Launched this month, the Roadtec 01 is the latest generation of Metzeler sports touring tyre. This successor to the Roadtec Z8 Interact has been developed to offer class leading levels of grip in all weather conditions, and Metzeler says it is perfect for sports touring, naked/sports bikes and adventure machines.
Two new dedicated slick products have entered the Metzeler motorcycle tyre portfolio in 2016. The new treadless pair are the Racetec RR Slick for racing and the Racetec RR Compk Slick for training and amateur track use. Unlike the treaded Racetec RR tyre introduced last year, both new products are NHS (Not for Highway Service) designated and intended only for use on tracks or where allowed by the regulations in road racing competition.
Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM has chosen the Metzeler Sportec M7 RR as the original equipment tyre for its 690 Duke. The new mid-capacity naked will receive the Sportec M7 RR in size 120/70 ZR 17 M/C (58W) TL (M) for the front wheel and 160/60 ZR 17 M/C (69W ) TL for the rear.
The Metzeler Village has been confirmed for 2016, and registration is now open. The tyre brand says the special campsite will welcome bikers from all over the world, offering a front row seat to watch the races of the Isle of Man TT, held from 28 May until 10 June 2016. The Village itself will open on 2 June to coincide with the bulk of the action, closing on 11 June. Bikers can book online.
The Metzeler Racetec RR has been named ‘Tyre of the Year’ by Motorcycle News, having been ranked highest in the comparative test held by the publication at Jerez circuit earlier this year. In the test, the tyre was judged to be the “best sporty tyre” among products from five other manufacturers, lapping fastest at road pressures on track. The tyre tested was also the hardest of the three Metzeler Racetec RR compounds (the K3), designed for everyday road use and trackdays. Although road legal, the K1 and K2 compounds are intended for more pure track activities.
Ian Hutchinson’s dominant victory in the RL360 Superstock TT has given tyre supplier Metzeler back to back wins. A ferocious pace was set for the race, with all of the first four riders completed the four lap event under the existing race record.
Metzeler has unveiled the successor to its Racetec Interact. The EICMA motorcycle fair in Italy formed the backdrop for the debut of the new Racetec RR racing supersport tyre, which is available in three separate versions and said to have been developed based on Metzeler’s experience in road racing competition.
A new slogan and logo aim to reinforce Metzeler’s position as the “natural choice for true biking enthusiasts.” The Pirelli-owned marque has introduced the slogan “sharing independence”, and although this sounds an oxymoron it is intended to represent the individualism within a community that is a core element of the motorcycling experience for many, and a value that Metzeler says underpins its brand positioning. Metzeler tyres are, the manufacturer says, products that cater to “the community of bikers who are looking for high performance and reliable tyres capable of providing a fulfilling riding experience in any condition or situation.”
German motorcycle tyre brand Metzeler is offering motorcyclists not only the chance to win a set of new supersport SPORTEC M7 RR tyres but also to become an official tester for Metzeler.
The Metzeler test rider competition is online until September 15 2014 and motorcyclists can participate by accessing both the Metzeler website and the dedicated app on the Metzeler official Facebook page. The competition is divided into two different phases; the first part of the contest is called “Photograph, vote and win!” (closes June 15) and has two elements of participation.
Michael and William Dunlop have chosen to join Metzeler for the road racing season, in a line-up that includes Guy Martin and Josh Brookes. The brand’s tyres will be present on machinery from five different manufacturers: Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki and BMW.
Metzeler has launched its 2014 Calendar, celebrating its ongoing commitment to road racing. The 21st edition of the calendar has 19 coloured and black and white images and is accompanied by a mini documentary “The road to legend: a story about road racing”.
The EICMA motorcycle show in Italy serves as a platform for the tyre industry to present next season’s new products. Pirelli says it will display two new Metzeler-brand motorcycle tyres at the show, and Continental is also bringing its latest to Milan.
Metzeler has enlisted some celebrity help to introduce its latest models at the Metzeler Legendary Knight, a free entrance and open bar event to be held on 5 November at Fonderia Napoleonica in the Motoquartiere of Milan. Aerosmith frontman and Dirico Motorcycles USA spokesman, Steven Tyler will unveil Metzeler’s custom touring ME 888 Marathon Ultra tyre in a Whitewall version and new 23” front size, while popular British rider Guy Martin will help the brand launch its new Sportec M7 RR supersport tyre.
Metzeler has rounded out its road racing season with its first year as title sponsor of the Ulster Grand Prix, at which Tyco Suzuki’s Guy Martin took three victories on the company’s rubber. Martin’s Supersport and feature Superbike race wins were joined by victories for Ivan Lintin in the Lightweight class, while Gary Johnson and Dean Harrison also enjoyed strong performances in the Superstock race. The weather led to the cancellation of the Dundrod 150 races on Thursday, but Metzeler enjoyed a victorious day on Saturday as the brand completed the first of three years as title sponsor to the World’s fastest road racing event, the Ulster Grand Prix.
Metzeler’s domination of the tyre category in German motorcycling magazine Motorrad’s Best Brand awards continues this year. The tyre maker has taken the category award on four of the eight occasions it has been contested; this year Metzeler gained the support of 64.8 per cent of the 30,245 Motorrad readers who participated in voting for the awards.
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