As an adventure bike enthusiast and owner of a Tuareg 660, I’ve formed a strong opinion about tire choices based on riding conditions.
If your trips are mostly on roads—even rough asphalt or light gravel—90/10 tires are the best choice. They significantly improve the bike’s road performance, offering better grip, stability, and comfort compared to other options.
For more demanding off-road conditions—think mud, deep gravel, or broken terrain—50/50 tires are the way to go. They excel in these environments, providing the traction and control you need.
Now, about the popular 70/30 tires: I believe they’re more about looks than practicality. On asphalt, they perform well but still fall short of 90/10 tires in terms of handling and longevity. They wear out faster, and in mud, they behave like slicks—offering no real advantage. On gravel, their performance isn’t significantly better than 90/10 tires.
So, in my experience, 70/30 tires don’t offer a meaningful compromise. What do you think—do you agree, or do you have a different perspective?