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Metzeler ROADTEC 02 : Enhanced Performance and Sustainability
Great news for fans of the supersport touring tire from the traditional Munich manufacturer: Service information for the high-performance METZELER ROADTEC™ 02 is now available for approximately 500 motorcycle models. Additionally, following an update in sizes 120/70 ZR17 Roadtec 02 M and 180/55 ZR17 Roadtec 02 M, there is now a supplementary specification with the letter "M". Thanks in part to an optimized tread pattern, this version is even more versatile and perfectly suited for a wide variety of motorcycles.
The ROADTEC™ 02 is a perfect blend of technology and sustainability, combining the latest technological innovations from the brand and setting a new standard for the sport touring segment. Its characteristics are thanks in part to the patented adaptive tread technology DYNATREAD™. This allows the tire's behavior to adapt to the rider's riding style - from sport touring to supersport use. The ROADTEC™ 02 thus creates a new tire category: the "super sport touring" tire.
• New quintet of dimensions for the displacement class up to 300 cc
• Even more choice in the fast-growing sport touring segment
• Staggered introduction in the first half of 2024
The ContiRoad sport touring tire is now also available for bikers in the displacement class up to 300 cc. The five new dimensions of the sporty all-rounder will go on sale gradually by the second quarter of 2024: as 17-inch front tires in sizes 100/80-17 and 110/70-17, and as 17-inch rear tires in three sizes: 130/70-17 and 140/70-17 and 150/60-17.
RoadSmart IV GT receives BUYING TIP recommendation "Landstraße/Alltag"*
Test verdict "VERY GOOD" - also in the wetness score
After 2022 and 2023, the DUNLOP ROADSMART IV sport touring tire has once again achieved a very good test result. In this year's touring tire test by MOTORRAD magazine (issue 06/2024), the tested RoadSmart IV GT received the BUYING TIP recommendation "Road/Allday" (country road/everyday). Six tires were tested in sizes 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17 on a BMW R 1250 RS.
The RoadSmart IV GT was the test winner in the 2022 touring tire test (issue 7/2022; tested sizes: 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17). In 2023, the RoadSmart IV in the travel enduro dimensions 120/70ZR19 and 170/60ZR17 once again impressed the MOTORRAD test crew: In the "Landstraße/Alltag" category, the RoadSmart IV received the corresponding BUYING TIP award.
The MOTORRAD test crew was particularly impressed by the excellent handling on country roads: "The Dunlop's special feature is its very light-footed handling. [...] Sporty riders will be convinced by the good grip and the good feedback at a faster pace."
The RoadSmart IV was also convincing in terms of wet grip, so that the verdict was VERY GOOD here, as on country roads: "Saturated grip in the wet combined with light-footed handling result in good lap times in the wet test. The limit range is announced early, the traction is above average and makes it a well-predictable tire in bad weather."
A good grade was achieved in the third test criterion "wear": "It wears out on average, but very homogeneously front and rear. The profile wear does not harm the handling, and in direct comparison it remains ahead of the competition in this discipline even at the end of the wear test."
Here are some additional details from the test:
Overall, the RoadSmart IV GT performed very well in the MOTORRAD touring tire test 2024. It received the BUYING TIP recommendation "Landstraße/Alltag" and the test verdict "VERY GOOD."
If you are looking for a sport touring tire that offers excellent handling, grip, and stability in all weather conditions, the Dunlop RoadSmart IV GT is a great option.
Six tires were tested on a BMW R 1250 RS in the tire size 120/70 ZR17 and 180/55 ZR17 to prove their qualities. Five of the tires had already been extensively tested in the 2022 Touring Tire Test, but without the wear test together with the newcomer METZELER ROADTEC 02.
Handling on Land Roads and Everyday Use
Three brands with equal points prove how close the touring tires can be even after 2000 kilometers of test distance. Dunlop and Michelin retain their agile, handy character from the start, while Pirelli retains its stability when cornering quickly. The new Metzeler can't quite make it to the top and places itself in the midfield with Continental. The Bridgestone suffers badly from its wear, degrades heavily and therefore only gets a "good".
