Tires – Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires –

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Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires

Tires - Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires -

Confinement requires, MNC cannot travel to test the 2020 novelties … This is the case in particular of the new Dunlop Trailmax Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires supposed to be tested in mid-March in the Balearic Islands (Spain), which we discovered in videoconference. Presentation.

Introducing the Dunlop Trailmax Meridian 

This virtual presentation begins with the new one, which – as the name suggests – is intended for type motorcycles. Like most maxi-trails, this replacement for the TrailSmart Max is for road use: "90% road and 10% paths, rather rolling: it is not at all a cross or enduro tire", warns us from his webcam Francis Audefroy, director of the motorcycle division at Dunlop France.

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The Trailmax Meridian – already by MNC – is in this a faithful and pragmatic reflection of the category: its pronounced sculptures give it an "adventurer" look, but its technology and its performance actually refer to the "Sport-GT" genre. No wonder since the R1250 GS, Africa Twin 1100 and other Tiger 1200 are dynamic road motorcycles mounted on stilts !

Another revealing indication: the Trailmax Meridian claims at least a speed rating "V" (up to 240 km / h), or even "W" (up to 260 km / h) in 120/70/17 and 170/60 / 17 for trails with sporting connections. Dunlop even designed a front tire in 90/90/21 capable of exceeding 240 km / h – index "(V)" – especially for the KTM 1290 SuperAdventure and its supercharged 1.3 l twin. !

Tires - Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires -

This is why the new Trailmax – Tubetype compatible – does not refuse anything: multigum composition at the rear, high silica content for grip on wet and / or cold roads, carbon black compounds for grip on dry surfaces, carcass reinforced with the seamless belt "house" made of braided steel wire "JLB" (JointLessBelt). All assembled in France at (03). 

  • MNC report : Visit of the Dunlop two-wheeler factory in Montluçon 

The new Dunlop finally incorporates all the – good – ingredients that make the success of the range of sport-GT tires of the original British manufacturer, such as the popular and versatile Roadsmart 3 or the recent SportSmart MK3 intended for driving on the road really tough..

If the sole supplier of Moto3 and Moto2 is “de-carcassing” (ho, ho!) As much, it is for a simple reason: the trail tire segment has been growing steadily since 2012. In just a few years, it has even become the fourth market in Europe and France, behind "Sport", "Sport-Touring" and "Custom" tires. Logical, since we cross GS trails around every corner !

Tires - Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires -

“Out of around 1.4 million motorcycle and scooter tires sold in France in 2019, trail tires represent 60,000 units,” explains Francis Audefroy. That is 10% of the "Sport" and "Sport-GT" volumes combined (300,000 each): taking a close interest is all the more advisable as this range is generally in a high price range … like the motorcycles for which these tires are intended !

"The price of a train of Trailmax Meridian in medium dimensions (120 and 170 mm), not installed, is between 230 and 240 euros", reveals the boss of the motorcycle branch of Dunlop France. Close, therefore, to the road bestseller of the Goodyear group brand: the Roadsmart 3 (around 250 euros).

Dimensions Dunlop Trailmax Meridian

Tires - Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires -

 

Presentation of Dunlop Mutant 

"The Mutant is a whole new concept: no other manufacturer approaches the market in this way", animates Francis Audefroy to introduce the second major innovation of Dunlop in 2020. "It is a new species of tire", assures us. he playing with humor on the words.

Tires - Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires -

Initially, the Mutant was developed for motorcycles considered to be "Crossover": BMW F900XR and S1000XR, Ducati Multistrada, Kawasaki Versys 650, Yamaha Tracer 900 and Tracer 700, etc. Or machines that look – more or less – to trails, but which are in reality raised roadsters without off-road capabilities: the equivalent of SUVs in cars.

But its potential is such that Dunlop has greatly broadened its target: the Mutant can equip "more than 370 models (!): Trails, roadsters, sport-tourers, neo-retro and scramblers", rejoices the brand which also incorporates the motorcycles prepared because its sculptures in "blocks" make it "particularly aesthetic", assures the European product manager of Dunlop Moto, Dmitri Talboom.

Its specifications are both simple and complex: to offer “all-season performance on all types of road”, describes the tire manufacturer, who evokes “handling and stability worthy of hypersport tires”, while guaranteeing grip on ground cold and humid as well as a "remarkable" longevity. 

Tires - Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires -

In short, the description of the Mutant bears a resemblance to that of … Dunlop Roadsmart 3, a multi-purpose tire that performs well in all areas! The novelty is also closely inspired by the sport-GT reference in terms of technologies: bigomme at the rear, seamless belt JLB, clever combination of silica and carbon black.

"The market is not going to increase, so the Mutant will actually push other tires nearby including in our offer", readily admits the director of the motorcycle division of Dunlop France when pointed out to him the inevitable overlaps created by this "brand new concept".

"It will be up to the store advisor to clearly identify the customer’s needs, in order to direct him to the appropriate assembly," explains Francis Audefroy. On the condition, however, that resellers are really capable of doing so as they often distribute several brands of tires … Finding out about the intricacies of each manufacturer is a job !

A four-season tire

However, the Mutant has certain features that could justify its choice: starting with the distinctive style of its cobblestone tread, which will indeed lend itself perfectly to the now essential Scrambler motorcycles, or even to the growing segment of "Flat-inspired machines. Track ".

Tires - Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires -

This novelty also claims homologation derived from the automobile "M + S" (for "Mud" + "Snow": mud and snow). This name, which is not widely used in motorcycles, distinguishes tires with a high grip capacity on wet and cold ground thanks to a generous notching rate (25% minimum). "Winter" tires in a way, or rather "four seasons" !

Dunlop even proudly reports that the Mutant is the "first motorcycle tire approved" M + S "with a speed rating" (W) ", capable of exceeding 260 km / h". Logical insofar as it is intended to equip playful, even turbulent motorcycles ! 

The Mutant has been marketed since February at an average price of "250/260 euros in 120 and 180, not installed", reveals Francis Audefroy. Like the Trailmax Meridian above, this "new kind" tire is made in France in the Montluçon factory..

No heavy GT or circuit

The favorite Suzuki Endurance Racing Team (SERT) tire maker gives two recommendations before concluding this presentation: "the Mutant is not recommended for large road motorcycles, type R1250RT, GTR1400 or FJR1300, and is not suitable for track practice".

In question: a risk of overheating linked in particular to its tread patterns and its carcass designed to promote grip in cold weather, as well as to its "new extra-adherent resins" used in its rubber mixture. Characteristics that would make it a real "weapon" on wet asphalt…

"The Mutant is the best performing tire in the wet, all types of tires and manufacturers combined – except rain tires intended for the circuit," says Dmitri Talboom bluntly, before pointing out to us that the Mutant can be mixed with the SX Mutant. launched in 2006 for Supermoto-type motorcycles (Mutant in 120/70/17 at the front and SX in 150/60/17 or 160/60/17 at the rear)

Next step for MNC: wait for deconfinement to test handlebars in hand all these interesting arguments! In the meantime, stay connected … at home !

Dunlop Mutant Dimensions

Tires - Everything you need to know about the new Dunlop Meridian and Mutant motorcycle tires -

Alexander

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