V85TT tires

[jackthebiker]

So the V85TT has been out a few years, and lots of tires are available. My 2022 was purchased new in January and now is approaching 2000 miles. The OEM Dunlop Trailmax Meridians look to be a relatively short mileage tire, so I am starting to look for their replacements. Top of my list is Metzeler Tourance Next 2, Pirrelli Scorpion Trail II, Continental Conti Trail Attack 3, or Michelin Anakee III. I am also considering a full on street tire as my off roading will be limited to an occasional gravel road. So perhaps a Michelin Road 6 or Metzeler Roadtec. I ride a lot, like 20,000 miles a year, so tire mileage is number one with me, at 71 years old I don't do any canyon carving, and I stay home when it is going to rain.

Any experiance with these tires you would like to share?

[egschade]

I'm running Pirelli Scorpion STRs on my V85 for better dirt/gravel road performance. That said, I ran the Scorpion Trail II tires on a couple bikes including a Griso with great success. Excellent feedback and durability from their dual-tread compound. Basically they're Angel ST tires with thicker tread and behave like an ST tire. If I didn't do the dirty stuff I'd put them on my bike w/o hesitation.

[blu guzz]

my 2020 model came with Annakees.  I have replaced the tires 3 times now and I stick with them.  I can get about 9,000 miles from them which for me is great.  None of my former sport tourers with their more expensive rubber got over 6,000, some only 5,000.  I don't do off-road except to get to camping spots and I feel the street grip, wet handling and dry handling are very good.  They seem to wear more evenly so continue good road feel and behavior.  Better the devil you know.

[jackthebiker]

Thanks for the replies, I would settle for 9000 miles on a bike like this for sure. You had the Anakee Adntures right? I do like the look of the Scorpion Trail IIs

[Huzo]

Am I speaking a different language here ?
My Michelin Pilots NEVER get less than 16,000 km on either bike and can get to 20,000..(but only once).
What are you guys doing ?

[jackthebiker]

16000 kilometers is only 9000+ miles. But yes, of all the tires on my list the Michelins Road 6 are the best mileage tires, I have heard 16,000 miles.

[Guzzistajohn]

I found the front Anakee would develop cupping "bumps" in the outer edge of the tread so I stopped using them. Tire snobs don't care what I changed to. 

[jackthebiker]

I found the front Anakee would develop cupping "bumps" in the outer edge of the tread so I stopped using them. Tire snobs don't care what I changed to. 

I can't stand the suspense, what do you use.

[blu guzz]

Yes Jack, the Annakee adventures.  I believe tire mileage is very dependent on the road surfaces you have where you ride.  Our blacktop is pretty coarse.  I am told that in some of the western US, they use "chip seal" that eats tires like cookie monster eats cookies.

[jackthebiker]

Chip seal is very popular here in Wisconsin. Only bad I heard about the Adventures was they are noisey.

[Guzzistajohn]

I can't stand the suspense, what do you use.

Shinko

[Bulldog9]

Shinko

I've got 705's on the Stornello and like them. I wish they made a front in the right size, I am using a rear tire mounted backwards on the front. They are impressive on the street and wet, and great off road. The front was a little grabby until it wore in some. Perfect tires for how I ride the Stornello, and a great entry point. Haven't tried any other Shinko products but these were a win.  Do they have a proper front for the V85? If so I would jump on them.

[azccj]

I use the Shinko 705 tires on both my Vstrom 650 and Honda Africa twin. When I started using them they were just over $100 a set. Now they are a great deal more but I still use them because the rears last 10,000 miles and the fronts last a lot more than that. The tire is decent on pavement and decent on dirt. I really don't have any complaints with them. When the original tires on my V85tt need replacing I'll probably stick with the Shinko 705 tires.

[jackthebiker]

I checked out the Shinko 705a on Revzilla, $201.87 for the set. The reviews are actually quite positive. However there are are few very bad reviews about tire failure. I will be considering them.

[Cam3512]

I ditched the Anakee’s before they needed it.  Too loud, and the front was cupping.  Hamlin suggested the Road 6’s, and they went on my new tubeless wheels.  MUCH better!

[twowheeladdict]

No complaints here for the 90/10 Dunlop trailsmart street tires that came on my V85TT.

I slow down for the curves on gravel, but lean ‘‘em over on the street.

I consider the V85TT my all roads sport touring bike.