There’s a lot to consider when choosing among the best dual sport tires. You could read an entire book on this subject… but the truth is, there are plenty of options. A lot of factors go into it — brands, riding styles, price, solo vs. double, terrain and off-road vs. on-road preferences, etc.
Now, if you’re looking for tires that’ll let you ride your bike on and off-road, you might want to go for a dual-sport set. The name says it all: these tough tires can be used on asphalt, mountain trails, muddy roads, etc.
Here’s a look at the best dual sport motorcycle tires.
How do I choose a dual sport tire?
Depth and Tread Pattern: Traction and handling are determined by tread pattern. There are special patterns even to get rid of mud and water and to keep you dry. The tread depth determines how well a bike grips soft surfaces. If the tread is deep, it’s easier to tread over surfaces that can easily get stuck.
The On-And-Off-Road Ratio: Tires should be chosen based on their on- and off-road performance ratio. Different types of tires perform differently. The layout you choose will depend on whether you want more off-roading, less off-roading, or something balanced.
Price: Everyone has a budget to stick to, so pricing is always a big deal. In the end, what matters is if you get the most bang for your buck. Tires like these are generally priced like road-only tires, so someone switching from road-only tires won’t think they’re expensive.
Dual-sport tires come in two broad categories – budget and premium. A budget tire is one that’s less than $80 and offers a lot of value. Premium ones cost over $150 and are purely performance-oriented.
| Tire Name | On-Off Road Ratio | Key Benefit | Key Disadvantage | Link to Check the Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | MotoZ Tractionator ADV | 50:50 | Quiet and stable on pavement | Sidewalls don’t have marks for DIY mounting and balancing | Click to Check Price |
  | Michelin Anakee Wild | 50:50 | The alternate knob pattern provides excellent grip | Quite a bit of road noise | Click to Check Price |
  | Mitas E-10 | 50:50 | Hybrid radial/bias-ply tire wears well on roads | On-road, a bit noisier than chunky tires | Click to Check Price |
  | Shinko 804 / 805 Big Block | 50:50 | Has self-cleaning treads | Designed for road mileage more than performance | Click to Check Price |
  | Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 170/60R-17 Tire | 50:50 | Excellent grip, even in wet weather | Pretty expensive for its type | Click to Check Price |
  | DUNLOP Trailmax Mission 150/70B-18 Tire | 50:50 | Insane tread life of 10k miles | Not good for sand and snow | Click to Check Price |
  | Continental Twinduro TKC80-Dual Sport 130/80-17 Tire | 60:40 | A good all-rounder | Wears out too fast | Click to Check Price |
  | KENDA Big Block K784 Dual Sport 150/70-17 Tire | 60:40 | Puncture-resistant and rugged | Not for hardcore offroading | Click to Check Price |
  | Kenda K270 | 60:40 | Designed for high-performance, dual-purpose motorcycles | Quite bouncy at times because of soft material | Click to Check Price |
  | Shinko Dual Sport 700 Series Front/Rear Tire (4.60-18TT) | 60:40 | Performs great wet or dry | Good on rocky terrain, but not on mud | Click to Check Price |
  | Kenda K760 Trakmaster II – 130/90R17 | 70:30 | Completely street legal (all states) | Thin, non-durable construction | Click to Check Price |
  | Shinko 705 Series (Tube) Tire – 120/80-18 | 70:30 | Lots of traction on rough terrain | Not good for gravel roads | Click to Check Price |
  | Shinko Dual Sport 705 Series Front Tire (110/80-19TL Bias) | 70:30 | Fastest on the list, with a top speed of 130 mph | Very slippery on silt and sand | Click to Check Price |
  | DUNLOP D606 Rear Tire (120/90-18) | 80:20 | Has great tread life | Very expensive compared to other options | Click to Check Price |
| Kenda K270 Dual Sport Trail Tire – 120x80R18 | 80:20 | It’s a lot lighter than the others on the list. | Particles stick in the indenting design and don’t come off easily | Click to Check Price |
  | Shinko Dual Sport Tire – 3.00-S21 TL | 80:20 | Works well on wet surfaces | None found | Click to Check Price |
  | Continental TKC80 120/70QB17 Front Tire | 80:20 | Has self-cleaning groove design | None found | Click to Check Price |
  | MICHELIN Anakee Adventure Dual-Sport Radial Tire-110/80R | 80:20 | Performs exceptionally well at speeds up to 90 mph | Noisy when cornering | Click to Check Price |
  | Kenda K761 Dual-Sport Tire – Rear – 130/80-17 | 80:20 | Durable and lasts long | Not recommended for sandy terrain | Click to Check Price |
  | MICHELIN Anakee Adventure Dual-Sport Radial Tire-120/70R | 80:20 | Beveled lateral grooves to help shed snow and mud | Not recommended for sandy terrain | Click to Check Price |
  | Bridgestone Trail Wing TW22 | 80:20 | Self cleaning tread blocks | Probably the most expensive on the list | Click to Check Price |
Quite a lot of options for each on and off road ratio, right? Now we’ll get into more details on those. Let’s start with 50/50 dual sport tires.
