The ability of adventure bikes to handle long slogs on pavement, twisting roads, and off-pavement excursions highly depends on the tires they are running. On- and off-road performance are typically at odds when it comes to rubber selection. Grippy tires on the road often mean less off-road performance, and knobby-inspired tires mean less rubber on the pavement. Unless you have just one purpose for your adventure bike, selecting the right tire requires painful compromises. Despite that hard reality, I am continually searching for the unicorn—a tire that can rip through the twisties, handle the highway miles, wear slowly, and give me confidence that when the pavement ends, I can explore the capabilities of an adventure bike.
My primary travel companion for the last two years has been my 2019 BMW R 1250 GS. I have covered quite a bit of ground on it, going coast-to-coast and border-to-border numerous times. I’ve explored everything from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Tail of the Dragon to Baja California’s dusty, rocky, and sandy trails.
Over the years, I’ve tried different varieties of tires, the last being the Dunlop Trailmax Mission tires. The Dunlops have demonstrated remarkable longevity and good performance in various conditions. The Trailmax Mission is touted as a 50/50 on-/off-road tire; however, I peg it at a slightly more road-focused 60/40 split.
After a particularly grueling and technical ride on Baja recently, I decided to look for something more off-road ready. I hoped to find an acceptable tire on the road while giving me more grip control in gnarly off-road conditions.
As adventure bikes have proliferated, so have genre-compatible tires. One of the longest-standing and most successful tires in the segment has been the Heidenau K 60 Scout. A few years ago, Heidenau introduced a more aggressive version—the K 60 Ranger—which the German company describes as a 30/70 biased street/dirt tire.
Comparing the two Heidenau K 60 tires and looking at various other choices in the market, I was interested in a front tire that had sufficient grip for loose conditions. The Ranger seems to fit the bill, with larger front and back knobbies, as well as a mix of rubber compounds and a reinforced carcass designed for strong off-road performance and good grip on the road. I had little doubt that the tires would perform well off-road based on the aggressive tread pattern and stiff carcass. However, with big front and back knobbies, the question would be road performance.
With the tires mounted on the BMW R 1250 GS, I was ready for testing. If appearance translated to performance, I was in for a lot of off-road fun. The Heidenau K 60 Ranger tires look aggressive and perfect on the BMW. Having less worry about how these tires would hold up in the dirt, I focused my testing on five areas of on-road performance—grip, maneuverability, stability, vibration, and sound. Testing included many conditions, including LA city streets, large interstates, twisty back roads, and diversions into the dirt.
The Rangers are smoother than I had anticipated, with just a little unobtrusive vibration. Accelerating to city street speeds, they are stable and comfortable. With such an aggressive tread pattern, as you expect, there is vibration at slower speeds, typically below 30 mph. It’s nothing too bothersome; they’re just reminding you that you’re on knobbies. At highway speeds, the vibration from the Heidenau K 60 Ranger tires is at a perfectly acceptable level.
Highway sound output is always a concern for dirt-focused ADV tires. Sure enough, around 50 mph, there is a fair amount of tire howl. Thankfully, it isn’t an issue at lower speeds, as the volume fades above 60 mph. Over time, as the tires wear, this may improve—I haven’t gotten into the portion of the test where the tires are heavily worn.
On the highway, the Heidenau K 60 Ranger tires feel better than expected, given their knobby profile. Steering is light and predictable at normal speeds. Pushing the BMW R 1250 GS closer to the triple-digit mark, the tires definitely show their limits, with some instability transmitted through the handlebar.
Regarding maneuverability, the tires are neutral and stable. Turn-ins are smooth, as are direction changes, and the Rangers return to center through curvy roads. As I accelerated aggressively through some turns and from stops, I noticed the traction control light flashing more frequently. With all the rider aids on modern motorcycles, it is sometimes hard to get a feel for grip on pavement. The weather has not cooperated for testing in wet conditions.
Jumping off into the dirt, the Heidenau K 60 Ranger tires demonstrate the added grip and control I expected from the more aggressive tread pattern. Pushing the bike through some loose gravel, both the front end and rear hold up, and it is clear that off-road is where the tires shine.
Overall, I am very pleased with the performance of the Rangers. Given how I use my BMW R 1250 GS, which is about 70/30 on-/off-road, the tires may be slightly more aggressive than I need or would choose next time. However, for shorter trips, especially those where I know the conditions will get rough, the confidence provided by the Heidenau K 60 Ranger tires is fantastic.
Heidenau K60 Ranger Sizes
- 130/80 x 17
- 140/80 x 17
- 150/70 x 17
- 170/60 x 17
- 140/80 x 18
- 150/70 x 18
- 110/80 x 19
- 120/70 x 19
- 90/90 x 21
Prices range from $134 to $254 MSRP
All sizes are radial and tubeless
