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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On January 1st, 2022, Bridgestone will also increase the prices for motorcycle tires for the coming season.
For motorcycle tires and scooter radial tires, the price increases by 3%
The prices for cross-ply scooter tires should be increased by 6%.
Some videos they explain you how to change your motrcycle tyres.
In the edition nr13 06/2017, the Europes nr1 magazine "MOTORRAD" 
has finally addressed the subject of the motorcycle tyre age more extensively. Thus, two sets of Michelin Power 2CT DOT 2515 were tested, one of which was stored in a cool and dry place, the second in a direct sun in a greenhouse to make it even faster.
DOT Nummber - "Department of Transportation" tyre age code
Conclusion: "If the storage conditions are favorable, the tires are durable for many years, but they are often much faster in use. Only in the extreme test in the rain did the performance decrease slightly. "
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“The new Battlecross X31: Step up your game on difficult terrain”
The Battlecross X31 is Bridgestone’s latest addition to its off-road line up. The X31 builds on the success of its predecessor, enhancing performance in all the areas essential to build the necessary confidence for your next win, even in difficult conditions.
There are many technical upgrades to look for, the main ones updates on the construction as well as a revised block design and positioning based on Bridgestone’s asymmetric design technology. These go even further with the revision of the Castle block technology which is applied on both front and rear tyre. The cooling/anti-degradation fin technology applied on the Medium terrain rear tyre was also improved and the Bunker design between the blocks was revised to provide significant performance gain in different areas.
The performance increase in traction, braking, cornering grip, absorbing performance, and block durability of X31 is impressive versus its predecessor with an added expansion of the operating range.
The Battlecross X31 is your new partner in difficult Soft to Medium/hard off-road conditions, giving you the tools to step up your game !
Bridgestone, a global leader in tyres and rubber, is today announcing the launch of its latest on-road adventure tyre for the motorcycle market, the Bridgestone Battlax Adventure Trail AT41. The rugged, off-road looking tyre provides great dry performance and incredible traction, grip and braking in the wet to ensure a safe and comfortable journey in all weather conditions.
The Bridgestone Battlax Adventure Trail AT41’s new off-road looking pattern has an optimised groove design to improve water drainage and contribute to the tyre’s impressive wet weather performance, thanks to increased average groove volumes and a more consistent groove ratio in the contact areas. The new block shape of the tyre reduces partial wear on its shoulder, while an optimal belt construction with the new pattern gives great stability. The Bridgestone Battlax Adventure Trail AT41’s touring compound – with 3LC used on the rear – also enables its excellent performance in the wet, dry and in terms of the tyre’s mileage.
The Bridgestone BT46 will be available in several new tire sizes / speed indexes from next year / 2022.
100/90 -19 BT46F 57H 130/90 -16 BT46R 67V
110/80 -17 BT46F 57V 140/70 -18 BT46R 67V
110/90 -18 BT46F 61V 150/70 -17 BT46R 69V
90/90 -21 BT46F 54H
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:
An even wider range of popular scooters from manufacturers such as YAMAHA, HONDA and PIAGGIO can now be fitted with Dunlop’s versatile ScootSmart tyre which has been made available in eight new sizes.
Riders can experience ScootSmart’s advanced technologies, including a performance-orientated tread pattern derived from Dunlop’s multiple test-winning RoadSmart motorcycle tyre range.
This helps to deliver neutral handling, a speed rating to 210 km/h and high grip for all riding scenarios.
In each of its sizes, ScootSmart features a high silica content compound for improved mileage and excellent performance in both wet and dry conditions.
Dunlop plans to continue its expansion of the ScootSmart range with the addition of five new sizes in the third quarter of 2021.
Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager Dunlop Motorcycle EMEA:
“This move to expand the DUNLOP SCOOTSMART tyre range is a significant one that highlights the impressive durability and performance that this dependable all-round tyre has brought to the scooter market since its launch in 2012. ScootSmart’s versatility is reflected in the variety of the models covered by this latest range expansion with three-wheeled, electric and maxi scooters all catered for. We look forward to making further additions to the ScootSmart range later this year.”
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The enormous problems with container shipping from the Far East or South America causes delivery problems up to the interruption of the supply chain, as is currently happening in the Suez Canal with a transverse container ship.
The tire industry is not spared from this either.
Since most motorcycle tires are not produced in Europe, there are already enormous delivery delays.
We therefore recommend all motorcyclists to get a suitable set of motorcycle tires in time, so that they can start the 2021 season without hesitation..
Having to ride your motorcycle from home to the trails and back requires the right dual-sport tires that are also street-legal. Dual-sport tires have to offer maximum levels of grip and balance on tarmac and off-road conditions and they must also be DOT certified. To fulfill this need, Dunlop launched a new street-legal trials tire for dual-sport and off-road riders.
Trials tires are a popular choice within the dual-sport community. The DUNLOP K950 is ideal for riders looking for maximum traction in off-road conditions, as the tires feature smaller, tightly packed symmetrical knobs for optimum traction, balance and efficiency. This type of tire is especially good in off-road sections with roots and rocks or hard-packed single tracks.
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Flat tyres happen on a motorcycle. But how to fix punctures in tubeless tyres - and even if they should be repaired - is a sensitive issue. It all depends on who you ask. The truth is that drivers are constantly repairing flat tyres, but they can clog them indiscriminately if they have limited knowledge of the proper repair process or the risks associated with driving on a repaired tyre.
For motorcycle tires, repairs up to six millimeters in diameter are only permitted on the tread. However, the tire manufacturers advise against the punctured carcass and high driving speeds.
Some of the best-selling mid-range bikes from manufacturers such as Kawasaki, Suzuki or Honda can now be equipped with the new DUNLOP SportSmart Mk3 rear tire size 160/60 ZR17 (69W) SPORTSMART III MK3. Including naked bikes like Kawasaki Z650, Suzuki SV650 or Honda CBR500R, but also Triumph retro models like Thruxton 1200 and Speed Twin or supermoto like KTM 640 LC4 or Husqvarna 701 Supermoto.
The SportSmart Mk3 hypersport tire was launched on the market in 2019 as a high-performance country road tire and has since complemented the SportSmart TT, which is also part of Dunlop's 1st line hypersport tire range and is for both country roads and racetracks (50/50) has been developed.