Best Dual Sport Tires 50/50 – For That Square Set Up
Dual sport tires come with a trade-off.
Gaining off-road traction means losing tarmac performance. Dual sports tires are usually rated for road and off-road use, and 50/50 tires are ones that do equally well on and off the road.
Best Adventure Motorcycle Tires if You Want a Square Set Up
We’re seeing more options in this category this year.
Knowing which dual sport tire works best for you can be a bit tricky. Continental’s TKC80 is a good choice for most riders, but many other brands match up and can be cheaper.
Let’s find out what a 50/50 adventure tire is and what I think are the hottest 50/50s with their pros and cons.
What is a 50/50 adventure tire?
The best split-personality for dual-sport tires is a 50/50 adventure tire.
You need this type of tire if you’re not sure how much you want from your adventure motorcycle. So you can put these on, and then you can fine-tune as you like.
Simply put, it’s best for beginners.
- MotoZ Tractionator ADV
- Michelin Anakee Wild
- Mitas E-10
- Shinko 804 / 805 Big Block
- Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 170/60R-17 Tire
- DUNLOP Trailmax Mission 150/70B-18 Tire
MotoZ Tractionator ADV
Pros
- Natural rubber compound that’s durable
- Quiet and stable on pavement
Cons
- Sidewalls don’t have marks for DIY mounting and balancing
- Wears out at 5,000 miles
You can get the Tractionators in a range of sizes for 21/18-inch wheels.
Depending on the size, they have bias-ply or bias-belt carcasses. This aggressive tread is designed to grip on dirt and rocky terrain, with blocky patterns for good off-road performance.
On asphalt, the tires have a rounded profile with all-natural rubber construction to make this configuration handle well. With this design, you can roll smoothly and quietly on any type of hard surface, or confidently on trails. The rear tires last 5,000 miles.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Michelin Anakee Wild (Premium Option)
Pros
- The alternate knob pattern provides excellent grip
- The block ridges on the outer knobs are great for cornering
Cons
- Quite a bit of road noise
- and a little less traction on the road at lower speeds
There aren’t many 50/50 tires that handle like the Michelin Anakee Wild.
It’s a tire that’s best on dirt, but it’s still rollable and turns like a street tire. Radial construction and offset curved blocks are what give it its design advantage. It’s as smooth and as long-lasting as most street models, but has a surefootedness that’s second to none on the trails.
In addition to making tires more rigid, alternating knob patterns pass ground debris and fluids. A large center block creates a stable contact patch, especially when going down hills. In the wet, on dirt or mud, the grooved rubber provides better traction. It’s certainly the best dual sport tire for dirt.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Mitas E-10
Pros
- Sidewalls are Dakar-model for more puncture resistance, tubeless available
- Hybrid radial/bias-ply tire wears well on roads
Cons
- Off-road performance isn’t quite as good as knobbier tires
- On-road, a bit noisier than chunky tires
While no tire can handle every condition perfectly, the hybrid radial/bias-ply Mitas E-10 scores high marks for both on and off road traction as well as tread life. With a well-balanced profile, this is more than worth its 50/50 dual-sport rating.
This aggressive tread grips loose dirt, so you can feel confident on trails. When navigating through loose and rocky terrain, the E-10’s design advantages shine through traction and agility. The new Dakar rim also has a tough sidewall to prevent pinch flats from hard-edged side impacts.
The E-10 comes in 17″, 18″, 19″, and 21-inch sizes, outclassing most dual sport models. Although its limits are quickly reached in wet conditions, it works great on both dry pavement and dirt. If you want to ride long distances on asphalt and want a 50/50 tire, Mitas E-10 is the best choice.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Shinko 804 / 805 Big Block (Budget Option)
Pros
- Tube-less, affordable 50/50 performance
- with self-cleaning treads
Cons
- Designed for road mileage more than performance
- There can be a tight front fender clearance on some bikes
Shinkos act like paddles in mud and sand. Despite being great off-road, the 804/805s get good mileage on the road. A biker who likes to cruise sweeping roads on their way to the trails will love these tires.
