What Tires for my 12,000 Mile Motorcycle Trip? - Motoz Tractionator GPS on R1250GS Adventure

[@PatsAdventuresTravels]

I can tell you from my experience that the Dunlop Trailmax Misson Tires lasted me almost 12K from Ohio to Prudhoe Bay Alaska and back to Ohio. They were shot by the time I got back even though they had tread left. A lot of cupping in the front with the highway miles I had to do.

[@chrisd4283]

Completely agree. I started running the Dunlop Trailmax Mission after only getting 8K out of the Michelin Adventure tires every time. Phenomenal tires with great wear and no cupping. Used them from AZ to Prudhoe Bay as well and back and they were the perfect street/dirt balance for me. At 11k miles now and still have 5.5/32s left on the rear (new at 12/32) and 8/32s front (new 10/32). I ran a lot of gear to Alaska and am shocked to how much tire is left given those roads. I probably can get another 3K out of them but won't risk being that thin (3/32) on my next trip

[@AdamChandler86]

Awesome, thanks for the recommendation.

[@timlubbers2884]

I ran 21,000 miles on my trailmax missions … certified by Dunlop. 3 BDRs and a trip across the us (Florida to Portland), 3 times …

[@chrisd4283]

@@timlubbers2884 HOLY CARP!

[@AdamChandler86]

Well shit, Tim. That's insane. Did you just push the bike the whole way :P I'm impressed.

[@rosslangerak8361]

I had a set of RallZ on my Africa Twin. Had 10,000 miles on the rear when it picked up a utility knife blade in the carcass. Wear was on target to last 15,000 miles or more. Front tire was replaced after 5000 miles. Burned through two front tires. Tread pattern on the front GPS looks similar to the front K60 Scout.

[@AdamChandler86]

Thanks for the review.

[@robertkringel1045]

I have these mounted on both our F 750 GS and our 850 GS. On the 750 we have the rear tire in the 50/50 and on the 850 we have it in the mostly off road. To be honest, I cannot tell the difference the grip, ride quality or the wear yet. I really love them and will most likely buy them again. (In deep sand the front tire is a little sketchy but the rear tire tractors through nicely).

[@AdamChandler86]

Awesome. Thanks Robert for the recommendation. I'm glad to be hearing from a lot of folks that are really happy with them. Ride safe.

[@PuyZ06]

I put a set of GPSs on my '17 Africa Twin last year. I was hoping to get some feedback on tire pressures for the GPS (Note, the PSI marked on the tire is 33 PSI). I ran the standard 36 front 42 rear (bike was loaded with long-haul gear, including camping gear) and proceeded to log 11k miles on the front before I noticed cracks at the base of the center tread blocks and replaced it while in Moab. The rear developed cracks at 14k miles. I ran them on surfaces that were wet, dry, damp salt (Bonneville), asphalt, dirt, sand, gravel, but not much mud. I think the pressures I ran were ultimately too high, leading to the cracking issue, but I was very impressed by this tire's durability and performance. The back tire (with 14,000 miles) still has ~2mm left on them, but in their current state, they are breaking loose under acceleration with ease on wet asphalt. If I get hypercritical, there were times off-asphalt, where I wanted more bite out of the front tire. I'm buying another set, but I would like to get the pressures set correctly to see just how far these tires will go.

[@AdamChandler86]

All I'll say about my style is I run OEM PSIs on all tires and just deal with not having as much traction off road. So I'm fully 36/42. Dented BMW wheels and pinch flats aren't worth the trouble so ignorance is bliss and I don't know what I'm missing by not airing down.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

I run k-60s on the back . Dunlop missions on the front . ( 1190 r) we ride primarily gravel roads and pavement . Love the k60 for wear , but it is like riding on marbles in gravel. The mission in front doesn't seem horrible . Both tires on blacktop are fantastic .

[@AdamChandler86]

I've heard great things about the Dunlops.

[@allenhuling598]

For what it's worth, I have about 2,000 miles on a set of GPSs on my T7 here in Alaska. I have ridden plenty of rainy, cold days and as long as a person is riding reasonable speeds have had no problems with these tires, in fact I like them in all conditions (including lots of gravel and some single track) so far given the compromises for a one tire does all! Obviously I'm on a somewhat lighter bike, but so far the wear has been minimal! Ride safe on your awesome sounding adventure!!

