Best sport-touring tires for your motorcycle as tested by the experts at MCN
Tires are the only things that connect you to the road. And they tell you what’s happening, how you’re doing and what you’re riding through. The wrong tire increases the chance that something goes wrong on your ride.
- Latest review: Metzeler Roadtec 02 used for 1000 miles in all weathers
You need to get the right tire for your sport-touring bike period. Sport tires are ideal for riding fast or on track. But classic sport-touring demands good grip and performance in all weather conditions with a good longevity.
What is a sport-touring tire?
The best sports-touring motorcycle tires do two things really well. They have healthy dry grip beyond what’s needed on the road and warm up quickly. They also do well in the rain by dispersing water effectively.
This versatility means they’re good for naked bikes, adventure bikes, some sportbikes as well as sport tourers. Unless you ride off-road or do lots of trackdays, sport-touring tires will check almost every box for you.
The best sports-touring tyres at a glance:
- Best in test: Metzeler Roadtec SE 01 – view on Revzilla
- Best for feedback: Pirelli Angel GT2 – view on Revzilla
- Best for neutrality: Michelin Road 6 – view on Revzilla
How do you determine the best sport-touring tires? You assemble the latest generation from each of the major brands for a back-to-back test on a typical sport-tourer, the wildly popular Suzuki GSX-S1000GT.
The weather for our test provided the perfect hunting ground for this type of tire.
Best sports-touring tyres
Best in the test
The Metzeler Roadtec SE 01 tyres have been around for a while now and they won our sports-touring test back in 2020... and they've done it again! The best tyre in the conditions we tested, they hugely improved the performance, safety and enjoyment of the GSX-S1000GT. Both our testers were staggered by their abilities and we know dry-weather performance is excellent, too.
Read our full Metzeler Roadtec SE 01 review
Read our latest Metzeler Roadtec 02 review
Pros
- Grip from cold
- Incredible wet weather performance
Cons
- Slightly unsettled by bumpy, fast corners
| Composition | full-silica compound |
| Type | Sporty touring |
| Sizes | 120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 160/60 ZR17 (69W)<br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 170/60 ZR17 (72W)<br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 180/55 ZR17 (73W)<br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 190/50 ZR17 (73W)<br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 190/55 ZR17 (75W)<br>120/70 ZR19 (60W) - 200/60 ZR17 (72W) |
- The higher land/sea ratio on the shoulders of the tyre increases sportiness
- Slick rubber in these areas ensures more rubber contact with the road during lean, enhancing cornering thrust and directionality
- Central grooves provide mechanical grip, efficient water drainage, and safety
- Rear endless centre stripe and a mix of steep and short grooves work together to minimise slip
Best for feedback
The Pirelli Angel GT2s are the oldest tyre on test, dating back to 2019. We were impressed and inspired by these. A very usable tyre that gives loads of confidence at normal road-riding speeds and would improve ride quality on any bike. They complement a bike’s pre-existing abilities.
Read our full Pirelli Angel GT2 review.
Pros
- Improves handling
- Good in the wet
Cons
- Old tyre, possibly due an update
| Construction | Bi-compound construction |
| Type | Sport touring |
| Sizes | 120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 160/60 ZR17 (69W)<br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 160/60 ZR17 (70W)<br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 170/60 ZR17 (72W)<br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 180/55 ZR17 (73W)<br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 190/50 ZR17 (73W)<br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 190/55 ZR17 (75W) |
- Specific Multi-Radius Contour Design
- Iconic design from ANGEL™ ST ensures efficient water drainage
- Pirelli's signature handling traits
- Maintains its high performance until the end of its life
Best for neutrality
The Michelin Road 6 is the latest in a long line of well-regarded sports-touring tyres from the French firm. Good performance from a much-loved tyre. They make bikes feel nimble and lighter than they are and have decent ride. If you’re cautious in deep water they have a lot to offer and promise excellent dry-road performance, too.
