The original equipment METZELER TOURANCE NEXT 2 tyres are designed mainly for road use while the optional fitment METZELER KAROO 4 tyres are aimed at off-road enthusiasts.
Metzeler delivers the original tyres for the new BMW R 1300 GS, recently unveiled to the public.
In the sizes 120/70 R19 front and 170/60 R17 rear, Metzeler Tourance Next 2 tyres were selected as original equipment for all versions of the R 1300 GS, besides the basic model also for the variants Trophy, Triple Black and Option 719 Tramuntana, while Metzeler Karoo 4 tyres are offered as an optional fitment upon request.
METZELER ROADTEC 02, the new sport touring tyre from Metzeler brand, is successfully completing the final development and testing phases and, starting from January 2024, will be available for sale to the public.
Compared to its predecessor ROADTEC 01, ROADTEC 02 significantly improves dynamic performance, primarily handling and wet road behaviour, and does so by using a high percentage of materials of natural origin (materials entirely or partially derived from biomass: plants and vegetables) or recycled.
The segment to which ROADTEC 02 belongs is the Sport-Touring one, i.e. that of tyres for mixed sport and touring use, but with this product the Metzeler brand has further raised the bar of sportiness by effectively creating a "Super Sport Touring" tyre. It is able to boast the typical characteristics of a touring tyre, such as high mileage and excellent grip on wet surfaces, combined with many of those more typical of super sports tyres, such as its handling which gives new levels of sportiness.
The PIRELLI SCORPION Trail III is the new enduro street tyre from Pirelli developed for maxi enduros that combine excellent performance on asphalt and in light off-road usage. The tyre is completing its final and rigorous outdoor tests and will be on sale to the public starting from January 2024.
In recent years the enduro street segment has become one of the most important on the market and Pirelli has chosen to develop tyres with increasingly sporty road performance but with an off-road look, with particular attention to ease of use in different road conditions.
Pirelli SCORPION Trail III in fact presents an aggressive tread look behind which lies strong technological innovation. It takes advantage of the most recent technologies, materials, and processes, as well as the knowledge acquired by Pirelli in the ‘big enduro’ segment, to respond to the most demanding market expectations by offering first-rate road qualities. Compared to its predecessor SCORPION Trail II, the new tyre guarantees significantly improved road handling and sportier behaviour thanks to excellent grip, as well as better performance in the wet. Furthermore, SCORPION Trail III ensures stability even with full load and can best interact with the machine's electronic systems. Finally, as regards to off-road riding, abrasion resistance has been significantly improved, which is an important parameter for those who love venturing on dirt roads.
Motocross riders will soon have a new tire to conquer deep sand with added traction and control when the new Mitas TERRA FORCE-MX SAND 2 comes off the line this October. Developed and tested with racers, this new rear tire was designed to give top traction in deep and soft sand. The new tread pattern will replace the current SAND pattern for rear wheels.
Mitas continues its drive to be the brand of choice for ultimate endurance enthusiasts, this time with the launch of its newest tire line, the ENDURO TRAIL-RALLY. This next generation tire line is the result of years of development and off-road testing by rally racers and is made to tackle tough terrain and any weather.
Mitas continues its drive to be the brand of choice for ultimate endurance enthusiasts, this time with the launch of its newest tire line, the ENDURO TRAIL-RALLY. This next generation tire line is the result of years of development and off-road testing by rally racers and is made to tackle tough terrain and any weather.
The ENDURO TRAIL-RALLY range comes in one rear tire and three different front tire options designed to give bikes greater stability, handling and puncture-proof resistance, even at high speeds. Riders can count on long-lasting durability even when put to the test of extreme endurance competitions.
Gustavo Pinto Teixeira, Vice President of Two Wheels and Specialty Tires at Yokohama TWS, remarks: “With this new line, Mitas now offers a complete tire range for rally riders. We took feedback from Dakar Rally racers to build a strong range of rally competition tires. We can’t wait to see how they perform in the 2024 Dakar Rally, the grand debut for the new Mitas ENDURO TRAIL-RALLY tires.”
