In the 2025 tire test by Motorrad magazine, six sport and six hypersport tires in sizes 120/70 ZR17 and 190/55 ZR17 were tested on a BMW S1000 RR on country roads, racetracks, and a wet test track, with the prescribed country road pressures of 2.5/2.9 bar (front/rear). For the racetrack, the pressure was lowered according to the tire manufacturer's recommendations.
"Country roads are the primary territory of motorcyclists. This is precisely where tires must always be reliable, ideally transparent, and perform well for a long time. Maximum riding pleasure goes hand in hand with plenty of grip, good feedback, and precise handling. Add to that excellent wet grip, and everyone could be happy."
"The crowns in the country road classification go to the two freshest tires. The Dunlop Sportsmart MK 4 achieved the highest overall score of the large test field, making it "King of the Road," while Michelin's Power GP2 took home the biggest trophy among the hypersports. A closer look at the table clearly shows where the hypersports lose their points on country roads."
"Anyone who knows a little about tires knew in advance about the dominance of road sport tires in the wet test. We didn't expect the new Dunlop Sportsmart MK 4 to perform directly on par with last year's rain champion, the Bridgestone S23. Also unexpected was the performance of the Michelin Power GP2, which outpaced its hypersport counterparts in the rain."
"Hypersport – the name says it all. When it's all about orbital time on the infinity of a racetrack, the hypersports score points.
Finally, they can exploit their grip advantage and give the road riders a run for their money. However, the boundaries are fluid. Even with the Metzeler M9 RR or a Diablo Rosso IV, you're well-dressed as a casual racer without lap record ambitions.
The Bridgestone Corporation announces another original equipment approval: The Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T32 will be supplied as an OE tire for the new sport touring models Tracer9, Tracer9 GT and Tracer 9 GT+ from Yamaha Motor, Ltd.
120/70 ZR17 (58W) Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T32
180/55 ZR17 (73W) Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T32
The successor to the T32, the Bridgestone T33, has been available for a few weeks.
The Honda Gold Wing is certainly a very special bike and Michelin is focusing on the needs of this bike to present a tyre developed specifically for it. Under the name Michelin Road W GT, this tyre has been presented at the Milan 2024 show.
The Gold Wing is undoubtedly one of the largest GTs on the market and this means that many of its users have a very high annual mileage. According to Michelin, its low centre of gravity, which gives it commendable agility for a bike of its size and weight, together with the torque and response of the high-displacement six-cylinder engine, subject the tyre to extreme stress, especially when accelerating, braking or taking successive curves.
Maxis are not just a scooter for the city: their use on the road, for leisure trips, has gained followers and Michelin wants to offer an option focused on this dual use, daily use and sports driving with the new Michelin Power Shift.
A tyre that aims to offer greater performance and versatility than a standard tyre for this type of sporty maxi scooters and which replaces the Pilot Road 4SC and Pilot Power 3SC, thus simplifying the choice for users.
The new Power Shift benefits from Reinforced Radial X-Evo technology in the casing and the familiar 2CT+ dual-compound tread. This means improved rigidity when leaning the bike and therefore greater stability even when accelerating out of corners.
Michelin ends a successful range of enduro tires and makes way for a new and improved one. Like its predecessors, this new range will be available in three versions to meet the needs of each user: Michelin Enduro Medium 2
Michelin Enduro 2 Medium: Improves driving on any terrain thanks to its level of grip and excellent maneuverability, and is also more resistant than its predecessor.
Front tires: 90/90 -21 (54R) and 90/100 -21 (57R)
Rear tires: 120/90 -18 (65R) and 140/80 -18 (70R)
Michelin Enduro 2 Hard: For riders looking for performance and wanting to improve their times with each lap. It offers more grip and great stability.
Rear tire: 140/80 -18 (70R)
Michelin Enduro 2 Xtrem: A real racing tire for the most experts. Developed in collaboration with the official Red Bull KTM and Sherco teams.
Rear tire: 140/80 -18 (70M)
Bridgestone Unveils the BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T33: A New Era of Sport Touring Performance
Bridgestone, a global leader in tire technology, is proud to introduce the BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T33, a next-generation sport touring tire designed to elevate the riding experience. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the T32, the new T33 offers a significant 47% improvement in mileage while maintaining the exceptional wet and dry performance that riders have come to expect from the BATTLAX series.
Key Features and Benefits:
Bridgestone's Commitment to Riding Excitement
Bridgestone is dedicated to providing innovative products that inspire riders and enhance their overall riding experience. The BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T33 embodies this commitment by delivering exceptional performance, durability, and safety. With the T33, riders can embark on long-distance journeys with confidence, knowing they have a tire that can handle any road condition.
Availability
The Bridgestone BATTLAX SPORT TOURING T33 will be available in four front and six rear sizes at January 2025, with an additional five sizes to be released in 2026.
Buy now the Bridgestone T33
DIABLO POWERCRUISER is Pirelli's sporty interpretation of the Custom-Touring dedicated to sport Cruisers and Baggers.