Pros
- Make bikes feel nimble and light
- Great in damp conditions
Cons
- Don't warm up quickly in the wet
| Composition | 100% Silica Technology |
| Type | Sport touring |
| Sizes | 110/70 ZR17 (54W) - 140/70 ZR17 (66W) 11070 ZR17 (54W) - 150/60 ZR17 (66W) 11070 ZR17 (54W) - 150/70 ZR17 (69W) 110/70 ZR17 (54W) - 160/60 ZR17 (69W) 110/80 ZR19 (59W) - 150/70 ZR17 (69W) 120/60 ZR17 (55w) -150/70 ZR17 (69W) 120/60 ZR17 (55W) -160/60 ZR17 (69W) 120/60 ZR17 (55W) - 170/60 ZR17 (72W) 120/60 ZR17 (55W) - 180/55 ZR17 (73W) 120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 150/60 ZR17 (66W) 120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 150/70 ZR17 (69W) 120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 160/60 ZR17 (69W) 120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 170/60 ZR17 (72W) 120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 180/55 ZR17 (73W) 120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 190/50 ZR17 (73W) 120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 190/55 ZR17 (75W) 120/70 ZR19 (60W) - 170/60 ZR17 (72W) |
- 15% more grip than the Road 5
- 10% increased longevity
- Designed for superior water evacuation for wet weather grip
Joint 4th with Dunlop Roadsmart IV
The Bridgestone T32 is standard equipment on a lot of middleweight motorcycles due to its all-round versatility. The T32 is a very decent tyre with great wet grip, especially from the front. A decent all-rounder, it scores well for confidence and should work really well on a wide variety of machines. We’re impressed.
Pros
- Great in the wet
- Inspires confidence
Cons
- Not particularly sporty
| Composition | 3 layer compound - Silica rich |
| Type | Sport-touring |
| Sizes | 110/70 ZR17 (54W) - 150/70 ZR17 (69W) <br>110/80 ZR19 (59V) - 150/70 ZR17 (69W) <br>120/60 ZR17 (55W) - 160/60 ZR17 (69W) <br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 160/60 ZR17 (69W) <br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 170/60 ZR17 (72W) <br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 180/55 ZR17 (73W) <br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 180/55 ZR17 (73W) - GT <br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 190/50 ZR17 (73W) <br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 190/55 ZR17 (75W) <br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) - 190/55 ZR17 (75W) GT Spec <br>120/70 ZR19 (60W) - 170/60 ZR17 (72W) |
- 7% shorter braking distance in wet conditions vs. predecessor
- 13% bigger contact patch on the rear tyre vs. predecessor
- Two tread patterns provides great grip performance
Joint 4th with Bridgestone T32
The Dunlop Roadsmart IVs are very good tyres that perhaps aren’t as well-suited to the nimble GSX-S1000GT as others. On a slower-steering, longer bike they could make it feel alive. But whatever the machine, they’re trustworthy and fun.
Read our full Dunlop Roadsmart IV review.
