New generation Diablo Supercorsa launched

Pirelli has premiered its new Diablo Supercorsa, a tyre it says is “perfect for professional riders and motorcyclists who have a sporty riding style but love the racetrack as well.” The newest member of the Diablo range will initially be produced in 120/70ZR17 front and 200/55ZR17 rear sizes and in both a SC (Special Compound) version, which will be showcased during the 2012 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, plus a SP (Sport Production) race replica version suitable for daily use on the road.

Rollout of the new product will occur progressively, with the racing world the first to get their hands on the Diablo Supercorsa; the abovementioned SC variant will be used in next year’s Superstock 1000 before a wider release as an expansion of the available range at the end of 2012. This staggered introduction, explains Pirelli, will allow the introduction of a broader range of racing sizes that will extend the new tyre’s use in the various national championships where Pirelli now competes. Finally, in early 2013, the road going SP race replica version will be made available in the common 180/55, 190/55 and 190/50 size for the rear.

Pirelli says the street, or SP, version of the Diablo Supercorsa is a concentration of technology taken from experience it acquired in its role as sole supplier of the Superbike World Championship over the last seven years. The street use tyre is intended, the Italian tyre maker adds, to offer “performance typical of racing products for exclusive use on track.”  This will give the user a “unique ultra-high performance product that can be used on the street or the track without the need to compromise.”

In comparison with the previous generation tyre, the new Diablo Supercorsa has a rear profile calibrated with approximately two millimetres more side edge and four millimetres extra diameter in the centre for increased support under braking and to make riding more intuitive and precise in maintaining the line. The rear tyre has been completely reworked and improved upon in order to increase contact area, grip, the speed of lean-in and handling overall.

The new tyre’s structures and compounds are derived from its predecessor’s use in WSBK racing activities and are formulated to optimise the performances instilled by the profiles. In particular, Pirelli points out, the 200/55ZR17 rear tyre is built with a high modulus carcass and features a dual-compound tread using new polymers to offer quick warm-up and a solid grip in all conditions. The result of this match between the two new front and rear profiles is, the tyre maker adds, an increased handling and agility overall.

The new dual-compound tread pattern of the race replica version is characterised by long longitudinal grooves which begin at the central area of the profile and reach the tyre shoulder; this design is said to ensure the regularity of wear even during more severe use. The tyre’s shoulder remains ‘naked’, a distinctive Diablo characteristic, to facilitate maximum grip during on-road sport use.

Original equipment homologations have been kicked off by Ducati, who has selected the SP version of the Diablo Supercorsa to equip its all-new 1199 Panigale and has opted for the same dimensions as used in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, namely 120/70 and 200/55.