Wet Performance
Although this is not about absolute lap times, it reflects the level of the four best tires. Only 1.2 seconds separate the tires in the individual evaluation, and in the sum of all points, they are only separated by one point. Continental is also good, but with slight weaknesses in grip and steering precision. Due to its high wear, the Bridgestone no longer gives the rider a good feeling.
Wear Performance
Let's start with the most striking tire. The Bridgestone T 32 unfortunately stands out negatively from the test field, as it is already waving the white flag on the front wheel and shouting "I'm done". The Metzeler has also lost some feathers, but very evenly front and rear and without any major negative influences on the riding behavior. Continental does the same. Great, after 2000 kilometers there are still fun tires: the tires from Dunlop, Michelin and Pirelli.
For the complete test, get the Motorrad at the kiosk or online today.
In a notification published by the European Commission, Goodyear has recalled 477 potentially defective Dunlop motorcycle tyres.
The 2024 season begins for Dunlop with a tire recall: the tread on the Sportmax Roadsmart III sports touring tire can detach, which can lead to loss of control and a fall.
The wording from the manufacturer Goodyear:
"Goodyear-Dunlop has initiated a voluntary recall for the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart III motorcycle tire in size 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W) with production weeks 34, 35, 36, 46 and 47 of 2023. The affected tires can be used over identify the following tire identification numbers (TIN): 1DK8B 6F1M 3423, 1DK8B 6F1M 3523, 1DK8B 6F1M 3623, 1DK8B 6F1M 4623 and 1DK8B 6F1M 4723."
Continental is proud to announce that the new BMW M 1000 XR will come equipped with ContiRaceAttack 2 Street hypersport tire. This is the first time that Continental and BMW Motorrad have partnered to equip a M model motorcycle, and it offers performance riders around the world the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of two leading premium manufacturers.
The ContiRaceAttack 2 Street is designed for high-speed riding and aggressive cornering. It features a new compound that provides maximum grip on both wet and dry surfaces, as well as a new tread pattern that helps to improve stability and handling.
The tire is also designed to be lightweight and responsive, making it ideal for riders who want to get the most out of their M 1000 XR.
Michelin Unveils Three New Motorcycle Tires for Hypersport and Adventure Touring Segments at EICMA 2023 -
Michelin is showcasing three new motorcycle tires at EICMA 2023, designed to deliver more performance and grip on both the road and the racetrack. The new MICHELIN Power 6, MICHELIN Power GP 2, and MICHELIN Anakee Road tires will be available in stores from January 2024.
MICHELIN Power 6: Sportiness for every day
The MICHELIN Power 6 is a new hypersport tire that offers sporty performance and enormous grip on dry and wet roads, as well as high mileage for frequent riders. It also features agile handling and is available in many sizes, making it suitable for motorcycles from 300 cubic centimeters. The MICHELIN Power 6 has already been homologated for the new 2024 KTM 390 Duke.
MICHELIN Power GP 2: From the racetrack to the road
The MICHELIN Power GP 2 is a new racetrack tire that has been homologated for road use. Thanks to Michelin's years of expertise from MotoGP™, the MICHELIN Power GP 2 offers more grip on wet and dry roads than its predecessor, while still delivering high driving precision and optimal handling. This allows experienced riders to push themselves to their limits on the racetrack while still enjoying a safe and sporty driving experience on the road.
MICHELIN Anakee Road: Street performance in a "Trail-Look"
The MICHELIN Anakee Road is a new adventure touring tire that offers plenty of grip on various road surfaces, regardless of whether it is dry or wet. It also features high mileage and driving stability, making it a reliable choice for longer journeys. Developed specifically for large and heavy adventure touring motorcycles, the MICHELIN Anakee Road also features a "Trail-Look" design that is visually aligned with this segment.
METZELER ROADTEC 02, the new sport touring tyre from Metzeler brand, is successfully completing the final development and testing phases and, starting from January 2024, will be available for sale to the public.
