pritch
27th July 2008, 15:22
I'm always pleased to see a reasonably authoritative tyre evaluation in a magazine. Scientific testing would be better but that's expensive, generally too much trouble, and in consequence almost as rare as rocking horse shit.
The June issue of BIKE has an article covering a track test of the currently available Sport Touring tyres. One rider, a very experienced road tester and “National” grade road racer. One bike, the Triumph ST. There is, however, no wet testing and no indication as to how the tyres may last, but even so it's better than nothing. His track also bears no resemblance to our imperfect roads.
Notwithstanding the limitations, the test is fairly demanding and he apparently evaluates such details as turn in under brakes at 165mph. Not something I do a Hell of a lot of, but interesting all the same.
I found a couple of the rankings a bit startling but the tester was himself startled by one, the Maxxis. He thought they were Fourth Division but upgraded them to Premier league. Don't take things out of context, some of the top ranked tyres are rated OK for the occasional track day, even the last placed tyre is rated fine for road use.
What the test says to me is basically, “We don't know how lucky we are.”
The ratings are as follows:
*****
1 Dunlop Roadsmart 3TC
2 Pirelli Diablo Strada
****
3 Metzeller Roadtec Z6
4 Michelin Pilot Road 2CT
5= Avon Storm ST
5= Bridgestone BT-021
7 Maxxis Supermaxx m6029
***
8 Continental Road Attacks
If you want to know more buy BIKE :whistle:
The June issue of BIKE has an article covering a track test of the currently available Sport Touring tyres. One rider, a very experienced road tester and “National” grade road racer. One bike, the Triumph ST. There is, however, no wet testing and no indication as to how the tyres may last, but even so it's better than nothing. His track also bears no resemblance to our imperfect roads.
Notwithstanding the limitations, the test is fairly demanding and he apparently evaluates such details as turn in under brakes at 165mph. Not something I do a Hell of a lot of, but interesting all the same.
I found a couple of the rankings a bit startling but the tester was himself startled by one, the Maxxis. He thought they were Fourth Division but upgraded them to Premier league. Don't take things out of context, some of the top ranked tyres are rated OK for the occasional track day, even the last placed tyre is rated fine for road use.
What the test says to me is basically, “We don't know how lucky we are.”
The ratings are as follows:
*****
1 Dunlop Roadsmart 3TC
2 Pirelli Diablo Strada
****
3 Metzeller Roadtec Z6
4 Michelin Pilot Road 2CT
5= Avon Storm ST
5= Bridgestone BT-021
7 Maxxis Supermaxx m6029
***
8 Continental Road Attacks
If you want to know more buy BIKE :whistle: