Adventure tire manufacturers strive for a holy trinity of performance: on- and off-road traction, wet performance and longevity. Bridgestone comes very close to the Adventurecross AX41 tyres, rated for 40% off-road and 60% off-road.
I tested these tires for almost 1,000 miles on my KTM 1190 Adventure R with tubeless spokes (21 inches front, 18 inches rear) in a variety of conditions – alone, alone with luggage, two people, rain on road and terrain, and in temperatures between the 30s and 90s – and at spare tire pressure (36 psi front, 42 psi rear). Most of the testing was completed on the BDR-X PA Wilds, a 500-mile loop in Pennsylvania that is about 80% dirt and includes several optional expert sections.
For those who crave real off-road but don’t want to sacrifice on-road performance, the search for the ultimate adventure tire never ends. Even though the AX41s are rated for 60% off-road capability, I was still able to push them hard on the pavement. They spin quickly and stay steady at triple-digit speeds. The staggered knob pattern provides good surface contact and the spike blocks on the shoulders provide a solid feel when cornering.
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Performance could have been better on wet pavement, but I experienced minimal slippage with traction control turned off. And despite the aggressive tires, the tire noise on the road surface is reasonable.
The terrain is where these tires really work. I tested them on slippery clay, river crossings, sharp rocks, deep sand and gravel sections. Large spike blocks provide confident grip and traction, even in greasy conditions on wet clay or loose in sand. With the TC off, I was able to push hard through slippery corners and enjoy some well-controlled, large force slip. On slippery roads, the tires deflected as expected. They also track where I show them when rolling over large rocks on the slopes and clean themselves well in the mud.
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When new, the tread depth of the front tires is 7.9mm and the rear tread is 9mm. After 1,000 miles of hard charge, with about 600 km of that, I measured 4.6 mm front and 3.8 mm rear. At that speed, I could go 2,500 miles ahead and 2,000 miles behind. Lighter and less aggressive bikes can double that.
Choosing the best tire based on your adventurous driving style is important for a positive experience. I am satisfied with the performance and reasonable lifespan of the AX41 and I will buy another set when they are roasted.
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The Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41 adventure tires come in a variety of sizes and range in price from $160.86 to $340.42.
