Tourance versus Tourances EXP and Anakee versus Anakee 2

[bmwgsrider]

I am sure there has been talk about reviews on the difference between the new and old style of Tourance/Tourance EXP and Anakee/Anakee 2 tires. I am not sure where all to look to find the reviews for those who have rode with both new and old style for comparison. I am needing new tires and have rode with Tourance and Anakee but I have no experience on the new style tires, Tourance EXP and Anakee 2.

I been running on knobbies for a while and going to go back to more street bias tires and like to hear reviews on what all has experienced between the new and old style tires of Metzler and Michelin before I purchase new set of tires. I don't know if the the style tires perform much better than the old style... I am not sure if it is worth to pay out a little more money for the new style tires if the performance is the same between the new and old style tires.

I like to hear what you'll have to share...

Thanks in advance.

[GlobalRider]

I've tried one set of Tourance EXP on my GS Adventure when they first came out and went back to the old Tourance since then, simply because they last longer and offer all the grip I need.

[DPeakMD]

I'm currently in the process of deciding between Anakee 2's and the Tourance (non-EXP). I am replacing the tires on my wife's bike. The wisdom I've collected from other sources says it's a toss up between the two for pavement, with possibly a slight nod to the Tourance for improved dirt handling. The EXP was not felt to be an improvement over the original due to faster wear on pavement without offering any needed enhancement in grip (i.e., the originals were already pretty good). Like I said, though, no experience, just what I've pieced together from other's! Good luck!

[Clay]

Got 10K+ on a set of Tourances with no front tire cupping..provided you run the tires at higher psi's 42/42. Now have set of EXP versions on the GS/A due the fact I'll be riding more asphalt than dirt than I did last years trip to the Yukon and Alaska

[tommcgee]

I get excellent mileage from Tourances, have not tried the EXP.

The Anakees are excellent dual sport tires and very sticky on the highway -- but they wear quickly. The rubber in the Anakee 2 is supposed to last MUCH longer, haven't tried it yet but would be willing.

[GlobalRider]

The Anakees are excellent dual sport tires and very sticky on the highway -- but they wear quickly.

I was just about to comment on those.

I mounted a set of Anakees on a KLR 650 after reading about their long life. :laugh

The KLR 650 has far less torque, weighs well over 100 pounds less than my R100 GS, yet the Anakees didn't last as long as my Metzeler Sahara 3s that I've used since I bought the GS new in 1991. Both bikes use the same sized tires front and rear.

Sahara 3s on my Airhead GS or Tourance on my GS Adventure....period!

[Semper_Fi]

Loving my Anakee 2's

Good grip and feedback

No issues in rain

Cant speak to milage yet

[157990]

FWIW, I've been running a set of Pirelli Skorpions on my Dakar for the past 4.5k miles and I'm very pleased with 'em. Seem to be wearing well and have very good traction on road and not bad on fire roads, etc.

[BACKROAD.ADV]

The A2 seem to have a stiffer carcass and better directional stability than the Metz.

The A2 tires are noisier than the Metz's but have a lot more tread - hopefully that will lead to longer tire life.

If you ride a lot of loose stuff any of these tires on the front will wash out sooner than a knobby tire. But a knobby on pavement…………………well…………..we all need to make choices.

Backroad ADV

[Clay]

Need to get a more consistent answer concerning air pressures for the Metzler Tourances...

One dealer says:

BMW recommends…

Front tire 2.2bar or 32 psi

Rear tire 2.5bar or 37 psi

If you are riding two up or with full luggage…

Front tire 2.5bar or 37psi

Rear tire 2.9bar or 42 psi

and another says:

For best mileage 42psi for both front & rear. You can lower the front to 40psi & still see 12000 miles of service on it. For off road use – 32psi in the front & 36 psi for the rear.

A Metzler Rep says 42/42 also.. So what are you all most running...?

[BACKROAD.ADV]

Need to get a more consistent answer concerning air pressures for the Metzler Tourances...

