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

Sport Motorcycle Tire Test 2024: The Spoiled Choice

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:

• The test was conducted by Motorrad magazine. You can order the complete TEST as PDF
• The test was conducted on a BMW S 1000 R.
• The test conditions were varied, including dry, wet, and cold weather.
• The test results are based on the subjective opinions of the test riders.

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 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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Curious to discover how the brand new Battlax Sport Touring T32 scored in the UTAC Ceram – Millbrook comparative test?

BRIDGESTONE T32

Let’s say our new benchmark sport touring tyre is excellent in wet and dry conditions. A short overview:

1. Overall best wet performance
2. Great dry handling
3. Best wet handling
4. Fastest laptime in the wet

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In this year's tire test, MOTORRAD magazine tested different off-road tires on the new BMW R 1250 GS.

Tire size
120/70 -19 front
170/60 -17 rear

Part 1 of the test in issue 12/2019 is dedicated to the more off-road oriented tires.
Here is the link to the motorcycle tire test on the Motorrad homepage.

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buy now for just 79,90 €

FOBO Bike is the world’s first all Bluetooth Smart advanced Motorcycle Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (MTPMS).

An motorcycle tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system witch hase no separate display. It communicates over bluetooth with your smartphone. The free Fobo App can bee downloaded in the Android Google Play Store / Apple App Store.

The Fobo tire sensor battery life is up to 2 years and easy to replace.

The main function of FOBO Bike is to monitor the air pressure and temperature of two wheelers & three wheelers like motorcycles, Can-Am Spider, bicycles. It then transmits the readings to a smart phone where the user can browse. The user can set upper and lower thresholds of the air pressure. FOBO Bike will monitor the pressure based on the thresholds with its smart algorithm and will provide three levels of alerts when the thresholds are breached.

24h x 7days monitoring of your bike tyres even when your bike ignition is switched off, for a complete peace of mind. FOBO Bike works round-the-clock to ensure your tyres stay properly inflated. FOBO Bike does not need an external power source. It comes with batteries included which last up to two years and are easily replaceable (battery type - CR2032).

Monitor up to 20 vehicles - from your smartphone simultaneously with just one single app.

Do-It-Yourself (DIY)  and install FOBO Bike in less than 5 minutes without the need for professional help. Just follow the FOBO Bike app's simple on-screen instructions. You do not need to change or modify your tyre's existing pressure valve. Just screw on the FOBO Bike sensors, download the App, follow a few simple instructions given by the App and you are good to go

FOBO Bike sensors come with proprietary nuts and wrench for theft deterrent.

EAN 9555678601574

 buy the FOBO bike online in the shop >>
 

Success for Pirelli DIABLO ROSSO™ CORSA II in comparative tests organised by European motorcycle magazines

he latest addition to the Pirelli range is elected best hypersport tyre from the German publications Motorrad and PS and the Italian website Red-live.it which decree its superiority over rivals; Continental Race Attack Comp. Endurance, Dunlop Sportsmart TT and Michelin Power RS

The new DIABLO ROSSO CORSA II tyre, presented by Pirelli to the international press at the beginning of April in South Africa at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, has achieved victory in the hypersport tyre comparison tests organised by the prestigious German magazines MOTORRAD and PS and the Italian website Red-live.it. These all illustrate its clear superiority over main competitors Continental Race Attack Comp. Endurance, Dunlop Sportsmart TT and Michelin Power RS.

This is the final ranking, with relative scores, of the comparative test organised by Motorrad:
 
1) PIRELLI DIABLO ROSSO CORSA II (275 points)          
2) CONTINENTAL RACEATTACK Comp. Endurance (266 points)
3) DUNLOP SPORTSMART TT(261 points)
4) MICHELIN POWER RS (248 points)

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