/70 R17
Top tyre choice
Among the posts and answers in forums its obvious there’s one tyre choice that is most common:
Michelin Anakee Adventure Front 110/80 R19 59V, Rear 150/70 R17 69V.
These are currently my #1 choice for the 10k tour because of their longevity, looks and price. They are road-focused but can handle the occasional unpaved road.
The Anakee Adventure 2 is an alternative.
My heart, however, wants a more rugged look and a more off-road focused style. See below.
If you have feedback, I’m available via the contact form.
Commonly chosen tyres for the Moto Guzzi V85TT
Tyres that are regularly mentioned positively online and that I will consider for the 10000 km tour.
Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR. A 70/30 mix trail and adventure tyre with an aggressive look. Well priced.
Dunlop Trailmax / TRX Mission Front 110/80 -19 59T. Rear 150/70 B17 69T. A 60% road, 40% off-road build with a great looking pattern that matches the looks of the V85 TT. An expensive tyre.
Metzler Karoo 4 Street Mixed-use tyre with off-road looks. 70/30. Personally, I think this is the best looking tyre for the V85 TT but it might be too heavily off-road focused for a 10000 km tour.
Continental TKC 70 A 60/40 road / off road mixed tyre. relatively low cost option to buy and has, according to reports, long life and good center-line strength for longer runs.
Dunlop Trailmax / TRX Meridian A road-focused tyre fitted as standard to many V85TT’s . Currently on my bike and it has lasted 14000 km although 11000 of that was from the previous owner with a 48 PS restriction. My opinion: Average performance, long-lasting, good price. I don’t think they match the V85 TT aesthetics though.
Bridgestone Battlax Adventure Trail AT41 A road-focused adventure tyre with a blockier off-road look.
Other tyres that fit the V85 TT.
Adventure style:
Dunlop Trailmax / TRX Raid. Off road focus. This is what was recommended from a chatbot. While I love the look, i’m not sure it’s the best on / off-road mix. Dunlop positions it as a 50 / 50 tyre.
Continental ContiTrailAttack 3. (Mixed, road pattern)
Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour. (I believe seen on the CB 500X)
Avon Trailriders. Now Part of GoodYear tyres. Availability could be difficult in some regions.
Dunlop Mutant. An all-rounder ‘mud and snow’ tyre similar to the Dunlop TRX Meridian. It feels like it’s marketed at countries that have a ‘winter’ and ‘summer’ tyre market and not as a tyre for unpaved or fire roads.
Road-focused:
Pirelli Scorpion Trail 3 A road-pattern, sport touring tyre for adventure bikes – which doesn’t quite make sense to me, but
Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart III
Michelin Anakee Road
Bridgestone Battlax T32
Bridgestone Battlax T31
Bridgestone Battlax T33
Metzler Roadtec 01 – A tyre I’ve used twice, and loved, on my VFR800.
Continental ContiRoadAttack 4
Michelin Road 6
Off-road focused
Mitas Enduro Trail+ (Off road mix)
Mitas Terra Force-R (Tour)
Mitas Enduro Trail XT+ (Off road)
Bridgestone Battlax AdventureCross AX41 (Off road)
Shinko804 & 805 Reflector Adventure Trail
Michelin Anakee Wild Dual Sport
I’d love to hear your opinions on these. Contact me via socials, or the If you have feedback, I’m available via the contact form.