Pros
- Good on slower steering bikes
- Trustworthy
Cons
- Take some getting used to
| Composition | Silica content used to promote compound flexibility at low temperatures |
| Type | Sporty touring |
| Sizes | 110/70 ZR17 (54W) TL - Front <br>110/80 R18 (58V) TL- Front <br>120/60 ZR17 (55W) TL- Front <br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) TL - Front- GT <br>120/70 ZR17 (58W) TL - Front -SP <br>120/70 ZR18 (59W) TL- Front <br>120/70 ZR19 (60W) TL - Front <br>130/70 ZR17 (62W) TL - Front <br>140/70 18 (67V) TL - Rear <br>140(70 R17 (66H) TL - Rear <br>150/60 R17 (66H) TL- Rear <br>150/70 ZR17 (69W) TL - Rear <br>150/70 ZR18 (70W) TL - Rear <br>160/60 ZR17 (69W) TL - Rear <br>160/60 ZR18 (70W) TL - Rear <br>160/70 ZR17 (73W) TL - Rear <br>170/60 ZR17 (72W) TL -Rear <br>170/60 ZR18 (73W) TL - Rear <br>180/55 ZR17 (73W) TL- Rear - GT <br>180/55 ZR17 (73W) TL- Rear-SP <br>190/50 ZR17 (73W) TL - Rear <br>190/55 ZR17 (75W) TL - Rear -GT <br>190/55 ZR17 (75W) TL - Rear - SP <br>190/60 ZR17 (78W) TL - Rear |
- Jointless tread pattern
- High silica content within the compound for low temperature grip
- Jointless belt construction for smoother handling
- Rayon ply casing ro improve milage and reduce warm up time
Better than OE
Although they’re last in this test, they’re still a much better bet than most of the rubber fitted as OE to Japanese bikes. Way better than the OE Dunlops fitted to the GSX-S, they’re still a reasonable set of sports-touring tyres to buy. They offer good dry performance, too.
Pros
- Precise
- Great rear grip
Cons
- Lack of edge grip
| Composition | innovative compound and a unique tread pattern |
| Type | Sport touring |
| Sizes | 120/70 ZR17 (58W) TL - Front 120/70 ZR17 (58W) TL - Front - GT 120/70 ZR19 (60W) TL - Front 160/60 ZR17 (69W) TL - Rear 170/60 ZR17 (72W) TL - Rear S £190.81 180/55 ZR17 (73W) TL - Rear :133.57 180/55 ZR17 (73W) TL - Rear- GT 190/50 (73W) TL -Rear INC VAT 190/55 ZR17 (75W) TL - Rear 190/55 ZR17 (75W) TL - Rear - GT |
- Rapid warm up time
- Slick upper shoulder area for optimal cornering and lean grip
- Advanced rubber technology and tread design for all weather grip
Our blind, back-to-back tire comparison test showed some surprising results. Overall, grip was very similar between manufacturers. But how the tires “talked” and communicated road-feel varied widely.
This new generation of sport-touring tires all have superb wet weather grip, warm-up fast and offer huge improvements over OEM tires. Regardless of your favorite brand, you’ll probably be very happy with your choice. It should be noted the feel and confidence of each tire varied under braking, acceleration and cornering changes.
One set of tires stood head-and-shoulders above the rest. Metzler’s Roadtec 01 SE gave great confidence in all conditions, delivering a ride that blurred the lines between wet and dry roads.
It’s the best sport-touring tire money can buy, and it’s our pick for best sport-tourer tire.
How MCN tested these tires
This was a blind test. At no point did Michael or Matt know which tires they were on. Both rode a set route; Matt taking the first stint, with an emphasis on warm-up time and stability, while Michael focused on ride quality and grip.
Each rated steering, confidence, stability, ride quality and feel. We also measured operating temperature and usable tread depth. The hardness of the centre section of each was measured on the HA scale where 100 represents a fully solid object. Conditions were wet and in the middle 50’s, fahrenheit. We used the recommended cold pressures.
The route
A 28-mile test route taking in fast, flowing country roads, bumpy 2-lanes, a highway stint, plus urban riding over a variety of rough and polished surfaces.
The bike
We chose a Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT, Britain’s best-selling sports-tourer because its OEM Dunlop RoadSport 2 tires are just OK and offer much room for improvement. The bike was set on Mode B at all times, with minimal traction control intervention.
The logistics
Support and prices provided by www.mobile-bike-tires.co.uk. Prices include fitting, but will vary between different suppliers.
Things to keep in mind
The best sport-touring tires walk the line between sportiness, longevity, wet-weather performance and dry feel. All sports-touring tires involve an element of compromise.
To find out more about how MCN tests products, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.
Cut through the jargon with MCN’s tire explainer video:
- Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us.
