Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II tire test

Menus

• Does he really have the devil in his body ?
• New blood
• Chic underwear
• The water test before the fire test
• Kyalami !
• Practical aspects
• Conclusion
• The dimensions of the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II
• Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II video test

Does he really have the devil in his body ?

New blood

But what the hell is going on on the other side of the Alps? Has the sports tire specialist fallen asleep on his laurels? Eight years is no longer an age for a sports tire today! So think, when the Diablo Rosso Corsa came out, there was little talk of electronics and the 200 horsepower barrier was still a long way off.. Almost prehistory…

But let’s leave Piero misani, the R&D director explain to us the reason for this exceptional longevity.

In fact, it was the market that dictated this situation. Demand for the Diablo Rosso Corsa was still very strong. So we would have been wrong to replace him while he was still surfing at the top of the wave. Customers were happy, so instead of a normal 5-6 year lifespan in this segment, we extended the Diablo Rosso Corsa up to 8 years without replacing it. However, it remains available in second line, but at the top of the segment, the Diablo Rosso Corsa II replaces it..

In fact, it becomes a little difficult to navigate the range, since the Diablo Rosso III is less sporty than it, while the more tracked will move towards the Super Corsa SP, or even SC. To better situate the newcomer, let’s face it against its competitors. At Dunlop, the Diablo Rosso Corsa II faces the Sportsmart TT, undoubtedly a little sportier than him. Michelin, opposes its Power RS ​​to him, so Bridgestone offers the RS 10. Continental relies on the Raceattack comp end to give the reply, while the Metzeler brother is a little on horseback between Sportec M7 RR and Racetec K3. There you have it, the stage is set. Let’s summarize the situation by saying that the newborn is a road hypersport, capable of doing track days..

Chic underwear

To upgrade his baby, Pirelli didn’t skimp. It is a front dual compound, rear triple compound, a choice reminiscent of Bridgestone’s BT16, except that technological development now makes it possible to better manage the transition zones between the compounds, which does not was not necessarily the case in the past.

To offer the best compromise, Pirelli has opted for a narrow central rear band with a hard mixture doped with 70% silica, for more longevity. Covering only 15 °, it is surrounded by two 100% silica bands on either side, which reach beyond 35 °, to an almost slick zone, boosted with carbon black for optimal grip. At the front we find a more classic pattern, with three zones instead of 5. The transition is also made here at 35 °, as at the rear, so that the pilot has identical sensations. The secret of these well-managed transitions lies in the overlap of the treads, which thus allow more or less deformation and therefore heating of the rubber..

With these deep evolutions, Pirelli associates new profiles, more pointed at the top and more rounded on the shoulders. This improves the liveliness of the motorcycle and its grip on the angle thanks to an increased contact surface. Result of all these efforts, in identical conditions, the Rosso Corsa II can reach 52 ° of inclination, against 48 ° "only" for its predecessor. Well enough technical talk, if we were going to try this tire?

The water test before the fire test

Do I put on my rain suit or not? In the photos it is not very sexy, but in view of what it falls it is more reasonable if I do not want to catch pneumonia and overload my luggage with leather full of water. Well took me, because after a few kilometers, it is a deluge that falls on us. The road, dotted with huge potholes, is sometimes also crossed by mudslides. Not really the ideal playground for a hypersport tire that prefers to bask the pill on a hot track.

But the Diablo Rosso Corsa II is a road tire and as such, it must be able to handle your daily life. Let’s say it right away, in these difficult conditions, he is doing it with honors! Thanks to excellent feedback, the rider knows exactly where he is putting his wheels and where the grip is available. The confidence is there. The profile, pointed, but not too much, ensures good handling, without the bike falling. A pleasant feeling, when you roll on eggshells. The outside temperature of 15 ° and the rain therefore do not seem to affect the qualities of the Diablo Rosso Corsa II. Finally, these bad conditions are good. It is in adversity that we judge our friends best and obviously we can count on this beautiful Italian.

Kyalami !