Mitas announces the latest addition to its already extensive adventure tire portfolio: the Mitas ENDURO TRAIL-XT+. It is the next generation in a long line of Mitas off-road adventure tires conceived for riders who want to push the limits in off-road adventuring, with a tire they can trust to take them all the way.
Mitas announces the latest addition to its already extensive adventure tire portfolio: the Mitas ENDURO TRAIL-XT+. It is the next generation in a long line of Mitas off-road adventure tires conceived for riders who want to push the limits in off-road adventuring, with a tire they can trust to take them all the way.
Dunlop has revealed the newest addition to its enduro tire range: Dunlop Geomax EN91 EX. Based on the race-winning Geomax EN91, the new EN91 EX rear tire is designed for both highly skilled enduro riders racing in the most extreme events and weekend enthusiasts seeking improved performance for their enduro rides.
This super soft tire promises an unprecedented level of performance, offering enhanced grip, particularly on the most challenging and slippery terrains, as well as superior traction across a wide spectrum of landscapes. It has been designed for use in races where FIM-compliant and/or road-legal tires are not required by regulations.
Geomax EN91 EX features an uncompromising trials competition compound, delivering superior grip on exceptionally challenging and slippery terrains. Its block pattern incorporates taller blocks to assist riders in gaining grip beneath loose terrain, while the construction enhances absorption with modified carcass properties, yielding improved feedback and control for riders. In contrast to the standard EN91, the casing boasts greater rigidity, facilitating enhanced surface penetration for increased traction.
Luca Davide Andreoni, Motorcycle Marketing Manager, Dunlop Europe stated: “With the launch of the Geomax EN91 EX, Dunlop is taking enduro tire technology to new heights. This tire is designed specifically for highly skilled enduro riders, offering unmatched grip and traction on the most challenging terrains so they can get ultimate performance in the toughest competitions.”
The Dunlop Geomax EN91 EX is produced as a rear fitment, available in 140/80-18 and can be combined with any Geomax 80/100-21 or 90/90-21 front, according to rider preference and terrain condition. Geomax EN91 EX is best used with the Dunlop Enduro mousse for optimum performance. It is available from September 2023 in Europe.
Mitas is looking to further strengthen its position as a leader in Enduro racing by introducing its entirely new Mitas Terra Force EX.
The new tyre line 2023, tested by Enduro racers for performance in all types of terrains, is designed to deliver more power, control and endurance even under the most extreme conditions.
Variety and Quality
The TERRA FORCE-EX series offers you four different profiles in numerous versions and dimensions. Developed by enduro racers, this line stands for increased performance, control and durability, even in the most extreme conditions.
Strengthening of the market position
Gustavo Pinto Teixeira, Vice President of Two Wheels and Specialty Tires at Yokohama TWS, is excited about the launch of the Mitas TERRA FORCE-EX. He stresses that this development strengthens Mitas' position as a major player in the enduro and dual-sport sectors. Customers can look forward to supplying TERRA FORCE-EX tires this fall and beyond.
Street legal tire lineThe Mitas TERRA FORCE-EX tire family offers a wide range of profiles tailored to different types of terrain. From soft to hard conditions, from wet to dry conditions, this family of tires has something to offer every enduro rider. Discover the variety and quality that Mitas brings to the market with the TERRA FORCE-EX tire family!
The mandatory minimum tread depth for motorcycle tires in Germany and other countries such as France, Spain and Switzerland is 1.6 millimeters.
For mopeds and light motorcycles, at least one millimeter of tread depth is required.
Elsewhere, in Italy, Norway and Finland, for example, people make do with 1.0 millimeter, according to Conti, and in Great Britain and the United States even 0.8 millimeters. If a tire manufacturer advises the timely purchase of new tires, this does not seem entirely altruistic. But Continental, for example, can give good reasons. With decreasing tread depth, a tire builds up less temperature, they say. Deep tread works more, generates more heat through more friction, and thus more grip.
With full tread, the manufacturer also says there is less risk of suffering a puncture. Above all, however, the ability to absorb water increases in the rain.
