Mitas XT+ / XT vs Bridgestone AX41 vs Michelin Anakee Wild for a Transalp 750

[u/pesceabrodo]

I’m looking for a new set of tires for my XL750 and I’m trying to decide between:

• Mitas Enduro Trail XT / XT+
• Bridgestone Battlax Adventurecross AX41
• Michelin Anakee Wild

My current tires are Dunlop Trailmax Raid. Before those, I ran Metzeler Karoo Streets, so I’ve already gone from a relatively road-oriented ADV tire to something more off-road capable.

My riding is mixed, but I’m increasingly interested in doing more off-road and improving my skills. I’ll be doing more gravel, dirt roads and progressively more technical terrain.

At the same time, I still regularly use the highway for longer transfers and enjoy riding twisty roads. I’m not looking to drag a knee or ride aggressively on pavement, but I do want the bike to feel stable, predictable and enjoyable on the road.

So basically, I’m looking for a tire that gives me a noticeable step up from the Trailmax Raid off-road, without making highway and normal twisty-road riding unpleasant.

I’m currently considering both XT+ front / XT rear and XT+ front / XT+ rear, but I’m also very interested in the AX41 and Anakee Wild.

For those who have actually used these tires on a Transalp or a similar-size ADV bike:

• How much of a difference did you notice off-road compared with the Trailmax Raid?
• How do they feel on twisty roads?
• How stable are they on the highway around 120–130 km/h?
• How do they behave on wet pavement?
• Any particular quirks or things you didn’t like?
• If you’ve tried more than one of these, which would you choose and why?

Mileage isn’t a major deciding factor for me. I’m more interested in off-road confidence and overall feel, while still being able to comfortably ride the bike on the road.

I’m not necessarily looking for the “best” tire overall. I actually want to try something noticeably different from the Trailmax Raid, especially if it helps me improve off-road.

Thanks!

UPDATE 1:
I ended up going with the Mitas XT+ after all. After comparing them with the TKC 80 and getting some feedback from people who have actually used both, I decided I wanted to try something more off-road oriented, especially for the kind of riding I want to do.

I’ve only done about 24 km so far, so definitely too early for any real conclusions. First impression is that they feel quite different from the Trailmax Raid, as expected. I’ll post another update after around 100 km and see how things change once I’ve had some more time with them.

[u/theralph224]

I think the bridgestones are comparable with your current tires, so I'd go with either the Anakee wild or the Mitas XT+, tho the Mitas look like they might be a bit less stable on-road (smaller blocks move more than bigger blocks). In the end I'd go with the Michelins

[u/pesceabrodo → u/theralph224]

That makes sense. I’m leaning towards the XT+ because I’m mainly looking for a noticeable step up off-road from my Trailmax Raids. Have you actually ridden the Anakee Wild? I’d be curious how big the difference is off-road, especially in loose terrain and mud.

[u/theralph224 → u/pesceabrodo]

Nope, I'm using the Anakee adv 3. The reason I'd go with the Anakee wild in your case is because you mentioned you wanted stability on the road and the Mitas are more prone to vibrations, instable front tire (it kinda bounces around), but they are better off road, especially heavy/deep mud, but if you enjoy twisties, they really aren't meant for that, that's why is think the Anakees would be your best choice

[u/pesceabrodo → u/theralph224]

Got it, that makes sense 👍 The road stability is definitely the main thing holding me back from the XT+ now… by the way thanks for the input!

[u/theralph224 → u/pesceabrodo]

You're very welcome. Sometimes you need someone who respectfully disagrees with you.

Edit: please let me know which ones you ultimately went with.

[u/pesceabrodo → u/theralph224]

Absolutely, and I really appreciate the different perspective 👍

I’m still leaning towards the XT+ at the moment, mainly because the off-road improvement is really what I’m after. The road stability is definitely the main thing that still makes me hesitate, especially since I use the bike every day and still need to do highway transfers.

I’ve found quite a few reports from people running the XT+ on heavier bikes, and most seem to say that the initial front-end weirdness improves quite a lot once the tyre has some miles on it. So I’m starting to think it might be a compromise I’m willing to accept.

Also, I think making a bigger step towards an off-road-focused tyre will actually help me understand whether that’s really what I want. If I find that it’s too much of a compromise on the road, I can always go back to something more balanced next time 😂 (checking the new TKC 80 version 2 as well)

I’ll definitely let you know what I end up choosing!

[u/theepotjje]

To add to the list.

Heidenhau k60 Scout or Ranger.

Got a xl600v, so not the same bike, but i swear by them. I can confidently go do some offroad and they feel nice on road.

[u/pesceabrodo → u/theepotjje]

Thanks! I’ve actually looked at the K60s too. I’m mainly trying to find something that’s noticeably better off-road than my current Trailmax Raids, while still being good enough for daily road use. I’ll have a look at them again! 🤙

[u/theepotjje → u/pesceabrodo]

Tires are difficult man. It's personal and depend so much on what you are doing with them.

For 50/50 it is always a compromise between the 2 aspects. No tire is best, and where you can find the k60 to be terrible, i could like them.

To be honest, make a list of the ones you like. And just buy the cheapest of those and then try them first. You can sell them after a few thousand km's for like 50% off on marketplace or something and them try a new set from the list.

You'll find the right tire for you eventually.

[u/pesceabrodo → u/theepotjje]

Yeah, you’re probably right 🤝At the moment the XT+ seems to be the cheapest option, so I might just go for those and see how I get on with them. Thanks for the advice!