The 2013 PS sports tire test

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The 2013 PS sports tire test
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The 2013 PS sports tire test

The 2013 PS sports tire test
6 sports tires in the horsepower test

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Sports tires are our favorite connection to asphalt on the road. PS examines the current year. Last year’s high-flyer Bridgestone S20 can hold its own against the new Michelin Pilot Power 3? As an extra: pleasure or frustration – super sporty original tires are a risk in the wet?

Robert luck

05/21/2013

Slope and speed are the icing on the cake for our Brenner life. Necessary, even vital: non-slip rubber that keeps us on the asphalt. So-called sports tires are therefore the most important tire category for all sporty country road milling cutters.

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6 sports tires in the horsepower test

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PS set out to put the current Sportpellen vintage through its paces in dry and wet conditions as well as on country roads and racetracks. Tires in the common sizes 120/70 ZR 17 and 190/55 ZR 17 were tested. We also examined two pairs of super sporty original tires and checked whether this type of initial tire would bring pleasure or frustration and possibly even involve risks. The big touring tire test then follows in PS 7/2013, in which we focus on six different pairings.

The test tires


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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The 2013 PS sports tire test.

This year’s test field consists of the established sizes Bridgestone S20, Continental Sport Attack 2, Dunlop Sportsmart, Metzeler Sportec M5 and Pirelli Diablo Rosso 2 as well as the newcomer Michelin Pilot Power 3 together. All test tires were ordered from the manufacturers and the delivered products were exchanged for stock items from a wholesaler. It was impossible to manipulate the test tires. The oldest tire on the market was the Bridgestone S20 with production in the 44th calendar week 2011 (DOT 4411). That age is perfectly fine.

The test procedure


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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Milling, falling, refueling: the former and the latter are everyday life, the medium is the exception.

This year we made a guest appearance at the Dunlop / Goodyear test site in Mireval near the town of Sète in the south of France. There we had a demanding dry test track as well as a 1625 meter long, continuously watered wet test track. Driving was on a BMW HP4 with traction control in slick mode (corrected to level minus 4) and with active ABS. As specified by the vehicle manufacturer, the test air pressure was 2.5 bar at the front and 2.9 bar at the rear – each tested and set cold after installation.

The tire test began on the dry track. A roll-in lap was followed by two quick laps to check handling, steering precision, set-up torque and target accuracy, followed by two “all-in” laps to explore grip, feedback and the limit area. Then the change of the two pilots. The first tire of the test series was driven again at the end in order to rule out learning effects. The same procedure was followed a day later on the wet track. One roll-in lap, two brisk test laps, then two laps at the limit. In addition, each driver braked from 100 km / h to zero and the results of the measurements were averaged.

Since PS writes for sports drivers, we attach great importance to grip, which is why this criterion is rated with 40 points (out of 200 points) in dry conditions and 30 points (out of 100 points) in wet conditions. As always, the fact that incorruptible 2D data recording that recorded lap by lap and allows a razor-sharp analysis of cornering speeds, for example. Astonishing truths come to light, especially when it is wet. This is how the wet grip kings rush through Bridgestone and Michelin the reference curve “Omega” with speeds of 70.2 and 70.8 km / h, while the water-shy Continental only reaches 64.5 km / h.

But these measured values ​​do not say everything about a tire – and certainly not in the wet. Much more decisive than pure best values ​​is the driving experience that is generated. For example, what use is a tire with a lot of grip in the wet if the limit area is too narrow? Very little! Because when the tire begins to slide, it is so violent that the pilot is startled. Michelin had to learn this from the predecessor of the Pilot Power 3 – and took countermeasures. The Power 3 is as good as the previous “rain god” S20 from Bridgestone. A high level of grip, good-natured and wide limit areas and predictable handling make these skins winners in the wet. And while Bridgestone and Michelin have done their homework and offer grip, limit area and wellbeing, the Conti lacks both grip and a broad limit area. As a result, you don’t feel comfortable on the tire in the wet, and the lap time slips into the basement.

OE: Original Equipped


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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The test machine: a BMW HP4.

For the manufacturers, “OE” stands for “original equipped”. This basically means all components that are supplied to a manufacturer and that are grown as part of a new product. In addition to instruments, fittings, wheels and much more, on motorcycles these naturally also include the tires.

PS noticed that more and more sporty motorcycles, which also include naked bikes, are being delivered with increasingly sporty tires. For example, there is a Triumph Speed ​​Triple R on the super sporty Metzeler Racetec K3, as is the BMW S 1000 RR. Italian manufacturers such as Aprilia and Ducati like to use the hot one for different models Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP back. Which begs the question of whether these derivatives of genuine racing tires even make sense in everyday use on country roads and in the wet? Do they increase the sporting potential of a bike or are they a safety risk for the rider due to a lack of wet grip?

Test and evaluation


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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The wet track in the 2013 tire test.

The two OE pelts too Metzeler Racetec K3 and the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP had to endure the normal test procedure. First the dry test, then the wet test including emergency braking. The only difference: instead of 2.5 and 2.9 bar, we drove the candidates at the front and rear with 2.3 bar (cold). In order not to distort the assessment of the sports tires, we applied the same standards, but awarded more points than the maximum possible where it was necessary (e.g. for grip). All other criteria are comparable one to one.

Driving impressions


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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The 2013 PS sports tire test.

Neither the Metzeler Racetec K3 nor the Pirelli can hide their origins from the racing line. They both need a gentle hand for the first few kilometers until they have reached their operating temperature. Sports tires are “on the spot” faster.

