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- The successor of the diablo Rosso enters the era of the bi-eraser
- The days of the diablo Rosso are numbered. After 3 years of existence, he will gradually hand over to his replacement, the diablo Rosso II. The time to settle some formalities, such as original equipment approvals, and the page will be turned for this holder of the hypersport range. Now…
- More rubber on the ground thanks to FGD
- FGD: functional Groove Design / functional design of the sculptures
- Bi-C: Bi-Coumpond technologiy: a rear Bi-rubber !
- The Diavel rolls in Diablo (rosso II)!
- On track !
- Personal !
- Dimensions table:
The successor of the diablo Rosso enters the era of the bi-eraser
The days of the diablo Rosso are numbered. After 3 years of existence, he will gradually hand over to his replacement, the diablo Rosso II. The time to settle some formalities, such as original equipment approvals, and the page will be turned for this holder of the hypersport range. Now the Rosso II is slowly entering the era of Bi-Gomme.
The arrival of a new hypersport tire is always an event because it both conveys an image and reveals a manufacturer’s technology. The evolution of tires is an integral part of the history of motorcycles because it is this that has brought about profound changes. To be convinced, one need only look at the GP motorcycles of the 1980s before and after the arrival of radial tires. They are the ones who forced the manufacturers to use delta-box frames and box-type swinging arms to cope with the new constraints created by the added grip provided by this technology. Today, transfers from the track to the road are still relevant and it is in this trend that Pirelli, official supplier of the SBK Mondial, introduces a dual compound in its rear tire for the Diablo Rosso II.
But he also did a lot of work to equip a new kind of bike: the Diavel. Let’s take a closer look…
More rubber on the ground thanks to FGD
FGD: functional Groove Design / functional design of the sculptures
Let’s start from the front! This is important because it greatly conditions the pilot’s confidence. To improve the Rosso, Pirelli adopted a new mixture of gum, reduced the surface of the sculptures and modified their designs very slightly. Thus, the surface of the Rosso II shows only 10.5% sculptures against 12.4 on the Rosso. However, their new positioning allows better drainage, which improves stability in the wet and increases the life of the tire which now wears more regularly..
Same fight at the rear where the hack rate drops from 9 to 8%, a lower rate than the front because it takes advantage of the drainage provided by the front wheel. We also note the adoption of perfectly smooth shoulders which provide better grip on very strong angles that are not achieved on wet roads by definition.
In total, the reduction in the notching rate allowed a 5% increase in the contact surface with the ground, which improves wear and behavior. But they also worked on the profile of the tire to improve its ground contact surface (+ 2%). Our Italian friends who like little English names very much called this novelty with the soft sobriquet “EPT” for (enhanced patch technology, reinforced contact surface).
In addition, the surface changes depending on the angle taken. It increases for low inclines, going from the 100% vertical motorcycle reference, to 112% and then 117% on stronger angles (40/45 °). This makes it possible to switch the power on the ground to the acceleration out of a corner, for example. To warn the more daring who will venture beyond that the limit is approaching, the surface decreases again to return to 100% on the maximum angle.
Bi-C: Bi-Coumpond technologiy: a rear Bi-rubber !
Here too, as before, the rubber has changed. But the big news isadoption of a two-compound process but only in the back. A technology already used by the firm on the Rosso Corsa.
In the center, a polymer rubber heavily loaded with silica for better behavior in wet conditions and better resistance to wear. This new high density rubber (ECC extrem cohesion compound) is more stable over time and offers better abrasion resistance than that used on Rosso. On the extreme shoulders of the RossoII, a softer compound loaded with resins and carbon black to ensure grip on dry ground.
An important development therefore which re-positions the Rosso II both in terms of longevity, behavior in the wet and sporting skills, which is summarized in the small comparison table with its blood brother the diablo Rosso Corsa:
The Diavel rolls in Diablo (rosso II)!
A new kind of machine between dragster and sports car, the Diavel is at a crossroads. Torn by designers who wanted a huge AR tire (240mm!) And engineers who wanted sporty handling, the technicians at Pirelli developed a Diablo Rosso II specifically for it. It took a lot of work on the profile to reconcile looks and liveliness. This is what the 240/45 ZR 17 manages to do with its shapes directly inspired by the SKB more rounded than the competitors in 240/40 ZR 18.