There are four sizes of Shinko 804 and 805, which fit 17″, 18″, 19″, and 21-inch rims, and are a good pick for budget bikes because they offer value for money.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 170/60R-17 Tire
Pros
- The ability to carve corners and spray gravel is impressive on and off road
- Excellent grip, even in wet weather
Cons
- It’s pretty pricey
- This isn’t for hardcore off-roaders
This is a great 50:50 tire that gives you good grip on and off the road.
They’re long-lasting, and Pirelli designed them with a tarmac-centric profile and a silicon-rich compound. This tire has a thinner profile and a linear knob design that make it easy to corner on.
Off the road, it’s good on gravel and dirt.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
DUNLOP Trailmax Mission 150/70B-18 Tire
Pros
- Thread life is insane (8,000 – 10,000 miles)
- Designed for traction and stability, great off-road performance
Cons
- Having a hard time in the sand and snow
- It’s expensive
Probably one of the best well-rounded options out there, it’s the newest addition to Dunlop’s adventure lineup.
The Trailmax Mission is a 50:50 tire that’s awesome on and off-road. This tire is made to last a long time, and for the rear, it can go well beyond 8k miles.
You get more traction and puncture resistance thanks to the curved tread blocks. Also, you get good on-road performance from the deeply cut tread pattern.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps you’d like the next set of options.
Best Dual Sport Tires 60/40 – For That Slight On-Off Road Stagger
If you’re the type to ride your adventure bike a little more on pavement than off road, then the 60/40 adventure tire setup is for you.
Like the 50/50, equal representation of both on and off road ends is what you achieve with this type of tire.
Best Adventure Motorcycle Tires for a 60/40 Setup
It’s tough choosing the best 60/40 dual-sport tires.
You have to keep so many tiny details in mind before buying tires. That’s why we looked into and tested all these dual sport tires that tick all the boxes and deliver top performance.
What is a 60/40 adventure tire?
When it comes to off-roading and on-roading, a 60/40 adventure tire is a neutral ratio.
Although the off-road capability is impressive, you start to sacrifice some things when it comes to on-road comfort and traction.
- Continental Twinduro TKC80-Dual Sport 130/80-17 Tire
- KENDA Big Block K784 Dual Sport 150/70-17 Tire
- Kenda K270
- Shinko Dual Sport 700 Series Front/Rear Tire (4.60-18TT)
Continental Twinduro TKC80-Dual Sport 130/80-17 Tire (Premium Option)
Pros
- A good all-rounder
- Bang for your buck
Cons
- Wears out too fast
- Lots of road noise
Right now, this is one of the most popular adventure tires.
This tire boasts TKC’s block-pattern knobs that provide impressive off-road capability, without sacrificing on-road traction. A tire with linear performance graph will work on any surface.
Thanks to its wide knobs, it handles slushy trails quite well. You’ll also have a comfy ride on the road with the soft compound.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
KENDA Big Block K784 Dual Sport 150/70-17 Tire
Pros
- Puncture-resistant and rugged
- Traction you can use on and off the tracks
Cons
- This isn’t for serious off-roaders
- Not recommended for watery and muddy surfaces
Despite its name, the Kenda Big Block performs well on the road too.
Tarmac to gravel transitions seamlessly here. With this tire, you’re crossing the terrain gap much closer to what adventure motorcyclists want.
It’s a tubeless unit that’s really tough. Moreover, it provides confident handling and plenty of traction on the road.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Kenda K270
Pros
- Deep, aggressive dual sport tires
- Designed for high-performance, dual-purpose motorcycles
Cons
- Bouncy at times
Due to its unique rubber compound, the Kenda K270 Dual/Enduro Front Motorcycle Bias Tire offers outstanding off-road performance without sacrificing street wear.
This worked great on my 1976 Yamaha DT175 replacing the OEM tires. Unfortunately, sand and mud tend to stick to the tire so it’s good for 80% of the time.
It’s hard to do big airs because of the stiff sidewalls. You can’t get out of sticky situations because it doesn’t have any side lugs. This would be good for dry dirt trails, grass, and gravel roads.
They’re too soft for serious off-roading, though. Dual sport tires last up to 5,000 miles, but you shouldn’t go over 100 mph.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Shinko Dual Sport 700 Series Front/Rear Tire (Budget Option)
Pros
- Performs great wet or dry
- It’s super easy to corner with this tire
Cons
- This tire is good on rocky terrain, but not so good on mud
You’ll get good off-road performance out of this Shinko 700-series tire.
