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Trial BRIDGESTONE MICHELIN

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:

  • Manoeuvrability ...is the steering force to bring the bike into a leaning position and keep it in line in alternating curves.
  • Limit behaviour* ... stands for the controllability of the tyre at the limit. Tests on wet and dry roads.
  • Steering precision* ... in passages of varying speed with complicated curve radii. Provides information on whether the motorbike follows the desired course, which is determined by the steering forces, or whether significant line corrections are required.
  • Cornering stability ...tests rocking in (alternating) curves and on bumps. Tested in different modes and when accelerating at an angle.
  • Straight-line stability ... is tested at high speed. Does the motorbike remain stable on course, or does oscillation interfere with the ride?
  • Acceleration grip* ...refers to lateral control and power transmission in fast corners (wet/dry).
  • Suspension* ... is the lateral control at maximum lean angle (wet/dry). A tightrope walk that is only possible on a closed track.
  • Set-up torque ... refers to the motorbike's set-up when braking in a leaned position. This reaction must be compensated for with a counterforce (pushing) at the inner end of the handlebars.
  • Filling pressures**: Road / wet (v/h): 2.0/2.2 bar.

*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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Although the tire had already been removed from the Michelin portfolio and was no longer available, lo and behold, the MICHELIN PLOT POWER will be relaunched again in 2023.

We cannot say whether so many customers mourned this, and the 2CT remains in the program.

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%.

How to change & balance your own motorcycle tyres

Some videos they explain you how to change your motrcycle tyres.

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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. "

Tire Age vs. Safety: Inspect Tires, Not Just Dates

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During the Motorcycle Trophies, MICHELIN ROAD CLASSIC received the prize for the best motorcycle equipment of the year. This tire intended for neo-retro motorcycles combines driving pleasure and safety.

Michelin does not forget classic motorcycles with the new Michelin Road Classic tire which uses the group's latest technologies. It was Franck Ferreira da Silva, Business Segment Manager Michelin who came to collect his prize.

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Michelin has released the new Michelin Anakee Street motorcycle tire for adventurous small mopeds like a Hondas Trail (or CT) 125.
Already available in India for about a year, it is now coming to Europe.

The Anakee Street is designed for both on-road and light off-road use to make your dual sport scooter dreams come true. 80% on-road / 20% off-road

The Michelin Anakee Street is designed to provide comfort and durability for everyday road riding, as well as durability and controllability on trails. The large block tread design helps you control your ride and keep your scooter stable while crossing unpaved roads, Michelin says.

Michelin has launched its latest motocross tire range, the new MICHELIN STARCROSS 6, which was developed in association with top professional riders competing at national and international levels.

Available in all popular sizes covering 100 percent of the adult motocross market, the MICHELIN STARCROSS 6 range will comprise five different versions to suit all types of track conditions and rider preferences: Medium/Soft, Medium/Hard, Hard, Sand, and Mud (rear only). These will be available in dealers from March through to July 2022 depending on the version and geographical region.

Compared to its predecessor, the MICHELIN STARCROSS 5, the new MICHELIN STARCROSS 6 uses technologies developed in Michelin’s R&D centers and fine-tuned on racetracks around the world to offer 16 percent more traction* and 19 percent better durability**. These improvements mean that riders can push their bikes to higher performance levels, while at the same time benefitting from longer-lasting tire performance.

Compared with its predecessor – MICHELIN STARCROSS 5 VS MICHELIN STARCROSS 6: 

16 percent more traction*
19 percent better durability**

MICHELIN CITY EXTRA - From 10 to 18 inches in 21 different tire sizes, the tire should be available from 2022. Probably as the successor to the MICHELIN CITY PRO. which has been on the market since 2014.

In recent years, more and more motorcyclists are on the road and making it a means of transportation to work or leisure. There are also many who make motorcycles as a source of income after losing their jobs due to being laid off due to the pandemic.

For riders who make motorcycles their primary transportation, the most important thing is in economic terms which involves maintenance and care. As much as possible they try to find ways to reduce costs; use the best products that are not only affordable but at the same time durable.

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.

 

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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.