Pirelli Diablo Superbike takes racing slick motorcycle tyre test victory

Pirelli’s Diablo Superbike has emerged victorious from a comparative test by the German magazine PS. The magazine compared racing slicks from six different manufacturers on track at the Sachsenring circuit. The Bridgestone Battlax Racing V02, Michelin Power Slick Ultimate, Dunlop KR 106 / KR 108, Metzeler Racetec RR Slick and Continental Track were fitted to a BMW S 1000 RR model in sizes 120/70 R17 front and 200/65 R17 rear. The full test results were published in the 07/2016 issue of PS.

The test, which assigned each tyre ratings based on handling, steering precision, stability, grip, behaviour at the limit, braking stability, feedback, and the best lap time, was conducted with Christian Kellner, a former FIM Supersport World Championship rider.

The test-winning Diablo Superbike achieved top results in grip behaviour at the limit, and the fastest lap (1:32.46); this time was around 0.25s ahead of the Bridgestone and Michelin tyres, and more than half a second ahead of the remaining three tyres. PS called the Diablo Superbike the “tyre of [its] dreams” due to its combined speed and clarity of feedback.