This Spring I tried a set of Anakee 3's on my F800GS. This is the new Michelin dual sport design that replaces the long-time favorite Anakee 2. Both are radials. Lots of pavement traction, but I sensed a labored feeling, and my average mileage dropped to 50 MPG. L to R: TKC80, Anakee 2, TKC80, Anakee 3 Just had the TKC80's installed, and my average MPG just jumped back to 57 MPG! My previous favorite tire combination of TKC80 front and Anakee2 rear had always settled in at about 56 MPG. That's more than a 10% hit in mileage for that new tire design. Dang... So, the mystery of high-rolling-resistance solved. Didn't see any mention of that in the Anakee 3 reviews. What am I always the only one to discover these things? They tell me that the Anakee 2's are now discontinued. I snagged one of the two remaining that my dealer had, but when that's gone, I'll be searching for a new favorite. For what it's worth... Greg Oh, yeah... The Anakee 3's are buzzier new than the TKC80's are! Of course, the TKC80's, which are quite smooth when new, get more buzzy (on pavement, of course) as they wear down, particularly the rear.
That's odd. I went from Pilot Trail 3's to Anakee II's to now a set of Anakee III's. I saw no difference in MPG on any of them.... Mine were on my '12 GSA 1200.
I just got the best mileage I've ever gotten on my Tiger 800XC on a 2000+ km trip running Anakee 3s. 62mpg Imperial.
Yeah...unless the overall circumference of the tires was different resulting in a PERCEIVED drastic change in MPG. ac
At the prompting of my son, I measured, as accurately as I could, the diameters of all three styles. All the same. Also, less peppy / labored engine should track in the opposite direction as worse mileage (shorter or taller final ratio) due to a diameter difference. I had both with the 3's -- perceptibly worse pep and worse mileage. Same tire pressure as always. ---Just reporting what I have measured. 2000 miles on the 3's. Switch to other tires and the word jump is a proper description of the immediate increase in mileage. Too grippy a tread design? That's all I can conclude. It is different from most tires, with lots of grooves nearly at right angles to the direction of travel. --Greg
It is hard to conceive your findings. Wondering what other factors there could be? Never the less, your report is appreciated. Thanks.
OK, my face is red. I was premature in my post, because I should have accumulated more mileage before my conclusion. The average mpg reading on this trip computer function starts high, then works its way down to equilibrium. It looked like it had leveled out at ~57 mpg, but with further riding, the mpg for the new tires also dipped down to the low level of ~50mpg. My apologies to Michelin and others. But I now am confident of the real reason for my reduced mpg, and see the numbers rising to confirm that---- At my last service (2k miles ago) when I got the Anakee 3's installed, they also changed my oil. A&S BMW had decided to switch everything to Amsoil 20w-50 synthetic. Sounded like a good idea to me, so I said 'yes.' I had previously been running 10w-40 Castrol GTX. Well, I just replaced that 20w-50 with my previous choice, and I think I'm back to "normal." It would seem that it just takes too much power to pump that heavier oil through this engine. Must have crossed some threshold, because I don't think it's a linear response (that is, I don't think 10w-30 would further elevate the numbers - not that I'd consider it anyway). The reason I think my most recent conclusion is valid is that as the average number is "built" (accumulated data), I saw it start high, then dip down to 53-ish, and with continued riding, it's climbing up through 55 mpg again, as the values oscillate on their way to equilibrium. The synthetic oil may be slippery, but too heavy cancels out that effect, causing the engine to labor. Just heading out on another 3k mile trip, so I'll get another varied-terrain test. Greg
You had me going there! Thanks for the post and all the good info. Get us some pics of those tires in action! -- Jason
I have a couple thousand miles on my Anakee IIIs. I've read some not so good reviews but I love mine. Great for road and decent off road which is what I expected. They suck on long wet grass though but pretty much anything does.
The only complaint I have seen is noise, a few wanted them to be a road race tire/mud bog knobby rolled in to one, but I discount them. Agree for a 90/10 tire they are great on the road and stick very well in the twisties, and rain, but if you are doing anything tougher than good hard pack on a regular basis, probably not the right choice. As far as noise, I wear ear plugs. I am impressed with the wear! They will be my tire of choice until I find something better.
I just put a set of Anakee 3s on my 800XC. These tires are LOUD at 55 - 60MPH. On my first ride it sounded like a turbine was spinning up around 50MPH and the sound just got louder and louder up to 58MPH and then slowly subsided. Wow. :eek1 I wear ear plugs all of the time and they did not help. The volume has decreased somewhat with more wear but my guess is that they will always make some noise. I should have gotten another set of the Scorpions. I've been a big Michelin tire fan for my cars and bikes but these do not make the grade. I hope they wear out quick!
Hmmm, this is odd. I just put a rear Anakee 3 on 1200 hundred miles or so ago , coming from Scorpions. I haven't noticed any increase in sound. Haven't done the front one yet though. Think the front makes that much difference?
anybody know when the Wild is to be available? Michelin is giving me the run around, don't blame them I suppose. would like to try them to compare to TKC80...
It's possible. My front is a 90/90-21 which is a bias-ply. I can't locate where the sound is coming from though. Maybe some other 800XC owners will chime in. I've owned several motorcycles in my time and have never experienced anything like the sound from these tires.
I've got a couple thousand kms on mine and haven't noticed any difference in noise from the OEM Battlewings. I'll try to listen more carefully on the way to work tomorrow. Wonder if it's just your road surface? Are you on asphalt or that lovely concrete stuff your highway dept is fond of using.
I've been on several types of road surfaces and it seems the same. I don't hear it when I ride in the dirt.
I just put about 500 miles on mine. They seem to handle twisties great. Dry road grip is excellent. No rain or wet roads yet (which is wierd for Western Washington). The noise is definitely noticeable. In fact when I first ran them I thought my rear bearings were going out, but then figured out it was the tires. With ear plugs it isn't too bad. Wear seems really good. After 500 miles there is no visible wear and even some of the little rubber nipples from the mold are still present even in the center, which makes me think the compound will hold up well. Overall I would say I am satisfied so far. Will report back after running them to Alaska and back. That should give experience on wet, dry, gravel and mild mud, as well as wear over time. Paul