A new X-Grip King Kong Sticky Extreme Enduro “gummy” rear tyre in 140/80-18 size developed in real race conditions with the X-Grip Racing Team in the Hard Enduro and SuperEnduro World Championships.

Designed, developed and used at the highest level of off-road enduro sport, the X-Grip King Kong Sticky is made for roots, rocks and as they put it: everything Hard Enduro riders love.

Developed with the X-Grip Racing Team, Mitch and Ashton Brightmore plus Dieter Rudolf, the King Kong was tested in the Hard Enduro World Championship and the FIM SuperEnduro World Championship.

Kirsten Landman jokingly called it an “unfair advantage” at the Red Bull Romaniacs as proof of how and where development has taken place. The tyre is also on the back wheel of Mitch Brightmore for consecutive SuperEnduro podiums this season and fought Billy Bolt for second place in the ’25 Hard Enduro World Championship.

They say: Developed in race conditions, not on a drawing board. Anyone who rides extreme enduro knows the problem of tyres which look good on paper, but lose grip exactly where it gets nasty. Wet roots, slick rocks, steep steps, riverbeds, low speed, no momentum - those conditions were the target for the King Kong Sticky.

The tyre was developed under real race pressure and refined over a full season in the harshest conditions. Feedback from the X-Grip Racing Team went straight into the tread, carcass and compound.

King Kong Sticky Technical Details:

V-block tread layout for drive and control
The distinctive V layout supports climbing traction and delivers stable feedback as surfaces change.

Open pattern for effective self-cleaning
In technical Hard Enduro, self-cleaning isn’t just “nice”, it’s critical. The open layout helps eject mud and loose material quickly, even at low speed.

Central guidance groove for tracking
The central groove supports precise line holding without making the tyre feel nervous.

Sticky compound for maximum mechanical interlock
The extra-soft, tacky Sticky compound is designed to bite and hold. On wet roots and slick rocks it really shines, especially in slow, technical sections.

FIM-Approved tyre

Regulations in FIM enduro competition officially say 13mm tread depth for an event where the course runs on a public road. However in hard enduro and closed course events, the standing regulations for that race apply and can be different. 

Technical data:

• Size: 140/80-18 M/C 70M
• 2-ply polyester carcass
• Designed in Austria
• Optimised for X-Grip Mousse SSE-2
• Can also be used with a tube
• With SSE-2 Mousse, two rim locks are recommended

Intended use

The King Kong Sticky is built for conditions where traction matters more than anything else. Typical terrain: roots, riverbeds, slick rocks, soft ground and steep climbs. Exactly the zones where “a bit more grip” isn’t enough. “It’s the difference between riding on and getting off” X-Grip say.

Recommended use is events like Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, Red Bull Romaniacs, Sea to Sky, and interestingly the SuperEnduro team is using them also indoors. See below for recommended mousse option for outdoor hard enduro but the indoor boys use a gummy tyre and then a medium mousse (as a general rule, can vary depending on conditions).

X-Grip Mousse recommendation

For Extreme Enduro use, X-Grip recommends pairing the tyre with X-Grip Mousse SSE-2 (Super Soft Extreme). Depending on terrain and setup, an alternative from the X-Grip Mousse range can make sense when more stability or longevity is required.

Availability: Available now through specialist dealers.

More information: www.x-grip.at

Photo Credit: X-Grip + Future7Media