Mitas expands motorcycle tyre range

Two new sizes have been added to both the Mitas Terra Force-R and E-10 ranges, and the Trelleborg Group company is showing all newcomers at its EICMA stand (Hall 10, stand L52) this week, along with other ranges.

“Our aim is to strengthen Mitas in the adventure segment by offering riders complete range of tyre sizes. The extension of Terra Force-R and E-10 tread patterns demonstrates our strategy,” comments Ksenija Bitenc, Director of the motorcycle tyre and tube product area at Mitas.

The Terra Force-R is a dual-purpose (90 per cent on-road, ten per cent off-road) tyre designed for maxi enduro and trail motorcycles, and Mitas describes the tyre as “the ideal choice for commuters as well as adventurers who love longer rides with a passenger and luggage.” Mitas’s aim was to offer to both groups of riders a safe, dynamic and user-friendly tyre. At present one front size (110/80R19) and two rear sizes (140/80R17 and 150/70R17) are available, and a further two sizes (120/70R19 and 170/60R17) will be available in the second quarter of 2017. The Terra Force-R features Mitas’s new ‘Optimum Steel Cord Technology’; the manufacturer says OSTC ensures optimal contact area between the tyre and the surface in all driving conditions and means the tyre is ideally balanced with optimal contact in all driving conditions, especially at greater lean angles and higher speeds.

The E-10 tread pattern is designed for 30 per cent on-road and 70 per cent off-road use. Mitas calls it a “universal adventure tyre” and reports that the E-10 offers “excellent self-cleaning properties and superb directional control on soft and hard surfaces.” The E-10 pattern is suitable for use on asphalt roads, poorly maintained tracks and light off-road terrain. “On bends and corners, the E-10 gives a gentle turn-in and a stable follow-through with optimum directional control,” states Mitas.

New E-10 sizes (120/70B19 and 170/60B17) for large adventure motorbikes were tested during this year in various conditions in Europe, USA and South Africa. Based on the results of these tests, the tyre maker says it prepared “the optimal construction of carcass and tread compound.” The new sizes will be available in February 2017.

Mitas will also display other new developments at EICMA. “We have also undertaken many development activities in the off-road and on-road segments. Improved Sport Force+ and three new sizes of MC 50 are available worldwide. In the off-road range, Mitas is offering new sizes for all three versions of C-19 and new carcass construction of trial racing tyre, ET-01 X-Pro.”

The new MC 50 sizes (80/100-17, 100/90-17 and 130/80-17) are classified as high-speed cross-ply tyres and are engineered for modern classics and motorcycles with low and middle engine capacity. The tread pattern ends before the edge of the tyre’s shoulder to facilitate an optimum contact area at maximum lean angles. The compounds used in the MC 50 range incorporate more recently developed raw materials, such as S-SBR elastomers and highly active fillers. All new sizes are now available worldwide.

Three new size 90/100-21 versions of the C-19 tread pattern for larger motocross and enduro motorbikes are coming to market. The new tyres possess the same tread pattern but differ in weight and compound. They are easily distinguished by different colour stripes. The green stripe version features a special softer tread compound and lighter casing. Thanks to this, riders can enjoy an excellent grip on hard and extreme enduro terrains. The red stripe tyre is well suited for motocross and the tyre with the yellow stripe will be of interest for enduro riders.

The ET-01 X-Pro trial racing tyre features a new casing construction and an extra soft tread compound. According to Mitas, this allows excellent grip and riding properties in a wide range of terrains.

Mitas reports that it has also improved the quality of the tread compound used in its tyres for the competitive motocross segment. These enhancements were made based on experience gained in cooperation with MXGP sponsored teams I fly JK Racing and 62 Motosport Klemen Gerčar; The new formula tread compound has a higher resistance to heat-induced softening during operation and ensures optimum traction and driving performance throughout the race.