Confirmation of Pirelli Angel GT mileage still pending

Pirelli describes its new Angel GT sport touring tyre as being “100 per cent Italian Gran Turismo.” Compared with its predecessor it is said to not only offer improved grip and wet performance – as recently demonstrated on the deck of an Italian aircraft carrier – but also to give significantly higher mileage than the Angel ST. During last autumn’s unveiling of Ducati’s Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo, which has the Angel GT as an original equipment fitment, the Italian tyre maker reported a 15 per cent increase in mileage – now, in spring, this figure has doubled to 30 per cent. The editors at Neue ReifenZeitung, Tyres & Accessories’ German affiliate, asked Pirelli to explain why the reported improvement in mileage is suddenly much higher.

It was thought that ongoing development led to a further optimisation of the tyre. But this is not the case, reported Uwe Geyer, Pirelli Germany’s head of Trade and Consumer Marketing for two-wheel tyres, in response to Neue ReifenZeitung’s questions. “I can only explain that the Angel GT presentation in relation to the Multistrada GT came a little too soon and our comparative tests were not fully complete. To be on the safe side a lower value was given and then upwardly revised. It relates to the same tyre, however. No technical modifications have been made.” He added that the Angel GT definitely offers 30 per cent higher mileage than the Angel ST.

Neue Reifenzeitung gained further insight into the Angel GT from a Pirelli-commissioned comparative test carried out by the ‘Motorrad TestCenter’ in Germany. According to Pirelli, the new tyre was found to be “the best sport touring segment tyre in the mileage category”. During the test, the Motorrad TestCenter pitted the Angel GT against the Bridgestone Battlax BT-023, Continental RoardAttack 2, Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart II, Metzeler Roadtec Z8 Interact M/O and the Michelin Pilot Road 3. All tyres were mounted in size 120/70 ZR17 (front) and 180/55 ZR17 (rear) on a Suzuki Bandit 1250 ABS and tested on a variety of Spanish roads.

Test details regarding the average speeds travelled, altitudes reached and air and road temperatures were provided by Pirelli, however values regarding tyre mileage were not. Neue Reifenzeitung therefore asked if it would be possible to look at the TestCenter’s original test log. Unfortunately that is not possible, came the reply. “The test report is very comprehensive and only available in English,” Geyer told the German publication as explanation as to why he couldn’t supply it. The text will be translated by Pirelli’s head office in Milan, and this may take a while.

NeueReifenzeitung’s editor received a similar reply from Fabian Gusta, who is responsible for two-wheel consumer and online marketing. After following an e-mail link on Pirelli’s German website to request the Motorrad TestCenter report, the editor asked Gusta if the team at Tyres & Accessories could take a look at it. After all the editors of the British publication do, he pointed out, speak a word or two of English. “Unfortunately we also don’t have the English version on hand,” said Gusta. It has been promised to us as soon as it is available.

The original German language version of this text can be read here. 

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