New Michelin Anakee 3 Tires

[CompAcc]

If you guys haven't heard yet, Michelin is updating the Anakee 2 to the Anakee 3 in 2013. The new tread pattern is really different, curious to hear everyone's thoughts. Michelin states that these will be longer lasting, and have 10% more grip off road.



Obviously these are brand new, we haven't even seen them in person yet - but we plan on putting a set on a bike and flogging them properly to bring you a full report. Happy to undergo this awful job of wearing out tires for the adv community

If you have any questions about these tires we'd be happy to answer them or find out for you!

[WoodButcher]

They don't look like they'd be better offroad than the 2's. They do look like they be better on the road and maybe quieter.

[Tuff Tunica]

Love the Anakee 2s. Was waiting for the Karoo 3s to hit next spring as well. We'll have to see which one is more to my riding style. If this is more off road worthy it may be a contender.

[CompAcc]

We have posted an overview of the tires on our blog with some info about the new design:
http://blog.compacc.com/2012/12/mich...nture-touring/

Stay tuned - we are going to put these on a 990 Adventure and put them to the test!

[Mudcat]

Originally Posted by CompAcc

If you guys haven't heard yet, Michelin is updating the Anakee 2 to the Anakee 3 in 2013.

Michelin is doing away with the Anakee 2? If so, they have lost a customer. I don’t believe the 3’s will have better grip on the rough, dirty paved roads I like to ride

[bete]

Read your blog, hope they are right on more off road grip although they don't look like they would be. bete.

[bwringer]

Agreed -- will be very interesting to see how off-road grip works out compared to the "standard" tires.

My bet is that Michelin knows exactly what they're doing, and the crusty demons of dirt are just going to have to get used to a different look.

[WindSailor]

I wrote Michelin awhile back and got this...

The Anakee 3 should be available mid to late 1st quarter 2013 and will be available in a 110/80-19 and 150/70-17.

We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Michelin.

My GSA is mostly my touring machine (probably 80-20); looking forward to these.

[eakins]

Now that is not most of us were expecting in the evolution of the Anakee.
Now how can that grip as good as the 2, especially when cornering on that front tire? I don't see much in the way of bitting edges when leaned over.

Be interesting to hear the test results. I'm wondering if Michelin is just adjusting this tires to focus more on the majority of riders who actually don't go off road and if they do it's easy & packed dirt. Most any tire grips on packed dirt & i'm thinking the even higher silica content will be like sand paper on packed dirt.

Are they really just selling a street tire here and competing with tires like the Dunlop TR91, Pirelli Scorpion Trail, Conti Trail Attack or Road Attack for the guy who has a 19" front wheel but really just rides on the street? My guess is they will corner incredible on the street.

That is cool if they then release another new tire that is more aggressive along the lines of the Shinko 705 or even Hiedenau K60 territory.

[eakins]

they are seen on the new GS.

when your leaned over in a corner in the dirt, what is there to bite into the dirt?
it looks like most all smooth rubber to me???

i only see biting edges going across the tire for starting and stopping grip.
where are the biting edges 90 degrees to those to keep the tire from slipping sideways?

i'm calling these 95/5 tires not 80/20 like they used to be, but we'll see.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by Tuff Tunica

Love the Anakee 2s. Was waiting for the Karoo 3s to hit next spring as well. We'll have to see which one is more to my riding style. If this is more off road worthy it may be a contender.

there ya go...and i doubt it.
looks like Metzler is going after Heidenau.

CompAcc, got any info on this tire yet?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...php?p=20259622

[ducnut]

The Anakee 3 look like the perfect tire for the Tiger 1050. Now, if Michelin would offer them in a 120/180 combo.

[X1Glider]

I agree with you guys on the lack of biting edges. I don't understand this tread design at all. On a dirt bike, once the knobs have rounded, you've lost your ability to dig in or bite the terrain for the best traction. These treads look like ramps that help expel water on the road. Definitely pure road oriented, IMO.

[Pecha72]

Originally Posted by eakins

they are seen on the new GS.

when your leaned over in a corner in the dirt, what is there to bite into the dirt?
it looks like most all smooth rubber to me???

i only see biting edges going across the tire for starting and stopping grip.
where are the biting edges 90 degrees to those to keep the tire from slipping sideways?

i'm calling these 95/5 tires not 80/20 like they used to be, but we'll see.

Call me weird, but that looks a bit like Metzeler's old Z4 street tyre (only with some horrible manufacturing defects on the tread pattern)

Michelin already makes Pilot Road 3 sizes to fit the big trailie bikes... kinda hard to follow their thinking here.

[switchback]

The Karoo 3 will be available in the following sizes:

Front:

110/80 – 19 M/C 59R TL M+S

120/70 R 19 M/C 60T TL M+S

90/90 – 21 M/C 54R TL M+S

Rear:

150/70 – 17 M/C 69R TL M+S

170/60 R 17 M/C 72T TL M+S

130/80 – 17 M/C 65R M+S

140/80 – 17 M/C 69R M+S

140/80 – 18 M/C 70R M+S

150/70 – 18 M/C 70R M+S

Awesome, the Metzler Karoo III's have a mud & snow rating!