Unpopular Opinion: ADV Tyres Are Overkill in City!

If you’ve spent any time around the modern two-wheeler scene, you’ve probably noticed how everyone seems to want an ADV these days. From the KTM 390 Adventure to the all-new Apache RTX 300, “adventure” is the new buzzword. Tall stance, long suspension, wide handlebars — the works.

But here’s the catch: most of these ADVs rarely step off the tarmac. The toughest terrain they see is a monsoon pothole or a patch of loose gravel near a construction site. So, let’s just say it — ADV tyres, in pure city riding, are overkill.

Yeah, unpopular opinion, but let’s talk about it.

The Purpose Problem: ADV tyres are designed for one job, mixed-surface riding. Their semi-knobby tread pattern lets you grip in dirt, gravel, and slush — great if you’re doing Leh, not if you’re doing Lower Parel.

On city roads, those chunky tread blocks don’t add value — they reduce it. The knobs flex, the grip patch is smaller, and the ride feels a bit ‘buzzy’. You’re basically lugging around dirt-ready shoes on a marathon track. Sure, they look aggressive, but functionally, they’re misplaced.

Rolling Resistance = Harder Work for Your Engine

Here’s something most riders don’t realize, every knobby tread means more rolling resistance. The engine has to push harder to keep the tyre spinning smoothly. On bikes like the KTM 390 Adventure, you can actually feel it — the bike feels ever so slightly heavier off the line.

That also translates to:

▪️A small dent in fuel efficiency.More tyre noise at higher speeds.

▪️A bit of vibration through the bars and pegs.

Switching to a proper road-biased tyre, say a Metzeler M5 or a Michelin Road 5, instantly makes the bike feel lighter, smoother, and more eager to rev. 

It’s like taking off a pair of trekking boots and putting on sneakers — same legs, different vibe.

Stopping Power and Grip on Tarmac

Let’s talk about braking — because city riders face this every day. Someone cuts across, a delivery scooter dives in, and you grab a handful of front brake.

With ADV tyres, your contact patch is smaller and uneven under heavy braking. The tread blocks squirm, and you lose that crisp bite.

Road tyres, on the other hand, are built for this. Wider, flatter, and with uniform grooves — they hug the asphalt. You stop sooner, lean smoother, and feel more confident flicking through gaps in traffic. 

That’s the difference between good enough and spot-on performance.

Comfort Matters More Than You Think

ADV tyres are built tough — literally. Stiffer sidewalls, harder rubber, and reinforced layers to handle sharp gravel and rocks. But in a city where your “trail” is mostly broken roads and speed humps, that toughness turns against you.

The tyres thump harder over small bumps and send more jitters through the handlebars. You get that mild “buzz” even at 60-70 km/h. 

With road tyres, the whole ride feels more composed — quieter, calmer, and just right for urban conditions.

The New Breed of ADVs Are Already Road-Biased

Look at the modern ADV lineup. The KTM 390 Adventure, TVS Apache RTX 300, Honda NX500, even Suzuki V-Strom SX — none of these are hardcore off-roaders. 

Most come with alloy wheels, not spokes. Their suspension is tuned for comfort on bad roads, not trail jumps.They’re basically tall sport-tourers with ADV-style ergonomics.

So why keep dual-purpose tyres when the rest of the bike is clearly designed around road use?

With proper road tyres, these modern ADVs feel sharper, nimbler, and more fun to ride in traffic or on fast twisty highways.

Cost, Mileage, and the Practical Side

Now, let’s be honest — ADV tyres are expensive, and they don’t last as long when used mostly on city roads. The tread blocks wear unevenly, the middle goes flat faster, and soon you’re stuck with a noisy, patchy tyre that’s lost its charm.

Road tyres offer better value here, uniform wear pattern, longer life on tarmac, often cheaper to replace. So, you’re not just getting better performance — you’re saving money too. Win-win.

Style Over Substance: The Real Trap

A lot of riders stick with dual-purpose tyres for one simple reason — they look cool.

Let’s face it, a knobby tyre adds instant adventure vibes to your bike. It looks capable, rugged, and “ready for Ladakh” even if your daily ride ends at Powai Café.

But once you experience how much better your bike handles with road tyres, those looks start to feel like unnecessary baggage. Keep the handguards, bash plate, and tall screen if you love the ADV vibe — but let the tyres match where you actually ride.

When Dual-Purpose Still Makes Sense

Of course, dual-purpose tyres aren’t bad. If you do weekend trail runs, regularly hit under-construction stretches, or ride through rural regions with unpredictable terrain — keep them. 

They’ll give you added peace of mind on loose surfaces. But if you’re 90–95% on tarmac, all you’re doing is compromising your own comfort and performance for a look. And honestly, that’s not what smart riding is about.

The KTM 390 Adventure Example

Let’s take the KTM 390 Adventure as a live example — because it’s the one most riders debate about. Stock tyres like the Metzeler Tourance or MRF Mogrip Meteor are decent all-rounders. But the moment you switch to road-biased sport-touring tyres, the bike transforms.

Owners who made the change consistently report:

▪️Sharper cornering control.

▪️More confidence under braking.

▪️Smoother and quieter highway cruising.

▪️An overall lighter, more responsive feel.

You suddenly realize how capable that 43 bhp motor really is once the tyres stop fighting the tarmac.

Final Thoughts

ADV tyres look the part, no doubt — but in real-world city riding, they’re more style than substance. You lose grip where it matters, ride comfort takes a hit, and fuel efficiency drops — all for a feature you never use.If most of your rides are within urban limits, switching to high-quality road tyres is probably the smartest, most transformative upgrade you can make. 

You’ll unleash the full potential of your mid-size ADV — and honestly, it’ll make your daily ride a lot more enjoyable. At the end of the day, adventure is a mindset, not a tread pattern.