Aquaplaning in motorcycle tires
For the new Road Attack 3 sport-touring tire, the rubber experts at Conti's Korbach-based two-wheeler division cite a water absorption rate of half a liter per second at a speed of 100 km/h - provided the full tread depth of 7 mm is available. With just 2 mm, the value drops to 200 milliliters per second and with 0.8 mm of tread to 125 milliliters, they say.
Dunlop Motorcycle Tires is excited to introduce the latest addition to the Geomax family - the Dunlop Geomax MX34, an engineering feat designed to deliver unrivaled performance and control. The MX34 is a versatile powerhouse that can handle more terrain with greater ease. With an advanced mud evacuation system, new carcass material, and state-of-the-art Progressive Cornering Block Technology (PCBT), the MX34 provides enhanced grip and unbeatable traction. Whether you are competing professionally or hitting the trails on the weekends, you can trust the MX34 to provide the stability and control you need to perform at your best. With this new tire, you will have the confidence to take on any challenge and come out on top.
The Geomax MX34 truly excels in soft/intermediate terrain conditions, with an emphasis on softer conditions. Dunlop’s goal was to provide a tire that delivers real performance advantages to give racers a true competitive edge by improving overall performance in a broader range of conditions all while keeping its durability. To do this, Dunlop relied on top AMA Pro racers, Team Dunlop Elite amateur racers for small bike sizes, and the testing team at the Dunlop Proving Grounds in Huntsville, Alabama to develop the tire on a wide range of tracks and conditions.
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:
*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?
A new tubeless version will be available in 2023 from the MITAS SW-07 SPEEDWAY wich was presented last year.
Marked with two orange stripes for better differentiation.
03/13/2022 Mitas introduces a new version of the MITAS SW-07 SPEEDWAY tire, one of the tires most commonly used by speedway racers all over the world. The most advanced speedway tire Mitas has ever made, it is specifically designed for the highest level of competitive speedway racing.
A newly developed compound and construction for the SW-07 SPEEDWAY tire provides improved grip and footprint, delivering an extraordinary performance throughout the race. The new version is easily recognizable by an orange stripe marking on the tread pattern.
All the tire features of this new Mitas tire are strictly designed and implemented in accordance with International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) regulations and it can therefore be used in all races and championships under FIM.
The MCE 6 Days Extreme product line for enduro competitions is enriched with the addition of the new rear specification in size 140/80–18 designed for the most difficult technical and environmental situations
MCE 6 Days Extreme, the Metzeler family of tires designed for enduro competitions, expands with the introduction of the new Extra Soft rear specification specially developed for extreme enduro races.
The new MCE 6 Days Extreme Extra Soft rear, in size 140/80–18 70M NHS, is a specialist tire suitable for one-day competitions and special stages. It features a tread compound designed to guarantee maximum performance in extreme conditions of use from both a technical and environmental point of view, therefore even with very low temperatures. Thanks to the high level of grip, the Extra Soft allows you to tackle even the most difficult obstacles and to restart easily even from a standstill, in the absence of a run-up. Furthermore, the very homogeneous overall deformation of the casing guarantees a good level of comfort and makes it an easy tire to use even for less experienced riders.
The Dunlop Trailmax Raid is the new touring-enduro tire from Dunlop, aimed at all off-road enthusiasts. It is a completely newly developed on/off-road tire that combines excellent road behavior with high off-road capabilities. With a positioning of 50% road and 50% terrain, the tire provides excellent performance in both areas.
The special front wheel construction of the Trailmax Raid offers high cornering stability and playful handling both on and off the road. The strong development focus on wet performance ensures absolutely safe driving behavior in the rain. The tire also shows excellent performance on difficult off-road passages, with grip, traction and cornering stability at the highest level.
Another highlight of the Trailmax Raid is the newly developed rubber compound that offers low wear and high tread strength on hard ground. The tire is also equipped with the M+S markings, making it a reliable companion for real off-road adventures.
Overall, the Dunlop Trailmax Raid is the perfect tire for anyone who is both on the road and off-road, and values good driving behavior in both dry and wet conditions.