One dealer says:

BMW recommends…

Front tire 2.2bar or 32 psi

Rear tire 2.5bar or 37 psi

If you are riding two up or with full luggage…

Front tire 2.5bar or 37psi

Rear tire 2.9bar or 42 psi

and another says:

For best mileage 42psi for both front & rear. You can lower the front to 40psi & still see 12000 miles of service on it. For off road use – 32psi in the front & 36 psi for the rear.

A Metzler Rep says 42/42 also.. So what are you all most running...?

For street riding if I want to maximize tire life-I use the max pressure found on the side of the tire.

With Metzs---Off road I run slightly lower pressures 24F/28R (riding speed tends to be under 20mph-also run a larger sprocket on back- up to a 55 tooth-with knobbies even lower pressures down to 12F/15R) and on Forest Service Type Roads 28/32. (Lots of sharp volcanic rock in this neck of the woods).

The numbers you quoted above seem to be pretty universal.

[DPeakMD]

BackroadADV--your website is pretty cool! I got some good ideas from there. Like the setup on your F650. Neat trailer, too!

[Delta61]

Got 13,000 miles out of first set of A2's. Kept the pressures at 38psi front and 42 psi rear wether it was loaded or not. Got those pressures off a michelin site. Am running a2's now and that is all i will run. Got only 7600 miles on tourance's and don't trash the bike.

Just my opinion

[bikerfish1100]

fwiw- i have been running Shinko 705s on my F8GS.
about 8500-9000 miles, but at approx $100-$150 a pair, the cost is waaaaay under either the Saharas or Anakees (and most everything else). good grip on the street, decent in the dirt (not ecstatic in mud, but not much other than a full on dirt tire really is). The tire is considered a 75/25.

[nblomme]

fwiw- i have been running Shinko 705s on my F8GS.
about 8500-9000 miles, but at approx $100-$150 a pair, the cost is waaaaay under either the Saharas or Anakees (and most everything else). good grip on the street, decent in the dirt (not ecstatic in mud, but not much other than a full on dirt tire really is). The tire is considered a 75/25.

Their (Shinko 705) speed rating is at a poor Q = 99MPH max. Anakee 2 are V rated =149MPH max.

Nothing against Shinkos, but I think you get what you pay for.

After reading this and many other threads, my next set of tire for the R1200GS will be Anakee 2's.

[bikerfish1100]

Their (Shinko 705) speed rating is at a poor Q = 99MPH max. Anakee 2 are V rated =149MPH max.

Nothing against Shinkos, but I think you get what you pay for.

After reading this and many other threads, my next set of tire for the R1200GS will be Anakee 2's.

according to ShinkoUSA, the speed rating varies with the tire size. and only one of those is Q rated. like so:
The 705 is a DOT approved dual sport tire designed for 80% street and 20% trail riding. A versatile tread pattern provides excellent wet and dry weather adhesion and smooth running on the highway.

•Tubelss (TL) or Tube Type (TT) as noted
•Rubber compound resists tearing during off road use
•All sizes designed for front or rear fitment, unless noted
•4-ply construction
•H Rated (130 MPH), Q Rated (99 MPH) or P Rated (94 MPH)
Size Retail Price

120/90-H17 TT 69.95
130/80-H17 TL 75.95
130/90-H17 TT 79.95
140/80-H17 TT 79.95
150/70-H17 TL Rear Radial 118.95
4.10-P18 TT 62.95
120/80-H18 TT 69.95
110/80-Q19 TL Front 65.95
110/80-H19 TL Front Radial 104.95
90/90-H21 TL Front 65.95

i run H rated tires, good for 130mph. my F8GS is fast, and will run hard, but n ot that hard. how often does your speedo see north of 130? (or for most, even seeing north of a ton is a rare to never thing). and that speed rating is for sustained times at those max speeds, and again, not many are going there.
i think you should only pay for what you are going to actually use.

[nblomme]

i run H rated tires, good for 130mph. my F8GS is fast, and will run hard, but n ot that hard. how often does your speedo see north of 130? (or for most, even seeing north of a ton is a rare to never thing). and that speed rating is for sustained times at those max speeds, and again, not many are going there.

Again' nothing against the Shinkos, but making a comparison to Anakees or Tourances is not comparng apples to apples. Speed rating isnt only telling you how fast you may safely ride but how wellthe tire is constructed.