Since 1985, TKC 80 remains one of the most emblematic tires for continental. Versatile, robust and regularly updated, this envelope has gone through decades by adapting to developments in modern trails, while seducing a community of preparers and bikers wider than that of all-terrain travelers. A beautiful notoriety tool for continental.
The TKC 80 was born in 1985. By launching this tire, Continental wanted to respond to an increasing demand for tires suitable for ground tracks as well as asphalt roads. The context of the time saw the development of versatile machines, the best example of which is undoubtedly the BMW R 80 g/s. The trails then took off and left the trails to reach the bitumen. One of the major assets of the TKC 80 is already manifested at the time: a tread made up of crampons ensuring good motor skills on the furniture floors, while being usable on the road. Thanks to this balance, it equips several versatile motorcycles of the time, such as the Yamaha XT600, Honda XL600 and the KTM 640 LC4. He strengthens his notoriety by being adopted by the organizers of the Transdanubia Ride rally between 1994 and 1998, then by the Community of Travelers Off Road. One of the most generated notoriety episodes for this tire intervenes in 2004, with the long expedition Way Round, led by actor Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman. This 30,000 km trip on several continents highlights TKC 80 and at the same time popularized motorcycle adventure, in a different form from that advocated until then by African rallies.
From the desert to the cafes terraces
From the 2010s, the development of customization with a new audience offers a new life at TKC 80. Thanks to its design, the latter appealed to many preparers. More or less improbable machines thus adopt these mixed envelopes, like the BMW S 1000 RR “Mad Max” commissioned by Wunderlich in 2012. Despite its all-terrain orientation, the tire is thus found on motorcycles of all types, including cafe-races very far from the sands of the desert. This fashion effect thus widens the notoriety of the tire but also that of the brand on the motorcycle market. A success that goes so far as to bear the name TKC 80 beyond that of Continental in certain bikers. This image success is accompanied by a welcome commercial longevity for the German manufacturer. A career that was only possible to evolve technically. Designed for motorcycles of around fifty horses for less than 200 kg, it is able today to equip machines like the new BMW R 1300 GS Adventure, 145 horsepower for 270 kg. This adaptation has gone through changes in the carcass and the erase mixture, while retaining the look that made the tire successful. Crampons that are found today on envelopes of more road than all-terrain dimensions. If an important part of its success goes through the replacement market, the TKC 80 still teams several models in the first rises, like some models of the KTM group. To mark this anniversary, Continental launches a special operation entitled “In the footsteps of a legend”, which will see the buyers of a TKC 80 train receive a anniversary kit. A way to strengthen the link with the end customer, who played an important role in the success of this tire.