Available tyre size:
front:
DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID F 90/90 -21 (54T) TL
DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID F 110/80 R19 (59T) TL
DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID F 120/70 R19 (60T) TL
rear
DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID R 130/80 -17 (65S) TL
DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID R 140/80 -17 (69S) TL
DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID R 150/70 R17 (69T) TL
DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID R 170/60 R17 (72T) TL
DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID R 140/80 -18 (70S) TL
DUNLOP TRAILMAX RAID R 150/70 R18 (70T) TL
All DUNLOP TRAILMAX MERIDIAN / MIXTOUR / MISSION / RAID
"Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd. is introducing DUNLOP SPORTMAX Q-LITE, a versatile diagonal tire with high grip that can be used on a variety of racing tracks and roads starting in the 2023 season. Seven sizes are available.
The Dunlop SPORTMAX Q-LITE has a new design pattern related directly to the high-grip tire of the "Q-series," a single R-tread pattern, a high-grip mixture, and an optimal combination of structures to achieve sufficient grip performance for sporty driving and the road. It is a diagonal tire with a long lifespan. You can confidently drive in various driving situations, from cornering, touring, daily tours, and circuit courses.
Main features and representative technologies
Profil pattern that achieves high drainage performance and wear resistance Long grooves that penetrate the contact area at all lateral inclination angles, changing the angle from the center of the tread to the shoulder to achieve high drainage performance The groove form and angle are improved by wear simulation and enhanced durability by suppressing uneven wear Handling profile for gentle handling By using a single R-profile with a uniform curvature radius of the tread cross section and suppressing ground shape changes during turning, the control performance during turning is significantly improved compared to conventional products
Available in Japan in 2022, probably not available in Europe until 2023."
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. "
Dunlop's new sand tire Dunlop Geomax MX14, developed in collaboration with top riders from the Motocross World Championship (MXGP), is now available for all motocross riders.
The successor to the Geomax MX12 was designed for extremely sandy conditions and offers drivers noticeable traction advantages at the start, on straights and when exiting corners - whether in deep sand or on sandy surfaces with hard subsoil. The greatly improved overall performance was achieved by optimizing the profile, a new rubber compound and the adapted construction.
Mitas extends its mousse range with a new rally version to meet the specific demands of rally racers from all over the world.
Gustavo Pinto Teixeira, Vice President Two Wheels at Trelleborg Wheel Systems, explains: “When developing the new Mitas Rally Mousse, we had in mind that racers are seeking a durable and versatile mousse option, which will deliver constant performance throughout the whole race.”
The complete development process was supported by professional racers in various weather conditions and terrains. The most demanding test was performed by rider Simon Marčič during the arduous 2022 Dakar Rally. He reviewed the mousse in an online video after he successfully finished the race: “This new Mitas Rally Mousse really proved its superior performance in terms of versatility, and resulted in the perfect choice for different types of rally from short to long ones.”
The new Mitas Rally Mousse features a durable compound that is suitable to high speeds and resistant to heat and sharp objects, delivering superior performance on vertical technical sections.
It is designed for use in combination with a range of Mitas Rally tires including E-12 RALLY STAR, E-13 RALLY STAR, C-21 STONEKING and C-17 STONEATER Dakar, and available in the 140/80-18 rear and 90/90-21 front sizes In addition to the Mitas Rally Mousse, the Mitas mousse range includes products for Motocross and Enduro, available in several 18 to 21-inch sizes and in three different versions: from a standard for motocross and cross country, to a soft version for enduro and an extreme version for technical extreme enduro sections.
METZELER KAROO 4 designed for on/off use, a tyre intended for the equipment of adventure and maxi enduro motorcycles that allows motorcyclists to go beyond the boundaries of adventouring.
Main features
KAROO 4 features a revolutionary patented tread pattern, which raises the tyre's all-round performance levels on both asphalt and on different types of off-road surfaces. As for the road sector, the engineers of the blue elephant brand have worked to improve in particular the overall handling and the behaviour in the wet, developing a tread pattern that allows you to safely face certain lean angles even on wet asphalt. In the off-road field, KAROO 4 increases the off-road performance level, especially on soft surfaces, such as sand, mud and clay.
