While making tyres purely for on-road purposes is challenging, such tyres offer a lot more predictability than those built for off-road or dual-purpose applications. The diverse variety of conditions that these tyres withstand in the real world is simply impossible to replicate in a controlled environment. While our first experience of TVS Eurogrip’s tread talk event involved testing its Roadhound superbike tyres at the Kari Motor Speedway, this time, we had the opportunity to test its dual-purpose tyres in real-world conditions. The tyres in question were the off-road / rough-road Terrabite and dual-purpose Duratrail tyres. Our journey to test these tyres began at TVS Eurogrip’s headquarters in Madurai, spanning 150km southwards to the hill station of Thekkady in Kerala.
TVS Eurougrip Terrabite and Duratrail Tyre Review: First Impressions
As soon as you encounter these two tyre models first-hand, their distinct purposes become immediately apparent. The Terrabite series features a knobby design with big blocks and deep treads to provide the best traction possible on loose surfaces. The Duratrail tyres, on the other hand, feature a block-like pattern on the outer section for enhanced grip and have an overall flatter, rounded profile for better stability and enhanced cornering grip on the tarmac.
Both models are designed to prioritize traction on loose surfaces, durability, stability and longevity. The Terrabite tyres are available in just two sizes – 90/90-19 and 110/90-18. For our testing purposes, TVS Eurogrip had installed these tyres on a few Royal Enfield Classic 350s. The Duratrail tyres, on the other hand, are meant for a broader purpose and, therefore, are available in a wide range of sizes. For the test, we used the Royal Enfield Himalayan to evaluate their performance in dual-purpose usage conditions.
TVS Eurougrip Terrabite and Duratrail Tyre Review: City and Highway Performance
Before delving into the performance of these tyres under the conditions we subjected them to, it’s important to note that the bikes we had for the test were not in showroom-fresh condition. Consequently, there was a degree of uncertainty regarding their behaviour. None-the-less, I grabbed the keys to one of the RE Himalayan bikes for the first leg of the journey and set off towards the first pit stop. Of course, the best way to test the grip levels of a tyre is to push it to its limits in an attempt to make it lose traction. In this regard, I must say that the Duratrail tyres performed exceptionally well, for I found it quite difficult to make them lose traction over rough patches. On the tarmac, the Duratrail felt stable, although vibrations became a bit annoying while riding at triple-digit speeds. As I said, the bikes we rode were not in the best condition, which made it difficult to accurately assess the road noise and harshness of the tyres. However, the consensus of all the journalists present for the test was that the grip offered by the Duratrail tyres was exceptional.
One aspect of the tyres that could do with some improvement is the time they take for heat build-up. I first noticed this issue with the Roadhound tyres, and during the test, it became evident that both these models also suffer from the same issue. Now, TVS Eurogrip diligently strives to design tyres that are sturdy and user-friendly. Consequently, because they are built for longevity, they feel quite stiff when they are cold. However, once they warm up, their grip and manoeuvrability improve drastically. The heat build-up not just affects traction but also the tyre’s braking performance. The only problem is that these tyres take longer to heat up, meaning the more you ride, the better they perform. If you are looking for adventure-ready tyres for a sub-500cc motorcycles, the Apollo ActiGrip is also worth taking a look at.
TVS Eurougrip Terrabite and Duratrail Tyre Review: Rough Road and Loose Surfaces
For the second leg of our journey, I managed to get my hands on a motorcycle fitted with Terrabite tyres, and thankfully, the route ahead comprised a mix of gravel roads, broken tarmac, and uphill ghat sections. This, in my opinion, offered an ideal condition to thoroughly test these tyres. As soon as began the journey, I noticed that the Terrabite tyres also suffered from the slow heat build-up issue. However, given that when we resumed our ride, the ambient temperatures were quite high, the tyres quickly gained grip.
Compared to the Duratrail tyres, the Terrabite tyres are engineered to offer even better grip in rough conditions, which is precisely what we subjected them to. On the way, we tested them on loose gravel, muddy tracks, small water crossings, and extremely broken roads. Surprisingly, the tyres easily dealt with all these conditions, making me feel the need for more challenging terrains to push them to their performance limits. Without hesitation, we ventured off the paved roads and traversed dirt patches along the highway, where the tyres felt even more at home. We have also tested the Apollo Tramplr dual-purpose tyres in similar conditions, and here is how they performed.
By this point, we were just 30km away from our destination. The final stretch of the journey encompassed 12km of winding ghat sections interspersed with frequent broken patches of road. The only way to truly test these tyres in this terrain was to adopt a more aggressive approach, which meant a blatant disregard for mechanical sympathy and pushing full throttle out of every corner to assess traction. However, regardless of my attempts to unsettle the grip, the tyres remained confidently planted on the road. I found myself particularly impressed by their performance on the twisty sections rather than on smooth, straight stretches of the road.
TVS Eurougrip Terrabite and Duratrail Tyre Review: Verdict and Price
Overall, I think, the TVS Eurogrip Duratrail and Terrabite tyres are a valuable addition to the company’s line-up and serve as an excellent option for looking for the perfect rubber companion for motorcycles.
While they do have some room for improvement in terms of heat build-up, vibration control, and road noise, they offer excellent performance – in fact, during the test, they never gave us an opportunity to complain. In terms of prices, the Duratrail tyres range from ₹2,125 to ₹3,675, while the Terrabite tyres are priced between ₹2,100 and `2,500, depending on size. I would highly recommend these tyres to adventure enthusiasts and motorcyclists who frequently traverse rough roads, especially considering the competitive pricing offered by the company, making them great value-for-money products.
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