Roughly a year after refreshing its adventure tire lineup, Continental is back again, this time turning its attention to one of the most recognizable names in dual-sport riding. The TKC80 has been around long enough that many riders treat it as a known quantity, something you mount and forget about.
You could say that this is a bit ironic, since tires are one of the few components that matter every single second you’re riding, especially when you’re pushing hard on mixed terrain where traction, feedback, and predictability matter most.
At a higher level of riding, whether that’s charging down a gravel road on a loaded ADV or braking hard into a loose corner, tires stop being background equipment. They become the focus. And that’s exactly where the new TKC80² fits in. It’s not a radical reinvention for the sake of headlines. It’s a well-engineered rethink of a tire that already had a reputation to protect.
Continental, for those who only associate the name with cars, is a German brand with a long history in motorsports and motorcycle development. Its personality has always leaned more toward actually getting the job done than flashy marketing. The brand has been known to refine, test, and iterate until something simply works better. And that mindset shows veryclearly in the TKC80².
Visually, the new tire looks familiar, but spend more than a few seconds studying it, and the changes become pretty obvious. The tread blocks are larger and more evenly shaped, with optimized angles and a staggered layout designed to create more usable edges. Continental says the center contact patch is now 17 percent larger, which helps improve straight-line stability at highway speeds and reduces uneven wear over long distances.
Off-road, the revised block geometry is meant to deliver more consistent traction under braking, acceleration, and cornering. Instead of relying on aggressive voids, the TKC80² focuses on edge engagement. The shoulder blocks are staggered to dig in better on soft surfaces, while still remaining predictable on hardpack and pavement.
One of the more interesting decisions is the use of a bias-ply carcass rather than a radial design. Continental chose this for its better damping off-road, improved stability on uneven terrain, and reduced road noise. It’s an interesting reminder that sometimes older technology still make more sense for specific jobs.
That being said, the rubber compound is also new. Continental integrated its RainGrip technology, which improves wet asphalt traction without sacrificing durability. The goal was better confidence in the rain and on damp surfaces, while keeping mileage comparable to the original TKC80. According to Continental, that balance was a major focus during development.
Importantly, the TKC80² is designed to maintain the same clear feedback the original was known for. Riders still get a strong sense of where the limit is, rather than a vague or sudden loss of grip. That’s a big part of why the TKC80 became a benchmark in the first place.
The TKC80² will be available in a wide range of sizes, covering most modern ADV and dual-sport bikes. Front sizes include 100/90-19, 110/80-19, 120/70-19, and 90/90-21. Rear options range from 120/90-18 all the way up to 170/60-17. Continental says shipping begins in spring 2026.
And for riders worried the new tire might replace a favorite, there’s good news. The original TKC80 will remain in production alongside the TKC80². That gives riders a choice between a proven classic and a refined evolution.
Source: Continental