Pirelli DIABLO POWERCRUISER represents the completely new Custom-Touring line of Pirelli high-performance tyres designed specifically for selected models of sport Cruiser and Bagger machines. With DIABLO POWERCRUISER, Pirelli is aimed both at owners of the new Cruiser and Bagger V-Twin, bikes characterised by searing acceleration and fun to ride, which have become more high-performing over time in terms of torque output and handling. These machines are aimed at customizers who combine aesthetic research with performance tuning and who are therefore looking for a tyre capable of adding high performance and sportiness to their creations.
Can I fit lower speed rated motorcycle tires?
Motorcycle tyres withe the M&S mark can be used with a lower speedindex then in your vehicle handbook.
For example when you want to mount on a BMW R 1250 GS offroad tyres.
You can get specific ‘winter motorcycle tires’. These are better known as M+S rated tires. M+S stands for Mud and Snow and tyres that are M&S rated usually have a snowflake symbol on the tyre wall or they will clearly mention M+S. In countries where winter tyres are a legal requirement, motorcycles are required to have them fitted.
In the most EU countries the Speedlimit with M&S Wintertires is Q = 160 km/h
Mitas tyres have been chosen for the newest Colibri M22 e-motorbikes, made for longer lasting road trips and offroad riding, too. Colibri’s selection of Mitas tyres shows their commitment to providing the best possible on road and offroad experience for riders. Mitas will give Colibri riders three tyre range options: the Mitas MC-25, Mitas MC-32 and Mitas SPEEDWAY tyres, made to ensure optimal grip on any terrain and in any weather.
Mitas tyres have been chosen for the newest Colibri M22 e-motorbikes, made for longer lasting road trips and offroad riding, too. Colibri’s selection of Mitas tyres shows their commitment to providing the best possible on road and offroad experience for riders. Mitas will give Colibri riders three tyre range options: the MC-25, MC-32 and SPEEDWAY tyres, made to ensure optimal grip on any terrain and in any weather.
Gustavo Pinto Teixeira, Head of Mitas Motorcycle Tyres remarked, "Mitas is committed to supporting sustainable means of urban transport, and this partnership is just one example of that commitment in action. Mitas continues to show our dedication to working with partners worldwide on initiatives that put our planet first, giving them the power and rides our customers need on any terrain they meet."
The 2024 season once again presents a challenge for motorcyclists: choosing the right sport motorcycle tire. The good news: A bad purchase is almost impossible, as the differences between the test candidates are minimal.
The Test Motorcycle: BMW S 1000 R
The BMW S 1000 R serves as a representative model for an extremely powerful motorcycle category, whose performance (except for top speed) almost rivals that of a Superbike. With cutting-edge electronic assistance systems and a comfortable riding position, it offers optimal conditions for the test riders.
Test Candidates
Results at a Glance:
METZELER M9 RR : Very Good - Conclusion: Very good compromise between sportiness and everyday use. Whether in the wet, at sporty speeds on the country road or on a time trial: the Metzeler Sportec M9 RR copes very well with all conditions.
MICHELIN POWER 6 : Very Good - Conclusion: "Cool or wet conditions don't affect the Power 6 with its good handling. It has gained in sporting potential compared to the Power 5. A real recommendation for sporty everyday riders."
PIRELLI DIABLO ROSSO IV CORSA : Very Good - Conclusion: "Very sporty tire that focuses on dryness in the Corsa version. The sportier it is driven, the better it functions. The wet performance is uncritical and can convince sporty fair-weather riders."
BRIDGESTONE S22 : Good - Conclusion: "Very sporty tire with good feedback. The good feeling for the front tire in particular speaks for the S22. Another plus of the Japanese tire is its overall performance, which is still harmonious."
Since there wasn't enough time for the big comparison test, we subjected the new Bridgestone S 23 to a follow-up test against its established predecessor and a hot skin.
BRIDGESTONE S23 : The Bridgestone S23 surpasses the S22 in terms of turn-in behavior, stability and lateral grip in the dry. Sporty country road riders will love it for that. In the wet, the S23 really comes into its own, especially when leaning. Here it clearly outperforms the S22, which is clearly demonstrated by the 3.7 seconds faster lap time. In terms of braking distance and acceleration in the wet, the S23 remains at the high level of the S22.
DUNLOP SPORTSMART MK3 : Good - Conclusion: "The Dunlop Sportsmart MK 3 is a very agile and sporty tire. However, the stiff construction reduces feedback in cooler conditions, which costs points especially in the wet."
Dunlop is also launching the Dunlop SportSmart MK4 as its successor this year. Probably available from November 2024.
Additional Information:
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.
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.
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.
Bridgestone today announced the launch of the BRIDGESTONE BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23, a new sports radial motorcycle tyre for street use that will be available from January 2024.
The Bridgestone BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 is the latest product in Bridgestone’s BATTLAX range of premium motorcycle tyres, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023. Delivering various performance improvements over its predecessor, the BATTLAX HYPERSPORT S23 is a next-generation sports tyre that’s engineered to meet the requirements of sporty riding on asphalt, featuring increased levels of exceptional dry grip performance when riding on circuits or cornering on mountain roads.
