In the complex structure that makes up a vehicle, tires play a key role. This is true for a vehicle with four wheels and even more so when the wheels are just two as a greater number of risk factors and critical elements come into play. Whether it is a small scooter or a muscular super-sport motorcycle, a powerful touring bike or an agile enduro, in the end the formula remains the same: the safety of those in the saddle often depends on one component - the tire – responsible for keeping the bike or scooter on the road. Is it just a question of safety? Not at all. Parameters linked to grip under acceleration and braking on dry or wet surfaces and road holding in straight or winding roads are accompanied by values that are equally important for the consumer such as comfort, mileage, handling, agility, and power management. In other words, when choosing the right tire, the user takes into account numerous factors that determine its behaviour and, last but not least, also the way it looks. The passionate and emotional aspect that often accompanies the decision to purchase and use a two-wheeled vehicle, as well as the natural and very strong link between this sector and the world of sports competitions, make design elements more relevant here than in the car tire segment. When it comes to the design and development of motorcycle and scooter tires, the main manufacturers are therefore trying to define an offer that is as complete as possible, but above all tailored to the different souls of the sector, to the specific driving needs of the individual consumer and, of course, to the different types of motorbikes to be fitted: sport or super-sport, touring or sport-touring, motocross, enduro, trial, naked, retro, adventure, custom and scrambler. The market can offer sport, super-sport or even hyper-sport road tires whose "racing" heritage is immediately recognisable at first glance. Here, in fact, the full to void ratio generally favours the first. These are tires which, right from their design, would look at ease on a racing track but, unlike pure racing tires, are designed to be used on the road, despite their ability to safely handle significant power. Touring tires, on the other hand, are characterised by the widest range of applications: from asphalt to dirt roads and in all weather conditions. These are ideal for everyday use, in the city or otherwise, and for long distances when comfort is as important as performance and safety. Then we have off-road tires, with huge tread blocks and deep grooves, necessary when riding on muddy or rocky terrains and even in snow. Halfway between the two previous options enduro tires allow to alternate between asphalt and dirt, dry and wet and even mud. Topping it all, the market offers also specific tires for custom bikes and therefore long journeys at low speeds and even retro or vintage tires. All this accompanied by a continuous evolution on the technological front, which is leading to the development of motorcycle tires that are increasingly safe, reliable and aesthetically pleasing.
Much of this is not lost in the production of motorcycle tires but finds application in the small and maxi scooters segment. In this segment agility, comfort, mileage and handling are never second to overall performance. To move nimbly and safely in the most chaotic urban traffic, grip can prevail over the ability to unleash great power, and braking response on any type of surface is absolutely crucial. From their bigger brothers, scooter tires inherit all the best of technology developed to increase performance and safety levels, but also aesthetic details that betray an obvious "family feeling" because - as we know – it also has to look good.
Bridgestone Motorbike
The latest entry in Bridgestone's Hyper-sport motorcycle tire line-up, the Battlax Hypersport S22 adds excellent wet performance to the outstanding dry grip for which Battlax Hypersport has long been famous. Handling and cornering grip have been improved to enhance on-road performance. Bridgestone also raised the bar in sport touring motorcycles with the new Battlax Sport Touring T32 which, together with the T32GT range for medium to large motorcycles, offers everything the category needs in terms of performance, safety and grip. Finally, Bridgestone's motorcycle range also includes the new Battlax Adventure Trail AT41 which offers excellent performance on dry roads and excellent grip and braking in wet conditions.
Bridgestone Scooter
One tire, two souls. To cater for different driving styles and needs, Bridgestone has developed its Battlax maxi scooter tire in two versions: sport and touring.
Developed using the same technology as the Battlax Hypersport S21, the Battlax Scooter SC2 offers the best performance on dry roads. The hyper-sport design of the front and rear tread optimizes the footprint. The new compounds also promote better grip on dry surfaces, whatever the temperature. Battlax Scooter SC2 Rain is a touring product suitable for everyday use. It boasts excellent traction and handling in the wet and also incorporates the same features and technologies used in the new Battlax Sport Touring T31 for safe and reliable driving in all weather conditions.
Continental Motorbike
The latest addition to the Continental family, ContiRoadAttack 4 is a modern high-tech tire. Designed for modern, powerful sport touring motorcycles, the Road Attack 4 can also improve the performance of retro touring bikes. Thanks to its new compound and new design, the ContiRoadAttack 4 combines maximum mileage and high levels of comfort, handling and grip in both wet and dry conditions, while at the same time reaching new heights in terms of pure sport touring performance - hence Continental's definition: "Hyper-Touring tire". ContiRoadAttack 4 is already available in different sizes for the front and rear wheel.
Continental Scooter
With ContiScoot, the best of Continental's motorcycle technology is now at home also on scooters. Thanks to the tread design, inherited from ContiRoadAttack 3, and the optimized tread compound, ContiScoot offers a short braking distance combined with outstanding grip not only on dry, but also on wet roads. Comfort is guaranteed on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones, while great handling helps you move with agility in city traffic. Continental's ContiScoot also boasts high mileage with even wear for consistent high performance throughout its lifecycle.
