First announced in 2021, the Bridgestone AT41 was immediately overlooked by most of the adventure motorcycle community.
The more rugged AX41 had just been released, and the AT41 was seen as nothing more than restyled A41 touring tyre.
Bridgestone’s own marketing even labelled the AT41 as for ‘riders who value the off-road look.’
That’s not the kind of self-sabotage we typically see from tire manufactures.
They might as well have said “great for riding to Starbucks on a Sunday afternoon.”
Yet my experience with the tire is extremely positive.
Pros:
- Excellent road handling
- Superb wet weather performance
- Better off road than they have right to be
Cons:
- Nosier than more aggressive tires
- Mileage could be better
The test mule for this tyre was a 2021 KTM 890 Adventure. The testing ground, some 5,000 miles across Europe, on billiard table smooth roads, pot-holed hell-holes, hard packed dirt, gravel, soft sand, stony river beds, and even a top speed run at an airbase.
The tires were run at 35 psi on the road, and 25 psi when aired down, as per KTM’s recommendation. Here’s how they held up.
On road performance
On the road the AT41 feels like a sports touring tire. It has excellent road manners, and eats up country lanes, mountain passes, and inconsistent bitumen.
Whether you’re on a KTM 890 adventure, and R1250GS, or a Ducati Multistrada 950, the level of grip and performance these tires offer won’t be holding you back.
From hard acceleration, to hard braking, the AT41 felt planted, and neutral, with no appreciable vibration even at triple digit speeds.
Cornering is superb from new, and turn in is predicable. Sportier riders might prefer a quicker turn in, but on a 200kg adventure bike I found it perfectly fast enough.
Regardless of your preference, the AT41 will happily allow you scrape your foot pegs all day long if that’s what you like.
Off road performance
Bridgestone refers to the AT41 as “an on road tire that matches the adventure spirit of your bike.” Visually I’d agree. The tread is shallow, and the distance between the grooves is tight. It does look like road tyre in the same vein as Metzeler Tourance 2.
Yet my first foray off the tar convinced me otherwise.
On dry gravel and hard compact surfaces, the tires performed as well if not better than some 50/50 competitors. Any slip was controlled, and sliding the rear out was precise and predictable.
On loser surfaces, the front wants to give up before the rear, but if you’re aware you aren’t running a 50/50 tire, you can happily push harder than you’ve any right to.
I didn’t come across any mud in this test, but given the brief of this tire, that is probably for the best. That being said, I did find myself riding in sand in Albania, and was amazed at the performance for was is a street oriented tire.
I rode it back-to-back with a Pirelli Scorpion STR, and while I could feel difference in traction with the Pirelli, the AT41 still got me where I wanted to go.
Wet weather performance
Performance on wet and damp roads was one of the areas Bridgestone focused on with this tire, and it really shows.
In Bridgestone’s own test, they found the AT41 to be up to 5 seconds quicker around a damp track than the purely street based A41 touring tire.
What was more impressive for me was just how the tires maintained their wet grip even when worn.
This was something the outgoing Metzeler Karoo 3 had always struggled with. Great when new, but fell off a proverbial cliff when part worn. Fortunately, the Bridgestone’s suffer none of that.
Noise and comfort
Before we get started it’s worth mentioning that all deep grooved and knobbly tires make noise. Some are better than others though.
I’ve ridden a wide section of tires from dirt orientated lines like the Pirelli MT21, 40/60 tires like Mitas’ E09, to 50/50 tires such as the TKC80, Karoo 3, or Anakee Wild.
Despite being more street oriented, the AT41 was louder than all of these on the road. I expected these to sound similar to the Heidenau K60, or Mitas E07.
Instead, riding back from the tire fitter, I was constantly looking around to see if there was a large 4×4 expedition vehicle behind me.
I ride with ear plugs (these from Ear Peace are my favourite), but even at low speeds around town, the sound is obnoxiously loud considering the treat pattern.
Ride comfort with the AT41 was great. While these tires have a stiffer sidewall than you’d find on a pure road-going tire like the its A41 cousin, it is still relatively soft for an adventure tire. That helps them soak up bumps on poor road surfaces.
It also means that you shouldn’t air down too much when riding off road. You’ve been warned.
Mileage, wear and longevity
With just over 6,000 miles on the tires the rear got down to the central wear bars. Performance on and off road was still good, but I found extended use on gravel would square it badly.
I was able to round it off again with aggressive leaning on fast twisty roads, but it was clear it was reaching the end of its useful life.
By this stage the front still easily has another 2-3,000 miles left in it, but you might as well change both for consistency in grip and handling.
Other users have managed less, with those on heavier adventure bikes getting an average of 3,500-4,000 miles.
I found the grip in both dry and wet conditions to be relatively unaffected by the wear, which isn’t often the case (Metezler Karoo 3 I’m looking at you).
What really accelerated the wear for me, was not riding off road, but doing top speed runs on an abandoned airfield. Fun for me, but this probably isn’t tire for that job.
Who is the Bridgestone AT41 tyre for?
The Bridgestone AT41 tires are a great street focused and light off road tire, for those who value premium construction, road handling, and wet weather grip.
If you’re on a mid-sized adventure bike, and will be predominately riding on sealed roads, or hard packed gravel or dirt, then these are some of the best there is in terms of overall performance.
If your focus is longer distance touring, or you plan of riding in loser surfaces, and more than 10% off road, you’d be better served by a more aggressive or longer lasting tire.
Conclusion – would I recommend them?
I changed these tires out at the around the 7,000 mile mark. That was 7,000 miles of fast tar, highways, dirt, gravel, mountain climbs, a little 2-up riding, and even some sand.
At no point did the AT41 let me down. In fact, quite the opposite. They confidence inspiring, predictable, and dependable in all weathers.
Yes, they do have some limitations off road. You aren’t going to ride the Welsh section of the TET on them, but they perform well within their design brief.
On the road, they better than their sport touring A41 cousin, with the only cavate being the excessive drone from the treat pattern.
Would I buy the Bridgestone AT41 again for my bike? Absolutely! And would recommend them to anyone with a big adventure bike looking for 90/10 adventure tire.
Alternatives
Popular alternatives to the Bridgestone AT41 include:
Mezeler Tourance Next 2
A more street focused tire with similar life and grip levels on the road in both wet and dry conditions. Worse performance off road.
Mezeler Karoo Street
Similarly styled to the AT41, lower performance all round, and older technology
Michelin Anakee Adventure
An adventure touring tire aimed at those covering longer distances on sealed roads and light unpaved roads. Packed full of the latest tech, and with superb wet weather grip, while offering slightly better longevity than the Bridgestones. That seems to be a common theme when comparing Bridgestone tires to Michelin.
Continental Trail Attack 3
The Trail Attack 3 is the update version of Continental’s Trail Attack line of tires. Less popular than the famous TCK80 but much better suited to faster on road riding.
In terms of performance and technology, the Trail Attack 3 is probably the closet to the AT41 you’ll find. That makes sense, since it’s a development of Road attack sport touring tire, just as the A41 is a development of the A41. They don’t have the tread grooves the AT41 has though, so not quite as good off the tar.
Bridgestone AT41 Tire FAQ
1. What type of motorcycle is the Bridgestone AT41 designed for?
The Bridgestone AT41 is designed for adventure motorcycles, offering a balance between on-road comfort and minor off-road capability.
2. How does the AT41 perform in wet conditions?
The AT41 features a tread pattern optimized for water drainage, along with a silica-rich compound that enhances grip on wet roads. Riders report good confidence in rainy conditions.
3. Is the AT41 a 50/50 adventure tire?
No, the AT41 is more road-biased, with a design that prioritizes on-road performance while still offering light off-road capability. It is closer to a 80/20 tire (80% road, 200% off-road).
4. How does the AT41 compare to the Battlax Adventure A41?
While both are adventure tires, the AT41 has a more aggressive tread pattern than the A41, making it better suited for occasional off-road use. The A41 is more focused on pure road performance.
5. What sizes are available for the AT41?
Bridgestone offers the AT41 in various front and rear sizes to fit popular adventure motorcycles. Check the manufacturer’s website or your local dealer for specific fitments.
Front fitment:
110/80R19 M/C 59V TL
120/70R19 M/C 60V TL
90/90-21 M/C 54V TL
Rear fitment:
130/80R17 M/C 65H TL
150/70R17 M/C 69V TL
170/60R17 M/C 72V TL
150/70R18 M/C 70V TL
6. What kind of mileage can I expect from the AT41?
Tire lifespan depends on riding style and conditions, but many riders report good durability, with the rear tire lasting around 6,000–10,000 miles under mixed usage.
7. Is the Bridgestone AT41 suitable for deep mud or sand?
The AT41 is not ideal for deep mud or sand due to its more road-oriented tread pattern. A dedicated off-road tire would perform better in those conditions.
8. Does the AT41 provide good comfort on long rides?
Yes, the tire is designed for adventure touring, offering a smooth ride and low noise levels, making it a good choice for long-distance travel.
9. How does the AT41 handle gravel roads?
The AT41 performs well on gravel and hard-packed dirt, offering decent traction while maintaining stability. However, it’s not as aggressive as a dedicated off-road tire. It will still get you places you’ve got no right going to.
10. Is the AT41 available in tubeless (TL) and tube type (TT) versions?
Yes, the AT41 is available in both TL and TT versions, depending on the size and application.
11. Where is the Bridgestone AT41 made?
The Bridgestone AT41 is manufactured in Japan, where Bridgestone produces many of its high-performance motorcycle tires.
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