Finding the right set of dual sport tires is a balancing act. You need a tire that provides confidence and grip on loose trails, gravel, and mud without sacrificing too much stability, comfort, or longevity on the pavement that connects your adventures. The ideal tire blends aggressive off-road capability with predictable on-road manners, making your motorcycle a truly versatile machine.
This roundup covers a range of options from trusted manufacturers, each with a slightly different focus on the on-road versus off-road spectrum. Whether you spend more time carving canyon roads or exploring remote fire roads, there is a tire here designed to meet your specific riding style and performance needs. The following selections represent some of the best choices available for riders looking to equip their bikes for anything the journey throws at them.
Our Top Picks for 10/50 Dual Sport Tires
- Kenda K270 Dual Sport 4.50-18
- MMG Set of 2 Tire 2.50-16 Front/Rear Motorcycle Dual Sport
- Shinko Dual Sport 705 Series Front/Rear Tire (130/80-17TL)
- Continental TKC 70 150/70 R17 M/C Adventure-Ready Tire
- Dunlop Trailmax Mission Front Tire (90/90-21)
- Metzeler ME888 Marathon Ultra 180/65B16 Rear Tire
- Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41 Front Tire (90/90-21)
- Mitas Terra Force-EF Super Rear Tire – 110/80-18
- Tusk Dsport Adventure Motorcycle Tire Set Tube Type
- Pirelli MT 60 RS Scorpion Trail Tire
Kenda K270 Dual Sport 4.50-18
The Kenda K270 is a classic choice for riders seeking a true 50/50 balance between on-road and off-road performance. Its widely-spaced knobs provide excellent bite in dirt, mud, and gravel, giving you the confidence to tackle a variety of off-road conditions. The tread pattern is designed to effectively clear debris, maintaining consistent traction when you need it most.
On the pavement, the K270 offers a stable and predictable ride. The continuous center rib helps with stability during braking and cornering, making it a dependable companion for the street sections of your journey. It is a versatile and cost-effective option that has proven its reliability over many years of use by dual-sport enthusiasts.
MMG Set of 2 Tire 2.50-16 Front/Rear Motorcycle Dual Sport
This MMG package provides a complete solution for riders needing both a front and rear tire. The set is DOT approved, ensuring they meet safety standards for street use, and the tubetype construction is common for many smaller displacement dual-sport motorcycles. With a load range C and 6-ply rating, these tires are built to handle substantial weight and resist punctures.
The tread pattern offers a balanced design for mixed-surface riding. It provides enough grip for light off-road excursions while maintaining a stable footprint on paved roads. This set is a practical choice for riders looking for a straightforward, all-in-one package to get their bike ready for adventure without complication.
Shinko Dual Sport 705 Series Front/Rear Tire
The Shinko 705 is engineered for riders who prioritize on-road performance but still want the capability for occasional off-pavement excursions. Its aggressive tread pattern is highly effective for maintaining excellent wet and dry weather adhesion on asphalt, providing confidence in various road conditions. The tire compound is formulated to resist tearing, which adds to its durability when you do venture onto gravel or hard-packed dirt.
This tire strikes a compelling balance, offering the look and feel of an adventure tire with road-biased manners. It delivers smooth handling and good stability at highway speeds, making it an excellent choice for long-distance touring that includes secondary roads and light off-road trails. The Shinko 705 represents a strong value for its performance category.
Continental TKC 70
The Continental TKC 70 is designed as an adventure-ready tire that blends the best characteristics of a dedicated off-road tire and a sport-touring tire. It inherits its rugged spirit from the famous TKC 80 but is refined for better on-road performance, including wet weather grip and longer tread life. This makes it ideal for riders whose journeys are primarily on asphalt but who require genuine capability for light off-road use.
You can expect precise handling and stability from the TKC 70, thanks to its modern tread design and compound. It is a versatile option that supports spirited riding on twisty paved roads while still having the composure to handle unpaved sections confidently. It’s a premium choice for the adventure rider who covers big miles on varied surfaces.
Dunlop Trailmax Mission Front Tire
The Dunlop Trailmax Mission is a true adventure tire developed to deliver premium performance across a remarkably wide range of terrain. After an extensive development process, it achieves a difficult goal: providing knobby-like traction off-road while maintaining impressive grip and stability on the street. The aggressive tread pattern is key to its success, digging in for traction on hard and loose terrain.