To be confirmed soon by a full-scale test !
On track !
According to Pirelli, this tire is a “road sport” which is placed in the range between the Angel ST touring and Diablo rosso corsa which is a “track road”. The sharpest still have the diablo super corsa SC and SP in reserve for exclusively track use..
It was on the superb Magny-cours track that we were able to judge the aptitudes of this handsome, warm-blooded Italian. On a slightly cloudy morning, but on a dry track, we set off on the asphalt with the gratin of the sportswomen. A large sample of motorcycles among which we were able to test: an Aprilia RSV4 APRC in 100 hp, a Ducati 848 evo, a yamaha R6, a 1000 CBR repsol in full and a skewer of S 1000 RR BMW in full also.
Very complete, the Nivernais circuit includes fast turns, chicane, pif-paf, tight turns, long straight line and very strong braking. It also offers an interesting relief. Ideal for testing a bit sporty from all angles, so to speak. And we have to admit that the red devil did not disappoint us.
The perfect cohesion of its front / rear profiles leaves no downtime or hesitation when entering a curve. Although it is not dual compound, the front tire gives the rider great confidence. Stable, it allows you to throw yourself without a second thought into the big curve after the straight line of the stands by aiming with precision the successive rope points.
The high-speed entry into the Estoril curve that follows is also very calm, as you accelerate for a long time then until the exit and then pass without even noticing the Golf bend. Adelaide braking is more or less rapid, depending on whether the bike is restrained or not.
The benchmark in terms of a powerful motorcycle if there was one, the BMW does not seem to make the Diablo Rosso II suffer outrageously when the assistance is disengaged. If in sport mode, they intervene excessively, beyond that, you no longer feel them and neither the pilot nor the tire have to complain. On the 1000 CBR, it’s the same happiness, the power goes to the ground, without problem. In this little game, the Italian seems to have stronger shoulders than his cousin from Metzeler, whom we managed to win (in M5 with a 600 GSXR and in K3 with a 1000).
Adelaide’s hard braking in no way compromises the Imperial stability of the tires and again you feel perfectly at ease as you throw the bike into the slow 180 ° turn. The drop that immediately follows the curve does not disrupt the stability outrageously and we accelerate with force to start the descent to the Nurburgring chicane which precedes a 180 ° not easy to negotiate, where again the good grip of the front reassures despite the important angle grip.
Without going through all the corners of the circuit, we will still mention the excellent behavior of the high school braking tire that starts on the angle and the ease of swaying in the delicate chicane that precedes the straight line. No doubt real pilots will fault this "sport-road" tire, but at our humble level, this was not the case, even in the evening, when far from the photographers we had a few bonus sessions between perfect gentlemen … . the knife between the teeth. Sharper than in the morning, taking advantage of a great sun and with the desire to do battle with the colleagues, we did not find fault with the Diablo Rosso II, despite all the bad time that can characterize the pseudo -pilots under the circumstances. Not one of us who has been dislocated in turn would have dared to put this on the back of the tire. A sign that does not deceive !
Personal !
Last detail, enthusiasts who like to flatter their ego will be able to afford stickers with their name on the net for a few euros to stick it on the sidewall of the tire in an imprint provided for this purpose. It seems that it makes some of the customers smile. We have nothing against…. isn’t David? Big children must have fun, this is even the secret of eternal youth. Better than selling your soul to the devil no ?
Strong points
- very good level of grip on dry tracks.
- braking stability.
- trajectory precision
- dual compound rear tire
- versatility
Weak points
- single compound front tire (wear undoubtedly faster than a twin compound)
- wet performance to be confirmed (not assessed)
- endurance to be confirmed (not evaluated)
Dimensions table:
- Prices: 120/180 X 17: 249 € TTC (seen at 215 € in promotion),
- Diavel: 315 € TTC (seen at 260 € in promotion)
Longevity tests and upcoming biker reviews on tire tests
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