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- A champion tire in the rain
- The first dual compound for Europeans
- New profile and new design
- More enduring too !
- A little tour under the sun
- The rain taps
- On track !
- Price
- Dimensions table
- Three questions to Piero MISANI, motorcycle R&D director
- Metzeler specializes in road racing tires, but what is the difference with a traditional racing tire, on track??
- The ground is also more bumpy maybe?
- And in terms of speed, it’s easier on the road?
A champion tire in the rain
Eager to have us try out his hypersport tire in sunny Almeria, Metzeler had planned a “spin” program based on S 1000 RR 2015. Unfortunately for us, but fortunately for you reader, we had to switch to the “rain” program to discover the Sportec M7 RR tire.
The Sportec M7 RR is a novelty for 2014, which replaces the Sportec M5, displaying much higher sporting pretensions. A size therefore, that we were able to try, on road and on track, on the handlebars of the 2015 BMW R 1200 R and S 1000 RR. But before setting off to see what this champion has in his stomach, let’s analyze his technological content a little. and the options chosen by the German-Italian manufacturer.
The first dual compound for Europeans
Until then Metzeler had exclusively used “Interact” technology to provide zones of different hardness between the tread and the shoulders of the tire. By adjusting the tension of the carcass, in order to allow more or less movements, the manufacturer modifies the temperature and therefore the grip of the rubber, depending on the area. The M7 RR still uses it, but the joint in the rear dual compound process. Now, Interact mainly helps to smooth the transition between the two rubbers. Note that if Metzeler had already marketed a twin-compound M5 across the Atlantic, this is a first for us Europeans. But we will see that the result is up to this technological leap
New profile and new design
Building on the experience gained in road competitions, notably with Guy Martin on the Isle of Man, Metzeler has designed a new higher profile, which offers the advantage of a larger ground contact area when cornering. A very good point for confidence.
This supersport tire has been designed to perform at its best in "real" conditions, that is, with dirty, uneven, sometimes cold and wet asphalt, with differences in surface from place to place. In short for the road, but with great sporting ambitions. It is of course quite capable of going after a good time on the track, where it is also behind its Italian cousin, the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa. A reference ! An "all-terrain" tire, in a way, as comfortable on the road as on the track.
The new design features side grooves, increasing in width towards the shoulders as their depth decreases, to improve drainage at the corner. The notch rate (full / empty ratio) has also been revised compared to its predecessor. It was increased from 12.6% to 14.7% at the front and decreased from 12.6% to 11.1% at the rear thanks to better water drainage provided by the front tire. These factors, together with the interrupted longitudinal grooves, also improve the stability of the tread and the evenness of wear, according to Metzeler.
More enduring too !
More sporty and more enduring, it is possible, yes, on the one hand thanks to the profile and the design which increases the rubber surface on the ground and the rigidity of the tread, but also thanks to the rear dual-rubber technology. , which allows the use of a harder mixture in the center, without compromising the grip when cornering. For better grip on cold and wet ground, the front tire and rear shoulders use a 100% silica blend. The central rear tread, which is about 45mm wide (depending on the size) is made of 70% silica and uses a harder substrate. Finally, additives used during manufacture promote the homogeneity of the mixtures and enhance their resistance to heat, so that the performance of the tire does not deteriorate after a few laps of the track. Unfortunately, we will not have time to see it, due to the lack of capricious weather.
A little tour under the sun
Arrived a little early, we take advantage of the magnificent sunshine to ride on the winding departmental roads that crisscross the reliefs above Almeria. Serious things are planned for the next day and on the track. We do not have a photographer with us, but a good little motorcycle trip, that is not to be refused, especially on the handlebars of the R 1200 R which we had so won over during its presentation.
Usually fitted with the Roadtec Z8, it becomes sharper in the M7 RR, with a sharper front end, which tilts more in roundabouts. This is the benefit of the new profile, which is steeper on the sides. It’s a bit more nervous, but as soon as you pick up the pace you feel more secure thanks to the more rubber on the ground. As a result, the feedback is excellent, you can feel the front, on this roadster which abandons the Telelever in favor of an inverted fork. The stability at high speed (less than 200 all the same), is excellent and the rear tire cash without flinching the torque of the vigorous twin. The changes of the coatings do not disturb it. We will wait for the track to judge the grip on the very strong angles, but on the road, no worries, it really grips.
