Rubber up

It's one of the hottest debates around, and we have got involved! With so many market leaders, we have narrowed down our top performing tyres here at North West Honda Super Centre, and explain a little as to why they feature highly on our most approved list. Remember!, as a Torque of the North reader, our servicing department offer very competitive fitted rates to your new tyres. Give us a call today to book in, and when you mention Torque of the North, you'll receive a free MucOff visor cleaner!

Metzeler Karoo 4

The adventurous beating heart of Honda lives and thrives amongst the X-ADV, ADV-350 and entire CRF range including the Africa Twin. With the rumoured arrival of a new 750cc adventure bike joining the Honda line-up next year, the amount of tyre choices for these bikes also continues to grow. The Metzeler Karoo 4 is the weapon of choice for those CRF1100 and CRF1000 owners who enjoy off-road riding as much as road riding.

It is no easy task to manufacture a tyre that will tackle the demands that off-road riding can bring, whilst not compromising the feel on tarmac. The Metzeler Karoo 4 has been developed from the Karoo 3 offering even greater versatility and performance. The Karoo 4 features a new patented tread pattern, doing away with the chevron style. The more aggressive, block tread design digs into the mud whilst the bigger cut-outs between clears better in softer conditions. The improvements made by Metzeler have a road focused mentality too; with a stronger structure and multi-radius profiles, handling greasy/wet roads is better and provides a good transition from upright to leant-over, particularly in the wet.

Metzeler Karoo 4 Pair Fitted (90/90-21 + 150/70-18) - £332.28

Metzeler Tourance Next 2

So, it's all well and good if you prefer the look and feel of an adventure bike, but what if you're not as keen on getting dirty? Well, Metzeler have released an evolution of the Tourance Next with the Tourance Next 2… keep it simple. This enduro street tyre is designed for the latest generation of adventure/touring bikes and riders who prefer the black stuff to the brown stuff; these tyres have been described as a "new benchmark for adventure bike road tyres."

Visually, you will see a new front tread pattern design. Beyond that, the zero- degree steel belt construction with Metzeler's Interact technology gives the tyre an agile, neutral behaviour; which in turn provides total rider confidence and control on all types of tarmac. Metzeler uses their Dynamic Mould Angle Technology or DYMATEC across the range. The Tourance Next 2 benefits from this and the new compounds which endure immediate and durable performance throughout the life of the tyre. This DYMATEC constructed tyre means that it has impressive wet-handling and superior braking performance, even in the cold. This mile-munching piece of rubber offers unbeatable comfort, whether you are a solo rider or enjoy a two-up weekend away with all the luggage.

Metzeler Karoo Street 2 Pair Fitted (90/90-21 + 150/70-18) - £377.88

Dunlop Roadsmart IV

It was back in 2016 when Dunlop launched the Roadsmart III. A completely new tyre and not an evolution of an existing tyre, but it soon became one of the most popular premium GT tyres across the world!

This year, Dunlop have changed the game again, and have released the Roadsmart IV. The new tread patterns, profiles, construction, and compounds make us think that this is not another evolution but again, a new product. The focus this time is not so much on a tyre designed purely for touring, but one that rewards the rider with great handling, great mileage, and even better wet/dry grip.

At first glance, both the front and rear profiles have been changed which Dunlop proves a result in lighter steering and a more linear response to give a more consistent feeling from full lean to upright and gives less fatigue for the rider. The new tread patterns work together with the new profiles to improve tread wear, handling and grip, whilst the 'optimised groove angles' and a strengthened tread rigidity give greater even-wear across the life of the tyre. New compounds and increased silica improve the mileage and performance of the Roadsmart VI. The progressive compound layering allows for a quicker warm-up, excellent corner grip and undeniably long-lasting high performance, whatever the surface conditions.

If you treat your Honda NT1100 a bit more like a sports-tourer then we would recommend you get your bike to a pair of these!

Dunlop Road Smart IV Pair Fitted (120/70-17 + 180/55-17) - £410.28

Dunlop Qualifier Core

Despite the British racing series running on Pirelli, it's no secret to my preferred weapon of choice! Dunlop have a long-established reputation in motorcycle sports tyres and this year a new product was released that stays true that is true to this reputation: the Dunlop Qualifier Core.

The Qualifier Core sits just below the Sportsmart in the range, and is an excellent choice for supersport and hyper-sport bike owners who want a sports tyre that offers excellent grip, dynamic handling and great feedback. The modern technology and innovative manufacturing methods now mean that sports bike owners can now experience top level performance that was previously only available in high-end tyres.

Dunlop use their proven Dynamic Front Formula or DFF to mould the tyres profile to provide the ideal balance between steering effort, stability, and feedback, delivering ultimate confidence. This also delivers more progressive and predictable cornering and reduced fall-down at maximum lean.

Heat Control Technology combines a longer-lasting outer compound with a heat-generating and performance-enhancing base layer for maximum durability, as well as increased grip. The combination of this all-new compound with a Sportsmart inspired tread pattern means the Qualifier Core responds impeccably on the road with a wider footprint, even wear, excellent dry grip and reassuring wet weather performance.

If you are looking for an excellent sports tyre that delivers the performance without having to take out a loan, then Charley's choice would be the Qualifier Core.

Dunlop Qualifier Core Pair Fitted (120/70-17 + 180/55-17) - £311.88