Scrambler Thoughts On Running Road Tires On A Scrambler?

romanBiker · Nov 18, 2024

Hey Triumph enthusiasts,
I’m in the process of planning my next bike and, to be honest, I’ve been dreaming about getting a Scrambler. The style speaks to me far more than the Bonnie's, and I love the rugged, go-anywhere aesthetic it brings. That said, my projected off-road riding would be minimal—maybe the odd gravel road here and there, but nothing serious.

With that in mind, I’m already thinking about sticking with road tires when I get my Scrambler. My riding will be heavily asphalt-focused—twisties, long highway stretches, and city runs. I know some might see road tires as a mortal sin and a bad deviation from the Scrambler’s spirit, but to me, it feels like a practical choice for the kind of riding I’d actually do.

For those of you who’ve been riding Scramblers, have you experimented with road tires? How do they affect handling, and does it change the overall vibe of the bike? Are there any road tires you’d recommend that still keep a hint of that Scrambler versatility?

I’d love to hear your thoughts or advice from anyone who’s made this kind of switch.

Wintersdark · Nov 27, 2024

I haven't put "road tires" on mine, but I'll point out that the Metzler Tourance tires the Scrambler comes with really are road tires. They're definitely not dirt tires anyways. I think calling them 80/20 is very generous.

Regardless, it'd be fine. Will it affect handling? No, not compared to the Tourance's it comes with. It'll feel pretty much exactly the same, with the caveat that different manufacturers tires all feel a bit different. But in this case, the change of tread pattern will make no appreciable difference at all.

If you do want to do the occassional dirt road, I'd honestly stick with the 80/20 tires, as the difference between pure street tires and even veeeeeeery light dual purpose tires like the tourances is pretty stark once your on something other than pure, clean asphalt.

But honestly I'm 100% in the camp of you should mount the tires that suit the riding you actually do, not the riding you wish you did (looking at you, sport bike guys buying supersport rubber to ride around town with) or that the bike is purportedly "for".

It'll be tough with the 21" front to find a pure street bias tire. The 150/70R17 rear is a piece of cake, tons of rubber for that, but the front will be a bit tougher.

I'd recommend Michelin Anakee Roads, personally.

ajc400 · Nov 27, 2024

I don't have a Scrambler, but my last bike was a CB500X Adventure bike, which I only used on road. When I went to a local dealer for tyres he said if you only ride on road, fit road tyres. So I did.

However, I didn't even do light gravel, so if you do I'd think some 80/20 tyres, just to get some traction off tarmac.