Cst Tires Motorbike
The new CM733 and CM734 motocross (MX) motorcycle tires from CST Tires are designed for those who are not into "easy" roads and are not willing to sacrifice performance. The tread blocks that extend from the centre to the shoulder provide excellent cornering grip, while the central blocks guarantee adequate dispersion of mud for greater traction. Ribs increase grip and control on softer terrain and side-to-side tread blocks improve control when moving sideways. CM723, CM724, CM741 and CM742 are new generation tires for enduro bikes. Designed and engineered by CST Tires, they embody all the brand's experience in the sector to set new standards of performance in off-road racing.
Cst Tires Scooter
Designed and engineered by CST Tires to cope with the most diverse road conditions, CM547 URBAN TRAVEL is the latest addition to the brand's range of scooter tires distributed exclusively in Italy by B.I.S. The new compound and the void ratio of the CM547 URBAN TRAVEL guarantee stability and road holding in all conditions of use, as well as comfort and a long lifecycle. Wide tread grooves and thin shoulder grooves promote water drainage for increased traction and grip in wet conditions, improved stability and safe driving at all times. CM547 URBAN TRAVEL can be fitted on all the main scooters on the market, including electric ones.
Dunlop Motorbike
Dunlop has developed a wide range of tires for all types of motorcycles and riders. Among these Trailmax Meridian, a robust adventure tire, guarantees high performance and durability: internal tests have shown significant increases in mileage.
A true concentrate of Dunlop technology, the SportSmart Mk3 challenges the rules of hyper-sport tires. The new Multi-Tread (MT) compound improves safety in the most demanding conditions thanks to higher grip on dry and wet raods. The latest addition to the Dunlop sport-touring family, the RoadSmart IV sets new standards for handling, stability, wet grip and mileage in the segment. "Versatile" is finally the adjective that best describes Mutant, a tire that introduces a "crossover" approach: it is suitable on any road, in all seasons and for over 370 different models of adventure, sport-touring, naked, retro or scrambler motorcycles.
Dunlop Scooter
The performance of a sport touring motorcycle tire in a scooter specific tire. Dunlop Scootsmart provides high grip and great handling even at high speeds. The high-silica compound ensures better mileage, high performance on dry and wet roads and therefore reliability and maximum safety in all weather conditions. The tread pattern is also inspired by the award-winning Dunlop RoadSmart range of motorcycle tires. Thanks to a wide range of available sizes, ScootSmart can be fitted on more than 50 models of two- and three-wheeled scooters, maxi scooters, and electric scooters from 14 different manufacturers.
Michelin Motorbike
Historically present in the Sport Touring category, Michelin recently launched the Road 6 tire range, designed to offer owners of naked bikes, maxi enduro, sport touring bikes and Grand Touring bikes superb performance in terms of comfort and handling. Thanks to Michelin Water EverGrip technology, the new Michelin Road 6 tire provides a 15% improvement in wet grip and a 10% increase in mileage over its predecessor, Road 5. Alongside the standard Michelin Road 6 tire range, which now incorporates sizes for maxi enduros, the Road 6 GT tire for grand touring motorcycles was also introduced.
Michelin Scooter
Heir to Michelin City Grip - a scooter tire that sold 8 million units between 2010 and 2018 -, the new City Grip 2 improves on the already high standards set by its predecessor to respond even better to consumer needs. City Grip 2 offers excellent grip on any surface you may encounter in urban or suburban areas. Comparative braking tests, carried out by Michelin and certified by a third party, have shown that City Grip 2 reduces stopping distances on wet roads by 1.7 metres when braking in a straight line on a wet surface from 50 km/h to 10 km/h.
Michelin City Grip 2 can be used in all seasons and, thanks to a wide range of sizes, is suitable for small, maxi and electric scooters.
Pirelli Motorbike
Taking over from the highly acclaimed Angel GT, the new Pirelli Angel GT II aims to redefine the rules of the Sport-Touring segment with improved mileage, superior handling and grip. The innovative variable density casing and high silica content compounds combined with the new tread pattern, which stems from the intermediate racing tire used in the FIM Superbike World Championship, increase performance and maximize the effect of electronic riding aid systems. Now in its fourth generation, the new Diablo Rosso IV high-performance super-sport tire is instead dedicated to owners of super-sport, hyper-naked or crossover motorcycles looking for high grip in all conditions, precise riding lines and great handling to make the most of the motorbike’s performance potential.
Pirelli Scooter
Best-sellers in Pirelli's range of scooter tires, Diablo Scooter and Angel Scooter respond to every consumer need with very distinctive features and a wide range of sizes. Angel Scooter has a strong family feeling with the sport touring tire range of the same name by Pirelli. The tread pattern recalls that of the award-winning ANGEL GT and offers high driving comfort, handling and performance on wet roads, ideal characteristics for everyday use in the city. Diablo Rosso Scooter is instead inspired by the Dna of the Diablo super-sport family. In the case of Diablo Rosso Scooter, the tread pattern is inspired by that of a true pillar of the Pirelli motorcycle range, Diablo Rosso III.