The tread pattern of this tire makes it outstanding in wet conditions thanks to its 4-ply carcass. Off-road tires have this tread because the blocks have irregular shapes and are arranged in patterns.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next options are more to your liking.
Best 70/30 and 80/20 Dual Sport Tires For Steep Inclines… On The Highway
We’re going deeper into more road-worthy adventure tires, and since 70/30s and 80/20s are pretty much the same, we’ve listed predominantly 80/20 adventure tires. Also, because they have more great options on Amazon.
Best Adventure Motorcycle Tires, For Blocky Street Rollers
80/20 and 70/30 dual sport tires: You can use these two types of tires for weekend trail runs and they’re great for off-roading. You still can’t go off-road hard with these, but they’re more comfortable.
- Kenda K760 Trakmaster II – 130/90R17
- Shinko 705 Series (Tube) Tire – 120/80-18
- Shinko Dual Sport 705 Series Front Tire (110/80-19TL Bias)
- DUNLOP D606 Rear Tire (120/90-18)
- Kenda K270 Dual Sport Trail Tire – 120x80R18
- Shinko Dual Sport Tire – 3.00-S21 TL
- Continental TKC80 120/70QB17 Front Tire
- MICHELIN Anakee Adventure Dual-Sport Radial Tire-110/80R
- Kenda K761 Dual-Sport Tire – Rear – 130/80-17
- MICHELIN Anakee Adventure Dual-Sport Radial Tire-120/70R
- Bridgestone Trail Wing TW22
Kenda K760 Trakmaster II – 130/90R17
Pros
- There’s no need to worry about them failing any state inspection because they’re dot-approved.
- Despite the knobby surface, it’s got street manners.
Cons
- The thinnest on the list (also the least durable)
Kenda tires are known worldwide for their quality.
Trakmaster 2s are known for their rugged construction and great value. The tires have an aggressive knob design to handle varying terrain.
Short story, I’m impressed with how versatile these tires are. They’re excellent on muddy trails too. Basically, I could rip through corners with the K760.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Shinko 705 Series (Tube) Tire – 120/80-18
Pros
- The tire has a lot of traction on rough terrain, especially for a dual sports tire.
- With its versatile tread pattern, you’ll be able to tackle even the most difficult of trails.
Cons
- In the deep gravel, the tire shows signs of instability.
- Tires divided badly
Is a dual-sport tire designed for trail riding and road riding. When compared to others, it offers better mileage at a reasonable price.
It’s also a unidirectional tire, so it’s smooth even on tricky trails. We’re most impressed with the tire’s lifespan. The thing will last you for years. Also, it’s great on ice.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Shinko Dual Sport 705 Series Front Tire (110/80-19TL Bias)
Pros
- Off-road use won’t tear the rubber compound.
- They’re the fastest on the list, with a top speed of 130 mph.
Cons
- Very slippery on silt and sand.
The tires don’t disappoint, whether you’re on gravel or snow.
The Shinko tires are designed with the financial status of every customer in mind; they’re affordable for everyone. Observing the tire, it performs well as a 70 percent road tire and a 30 percent dirt tire.
For the first 100 miles, the tire wasn’t so comfortable, but once it was adjusted, it started feeling smooth. Furthermore, the performance of the tire is optimal at 80mph; if you go over, the tire vibrates and loses performance.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
DUNLOP D606 Rear Tire (120/90-18)
Pros
- Compared to others on the list, it has excellent street manners.
- It has great tread life.
Cons
- There’s a lot of resistance when it moves through sand.
- Compared to other products, it’s pricey.
When it comes to prime dual sport tires, Dunlop never lets its customers down. It’s one of the newest snow tires in the dirt-bike category. This tire has an 80:20 ratio and is great on any trail.
Tires are built to last, so you can use them for years. Tire tread blocks are curved to provide traction and resist punctures. Despite being made for dirt and snow-filled paths, it’s great on smooth roads, too.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Kenda K270 Dual Sport Trail Tire – 120x80R18
Pros
- It’s a lot lighter than the others on the list.
- It’s for dual-purpose bikes.
Cons
- Tires don’t work well on sandy surfaces.
- Particles stick in the indenting design and don’t come off easily.
After rigorous testing, we decided that Kenda K270 dual-sport trail tire is a top-of-the-line 80/20 dual sport tire.
The tires don’t slip off the track thanks to a DOT-approved design. There are different types of tires, and the rear ones are between four and six ply depending on the width. The K270 is rated at 94 MPH.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Shinko Dual Sport Tire – 3.00-S21 TL (Budget Option)
Pros
- Features a 4-ply construction.
