The new TKC 80²: Continental's strongest off-road motorcycle tire

• Successor to the iconic Continental tire: over 40 years of experience meets cutting-edge technology
• New tread design for maximum grip on the road and off-road
• Optimized carcass and new rubber compound for stability, traction, and wet grip
• Wide range of sizes for all popular touring enduros and real adventures: on and off-road

Hanover, Germany, October 29, 2025. With the new TKC 80² After four decades, Continental presents the logical evolution of its legendary TKC 80 motorcycle tire and sets new standards for the touring enduro and adventure bike segment with the second generation. Demand for off-road experiences is growing worldwide.[1] – More and more motorcyclists are seeking challenges off the road.

At the same time, touring enduro bikes are becoming increasingly powerful and place the highest demands on tires: more road performance, more off-road traction, more adventure – the TKC 80.² As the strongest off-road product in Continental's motorcycle tire portfolio, it offers uncompromising freedom.

Technical innovations for maximum adventure

The Continental TKC 80² was developed from the ground up to meet the requirements of modern adventure bikes. At its heart is the new tread design: larger, repositioned lugs with additional engagement edges, offset outer lugs, and optimized block geometry improve mechanical grip on loose surfaces and ensure excellent self-cleaning—a decisive advantage when riding through mud, sand, or gravel. The enlarged contact patch provides greater stability when riding straight ahead and when leaning, which pays off especially on long journeys.

In particular, the profile blocks on the front tire, which are sharply slanted downwards in the direction of travel, improve grip when braking off-road, while the block design on the rear tire, which is designed in exactly the opposite direction, provides optimum traction when accelerating.

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Maximum balance: 50 percent road, 50 percent off-road

One highlight is the optimized carcass construction: it has been specifically designed for a 50:50 ratio of on-road to off-road use and improves stability when fully loaded, at high speeds, and on demanding off-road passages. The optimized damping behavior increases driving comfort even on long journeys and rough terrain.

New rubber compound impresses in dry and wet conditions

The new, specially developed rubber compound offers an even better balance between grip on varying surfaces and wear resistance. This makes the TKC 80 a convincing choice.² not only through its mileage on long tours, but also through Continental RainGrip technology, which provides a secure grip in cold and wet conditions. A real plus for adventure riders who are on the road in all weather conditions. „Our new flexible rubber compound adapts perfectly to the micro-roughness of the asphalt, providing excellent grip.

At the same time, we have worked intensively to resolve the conflict between on-road and off-road performance as effectively as possible: the tire tread combines maximum flexibility for safe wet grip with high block stiffness for stability and mechanical grip,“ says Raphael Michels, Product Manager for Motorcycle Tires at Continental.

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This makes the Continental TKC 80² The ideal choice for motorcycle enthusiasts who don't want to compromise – whether on asphalt, on the Trans European Trail, on the Backcountry Discovery Routes in North America, or on expeditions around the globe. Especially since the TKC 80² offers high protection against punctures and tire damage.

Availability and further information

Thanks to the wide range of sizes—four front wheel sizes in 19 and 21 inches and six rear wheel sizes in 17 and 18 inches—the tire fits touring enduros and adventure bikes from renowned manufacturers such as BMW, KTM, Honda, Yamaha, and Ducati. „With the TKC 80² we are setting new standards in terms of versatility, robustness, and off-road performance.

The combination of innovative tread design, new rubber compound, and optimized carcass offers adventure riders maximum safety, control, and riding enjoyment on a wide variety of terrain,“ explains Christoph Ettenhuber, head of the Motorcycle Tires business unit at Continental.

The new TKC 80² – also recognizable by the new icon on the tire sidewall – will be available from spring 2026 at all Continental partners and specialist retailers. Further details on dimensions, approvals, and technical information can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Text & image credits: Continental

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Harleysite comment

Continental presents the TKC 802 as the successor to the TKC 80. The new 50:50 tire for road and off-road use is scheduled to be available from spring 2026. 

The Continental TKC 802 is the successor to the legendary TKC 80 and is likely to be of interest for the Harley-Davidson Pan America series from spring 2026 onwards. It should be noted that there are now several models with different specifications, including the Pan America, the Pan America Special, the Pan America ST, and the CVO Pan America.

Depending on the model, the tires, rim width, and permissible tire dimensions vary. Official approvals from Continental are not yet available and are expected to be published with the market launch in 2026.

For riders looking for a balanced mix of on-road comfort and off-road traction, the TKC 802 could be an exciting option. If the advertised performance proves convincing in practice, the tire is likely to significantly enhance the adventure segment of the Harley-Davidson portfolio.

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