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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:

  • 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?

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

  • With linear handling, we have achieved steering performance that allows you to move freely at any lateral inclination angle Newly developed high-grip carbon mixture By using a high-grip full carbon mixture, it supports driving on circuit courses with high grip performance that shows itself over a wide range from the road to corners. In addition, the structure is tuned according to size to optimize stiffness.

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. "

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

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.

Pirelli announces the arrival of the new DIABLO ROSSO IV CORSA, the high-performance hypersport tyre that raises the bar of sport riding even higher within the DIABLO ROSSO family. The new DIABLO ROSSO IV Corsa represents a fiercer version of the DIABLO ROSSO IV supersport tyre, and was created to satisfy the most demanding motorcyclists seeking a tyre capable of a sporty performance, in order to best express the potential of their supersport, naked or hypernaked bikes.

DIABLO ROSSO IV Corsa is the ideal choice for:

  • Motorcyclists who love a dynamic riding style on winding roads and mountain passes, who want a tyre that can best express the sporty performance of their motorcycle;
  • Motorcyclists who are passionate about tuning, who look for performance upgrades and take care of the bike set-up. These riders seek the optimal set-up of their motorcycle according to the type of use, also through the upgrade to high-performance equipment.

The product of intensive research and development work, the new ContiRoadAttack 4 combines two worlds: An all-new tyre design that easily tops its competitors on the traditional sport-touring metrics of mileage, comfort, stability and wet grip. But which also offers new levels of pure sporting ability, essential for the latest high-performance sport-touring motorcycles. The performance is so good, that we’re calling it a “Hyper-Touring tyre”.

The new ContiRoadAttack 4 features all of our core Continental technologies like TractionSkin and MultiGrip, and also adds GripLimitFeedback technology for superior levels of control and safety when riding at full lean.

The new ContiRoadAttack 4 adds the GripLimitFeedback technology for early feedback in high lean angles.

The slick shoulder area means more rubber on the road at higher lean angles for maximum grip and high precision, while an all-new compound and updated tread pattern gives a massive boost to wet weather performance, with superb grip in all conditions. This modern high-tech tyre is developed for modern and powerful sports tourers, but will also enhance the performance of popular older touring machines too.

Our engineers have also revised the construction of the front tyre to give more feedback and improved agility, which also reduces the tendency to stand up during hard cornering.

The new sizes of the METZELER SPORTEC M9 RR range dedicated to adventure segment motorcycles will be available from December.

Launched in 2020, the SPORTEC M9 RR is a Supersport tire designed for sporty bikers who use their motorcycles in all weathers. Initially intended for Supersports, Naked and Crossover motorcycles, equipped in 17 inches, the SPORTEC M9 RR enriches its range with the arrival of the dimensions 120/70 R19 at the front and 170/60 R17 at the rear, dedicated to Most popular road trails, which will now be able to enjoy a sporty driving experience.

Dunlop's long-standing reputation in the field of sports tires brings with the new Dunlop Qualifier Core what matters most to Hypersport tyres: dynamic handling, excellent grip on dry and wet roads.

Modern technology and innovative manufacturing methods allow customers to experience the best performance at a great price that until now has only been reserved for top racing tyres.

HCT technology helps the tough floor deliver superior performance.

The rubber cross section and mold shape were developed using a DFF formula that ensures excellent workability.

The design inspired by the first generation SportSmart tire offers balanced tread stiffness, even tire wear and excellent handling on dry and wet surfaces.

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.

 

“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.

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

 

  • DUNLOP D952 now certified for road use in four sizes
  • Update gives riders freedom to enjoy off-road action and on-road travel on the same tyre 
  • New M+S designation for DUNLOP D908 RR enables more bikes to be fitted with Dunlop’s high-durability rally-raid pattern

Two of Dunlop’s highly durable off-road tyres have been updated with new designations that are set to provide substantial benefits to leisure riders and hardcore enduro enthusiasts alike.

The Dunlop D952, a tyre designed for recreational off-road use, has received ECE R75 certification. This means it can be used legally on the road as well as on tracks, saving riders the expense and resources associated with transporting specialist equipment.

The new categorisation has been granted to four of the six sizes within the D952 range and is available from April 2021.

The road-legal specifications of this hardy tyre are 110/90-18 61M, 110/90-19 62M, 120/90-18 65M and 80/100-21 51M.

Designed to work across a wide variety of terrain, the D952 is based on a high-durability construction that promotes long wear and supreme traction. Its pattern is derived from the popular D752, while the addition of road legality further highlights its status as a perfect tyre for off-road leisure use.

Dunlop has added two new rear tire sizes to the existing DUNLOP MUTANT tire sizes, so that 140 more motorcycle models can now be equipped with the world's first crossover tire.

  • 2 new MUTANT rear tire sizes: 150/60 ZR17 and 160/60 ZR17
  • Tire approvals for more than 140 additional models
  • Unique crossover concept: performance in almost all conditions

With the new dimensions 150 60ZR17 and 160/60ZR17, drivers of supermoto such as the KTM 690 SMCR and Husqvarna 701 Supermoto can now for the first time fall back on the unique MUTANT performance. Pilots of entry-level machines as well, because the rear tire size 150/60ZR17 fits, among other things, on motorcycles KTM 390 RC or Kawasaki Z400. With the wider tire size 160/60ZR17, sporty mid-range bikes in particular can be equipped: there are tire approvals for the Honda CBR 500R, Triumph Bonneville Speed ​​Twin, Kawasaki Ninja 650 / Z650 and Versys 650 models.

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