This tire is engineered for riders who refuse to be limited by the surface ahead. It offers great ride quality and feedback, whether you are navigating a rocky trail or cruising on the interstate. The Trailmax Mission is for those who demand high performance in both environments and want a single tire that can truly do it all.
Metzeler ME888 Marathon Ultra Rear Tire
The Metzeler ME888 Marathon Ultra is engineered with one primary goal: ultra-high mileage. While it fits within the touring segment, its robust construction and dependable profile make it a consideration for larger dual-sport and adventure touring bikes that see predominantly paved roads. Developed specifically for the demands of American highways, it offers exceptional durability.
This tire does not sacrifice Metzeler’s renowned performance and handling for the sake of longevity. It provides stable and predictable cornering, making long-distance rides less fatiguing. If your adventures are mostly on asphalt and you prioritize getting the most miles possible from your rear tire, the ME888 is a top-tier contender.
Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41 Front Tire
The Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41 is designed for riders who demand superior off-road performance without completely giving up on-road manners. As the newest offering in the Battlax adventure line, it features a tough construction and an aggressive tread pattern to handle challenging off-road conditions with confidence. Its durability is a key focus, resisting damage from rocks and other trail hazards.
This tire is for the adventurer who actively seeks out unpaved paths and needs a tire that can withstand the abuse. The AX41 provides the grip and stability needed for technical riding, making it a favorite for those who push their bikes further into the wilderness. It represents a more off-road-oriented choice within the adventure tire category.
Mitas Terra Force-EF Super Rear Tire
The Mitas Terra Force-EF Super is built for optimum performance in challenging off-road conditions. Its tread is designed to provide a maximum footprint on hard, rooty, and uneven terrain, delivering traction where other tires might struggle. This design philosophy makes it a strong performer when the trail gets technical.
Despite its off-road focus, this tire is DOT legal, making it suitable for dual-sport motorcycles that need to connect trails via public roads. It is rated for a 20/80 road-to-dirt application, clearly indicating its intended use for serious off-road riding with limited street use. For riders who spend most of their time in the dirt, the Mitas Terra Force-EF is a dedicated and capable option.
Tusk Dsport Adventure Motorcycle Tire Set
The Tusk Dsport Adventure Tire Set offers a complete package for riders ready to equip their bike with new rubber. These tires are DOT compliant for on and off-road use, featuring an aggressive tread pattern that provides grip in tough off-road conditions like mud, sand, and rocks. The set includes matching front and rear sizes, ensuring balanced performance.
Beyond just grip, the rubber compound is formulated for longevity. It is designed to resist wear both on the pavement and in the dirt, offering a great balance of performance and durability. For the rider looking for a capable, value-oriented tire set that can handle real adventure, the Tusk Dsport presents a very compelling option.
Pirelli MT 60 RS Scorpion Trail Tire
The Pirelli MT 60 RS Scorpion Trail Tire is a well-regarded option in the dual-sport and adventure community, known for its sport-oriented performance on paved roads. It provides excellent cornering grip and stability, making it a joy to ride on twisty asphalt. The tread pattern is designed to offer confident handling in wet conditions, adding to its on-road prowess.
While it excels on the street, it retains enough tread depth and pattern versatility to handle gravel roads and light off-road duties competently. This tire is ideal for the rider whose journeys are predominantly on pavement but who appreciates the flexibility to take a detour down an unpaved road without hesitation. It represents Pirelli’s high-performance approach to the dual-sport segment.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best 10/50 Dual Sport Tires
When I’m looking for new tires for my dual sport, the 10/50 ratio is my sweet spot. That number, 10/50, refers to the tire’s intended use: 10% on-road and 50% off-road. It’s a perfect balance for riders like me who spend a good amount of time on trails but still need to ride safely on pavement to get there. The remaining 40% is that gray area where a great tire proves its worth. Choosing the right set isn’t just about picking a brand; it’s about matching the tire’s personality to your riding style.