[@AdamChandler86]

Perfect, I appreciate the vote of confidence.

[@sharrison56]

The Hidenau K60 Scout has a centerline similar to the GPS.

[@AdamChandler86]

Very true and those are incredibly popular adv-touring tires. I should give them a try.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Adventure is a tire that exists between the RallZ and GPS. The voids are closer together but still gives you large rubber blocks.

[@AdamChandler86]

Thanks for the comments.

[@peterrick3339]

BMW 1200/1250 GPS rear got 12,000 kms. And that's looking after the tyre. Noisy & lumpy. Somewhat useless in gravel & useless in mud with the solid center. Front GPS is average sealed & unsealed. Both are reasonable on wet bitumen. Dunlop Trailmax Mission rear 15,000 kms. Smooth & quiet. Fantastic road tyre wet & dry. Off road in all conditions & mud, got more traction that the rear GPS.

[@AdamChandler86]

Thanks for the tire ride report!

[@ZorianShimanov]

If you doing lots of BDR, I think you have nailed it. I have Dunlops and love them, but I do a lots of asphalt riding. Keep us posted and want to see meny videos. Thanks.

[@AdamChandler86]

Perfect and I'm thinking of doing some daily shorts on my trip we'll see if I can keep it going for the whole 6 weeks.

[@superwag634]

Australian company, not New Zealand. and tyres not made in Europe, made it Thailand. But cool guesses bro 😂

[@AdamChandler86]

Shots fired at NZ. Sorry for my mistake.

[@ronroccolarosa5575]

Well I have a question because these are the tires I'm going to change from my stock break battle axe, But what about airing down on the rear to give you that wider stance for more grip as opposed to putting that tire in the direction of 100% off-road versus the 5050. I'm pretty much sold on the tractionated GPS Look forward to your follow-up video After your trip

[@AdamChandler86]

That’s a great question. I’ll admit I never air down because BMW wheels are so insanely expensive. But it’s totally possible with these. The sidewall is very stiff so I don’t think you’ll notice on-road much degradation in handling with 5-10PSI out of the tire. I just don’t want to hit a rock and bend a wheel. I was very happy with these. They lasted 8,000 miles and other than traction control light on rainy days on tarmac, nothing about them gave me pause. I was fully loaded and they did really well. Far exceeded my expectations.

[@redsa-pr6pt]

I put adventure in front and the GPS rear. Great combo

[@AdamChandler86]

That's a good call. I'm at 7,000 miles or so now and I probably would have liked that combo.

[@MichaelWeiss-oy6mk]

Hey. In Feb 2025 I'm riding from Cape Town, South Africa, to London, UK. Road conditions will be mixed - tarmac, gravel, wet, some mud as well. Which tyres for my 2020 R1250GSA? The Motoz Tractionator GPS? Clearly I cant have tires that need to be replaced every couple of thousand miles. Be grateful for your views. Thanks

[@AdamChandler86]

What an epic trip! I don't know how this would do in African terrain but the tires are built by an Aussie company so I imagine that conditions are similar in some areas. They lasted 13,000 Kilometers on my trip.

[@MichaelWeiss-oy6mk]

@@AdamChandler86 Many thanks Adam. That would probably get me to Morocco, where there is a BMW dealer to get the tires changed. I really dont want to have to take spare tires with me, and so it sounds like the right solution. I'll let you know how I get on. All the best

[@AkansasRIDER]

i just did 3000 miles in 4 days on new MZ GPS's as featured in this vid, also on a GS1250. Never turned TC off, and i'd say i burned up 1/3rd of the rear tread. Mostly pavement. Will see if bottom lasts as long.

[@AdamChandler86]

I'd be stoked with 9,000 miles so that's great to hear.

[@droflivelife]

What's your thoughts on the GPS centre band in the wet without water run off grooves only on the sides?

[@AdamChandler86]

TBD I guess? It means longer life but I'm not going to ride in any extreme rain on this trip meaning if things get very wet, I'm just going to take it easy for a while.

