As motorcycle enthusiasts, we all know that choosing the right set of tires is crucial for a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable ride. Sadly, I'm not a good enough rider to do motorbike testing myself, so that's where the annual Motorrad motorcycle touring tire test comes in.
For the 2024 edition, Motorrad has put six of the most popular touring tires in the 120/70 ZR 17 front and 180/55 ZR 17 rear sizes to the test. The contenders are the Bridgestone Battlax T 32, Continental RoadAttack 4 GT, Dunlop Roadsmart IV GT, Metzeler Roadtec 02, Michelin Road 6 GT, and Pirelli Angel GT II.
The tires were subjected to a 2,000km wear test followed by a series of performance evaluations on both wet and dry surfaces. The tests were conducted using identical BMW R 1250 RS motorcycles to ensure a level playing field.
In this article, we'll take a closer look at how each tire performed in various categories, including handling, precision, stability, grip, and wear. We'll also reveal which tire emerged as the overall winner of the 2024 Motorrad touring tire test.
Most of the scoring in the test used a points based system, including a wear test which is unusual, but there was also some data points included. A summary of the subjective notes for each tire can be found at the bottom of the article.
Motorrad
1 categories (2 tests)
Road Test
The road test evaluated the tires performance in typical riding conditions with a score based on how much each rider liked the tire / bike combination. The Michelin Road 6 GT, Pirelli Angel GT II, and Dunlop Roadsmart IV GT shared the top spot, each scoring 139 points and receiving a "very good" rating. The Continental RoadAttack 4 GT and Metzeler Roadtec 02 followed closely with 133 points and a "good" rating. The Bridgestone Battlax T 32 scored 124 points, also earning a "good" rating.
Wet
The Metzeler Roadtec 02 had a good lead in wet braking, leading the Pirelli Angel GT II and Continental RoadAttack 4 tied in second place.
In the wet handling test the Michelin Road 6 GT led the pack with 94 points and a "very good" subjective rating. Dunlop Roadsmart IV GT, Metzeler Roadtec 02, and Pirelli Angel GT II all scored 93 points, also receiving a "very good" rating. The Continental RoadAttack 4 GT earned 84 points and a "good" rating, while the Bridgestone Battlax T 32 scored 76 points, resulting in a "satisfactory" rating.
Wear Test
The wear test evaluates the tires durability and longevity. The Michelin Road 6 GT proved to be the most durable, scoring 90 points and a "good" rating. The Pirelli Angel GT II followed closely with 88 points and a "good" rating. The Dunlop Roadsmart IV GT and Continental RoadAttack 4 GT both earned a "good" rating, scoring 83 and 81 points, respectively. The Metzeler Roadtec 02 received a "satisfactory" rating with 78 points, while the Bridgestone Battlax T 32 scored 64 points, resulting in a "sufficient" rating.
Results
- 3PMSF: no
Wet: The Road 6 GT also feels very comfortable in wet conditions. Good grip, feedback, and agility allow the Michelin to lap the wet track very quickly. The excellent traction during acceleration gives it a slight advantage.
Wear: The lowest wear on the front tire and low wear on the rear tire result in the lowest overall wear for the Michelin. Its performance is not significantly compromised by the diminishing tread depth - very good.
Conclusion: The lowest wear, the fastest lap time in the wet, and excellent feedback on dry roads - the Road 6 GT does not show any weakness in any discipline. The most successful point collector deserves the test victory.
Overall: Very Good..
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 6th | 46.5 M | 93.12% |
| Wet Handling | 1st | 76.81 s | 100% |
- 3PMSF: no
Wet: The sporty Angel GT II does not allow itself any weakness in wet conditions. It achieves good to very good values in all test criteria, whether it's cornering speed, braking measurements, or traction. The limit range is very forgiving and announces the grip limit in good time.
Wear: The Pirelli can not only go fast but also go the distance. With excellent wear values on the front and rear tires, it secures second place in this evaluation category. Proof that fast rubber can now also last a long time.
Conclusion: For sporty riders, the Pirelli Angel GT II is a recommendation. It performs well not only on dry country roads but also in mixed conditions, paired with excellent wear characteristics.
Overall: Very Good..
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd | 44.9 M | 96.44% |
| Wet Handling | 3rd | 77.8 s | 98.73% |
- 3PMSF: no
Wet: Excellent wet grip combined with agile handling results in good lap times in the wet test. The limit range announces itself early, and the traction is above average, making it a predictable tire in bad weather.
Wear: It wears averagely but very homogeneously on the front and rear. The tread wear does not affect the handling; in direct comparison, it remains ahead of the competition in this discipline even at the end of the wear test.
Conclusion: The Dunlop is the most agile tire in the test, helping less agile vehicles and potentially feeling twitchy on already agile motorcycles. In everyday use, it impresses with its good wet grip and feedback.
Overall: Very Good..
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th | 45.9 M | 94.34% |
| Wet Handling | 4th | 77.98 s | 98.5% |
- 3PMSF: no
Wet: On the wet handling track, the Metzeler Roadtec 02 delivers. Although it also prefers a wider arc, it offers excellent wet grip and a wide limit range. Plus, it achieves the shortest braking distance.
Wear: The Metzeler wears slightly above average and cannot differentiate itself from the competition here. The changes in handling characteristics from new to used remain manageable, making the Roadtec 02 a reliable companion.
Conclusion: A tire with good straight-line stability. Particularly sporty riders will be able to explore its advantages. The wet grip is excellent. In everyday use, however, the sluggish handling is somewhat bothersome.
Overall: Good..
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 1st | 43.3 M | 100% |
| Wet Handling | 2nd | 77.29 s | 99.38% |
- 3PMSF: no
Wet: On the brakes, the Continental achieves excellent results. Due to the slightly sluggish handling, it prefers a wider line. A forgiving limit behavior announces the limit, but it loses grip earlier than the competition in corners.
Wear: The Continental wears evenly on the front and rear tires, but it is slightly behind the competition overall. On the positive side, the handling characteristics hardly change compared to when new.
Conclusion: The RoadAttack 4 GT is a sporty tire with slower steering and good straight-line stability. Wear, handling, and wet grip are average, but the wet braking distance is excellent.
Overall: Good..
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 2nd | 44.9 M | 96.44% |
| Wet Handling | 5th | 81.1 s | 94.71% |
- 3PMSF: no
Wet: Due to high wear, the wet performance suffers, particularly in the heavily worn shoulder area, where the T 32 lacks feedback for grip.
Wear: The wide tread grooves contribute to increased wear, especially on the front tire when braking in corners. The T 32 wears almost to the legal limit of 1.6 mm in the shoulder area.
Conclusion: While the T 32 impresses with its balanced handling and straight-line stability when new, its performance is significantly affected by wear, particularly on the front tire.
Overall: Conditionally Recommended..
| Test | # | Result | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 4th | 45.9 M | 94.34% |
| Wet Handling | 6th | 88.25 s | 87.04% |