Menus
- The new tire for motorcycle SUVs
- Test of the successor to the Pirelli Scorpion Trail born in 2008
- New imprint
- New, more homogeneous mixtures: silicas, resins and polymers agglomerated by nanoparticles
- Cold proof
- Conclusion
- Indicative retail price: around € 225 per train in 110 X 19 and 150 X 17
- Dimensions table
The new tire for motorcycle SUVs
Test of the successor to the Pirelli Scorpion Trail born in 2008
Faced with the emergence of the "Enduro street" category, the counterpart of SUVs in cars, the tire offer must adapt. It was to replace the Scorpion Trail, born in 2008, that Pirelli studied and launched its new foal: the Scorpion Trail II. Discovered in the cold of the countryside … New Yorker in the United States !
A major trend in terms of current motorcycle evolution, the "enduro street" category is gaining momentum. Alongside machines equipped with 17 wheel (MT 09 Tracer, MV Turismo Veloce, Kawa Versys, Honda Crossrunner and Crosstourer, Ducati Multistrada, BMW S1000 Xr, Triumph Tiger sport, etc.) we find some heavyweights who preferred the wheel of 19, such as the BMW R 1200 GS, or the KTM 1290 Adventure and other Triumph Tiger Explorer for example. A flourishing offer that continues to expand and gain momentum, both literally and figuratively.
The birth of this segment dates back to the 1980s when BMW first set off on the Paris Dakar with a twin. An insane bet for the time, which was however crowned with success and made school with Cagiva, Honda and Yamaha. The "Enduro street" category was born, without anyone really being aware of it.
Regarding the tire, a first development was the 19 wheel. The next step was taken with the arrival of the Ducati Multistrada in 2003, introducing both a new concept and new tire sizes: the 17 front and the 180 back. In 2013, the 1200 Multistrada pushes the concept further and goes to the 190/55 twin compound. These monsters capable of maddening pace on the road, with weapons and luggage, impose new constraints on their pneumatic mounts. The powers have reached the level of 1000 hypersport 10 good years ago. No more laughing by mounting nipple tires on it, you now have to stay the course at very high speed and also the distance. It is thanks to Scorpion Trail II as Pirelli intends to provide an answer to the problem.
New imprint
- Left: the old scorpion trail with its large discontinuous cobblestones.
- In the center: the new Scorpion Trail II with its continuous tread
- On the right The Angel GT which greatly inspired the scorpion trail II
To meet all these new criteria, Pirelli has mixed a bit of Scorpion Trail and a lot of Angel GT, its benchmark GT sport tire. Physically, we notice the disappearance of the radial sculptures which provided traction in TT on the Scorpion Trail. They have given way to interrupted bleeding, which ends in a circumflex accent, so to speak. Thus, the tread has become continuous, without interruption. No more cobblestones. This results in more even wear, reduced noise and better water drainage. This last phenomenon is accentuated by the presence of longitudinal tread patterns both shorter and more frequent which also improve stability..
- Left: the old scorpion trail with its long longitudinal sculptures.
- Right: the new Scorpion Trail II with both shorter and more numerous tread patterns
- A more rigid carcass.
In order to ensure the stability necessary for these high-speed rolling machines, the density of the carcass has been increased by 32%. It also has a 60% higher resistance to elongation. This development has made it possible to reduce the length of the footprint by 6% and increase its width by 10%. A reduction in wear is thus obtained by reducing the speed differences between the front and rear contact zones of the tire on the ground. This "physical" reduction is combined with a "mathematical" reduction linked to the 10% increase in the ground contact surface..
New, more homogeneous mixtures: silicas, resins and polymers agglomerated by nanoparticles
To succeed in its tour de force, Pirelli is also counting on the use of new mixtures of gums, based on silica, resins and polymers agglomerated together by nanoparticles and new industrial processes which reinforce the homogeneity of the mixtures. For the user, this is the guarantee of greater stability of performance over time. Last, but not least, the Scorpion Trail II is 100% dual compound rear across the range, which was not the case with its predecessor. There is therefore a 100% silica monogum at the front, for more confidence in the wet and in the cold, the same mixture being applied to the rear shoulders. The central band is satisfied with 70% silica, to ensure better resistance to wear.