[@PlaymediaCL]

Hi Adam I have the GPS mounted on my 1250 GSA with 11.000 kms on it (7k miles ish) The front tire looks brand new but the rear will not last more than another 3.000 kms (2k miles more). So basically I will get around 9k miles out of the rear tire. I used them on the Patagonia, The Andes mountains and some other trips. I think I did 60% on road and 40% off road. Some hardcore places, and some others hard packed dirt Overall I like the tire, good mileage, decent grip off road, good grip on road, not very noisy, but bad on wet tarmac…..Maybe the Motoz Tractionator adventure tire will be my next choice to compare with the GPS Let us know how did it work for you Greetings from Chile Thanks

[@AdamChandler86]

I'm so glad to receive your comment. Thanks for sharing the miles. I was expecting, as hard as these tires are, to have pretty poor wet grip so I'll be expecting that and will just take it easy on rainy day. Safe travels to you!

[@droflivelife]

What's your thoughts with the solid band in the middle in the wet, with no water run off groove?

[@PlaymediaCL]

​@@droflivelife It's more slippery than a tkc70 or anakee adventure, but has better grip than a Heidenau k60. I don't know how it compares with the Mitas e07 Few months back I got scared because I slipped on a curve when it was pooring rain; but it was only in one specific curve, one time, during 3 hours of rain, so I don't know if it's a good indicator. Nevertheless I don't feel it as much as grippier than un tkc70 when raining......at the end, you just have to lower the speed As Kyle said, if you want the better tire, go with the tkc70 rocks (will last on a 1250 GSA around 5k miles), but if you want a good tire with good longevity (that comes with a cost) go with the Motoz GPS

[@TheZakkmylde]

I’m sure the adventure will be better for the off-road, but maybe the compromise is going to be lower mileage than the GPS and less road performance. It’s hard to get it all right. I’m on the fence also with whether to choose the adventure or the GPS.

[@ridefreeordie]

Nice Adam. Agreed on tire choices. Anakee Advs are great - I'm pretty sure I got around 8k on a set, maybe more. A set of Motoz GPS on on the way & going onto a fresh set of Woody's for Dirty Gerty's N.H. > Prudhoe > San Diego leg of the Pan-American tour. My first go with the GPS tire. Also, I'll be in Glasier etc. second half of August. We should compare notes. How do you feel on the bike at your fitness level? You look in great shape. Bravo Zulu. BTW, snagging one of the last 1250 GSAs in June.

[@AdamChandler86]

Wow, that's a lot of updates in one comment! I depart Bend OR on June 16th and do ORBDR then WABDR north then Dawson City, Tuk, then south via Banff to Glacier so I don't know the timing yet but I guess Glacier roughly 2 weeks after June 16th? Congrats on getting one of the last GSAs and I hope you enjoy those new tires. I'm jealous of your trip coming up.

[@ridefreeordie]

@@AdamChandler86 Have fun on your epic northwest ride. I think you will find it enticing and unforgettable. Keep an eye on the lava. I'll be interested in your thoughts on Glacier as it's new territory for me. I've always feared it's touristy. Enjoy.

[@2FO4WFO]

Good video Adam. I’m the person that bought your Garmin InReach recently. Curious about when you’re planning your trip on the Oregon BDR. I live in Oregon and am thinking of doing the ORBDR and WABDR on the way up to visit my son in Canada. 14:37

[@AdamChandler86]

Hey, awesome and let me know if the unit doesn't work out for you. I replaced it with an InReach Messenger for a few reasons so I'll be departing Bend OR on June 16th and hopping on the ORBDR from there then connecting to WABDR so maybe that helps timing? I won't be backtracking south to the start of ORBDR though and just starting in Bend.

[@whatthesnell]

The name "Battlax" always cracks me up. Imagine if you bought a set blind, expecting some gnarly tire that could just tear up any terrain, and these things arrived. More like a wooden sword really 😁....

[@AdamChandler86]

LOL. BATT-LAX is also a funny way to say it.