The act of warming up naturally takes longer when the outside temperature is low, which is why these tires should really only be used in summer.

The two master the dry test with flying colors, convince all along the line and can clearly set themselves apart from the sports tires. But since these already provide plenty of grip, the question arises whether the extra portion of grip on the country road makes sense at all. Because when it is wet, the K3 and SP even drive away the red Conti Sport Attack 2 lantern.

Which does not mean that the two hot skins are impassable in the rain. But we can only recommend it to everyday and all-weather riders if they own a motorcycle with ABS and are willing to pay for more grip with a shorter mileage.

So if you ride your bike in any weather, in spring, summer and autumn, we recommend a sports tire that may be missing a second on the race, but which works more and more and, above all, for longer.

Tire approvals, transferability, horsepower rating


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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The evaluation table of the tested sports tires.

Tire approvals
Basically it is very simple: If there is no entry in the registration certificate I (vehicle registration) under number 22, there is no tire binding and you can put on your favorite sole without hesitation. However, this must correspond to the entries in fields 15.1 and 15.2, which, among other things, specify the dimensions. If there is an entry at number 22, opinions differ: Is the entry binding or not? You can play it safe if you have so-called clearance certificates (colloquially: releases) with you for other rubber than the prescribed ones. You can get them directly from the tire manufacturers, for example. Bridgestone recommends paying attention to the certificate even on machines without tire bindings. Then it is guaranteed that the tire will also work on the motorcycle. 

Transferability
Do the results of this tire test also apply to other motorcycles? Yes, but with restrictions. On machines of a similar type as the test machine BMW HP4 / S 1000 RR (weight, geometry, adjustment of the spring elements), the rubbers should function very similarly. It looks a little different with motorcycles with a significantly different orientation, such as heavy nakeds. The values ​​can differ here. This applies in particular to criteria such as stability, feedback, the righting moment when braking and, if necessary, behavior in the limit area. The results cannot be transferred to other dimensions at all (example: 180/55 or 190/50).

PS judgment
The new Michelin Pilot Power 3 and the Bridgestone S20 share the crown of 2013 sports tires. Both the newcomer and the S20, which was introduced last year, are convincing in every respect and score particularly well in the wet. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso 2 in third place scores especially in the dry. A little more agile handling would do him good. He forms the top of the close-knit midfield, in which the drying specialist is still Continental Sport Attack 2 and the good, but not too handy all-rounder Dunlop Sportsmart cavort. The very inconspicuous but harmless Metzeler Sportec M5 is a bit behind.

Bridgestone Battlax S20 – HP test winner wetness


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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Bridgestone Battlax S20 – HP test winner wetness.

As in 2012, the S20 is at the forefront again in 2013. His good-naturedness and the strong drying performance on high-performance athletes give him a good place in heating. But he really hits it in the wet, where only the new Michelin can follow him. The S20 is a top tire for everyone who wants to blow freely with the greatest possible safety under all conceivable road conditions. In the end, a deserved winner!

PS rating: 2 (wetness test 93 out of 100 points)

Continental Sport Attack 2 – PS test winner dry


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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Continental Sport Attack 2 – PS test winner dry.

In 2013, the Conti is the “dry tip” among the sportspeople. Feather-light handling, almost reference-like precision and firm grip make the Hanoverian a stunner on the country road. But only as long as it is dry. The Sport Attack 2 still doesn’t like moisture. Its quite low grip level, the narrow limit area with jagged, tearing grip and little feedback occasionally cause hairs on the back of the neck to stand up.

PS note: 2

Dunlop Z17 Sportsmart


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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Dunlop Z17 Sportsmart.

The Sportsmart is a tire that was built according to the old Dunlop tradition. When cold, it gives a stiff impression and when dry it needs some time to get up to temperature. But then it convinces with great grip in all situations. You can tell that the skin is a bit old when it comes to handling and accuracy. When wet, the Dunlop is inconspicuous, but also requires a stronger hand until the line fits. Overall, a tire without highlights and major flaws.

PS rating: 2-3

Metzeler Sportec M Interact


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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Metzeler Sportec M Interact.

The Sportec M5 is like a VW Golf on the side of the road. You don’t notice it when you walk by, but when you drive one, it is there for you unobtrusively. The M5 does not surpass the strong competition in any single discipline, but it does not allow itself to be left behind anywhere. In the dry it lacks feedback and grip, and in the wet the good rubber just manages to outrun the dry specialists. We are waiting for the successor!

PS rating: 2-3

Michelin Pilot Power 3 – HP test winner wetness


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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Michelin Pilot Power 3 – HP test winner wetness.

The new! With the Pilot Power 3, Michelin is leaving the valley of darkness and returning to the top of sports tires in a brilliant shine. In dry conditions, the Power 3 makes an impression that is just as reliable and good-natured as the S20 and operates at its very high level. In wet conditions, the unbelievable grip and the now easy to control, wider border area are convincing. A great tire for all weather

PS note: 2 (Wetness test 93 out of 100 points)

Pirelli Diablo Rosso 2


The 2013 PS sports tire test


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Pirelli Diablo Rosso 2.

The Rosso 2 as the drying specialist in third place overall in the test – that impresses. Because of the somewhat sluggish handling, it only has to bend over to the Conti in the dry, otherwise the Italian takes a big hit in terms of grip and stability. In wet conditions, it scores with the shortest braking distance and good feedback. Overall, a sporty tip for heaters for whom maximum grip in sunshine is more important than grip on wet terrain.

PS note: 2

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