40 Years of TKC 80: the Legend Lives On
- A Continental icon celebrates its 40th anniversary
- Distinctive tread design, continuously optimized performance
- Launch of the “On the Trail of a Legend” campaign in March 2025
- Exclusive anniversary package for customers in selected markets
Hanover, Germany, March 6, 2025. Boasting a huge fan base that is just as devoted to the all-rounder today as it was 40 years ago, the iconic TKC 80 is celebrating a rare anniversary in the motorcycle scene. Despite the world of enduros being completely different in 1985, the TKC 80 has managed to constantly adapt to new performance levels and continues to impress motorcyclists from all over the world with its excellent riding performance. In honor of the 40th anniversary, Continental is launching the “On the Trail of a Legend” campaign and is bringing an exclusive promotion for customers to market in selected countries.
Key to its early success: suitability for both off-road and on-road use
A rough tread and fine tuning are the hallmarks of the motorcycle tire that has been delivering excellent grip for dual-sport and long-distance enduros on everything from endless off-road trails to winding country roads since 1985. Right from its market launch in Estoril, Portugal, the TKC 80 received great acclaim from the large number of international journalists covering the event: A tire that was precisely tailored to the first travel-ready enduros of the time, with an on-road focus of 50 percent and an off-road focus of 50 percent, and that offered consistent durability in all conditions, was a real novelty. The all-rounder quickly became an intercontinental insider tip.
With the TKC 80, Continental was the tire supplier for the “Transdanubia Ride”, which ran from Munich via Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to Hungary between 1994 and 1998 – as well as for a variety of adventure riding technique training courses.
Ewan McGregor, who became widely known as Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars”, and his British actor colleague Charley Boorman chose the TKC 80 in 2004 for their motorcycle adventure “Long Way Round”. Filmed as a ten-episode documentary series, it took them 115 days and 30,395 kilometers to travel around the world – including the toughest routes such as the “Road of Bones” from Jakutsk to Magadan on the Russian Pacific coast.
Custom bike designers also like to use the TKC 80 – as did motorcycle refiner Wunderlich in 2012 for its legendary “MadMax” based on the BMW S 1000 RR.
Evolution: rising to the challenge
When the TKC 80 was launched, a BMW R 80 G/S with a weight of 200 kilograms, 50 hp and 800 cc displacement was considered the spearhead of the enduro segment. Tire sizes of 80/90-21 at the front and 120/70-17 at the rear were state of the art and had to cope with maximum torques of 60 Nm. Fast forward four decades and a lot has happened: The dimensions alone, with up to 120/70-19 at the front and 170/60-17 at the rear, show how much the TKC 80 has grown with its tasks. A weight of 270 kilograms, 145 horsepower, 1,300 cubic centimeters of displacement and an immense torque of 149 Nm – as in the case of a BMW R 1300 GS Adventure – have raised the bar for the German tire maker.
“Since its introduction, we have continuously developed the specifications of the tire while maintaining its distinctive and renowned tread design,” says Raphael Michels, Product Manager for Motorcycle Tires at Continental. Among these are continuous improvements to the compound to enhance wet grip and adapt to new EU regulations, the switch to a nylon carcass for optimized traction and comfort, and the change to aramid as a new breaker material to stabilize the tread.
Tried and tested features – popular with motorcycle manufacturers
Another thing that hasn't changed: the mileage of the TKC 80, the excellent self-cleaning ability of its tread blocks and the lateral stability on loose surfaces. Furthermore, the multi-tool for on- and off-road use meets the latest EU requirements and, thanks to its block-optimized arrangement, offers remarkably low noise levels.
It is therefore no wonder that renowned manufacturers such as BMW, KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas have consistently relied on the performance of the TKC 80 for decades. Today, it is used as original equipment on demanding dual-sport bikes such as the Husqvarna 701.
Special anniversary campaign “On the Trail of a Legend”
To mark the anniversary of the tire icon, a campaign will be launched in March 2025 that will be communicated via various online and offline channels. This will include, for the first time, Continental Motorcycle Tires' new global social media channels on Instagram and Facebook, which were launched in mid-February 2025. The “On the Trail of a Legend” campaign focuses on the success story of the TKC 80 and showcases why it remains so popular today.
Starting in March 2025, Continental will also be offering a limited-edition anniversary package for end consumers in selected markets: When they purchase a TKC 80 set, customers will receive a birthday package with exclusive extras, including motorcycle accessories and an air compressor to master the challenges of their respective fields with the ideal air pressure.
40 years – an ongoing success story
Backed by four decades of experience and countless adventure stories around the world, the TKC 80 remains synonymous with an unbroken spirit of discovery. Some particularly loyal fans are proud to have covered several hundred thousand kilometers with the TKC 80 over many years. “For a lot of motorcyclists, this tire is more than just a product – it is a companion on unforgettable journeys,” says Raphael Michels. “It is thanks to our continuous development that the TKC 80 remains the first choice for those who know no limits. Let us take another step on our journey ’On the Trail of a Legend' and explore the next destination together.”
Melina Kostmann
Marketing-Communications Manager Motorcycle Tires
Specialty Tires
Continental Tires