The rain taps
Unfortunately, the next day, the Spanish coast offers us a whole different face. The smooth blue sea turned gray with big rollers. The wind is blowing and the asphalt is dotted with puddles of water. We thus go up to the circuit by small mountain roads, with S 1000 RR in “rain” mode. Sniff. Despite bracelets and 165 horsepower in the hairpin bends, the bike and the tire behave well in this delicate exercise. Even in these downright rotten conditions, you feel confident, while some portions are as smooth as they are shiny. The electronics are there like a parachute and we like to gently increase the pace by relying on it, without it being felt. The stall limit, seems quite far from what an average rider will dare on a wet road.
On track !
Here we are on the circuit of Almeria under the orders of Jurgen Fuchs, ex GP driver, who shows us the trajectories, in almost incessant rain. No more question of testing the Racetec RR which had also been mentioned, it will be the M 7 RR all day. It is too cold and humid. Despite all his efforts to adopt a pace that suits me, I can not follow it and I continue alone after a few laps. The S 1000 R is not my cup of tea either. Too powerful for my taste, it requires driving skills that I don’t have. I would prefer a 600, or a 1000 GSXR, but never mind, you have to deal with it and luckily the electronics are on the lookout. This motorcycle is a fury !
In "sport" mode, the front wheel takes off slightly when passing through the fourth, without cutting the throttle thanks to the shifter (around 230 km / h). The M7 RR does not pick up. At the end of the straight, in the rain, optimistic braking triggered at more than 270 degrees involves ABS, without affecting the stability in any way. It’s reassuring. Compatibility between tires and electronic assistance devices is perfect. When it comes to ABS, the secret lies in perfect tire / rim grip. The speed signal sent to the electronic control unit must not be disturbed, so that it detects as quickly and as exactly as possible, micro-blockages and grip resumptions. Clearly, we must not pollute the signal.
In the absence of comparison, in difficult conditions and on a surface that I do not know, I can only trust my feelings. And in this case, they’re pretty good. The dropout limit is very wide. The M7 RR is both considerate thanks to good feedback and progressive. Setting the angle is easy, but also gradual. The bike is not sagging, which allows you to follow the path you have set yourself. In the afternoon, a final drying session confirms the sensations. At 285 km / h, while the S 1000 RR still accelerates like hell, no parasitic movement can be detected. It’s stable. Admittedly, it is difficult to fault the rigidity of the carcass when accelerating over the angle in these conditions, but the confidence is there.
Undoubtedly this M7 RR is a very good customer for sports fans. It is versatile, enduring, fast on the track, which independent and international tests prove. Plus, he’s not afraid to get wet! If it doesn’t square the circle, it comes close, offering a very broad spectrum of use, which will suit all uses. Its longevity increased by 20% compared to the Sportec M5 is not the least of its qualities. Certainly, Metzeler hit the nail on the head !
Price
Price approximately 245/255 € excluding installation in 120/180 X 17. price observed on the web: 225 € the set.
Dimensions table
| Front tire | Rear tire |
| 110/70 ZR 17 M / C 54 W TL | 150/60 ZR 17 M / C 66 W TL |
| 120/60 ZR 17 M / C 55 W TL | 160/60 ZR 17 M / C 69 W TL |
| 120/70 ZR 17 M / C 58 W TL | 180/55 ZR 17 M / C 73 W TL |
| 190/50 ZR 17 M / C 73 W TL | |
| 190/55 ZR 17 M / C 75 W TL | |
| 200/55 ZR 17 M / C 78 W TL |
Three questions to Piero MISANI, motorcycle R&D director
Metzeler specializes in road racing tires, but what is the difference with a traditional racing tire, on track??
The constraints encountered in road racing are very different from those on the track. The coating can be very changeable and the tire must still perform well, despite everything. On a track, it’s always the same bitumen, even if some areas are more worn than others. Overall, the differences are smaller.
The ground is also more bumpy maybe?
yes indeed, on the road, we even have manhole covers! The tire must therefore have good damping ability, while ensuring good braking rigidity, this is the role of our 0 ° steel carcass, a patent which dates from 1991. You can watch videos of Ballaugh’s passage slack on the TT and you will see what the road racing tires take!
And in terms of speed, it’s easier on the road?
No it’s worse !!! at the Nordwest 200, they remain 22 seconds at the bottom of 6th with the S 1000 RR! It’s over 1800 m,! No motorcycle circuit has such a straight line. A track tire would not resist it. Such applications also require a lot of stiffness on the sidewalls for good stability at high speed. This great experience has enabled us to develop the new Racetec RR that you will be testing soon. We will inevitably see each other again, because with the cold and the rain, he was not in his business today. So see you soon!
Strong points
- Confidence
- Wide wet stall limit
- Endurance increased by 20% / Sportec M5
- Significant sporting potential
Weak points
- Not discovered under these test conditions
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