Best Dual Sport Tires: Enhance Your All-Terrain Adventure

This rear tire from Continental’s Twinduro range of dual sport tires is rated 60/40, so it’s ideal if you’re looking to spend a decent amount of time out on the trails but also need reliable, precise performance on the road, too. This is reflected in the wide block tread pattern, which is the ideal shape and depth for optimal traction on both loose and hard-packed surfaces. 

You can also be confident of stable cornering on soft ground alongside decent self-cleaning capabilities. It’s approved by the DOT and, according to the manufacturer’s specifications, it’s 150mm wide and weighs 15 pounds, while having an S-rating for speed. This 17-inch tubeless model is designed for Kawasaki KLR600/650s from 1985 onwards but it may be compatible with tube-wheels and on other makes and models of bikes of a similar size.

With Continental being a big-name brand, this is relatively more expensive than others with similar specifications. It also might not wear evenly, but it should last you around 3,000 to 4,000 miles, as long as you don’t live anywhere with excessive temperatures. This tire may not hold up so well in the Nevada desert heat, for example.

The Shinko 244 series is an aggressive-looking tire with a 4-ply carcass construction. It has a dual street and trail design that allows you to comfortably spend most of your time off-roading, and its on-road performance isn't too shabby either. It provides a good grip in dry and wet conditions, and is designed to outlast most high-end tires since one pair can last for about 7,000 miles. Also, the treads maintain maximum grip when you are leaning over or taking a sharp corner. 

The tire is tubed and has a 14-inch rim diameter, but you can get it in other sizes to fit your rear tire. It has a P speed rating, which means it’s good for up to 95 miles per hour. It can maneuver easily on soft sand, light gravel, and loose dirt, and also feels smooth on the highway.

Unfortunately, we have noted some complaints that the central tread can absorb the bike’s thrusting power, which can make your vehicle stall when you’re trying to accelerate. Another issue that mostly plagues Suzuki bike owners is that the tire may be wider than your stock rear tire.

This dual sport tire from Shinko is designed for 80 percent street riding and 20 percent off-road riding. The Shinko construction resulted in a 4.3-inch wide tire that weighs 13 pounds and has a speed rating of P. Its rubber compound, 4-ply construction holds up well and resists tearing on rocks and uneven surfaces. 

This tire is DOT-approved and fairly affordable. Conveniently, it’s designed to fit either your front or rear wheel. It should fit a 13-18 inch wheel, but you should measure it first to be sure. It features a versatile tread that channels water well on the road, yet maintains stability on loose or wet ground.

However, performance on loose deep gravel leaves a little to be desired. Unfortunately, the shape of the thread also results in a particularly noisy ride, even on smooth ground, which is not found with other 80/20 rated tires.

Bridgestone has a great reputation in the tire industry for its reliable tires and the Trail Wing is a great example. This 4-ply, tubed tire is designed to excel in both wet and dry conditions thanks to its uni-directional tread pattern. The large knobby treads extend to much of the sidewall to offer optimal edge to edge grip and superb cornering stability. What’s more, it has self-cleaning tread blocks, which will not only help you maneuver through muddy or loose terrain but will also help keep your tires light in such situations. Also, the tread blocks are large enough to move water effortlessly for increased wet weather performance. 

The tire has a 14-inch diameter with a P speed rating and is designed to replace the rear stock tire in all 1987 to 2009 Yamaha TW200 models. In addition, it maintains a good accelerating grip and stops predictably. 

The main downside to this model is that it can be quite noisy for on-road riding, and that could be attributed to the aggressive tread pattern. Also, it may be too large on non-Yamaha bike models. Ensure that your bike has enough clearance before you buy it.

The MOTOZ Tractionator is one aggressive-looking tire that you need in your corner if you frequently blast across hard terrain such as gravel roads, rocky trails, and sand-packed deserts. It’s built from a 100 percent natural rubber compound that’s rated for 90 percent hard traction and 10 percent soft traction. 

This tire has thick sidewalls and a carcass wrapped in thick rubber to prevent punctures and to somewhat cushion the impact from aggressive off-roading. It features large knobby treads with a slightly concave midsection that helps to optimize grip on steep climbs or loose terrain.  

The main issue that comes with the large treads is that they can catapult rocks to anyone following closely behind you. Also, the tires can get so loud on the highway that it might drown the sound of your engine.

The Pirelli MT 21 is designed to withstand aggressive off-roading even over long distances. It’s a DOT-approved tire with an aggressive tread design that’s designed to offer stable handling, and adapt to the dynamic nature of dual-sport riding. It’s rated for 90 percent off-road performance and 10 percent street performance, meaning that it’s designed for the trail but can also tolerate a smooth pavement. 

The treads maintain commendable grip on gravel, boulders, and loose dirt. They also wear evenly and you can expect them to last for about 3,000 miles. It’s recommended for most Yamaha, Kawasaki, Husqvarna, and Suzuki motorbikes.    

Unfortunately, it’s not the tire to rely on for wet terrain performance. It can get slippery on wet pavement and grass, and it may take a long time to get unstuck from muddy terrain. Also, the treads are not large enough to maintain the best grip on rocky terrain.

This tubed tire is designed with large, aggressive knobs and deep treads for improved on- and off-road performance. It’s DOT-approved for 90 percent off-road and 10 percent on-road application. The treads can effectively latch on a variety of terrain, but also clears easily when you are moving down a slope. 

The tire is made from a durable 6-ply rubber compound for prolonged tread life. In addition, it has a tough sidewall construction for the best cornering capability on dirt and asphalt. It’s designed to be a rear tire and has a rim diameter of 18 inches. 

However, it’s more of an off-road tire and might wear out faster with frequent on-road riding. Also, it might not win you any races since it only has a C speed rating, meaning that it’s only good for up to 37 miles per hour. Despite that, it’s recommended for cruiser, touring, and street bikes.

MMG offers a tubed, 2-ply tire that can be used both on- and off-road. It has a P speed rating, and can handle a maximum load of 396 pounds. It’s a universal fit and it has non-directional tread, meaning that you can turn the tire when it starts showing signs of wear to get more from it. Additionally, the tire features a special rubber compound, which provides maximum grip on wet and dry surfaces without compromising on handling.  

The tire features a distinctive and attractive tread pattern for maximum stability on streets and winding roads. The tread design also contributes towards making the tire less noisy, although you may experience slight vibration on smooth terrain.