[@texlee84]

HUGE MotoZ fan here, I have run all of their tires at some point except for the GPS. I was recently recommended the same tires for my GSA as well. I have since picked up a second set of wire spoke GS wheels so now I can have a street set and a more off-road focused set for BDR's and such. I have the Michelin Anakee Adventures on the street set now and I absolutely love them for touring and light gravel/dirt use, that said I don't have much confidence with handling with them on gravel. If I were to move to a single tire for all terrain then the GPS would certainly get the nod, but I plan to run the RallZ on my off-road set after I wear out the current Bridgestone BattlAx AX41's that are on there now. Have you tried the Tractionator Adventure's as a middle of the road option?

[@AdamChandler86]

A 2nd set of GS Spoked wheels is way cheaper than getting a dirt bike. I've considered doing that. I have the TRactionator Adventures on my 701 and they're totally great. They'll last me all year and I never have to shy away from any trail. The Rallz are more aggressive but really overkill for a GSA I think. I have ran the AX41s before and enjoyed those but now I just keep it street (Anakee Adventures) and Dirt (motoz) and that seems to work better than trying to find a tire that can do it all.

[@texlee84]

@@AdamChandler86 Yea, the 500 gets the aggressive stuff, but now that I have two wheelsets I'll have an aggressive dirt tire for the GSA as well.

[@moocow2179]

Good choice, but agree with the wet tarmac caution comments. Traction control a must with these.

[@AdamChandler86]

Every MotoZ seems to be that way. You can't have longevity and wet traction.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Thanks Adam for this review. Live in Charleston SC, reality is 80% of my riding is black top. The GPS tire is very attractive. Would love some feedback after some miles from you in terms of feel, tire feedback…especially the front tire. Kind of reminds me of the Karoo 3 which made the big girl very skaty feeling in sand. Also considering the new Dunlop mission raid tire. I hear it’s very grippy on the street, high silica content, also skaty in sand but will likely melt off the GS in a couple of thousand miles 🤷🏼‍♂️. Anyways, thank you again really looking forward to feedback on these guys. I’m very jealous, safe travels.

[@AdamChandler86]

I'm looking forward to riding these thousands of miles and hoping they hold up.

[@fasteddie565]

Why do you think the GPS will cause problems in the gravel?

[@AdamChandler86]

I use knobby tires to make up for me crappy riding skills. These not being full knobby will mean I’ll have to work a bit harder.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

Center strip on gravel is marginal.

[@markberney300]

My rear GPS has 14,000 klm on it and only half worn. Mostly asphalt.

[@AdamChandler86]

Thank you for the comment.

[@cjw-vc6jh]

Joined GS Giants. Can’t find the coupon code… any help is greatly appreciated.

[@AdamChandler86]

I looked at my email and found this, "This sale will run for one week starting Friday, May 10 until Friday May 17." so I guess it was a short-running sale. I truly thought it was a member perk they'd run for a while.

[@cjw-vc6jh]

Thanks very much for checking.

[@pjn934]

First up, they're an Australian company - not NZ. Second, they're pronounced "Mo-toz", not "Moto-zee", because they're from Oz-tralia. Happy to help :-)

[@pjn934]

And made in Thailand as mentioned somewhere else here

[@mybibleandmybike]

Another awsome video… I know ur taking ur trip and I wish u safe travels… can u do a video on what we spoke about the ASC/TCS… I haven’t found any trouble shooting for things like the speedo working on one start and not working on another start… I think this will really help us do it yourselfer guys trying to save some money going to the dealerships…

[@AdamChandler86]

I'd be happy to but not sure I'll be able to on your timeline since the bike is about to go on a trailer out west but I will keep it in mind. Sorry!

[@mybibleandmybike]

@@AdamChandler86no please take your time even if mine is fixed it could help somebody else.. ur videos are not just for me they help tons of riders you or eye will ever see and u even taking the time to dialogue with me means a tremendous amount…. Thank u for all the wisdom you gave me and now it’s time to take it to the shop I will keep you posted… enjoy and have an awesome amazing time on that beautiful machine…

[@verbalwidget0919]

Trail Max Mission easily do 12,000

[@AdamChandler86]

Very good to know. I've been running TKC80 so long I forgot what longevity even means.