The new Metzeler Karoo Street is aimed at adventure motorcycle owners who want the freedom to ride both on and off the tarmac.
BMW’s GS range has dominated this market for years, so it was no surprise that a range of the Bavarian manufacturer’s bikes were on hand at the official tyre launch in Sicily earlier this year.
In order to put them through their paces, BMW Motorcycle Magazine sent Maik Schwarz along to the launch. After over 100 kilometres of riding including 11km off-road around Mount Etna, he’s been sharing his thoughts with readers.
In the magazine, Maik says:
“Although it might look finer than the Karoo 3, it is significantly rougher than the Tourance Next. In fact, during our test round at Mount Etna, the Karoo Street has proven that it feels good on any terrain – and we feel comfortable with it.
Whether on a current BMW R1200GS with its 125bhp air/water-cooled boxer engine, a slightly older 1200 with its air/oil-cooled engine (as well as the previous 1150 and 1100 versions), or the F800GS with a 21-inch front wheel, the new Metzeler rubber feels as good on dry and wet surfaces as the often used Tourance Next – without sacrificing grip, handling or stability. In development, deliberate attention was also paid to how the tyre would interact with ABS and limited slip controls. At higher speeds of around 60mph (100km/h), the Karoo Street rolls with a quiet hum, comparable to winter tyres on a car. But it keeps these heavy bikes safely on track, beyond the harmless dirt roads, even if the loose ground is slippery and damp.”
The full review is available in the Fall 2018 issue of the magazine.
You can view the full Karoo Street range here.
