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.
Bridgestone S23 VERY GOOD "Conclusion: A fantastic tire for all conditions, all riders, and almost all bikes. While it doesn't flex in everyday use, the rear tire, in particular, on a modern superbike, clearly reaches its limits on the racetrack. However, you have to pull on the throttle like a Márquez to achieve this."
Street: very good Wet: good Track: good
Bridgestone RS11 SATISFACTORY "Conclusion: The RS11, like the Sportsmart TT, shows its age and little to no development in the compound. Still good for blazing in the dry, but not recommended for country roads."
Street: good Wet: satisfactory Track: satisfactory
Continental SportAttack 4 GOOD "Conclusion: The SportAttack 4 is clearly nearing the end of its life cycle. Its competitors outperform it in every respect, so its points yield is meager. Four points salvage a good rating, but the gap to the top is quite large."
Street: good Wet: satisfactory Track: good
Continental RaceAttack 2 Street GOOD "Conclusion: When warmed up, the RaceAttack 2 Street performs well in summer temperatures and on the racetrack. However, its narrow wet limit limits its use in adverse weather."
Street: good Wet: good Track: satisfactory
Dunlop SPORTSMART MK4 VERY GOOD "Conclusion: Game, set, and match, what more could a tire manufacturer want? The Sportsmart MK4 faces a tough challenger in the Bridgestone S23, but its somewhat more solid dry performance makes it a winner on country roads and"
Street: very good Wet: good Track: very good
Dunlop SPORTSMART TT SATISFACTORY "Conclusion: Like the Bridgestone RS11, the Sportsmart TT is a hypersport "of the old school." Compared to the Continental, it loses out in the wet due to its considerably narrower throttle limit. It's also not a good choice for country roads.
Street: very good Wet: good Track: sufficient
Metzeler Racetec M9 RR VERY GOOD "Conclusion: Oldie but Goldie! Of course, everyone wants to win the test, but even if the M9 RR isn't quite up to scratch anymore, its performance level and consistency are remarkable. With revised handling, it would be right up there with the front again."
Street: good Wet: good Track: very good
Metzeler RACETEC RR K3 GOOD "Conclusion: With the Metzeler Racetec RR K3, you can even venture out on country roads. Carefully warmed up, it gripped like hell, without leaving you completely stranded in the rain when the rain suddenly appeared."
Street: good Wet: very good Track: good
Pirelli DIABLO ROSSO IV VERY GOOD "Conclusion: The Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV quietly, quietly, and secretly collects points. Although "only" fourth in the overall ranking, it still narrowly earned a very good rating. A fun tire that impresses in the dry and holds its own very well in the wet.
Street: very good Wet: good Track: very good
Pirelli DIABLO SUPERCORSA SP V4 GOOD "Conclusion: The fastest tire on the track, warms up quickly on the country road, and still performs well in the wet? This sounds like a test winner with a clear racetrack recommendation. The racy V4 can handle almost anything except cold temperatures."
Street: good Wet: sehr good Track: satisfactory
Michelin Power 6 GOOD "Conclusion: The Power 6 impressively demonstrates how close the competition is among sports tires. Redesigned just last year, it lacks a bit of stability on the brutal superbike, which costs valuable points. For pure country road riders, the Power 6 is still recommended."
Street: very good Wet: satisfactory Track: very good
Michelin Power GP 2 GOOD "Conclusion: The new GP2 is less aggressive than other hypersport tires, making it the rain and everyday king in this segment. However, the limit range at the end of the hot grip is likely to be wider."
Street: very good Wet: good Track: good
