Motorrad magazine tests sport motorbike tyres on the KTM 390 DUKE

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?

Dunlop Qualifier now also for KTM 125 Duke and Co.
2011 - The supersport motorbike tyre Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier is also available in speed index "H". This is Dunlop's response to the growing enthusiasm of young sport riders for the latest generation of sporty 125s and their high demands on the tyres of these light machines.
 
Modern sports motorbikes need state-of-the-art sports tyres. This truism not only applies to big bikes like the BMW S 1000 RR or Honda Fireblade, but also to sporty 125s like the successful Yamaha YZF-R 125 and the brand new KTM 125 Duke can only develop their potential if they roll on the right tyres. After all, suspensions with high-quality, torsionally stiff frames and multi-adjustable upside-down forks are nowadays not only found on expensive superbikes, but also on affordable sports bikes that can be ridden from the age of 16. 

With the Qualifier, Dunlop therefore offers young sport riders an affordable but fully track-ready tyre with the technology needed to experience the potential of a modern sport bike and benefit from high safety reserves. The Qualifier's tyre construction ensures maximum precision, extreme stability and perfect self-damping, while the tread compound ensures maximum grip in both dry and wet conditions. The tyre works in a wide temperature window and optimally combines supersport performance with high mileage suitable for touring. It has never been more fun to gain confidence in the bike, the tyres and your riding skills than on a modern 125 with Dunlop Qualifier tyres. 

The Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier in "H" (up to 210 km/h) is offered in five dimensions for 17-inch wheels:

110/70 R 17 54H TL
120/60 R 17 55H TL
120/70 R 17 58H TL
150/60 R 17 66H TL
160/60 R 17 69H TL