One of the most lively issues on any bikers forum especially in relation to long distance trips is the issue of tyres. These little black circles are the only contact we have with the ground and total reliance in their integrity and design results in our trust in their performance, but… I fear style over substance is taking hold and this is based on my pre trip workshop enquiries, were a number of customers have asked for the most aggressive tyres that can find for is a primarily road based journey. For the trails I ride, potholed hardtop, forest trails, gravel, sand and unpaved back roads I want a tyre that I trust and I believe 90% of my tyres performance is in my head.

Sure knobblies will work in gloopy mud, the Dakar, and off road racing but for most of us a good open tread is all that is needed — face it most riders spend most of their time on the highway. I use a tyre that will get me from A to B then work effectively on the surfaces I expect then get me back from B to A. Talking to customers recently they seem more concerned about the appearance of the tyre on their bike, never mind its highway performance. The mantra seems to be the more aggressive looking the better. For me one thing is sure, I need confidence at 100 kmh on the road, in the rain, that an aggressive offroad based tyre simply will not give me – so don’t criticise me for my tyre choices, I would rather be safe and upright than look cool(er) but flat on my face.