Compared to its predecessor ROADTEC 01, ROADTEC 02 significantly improves dynamic performance, primarily handling and wet road behaviour, and does so by using a high percentage of materials of natural origin (materials entirely or partially derived from biomass: plants and vegetables) or recycled.
The segment to which ROADTEC 02 belongs is the Sport-Touring one, i.e. that of tyres for mixed sport and touring use, but with this product the Metzeler brand has further raised the bar of sportiness by effectively creating a "Super Sport Touring" tyre. It is able to boast the typical characteristics of a touring tyre, such as high mileage and excellent grip on wet surfaces, combined with many of those more typical of super sports tyres, such as its handling which gives new levels of sportiness.
Mitas continues its drive to be the brand of choice for ultimate endurance enthusiasts, this time with the launch of its newest tire line, the ENDURO TRAIL-RALLY. This next generation tire line is the result of years of development and off-road testing by rally racers and is made to tackle tough terrain and any weather.
Mitas continues its drive to be the brand of choice for ultimate endurance enthusiasts, this time with the launch of its newest tire line, the ENDURO TRAIL-RALLY. This next generation tire line is the result of years of development and off-road testing by rally racers and is made to tackle tough terrain and any weather.
The ENDURO TRAIL-RALLY range comes in one rear tire and three different front tire options designed to give bikes greater stability, handling and puncture-proof resistance, even at high speeds. Riders can count on long-lasting durability even when put to the test of extreme endurance competitions.
Gustavo Pinto Teixeira, Vice President of Two Wheels and Specialty Tires at Yokohama TWS, remarks: “With this new line, Mitas now offers a complete tire range for rally riders. We took feedback from Dakar Rally racers to build a strong range of rally competition tires. We can’t wait to see how they perform in the 2024 Dakar Rally, the grand debut for the new Mitas ENDURO TRAIL-RALLY tires.”
In MOTORRAD (issue 07/2023), sport and sport-touring motorbike tyres were tested on the KTM 390 DUKE in the dimensions 110/70 R17 and 150/60 R17.
Three manufacturers received the test rating "very good" BRIDGESTONE S22, METZELER M9 RR, MICHELIN ROAD 6
One manufacturer received a "good" DUNLOP GPR 300
Two have to be content with a "satisfactory". CONTINENTAL CONTIMOTION CHENG SHIN CST CM-615 CM-616
How MOTORRAD tests
A quick tyre test on a country road? Not conceivable! Such tests are only seriously feasible on specially designed test tracks of the tyre industry. In this case, we were able to use the premises of the Japanese manufacturer Bridgestone in Nettuno (near Rome). For the asphalt test, we used the 2.2 km long "Carrera track" with many bends, for the wet test we used the permanently watered, 1.6 km long handling track. These criteria are the focus of the MOTORRAD evaluation:
*Sections marked with an asterisk are transferable to motorbikes that have a similar geometry to the KTM 390 Duke. **Indicated is the price range for a set of tyres (front/rear) in the tested version in common tyre online shops, as of 1 March 2023.
BRIDGESTONE S22 - "Conclusion: The Bridgestone S 22 is a sports tyre that shines in this test above all with its excellent everyday qualities. Perfect handling is joined by 1a rain qualities with the best braking values in the test."
METZELER M9 RR - Verdict: "Sportiness in sun and rain - the Metzeler is a recommendation for cornering junkies, whatever the weather. For a sports tyre, a very unusual and, in this test, very impressive combination."
MICHELIN ROAD 6 - Verdict: "The bottom line is that the Michelin offers a very balanced package for everyday riding. Beginners who ride their 125 or 48 hp bike year-round will quickly come to appreciate the Road 6's good-natured characteristics."
DUNLOP GPR 300 - Conclusion: "With the Dunlop, an entry-level bike like the 390 KTM in this test clearly gains in sportiness. Even in the rain, the GPR-300 delivers enough grip to push around corners with decent confidence."