- Works well on wet surfaces.
Cons
- None found so far
Shinko 700 tires are the most effective dual sport tires for sand on the market.
This dirt bike tire offers exceptional grip and minimal vibration with a dual-street design. In testing, we found that the Shinko 700 had excellent grip on both dry and slippery surfaces, reducing slippage.
This tire is 14 inches in diameter, so it fits many dirt bikes out there.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Continental TKC80 120/70QB17 Front Tire
Pros
- When riding on mud or dirt, the tire will clean itself.
- It’s got a 3-year warranty.
Cons
- None found so far
On rough surfaces, the TKC80 dual-sport tires have a vivid tread pattern that gives you excellent grip. On soft terrain, the Continental TKC80 offers excellent cornering stability.
They’re designed so they can self-clean when they get dirty.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
MICHELIN Anakee Adventure Dual-Sport Radial Tire-110/80R (Premium Option)
Pros
- Provides exceptional grip
- It performs exceptionally well at speeds up to 90 mph.
Cons
- Noisy when cornering
There are a lot of good winter tires online, but the Michelin Anakee is one of the best. They offer 80 percent off-road performance and 20 percent road performance. The manufacturer has designed the rear tire with ICT technology that offers exceptional braking control on wet and slippery roads.
In addition, the tire has a geometric tread pattern that provides unparalleled traction. We found out that the tires have instant and vibration-free braking. Tire tread patterns also prevent the tires from wearing off even after extended use.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Kenda K761 Dual-Sport Tire – Rear – 130/80-17
Pros
- This is one of the toughest tires on the list.
Cons
- Does not perform well on sand.
Kenda K761 tires have excellent street manners and great performance on a variety of surfaces. You can get them in 29 different sizes to fit your needs.
Also worth mentioning are the braking control and corner traction. There’s no vibration at all! Users can ride the bike on a variety of surfaces thanks to the indented tread pattern. Kenda K761 is also tubeless, so no tubes to worry about.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
MICHELIN Anakee Adventure Dual-Sport Radial Tire-120/70R
Pros
- Good traction in the wet.
- There are beveled lateral grooves to help shed snow and mud.
Cons
- Not recommended on sandy surfaces.
A new Michelin dual-sport radial called the Anakee adventure just went on sale. It’s 80% road, 20% off-road.
Another great feature of the Michelin Anakee Adventure Dual-Sport Radial Tire is the molding. Generally, the inside is soft and tapered, but the outside is molded to be hard around the corners. The rider will have more control if they ride on different surfaces.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
If you don’t, perhaps the next option is more to your liking.
Bridgestone Trail Wing TW22
Pros
- Four-ply construction
- Specially dimpled edges
Cons
- Quite pricey
- According to claims, only 20% off-road
They’re rated 80% on-road and 20% off-road, which means you’ll be riding on highways more than dirt roads. You might not want this if you want to spend time on both sides simultaneously.
This dual sport tire is durable, though, because of its four-ply construction. The dimpled edges make traction even better. After trying it out, I agree that the dual sport tire delivers both highway and offroad performance.
It’s self-cleaning thanks to the tread blocks. That’s another awesome Bridgestone feature. Plus, they’re DOT-approved, so no worries about safety.
If you like this option, click the button below to check its latest price on Amazon.
So, Which Tire Should You Buy?
Although all of the above-mentioned dual sport tires are high quality and durable, we still have shortlisted 2 options for each on-off road performance ratio that we think are top-notch and a must-buy. They’re split between a budget option and a premium option.
| On-Off Road Performance Ratio | 50:50 | Link to Purchase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Option | Shinko 804 / 805 Big Block | Click to Check Price |
| Premium Option | Michelin Anakee Wild | Click to Check Price |
| On-Off Road Performance Ratio | 60:40 | Link to Purchase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Option | Shinko Dual Sport 700 Series Front/Rear Tire | Click to Check Price |
| Premium Option | Continental Twinduro TKC80-Dual Sport 130/80-17 Tire | Click to Check Price |
| On-Off Road Performance Ratio | 70:30 / 80:20 | Link to Purchase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Option | Shinko Dual Sport Tire – 3.00-S21 TL | Click to Check Price |
| Premium Option | MICHELIN Anakee Adventure Dual-Sport Radial Tire | Click to Check Price |
Did you find your ideal dual sport tire? If not, stay tuned to this article as we’ll be updating it as we discover more dual sport tire options. If you did, why not learn more about the most aggressive dual sport tires.
