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With an experienced off-road rider on packed dirt , these tires punch above their weight . Throttle control and momentum are key , particularly in steep terrain whether descending or climbing . We sampled steep rock-embedded trails , jeep trails and highspeed desert roads . I did hit one well-disguised patch of deep sand at speed , causing the old “ sand wash swap .” Thankfully , I rode it out .
Back in the twisting canyons near my home , it ’ s all grins , with the Anakee Adventures offering excellent turn-in , grip and feedback at a peg-scraping pace . Both tires felt planted and stable under spirited corner braking and acceleration , thanks to bridge blocks that stabilize the tread where the grooves are at their widest points . Things went from dry to wet with a well-timed rain shower , providing the opportunity for repeated panic stops . The Adventures proved to offer impressive wet grip , and the V-Strom ’ s ABS kicked in much later than I expected . I wasn ’ t willing to push it to pegscraping pace , but at sane speeds cornering grip in the wet was more than competent .
The Michelin Anakee Adventures are a solid 80 / 20 ADV tire option for those looking for impressive wet and dry pavement performance , along with the confidence to tackle some surprisingly rugged terrain , and they paired nicely with the V-Strom 650 . – KEVIN WING
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