First, consider the tread pattern. A more aggressive, blocky knobby pattern is fantastic for loose dirt, mud, and sand. It will dig in and give you confidence when the pavement ends. However, those big knobs can feel a bit squirmy and loud on the street, and they might wear down faster. On the other hand, a tire with tighter, more numerous knobs and some siping (small cuts in the tread) will offer better stability and grip on asphalt and in wet conditions, but it might not claw through deep mud as effectively. I always ask myself: where do I struggle more? If I’m fighting for traction off-road, I lean aggressive. If my highway commutes feel sketchy, I go for a more road-biased tread.
Next up is rubber compound. This is a big one that’s easy to overlook. A harder compound tire will last longer, giving you more miles before you need a replacement. This is great if you do a lot of road riding. The trade-off is that hard rubber doesn’t grip as well, especially in cold or wet conditions. A softer compound tire will feel like it’s glued to the ground, offering superior traction off-road. The catch? It will wear out much quicker on asphalt. Some premium tires even use a dual-compound design, with a harder compound in the center for longevity and a softer one on the shoulders for cornering grip.
Finally, think about construction and your bike’s setup. A bias-ply construction is common, durable, and affordable. A radial construction can offer a smoother ride and better handling on-road but is often more expensive. Also, check your bike’s specifications for the correct tire size and load rating. Running a tire that’s too weak for your bike and gear is a safety risk. And don’t forget about tubes! Most knobby-style 10/50 dual sport tires are tube-type, so you need to make sure your rims are compatible or be prepared to run a tube. Getting this mix right is the key to finding the best 10/50 dual sport tires for on and off-road use for your specific adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 10/50 rating actually mean for my ride?
The 10/50 rating is a general guideline from manufacturers suggesting the tire is optimized for 10% on-road and 50% off-road riding. In my experience, this means the tire is biased towards off-road performance. You get aggressive knobs for dirt traction, but it’s still DOT-approved, meaning it’s legal and has enough siping and rubber on the road to be safe for street use. The “missing” 40% represents a tire’s capability in mixed conditions—hard-packed dirt, gravel roads, and light street riding—where it should perform competently. It’s a great starting point if you know you’ll be in the dirt more often than not.
How long can I expect a set of 10/50 tires to last?
Tire life is a huge variable. If you’re riding mostly on pavement, a set might last 2,000 to 3,000 miles. The aggressive knobs are simply not designed for long-term asphalt abrasion and will wear down quickly. If you’re doing a more balanced mix of terrain, you might see 1,500 to 2,000 miles. And if you’re really hammering off-road and on rocky trails, you could be looking at even less. The rubber compound is the biggest factor here; a hard-wearing tire will last longer on road, while a soft, grippy tire will disappear faster but hook up better in the dirt.
Are these tires safe for highway speeds and rain?
Yes, but with some important caveats. Because they are DOT-approved, they are technically safe for highway use. However, the tall, flexible knobs will create more vibration and noise at speed compared to a street tire. They can feel a bit less planted in high-speed corners. In the rain, the deep grooves are excellent for channeling water and preventing hydroplaning. The challenge is that the knobby tread pattern has less actual rubber touching the wet road, so your overall grip on slick asphalt is reduced. I always ride more cautiously in wet conditions and avoid aggressive lean angles.
Can I run a 10/50 tire on the front and a different tire on the rear?
Absolutely, and this is a very common practice. Many riders, myself included, often mix and match tires to fine-tune performance. For example, you might pair a more aggressive, larger-blocked 10/50 tire on the rear for drive and braking traction with a slightly less aggressive, more rounded-profile tire on the front for better steering precision and cornering feel on pavement. The front tire is responsible for your steering and a lot of your braking confidence, so choosing one that gives you a good feeling is crucial. Just make sure both tires are the correct size for your rims.
Do I need to use tubes with these tires?
Most traditional knobby-style 10/50 dual sport tires are designed as tube-type tires. This means you must run an inner tube unless your motorcycle has specific tubeless-compatible spoked wheels, which are less common. If your bike has standard cast aluminum wheels, it’s likely set up for tubeless tires. You can still run a tube-type tire on a tubeless rim, but you must install an inner tube. Always check the tire’s sidewall for a “Tube-Type” or “Tubeless” designation before you buy and install. Getting this wrong can be dangerous.