Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tire test

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A single-compound front hypersport-road tire, dual rear compound

Road and circuit tire test, in – almost – dry, wet and cold conditions

Pirelli renews its hypersport-road tire with the Diablo Rosso 3 and presents it to us on the prestigious Aragon circuit, just released by the pilots of the World Supersport and Superbike. An excellent idea and the opportunity to experience great races. But when we left, the pilots and umbrella girls left us the rain and the cold. Let’s see anyway, if this Diablo Rosso III is really a tire of hell…

Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tire on the track

A single rubber front tire, dual rear rubber

The first Diablo Rosso was born in 2008. After three years of existence, it passed the hand to the Diablo Rosso II, which we had discovered and widely appreciated, on the Magny-Cours route..

Range and history of Pirelli tires

Compared to its predecessor, the DRII offered the advantage of a dual compound rear structure, guaranteeing a better compromise between performance and longevity. Built according to the same scheme, the Diablo Rosso III is a single front rubber, dual rear rubber. A choice which Pirelli justifies by a more constant feeling of a mono rubber which would bring a clearer feedback to the pilot. We will see…

In terms of novelties, there are of course new rubber mixtures, heavily loaded with silica to guarantee better grip in the wet. For several years, we have seen a lot of work by the Pirelli / Metzeler group in this area. A job crowned with success since in a number of categories, their creations now refer to both time and pleasure..

Pirelli Diablo Rosso II vs III tire performance comparison

A 100% silica hypersport !

The Diablo Rosso III is therefore enriched with a good dose of silica (70%) on its rear central band which represents 45 mm in 190 of width. This part of the tire, which is harder, is intended to ensure both high speed stability and mileage longevity..

In addition, in order to obtain good support for the softer part of the tire, the mixture of the central band extends under the shoulders, acting as a foundation, so to speak. Thanks to a perfect homogenization of the mixtures, resulting from the experience of the World Superbike, Pirelli also claims more stable performance over time. Indeed, and we can see it with each change of tires on his personal motorcycle, with new mounts, even if they are identical to the old ones, the behavior is much more pleasant, because the performance of the tires deteriorates naturally over the course of wear. . Thanks to progress, therefore, it is a little less true.

On the shoulders, the level of silica is pushed to the maximum (100%) in order to give the pilot confidence, from the start of the incline, particularly on wet ground. This rate of 100% in fact means that silica is the one and only reinforcement used in the mixture..

There is no carbon black here, or just a pinch, to give the tire its black tint, because otherwise it would be "skin" colored, which is both less prominent and more messy! Silica offers good cold resistance, which is a big advantage in the rain, when the tire is … water-cooled! It is also interesting during the first kilometers, before the tire temperature rises. When hot, on the other hand, its performance deteriorates and that is why it is here associated with resins which take over when conditions require it and especially on the track. You can’t imagine a Pirelli tire that doesn’t have sport in its skin!

Pirelli Diablo Rosso III pneumatic structure

Chemistry, but not Shimmy !

Before, the mixing was mechanical, the kind with a big mixer that you shouldn’t fall into. A final product was thus obtained with intermediate properties. Thanks to a new industrial process, the mixture is now also chemical, which binds the products together (silica, resins, polymers, catalysts, etc.) and makes it possible to better preserve the qualities of each other.

Clearly whether the resins perform well when hot and silica when cold. The mixture of the two approaches 100% of the performances of the one and the other, cold as hot, instead of offering only a result "in proportion". Progress that will change the reputation of silica, which until then could not withstand heat. In fact, this new champion would offer a very wide spectrum of operating temperatures. Not that it rises quickly in temperature, but that it really works well when cold…. We are going to see him !

Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tire sculpture

Rayon carcass

To ensure good handling and a very fast setting on the angle, worthy of a sport tire, Pirelli relies on a rayon carcass with the right weight / stiffness compromise. The manufacturer also relies on a tire profile and a front / rear combination resulting from the experience acquired in SBK worldwide. The objective was to obtain more contact surface on the angle, which is done by increasing the radius of the profile (+ 7%).

To better visualize it, remember thata circle of infinite radius is a line and that it would therefore have an infinite contact surface with a road, which is also flat. That’s why we make wider tires! To connect the profile with the rest of the tire, it was therefore necessary to increase the height by 5%. The design of the sculptures uses the famous "lightning bolt", now registered as a trademark. According to the manufacturer, it ensures both perfect water evacuation and uniform wear, without stairs, guaranteeing performance stability over time. Taking advantage of the new, more efficient mixes in the wet, it was once again possible to reduce the tire gouging rate, which increases the surface area on the ground, for the benefit of better grip and wear. Slower. A "heavy trend" which is confirmed year after year, since at the front we went from 12.4% to 10.5%, to arrive today at 9.5% respectively on the DR, DRII and DRIII.

Same evolution at the rear: 9% on the first Diablo Rosso, then 8% on the II, to finish at 7.5% of notch rate on the DRIII.

Here, under know everything, or almost of the theory, now, let’s see in practice what it gives.

Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tire set

Tried cold and cold

It is hardly believable to see such a change in weather conditions in such a short time. On Sunday, under a magnificent sun, we were able to attend a Ducati double: victory in SBK and in SSTK, which will not console them for all that for their double fall in Moto GP…. Ouch. But after the party, Monday morning is a bit of a hangover. The weather is cold and humid. No choice, we came to try, so we try, on 160 km of varied roads with a wet greasy asphalt at the beginning, which dries at the end of the morning. Our opener, as frozen as us, however, does not seem determined to put gas. So we walk, at a good pace, which highlights the qualities of comfort, handling and confidence of the tire, more than its absolute performance..

Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tire grip

The Diablo Rosso III endorses the “sport touring” suit without broaching and is quite equal to this current use. Even on changes in grip, when passing water channels, confidence is total, despite the really low temperature. Driving is easy, with good maneuverability found on a wide variety of motorcycles. Departure on the excellent BMW S 1000 R. The ease of driving is surprising and very "round". Neither frozen nor sagging, the bike can be placed and easily passed from one bend to another. Braking does not seem to straighten it out, even though our driving pace is reasonable. The Triumph Speed ​​Triple R is however much less fun. The kilos and the weight of the years are more felt, in spite of the last evolution. The ease of the BM is not there. Could the tire be the cause? No, because immediately afterwards, I switch to the MV 800 Brutale, which is also fitted with the original DRIII. The beautiful Italian is so playful that I am left speechless! It turns, twirls, a real 125, with a huge engine! Here the DRIII, is in its business and exonerates the suspicions that the Speed ​​Triple had aroused. It is the English manufacturer who has work to do and catching up, not the Italian manufacturer! The finish on an MT 07 confirms this good general impression. We just remember that once on the corner the Diablo Rosso III seems to want to stay on its path.

Pirelli Diablo Rosso III road tire

A furtive impression, which will have to be confirmed when attacking in the dry, which in theory is scheduled for this afternoon on the Aragon track….

Top view of Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tire

Chic it’s raining!

Pirelli praised us the progress made in the wet, so precisely, we will be able to see them, because we will not have a square centimeter of dryness to put us under the wheels. It is therefore under a torrential and continuous rain that we will discover and appreciate the route of Aragon and the Diablo Rosso III.

A majority of S 1000 RR handing us the handlebars, I opt for it, the time of three sessions of a quarter of an hour each. The hilly route is not too difficult to learn. Very varied, it includes slow curves, others very fast and a long straight line where the counter of the BM displays more than 270 before vigorously taking the brakes. Stability is imperative. We certainly take advantage of the ABS and a loophole to let go, but let’s recognize that thanks to the grip, we can accelerate like a piglet and squeeze the grip hard, without ostensibly triggering the traction control or the ABS. The level of grip is bluffing! So over the laps, we ride and we savor the track, magnificent, as well as the exceptional qualities of the S 1000 RR and we forget the rain. I, who had not tried the latest version of this sports car, am surprised by its handling. She has certainly made progress in this area, but the DRIII must be of great help to her..

Despite difficult weather conditions and a grip that we could fear is precarious, we position the bike as we want and we benefit from excellent feedback from the front which really gives the rider confidence. A colleague will have the presence of mind to note the maximum angle of inclination in bends, displayed on the dashboard: 40 °! (No it was not his speed of passage in curve….). A value that gives an idea of ​​the level of grip offered by the Diablo Rosso III !

Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tire on track

Seriously, if you’ve booked a day of track riding and the sun isn’t there, don’t panic, with your DRIIIs you’ve got "a gun" and you’re going to have fun anyway. Precision, stability under braking and acceleration, handling, all the ingredients are there to have fun. At least that’s what it feels like at the pace at which we were able to ride. It should be possible to confirm this on a dry track by putting the tire more under stress, but the preconceptions are at the very least favorable. Besides, how can you imagine a Pirelli that would be bad under these conditions? So far, in tire reviews, the German / Italian manufacturer’s products have always been at the top of the basket, when it comes to teasing the clock. No reason that the Diablo Rosso III is an exception. His predecessor was already shining in this field, one would not imagine that the successor is not as good, if not better..

Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tire test in the rain

Verdict

Manoeuvrable, very efficient in cold and on wet ground, the Diablo Rosso III is also stable at very high speed and on braking already well supported (thank you ABS!). We would have liked to be able to confirm to you all the good we had thought of its predecessor on a dry track, but the weather decided otherwise…. as was already the case with the Racetec RR, which we finally tested at Le Mans a few months later. The Diablo Rosso III has shown us some great qualities before, but that’s just one part of its new personality. We can’t wait to discover the other! If the manufacturer and the weather allow it, we will go on a day of Pirelli Days to confirm it to you….

In practice

Intended for roadsters and sportswomen, the Diablo Rosso III is a “road sport” tire, with a high claimed potential on dry tracks. The days of driving will not scare him. It will also satisfy your daily life in cold and wet weather.

Strong points

  • Wet performance
  • Cold grip
  • Stability
  • Maneuverability
  • Good feedback

Weak points

  • Not tested on dry track

Test conditions

  • Itinerary: small and varied roads + interurban highways with a bit of town + Aragon circuit

The dimensions

Before :

• 110/70 ZR 17 M / C 54W TL
• 120/60 ZR 17 M / C (55W) TL
• 120/70 ZR 17 M / C (58W) TL

Back :

• 150/60 ZR 17 M / C 66W TL
• 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

Recommended price: 265 € the train AV / AR in 120/180 X 17

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