The next morning, the rain stopped and we discovered with emotion the magnificent layout and the reliefs of the famous South African track steeped in history. Thought, he’s exactly my age! Tight or fast turns, corner braking, heavy acceleration, there is everything you need to judge a tire. We have three 20-minute sessions preceded by a quarter of an hour of discovery, to do battle with the track and the Rosso Corsa II. It is with the handlebars of a sure value, the GSX-R 1000, that I begin the hostilities. Too short to get an idea. I will wait for the next round to judge.

It’s a KTM 1290 Super Duke R that will allow me to take the first measurement of our challenger. It only takes a few turns to realize that between her and the Pirelli, it’s a happy marriage! The bike is easy, it joins the rope on demand, almost just at a glance. With its large handlebars, its biting brakes just right and its quality suspensions, the Austrian is a real treat. Confidence is enormous. It is hardly that at high speed that it is a little restless, but we have to admit that in the winding portion, the KTM / Pirelli duo is incredibly efficient. It turns you from an experienced biker into an amateur rider !

The third session is already coming and I opt for a Panigale V4. I will not regret it! Well, it would be the devil if a Ducati did not work with Pirelli! But here, in this case, it’s the perfect match. The beautiful Italian is disconcertingly easy. This time at high speed, the stability is imperative, just like on the hard braking. Rocking the motorcycle, opening wide, everything happens like a dream. I never imagined the Panigale at such a party! I take this opportunity to see that the tire profile is as pleasant in the dry as it is in the rain. Neither too lively, nor too round. Tip Top !

The time for the last run is already coming. Charmed by the V4, the Ducati and the behavior of the KTM roadster, I try to combine the best of both by riding an Aprilia 1100 Tuono RR. Here again the pleasure is at the rendezvous. Less moving than the KTM at high speed, the Tuono is more at acceleration. Undoubtedly the combined effect of a suspension offering less travel than on the Austrian and a tire that begins to throat over the sessions. Hot as embers, I finally recorded some evasions from the rear, which gently warns, while the front remains imperial. We are already at a good pace, on a powerful motorcycle. There is really everything you need to have fun and above all, between entering and leaving the track, the Rosso Corsa II does not soften under the effect of warming up. Finally, if fatigue is felt over the sessions, the wear observed is beautiful and uniform, which will make it possible to make the tire last on the road..

Practical aspects

Already available from dealers, the Rosso Corsa II is primarily intended for medium and large displacement. The range starts at 160, the small 300 and 400 are therefore excluded, to finish at 200/60 X 17, enough to equip the new Panigale V4 as you have seen by reading these lines. The price should be around 290 € TTC for a 120/180 train without assembly.

Conclusion

The level continues to rise in the hyper sport category. After 8 years of loyal service, the Rosso Corsa was a little behind the competition. The new Corsa II arrives to raise the glove in a beautiful way. He was 3 seconds ahead of his predecessor on a lap at Mugello. It’s not nothing. At the same time, other manufacturers have not stood idly by and it is precisely this healthy competition that allows us to have safer and more competitive products. Even if the seats are expensive, the Rosso Corsa II is certainly to be classified at the top of the basket, because indeed, it has the devil in the body !

Strong points

• Versatility
• Maneuverability
• Wet handling
• The potential on the track

Weak points

• limited adhesion in mudslides….
• Unchecked wear resistance.

Test conditions

• Itinerary: varied small roads in heavy rain in a BMW S 1000 R and dry track circuit in KTM 1290, Ducati V4, Tuono V4 and Suzuki GSXR.

The dimensions of the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II

Before :

• 120/70 ZR 17 M / C (58W) TL

Back :

• 160/60 ZR 17 M / C (69W) TL
• 180/55 ZR 17 M / C (73W) TL
• 180/60 ZR 17 M / C (75W) TL
• 190/50 ZR 17 M / C (73W) TL
• 190/55 ZR 17 M / C (75W) TL
• 200/55 ZR 17 M / C (78W) TL

Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II video test

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