Thanks to all of these modifications, the newborn claims a 30% increased longevity over the entire range and even 60% in 150/70 X 17 rear! So let’s sum up, more kilometers, more grip in the wet and also in the dry, more stability, but the medal still having a setback, we can imagine a decrease in comfort and a decline in TT capabilities. It remains to be seen if these last two points are sensitive and if the capacities in TT are of real importance for you. Given the profile of users of this type of machine, we doubt it. By the way, for the record, with regard to motorcycles in 17 inches before, they are almost all delivered with road tires, or this type of tire. The "enduro street" category is like an SUV that spans the sidewalks, but it never sees the earth. In fact, the motivation to buy is more the height of the cockpit, the comfort offered by the increased travel, the presence of a large handlebar which facilitates piloting and improvisation. Finally, let’s not forget the look. In the end, often, no off-road outing in sight!
Cold proof
We tested the Pirelli Scorpion II twice, the first time on the very catchy bitumen of the volcanic island of Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, when it was fitted to the new Multistrada 1200 DVT. The spring temperature seemed to suit him well and the asphalt catchy too.
Then, in the Hudson Valley north of New York, on cold and sometimes slightly damp asphalt, with an outside temperature of around 3 °. Much less encouraging, even much more difficult conditions.
However, it emerges from these two experiences, that the Scorpion Trail II is able to achieve the big gap, without flinching in the least. While we are naturally wary in such circumstances, we discover a tire that instantly gives confidence, from the first few meters, despite the temperature. No heating time, no cold stiffness. It responds to the finger and the eye and we have a really good feeling thanks to an excellent feedback, which allows you to feel the front, while the rear follows the pace, without any problem. Admittedly, in these difficult conditions, we cannot claim to have attacked like the deaf, but without dragging ourselves in the least, we drove very calmly. As for attacking, we did it more in Lanzarote, without finding its limits, but on much more catchy surfaces it is true..
As a reminder, during the test of the previous Scorpion Trail, the Pirelli engineers took us to the circuit, which is not trivial with this type of tires and motorcycles. So they really had confidence in the grip of their mount! And quite naturally, it is difficult to imagine a deterioration in performance in the dry, the new compared to the old, especially as the road vocation has still been asserted..
Setting the angle is easy and natural, no need to force it, without having a downward direction. Once in the bend, you can easily keep your trajectory, while maintaining a good margin of maneuver if the curve closes. Strictly speaking, we did not encounter any rain, but given the quality of the behavior, when cold, it is very reassuring, because this good result is obtained thanks to the high silica content and the presence of silica goes hand in hand. with good grip in the wet.
Finally regarding comfort, we did not notice any difference in behavior on our 1200 GS test compared to other mounts. The Pullman remains a Pullman
Conclusion
When we see the progress made by manufacturers, year after year, we tell ourselves that we are really living in a great time! Today they offer us touring tires that offer the grip of a sports tire from a few years ago, with the endurance of a GT tire and wet handling worthy of a tire. 80s / 90s GP rain. A squaring of the circle made possible thanks to the progress of chemistry and computer simulation, which makes it possible to refine the first drafts, to arrive at a high level result. Added to this is excellent tire predictability, which gives precise feedback to its rider and warns him when the limit is approaching. Those who rode motorcycles in the 1980s relish this difference. The Pirelli Scorpion Trail II is the perfect illustration of this. We can say bluntly that it is a very serious customer in the category that we discovered there. Of course, we have not yet had the opportunity to test its stability at high speed, nor to verify the increase in its longevity. Your feedback on the forum will inform us on this last point. But we can already assure you that those who adopt it will not be disappointed..
Strong points
- Excellent feedback
- Ease of use on the angle and stability in curves
- Cold behavior
- Very wide range and 100% dual Ar compound
- Very significantly increased longevity compared to the Scorpion trail (manufacturer claim)
- Grip in the dry
- Prices up by 4% only for 30% more longevity.
Weak points
- All-terrain aptitude to be confirmed … for those who are interested.
- High speed stability not verified.
Indicative retail price: around € 225 per train in 110 X 19 and 150 X 17
Dimensions table
| Front tire | Rear tire |
|---|---|
| 120/70 ZR 17 M / C (58W) TL 100/90 – 18 M / C 56V TL 100/90 – 19 M / C 57V TL 110/80 R 19 M / C 59V TL 120/70 ZR 19 M / C 60W TL 90/90 – 21 M / C 54V TL |
130/80 R 17 M / C 65V TL 140/80 R 17 M / C 69V TL 150/70 R 17 M / C 69V TL 150/70 R 17 M / C 69V TL (G) 160/60 ZR 17 M / C (69W) TL 170/60 ZR 17 M / C 72W TL 180/55 ZR 17 M / C (73W) TL 190/55 ZR 17 M / C (75W) TL |
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