CONTINENTAL CONTIMOTION - Conclusion: "In good weather, the ContiMotion is really fun on country roads, even if they are small and winding, and leaves a good impression. In the rain, its restrained grip quickly makes it lack confidence."
CHENG SHIN CST CM-615 CM-616 - "Conclusion: Fair-weather riders on 125s won't feel any shortcomings, but in the rain you quickly reach the CST's limit. On bikes in the 48 hp class, however, the tyre is not a recommendation on dry or wet asphalt."
The entire tyre test can be reordered as a print edition or PDF here.
Also in the next issue there will be a test and technical analysis tyre wear. Which factors are decisive for outstanding mileage?
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The product of intensive research and development work, the new ContiRoadAttack 4 combines two worlds: An all-new tyre design that easily tops its competitors on the traditional sport-touring metrics of mileage, comfort, stability and wet grip. But which also offers new levels of pure sporting ability, essential for the latest high-performance sport-touring motorcycles. The performance is so good, that we’re calling it a “Hyper-Touring tyre”.
The new ContiRoadAttack 4 features all of our core Continental technologies like TractionSkin and MultiGrip, and also adds GripLimitFeedback technology for superior levels of control and safety when riding at full lean.
The new ContiRoadAttack 4 adds the GripLimitFeedback technology for early feedback in high lean angles.
The slick shoulder area means more rubber on the road at higher lean angles for maximum grip and high precision, while an all-new compound and updated tread pattern gives a massive boost to wet weather performance, with superb grip in all conditions. This modern high-tech tyre is developed for modern and powerful sports tourers, but will also enhance the performance of popular older touring machines too.
Our engineers have also revised the construction of the front tyre to give more feedback and improved agility, which also reduces the tendency to stand up during hard cornering.
Dunlop's long-standing reputation in the field of sports tires brings with the new Dunlop Qualifier Core what matters most to Hypersport tyres: dynamic handling, excellent grip on dry and wet roads.
Modern technology and innovative manufacturing methods allow customers to experience the best performance at a great price that until now has only been reserved for top racing tyres.
HCT technology helps the tough floor deliver superior performance.
The rubber cross section and mold shape were developed using a DFF formula that ensures excellent workability.
The design inspired by the first generation SportSmart tire offers balanced tread stiffness, even tire wear and excellent handling on dry and wet surfaces.
The MICHELIN ROAD 6 is already ready for the 2022 season, whereby each of its 5 predecessors had always set the bar a little higher in their own way.
The MICHELIN Road 6 tire brings enthusiasts multiple new features designed to improve wet grip, longevity and appearance on a range of motorcycles.
The new tire, available now, is designed to improve performance for roadster, trail, sport and GT motorcycles and is available in the standard MICHELIN Road 6 tire range, as well as the MICHELIN Road 6 GT tire range for larger, heavier touring motorcycles.
Technologies from Michelin’s research centers around the world, coupled with the class-leading technology of the tire’s predecessor, the MICHELIN® Road 5 tire, leverage two decades of innovation to bring riders the following benefits:
Wet grip: The MICHELIN Road 6 tire has 15% more grip than its predecessor in wet conditions thanks to silica technology tread compounds and a new tread pattern featuring MICHELIN Water Evergrip Technology™.1
Longevity: The MICHELIN Road 6 tire delivers 10% longer tread life compared with the previous generation.2
Tread design: An optimized ratio of grooves to rubber, known as the void ratio, gives improved grip performance in both wet and dry conditions. This ratio is not compromised when cornering, so riders have constant and accurate feedback from their tires. The MICHELIN® X-Sipe Technology™ combined with MICHELIN® Water Evergrip Technology™ ensures the tire has consistent grip throughout conditions and maintains its grip even as the tire wears – giving riders confidence in the tire from the first mile to the last mile. There are also new groove and sipe angles with longer edges that cut through water film and maintain road grip.
Curious to discover how the brand new Battlax Sport Touring T32 scored in the UTAC Ceram – Millbrook comparative test?
Let’s say our new benchmark sport touring tyre is excellent in wet and dry conditions. A short overview:
