Metzeler Sportec M9 RR: a new tire designed for super sports and naked bikes [PHOTO]

The new Metzeler Sportec™ M9 RR it is a super sports product, identifiable already by its name Sportec™ and the acronym RR indicating Road racing, the road competitions that represent interesting test beds for the German manufacturer.

Features

This type of tire was developed to transmit high-level performance in different road conditions, both on dry and wet surfaces and at various temperatures.
Both tires intended for the front and rear wheel feature Full Silica shoulder compounds derived from the racing-rain type, while the Full Silica central compounds are of “new formulation”. The compounds Full Silica they are functional considering mechanical, chemical grip and warm-up time. Specifically, the compounds made for the rear are arranged using a pattern Cap & Base, overlapping the two side bands in soft compound and a layer of harder compound, optimizing overall performance. The compound also forms the central band for approximately 50 millimetres, corresponding to 25% of the entire section, increasing mileage performance. The silica content in the central band of the rear tire has also increased by 24%, considering what has been done to Sportec™ M7 RR, taking the indications again. The same compounds can be found by observing the front typology, optimizing the balance between the tires on the two fronts. In this case the central compound represents approximately 33% of the tread.
Another interesting aspect is the CCM, Or the Compound Continuous Mixing. A patented and exclusive mixing process that maximizes "the dispersion and homogeneity of the components in the polymer matrix". Furthermore, remaining on the tread, the design presents lines pi greek (π) identification and functional characteristics for Sportec™ tyres. These grooves allow, again as indicated, a certain mobility to the portion of the tread they delimit, optimizing the warm-up time despite the not too high external temperatures, also maximizing the flow rate of water expelled in the event of heavy rain. There is no shortage of central claw carvings, taken from the performance one RACETEC™ RR, in support of "directional stability on the straight" and expulsion in cases of water veils. Staying on the subject, the design is designed to allow this operation optimally even at 30° lean, however beyond this threshold the full/empty water ratios are similar to those of a Race Replica example, as indicated. Also highlighted are shoulders with a greater slick surface, in anticipation of maximum performance support. A structure was built in rayon 6% stiffer than before, with “less denseness” e “greater quantity of rubber compound”, always in anticipation of performance.

Proposed measures

There are different sizes in the range, three at the front and nine at the rear. From 110/70 R 17 M/C 54H TL (scheduled for the second half of the year) to 120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W) TL for the front wheel, while for the rear from the 140/70 R 17 M/ typology C 66H TL and 150/60 R 17 M/C 66H TL (always shown later) to the 200/55 ZR 17 M/C (78W) TL.
In summary, the product Metzeler Sportec™ M9 RR it is developed aiming at high grip even on wet asphalt, in light of the aforementioned characteristics; high handling considering the structure of the tire and an equally accentuated level of grip linked to the two Full Silica compounds, the slick shoulders and the various grooves listed.

Photo: Metzeler