Motorbike Tyres
Eurogrip-branded electric vehicle (EV) tyres are on their way, as Indian tyremaker TVS Srichakra reported that it is developing advanced fuel-efficient tyres made for EVs and primarily targeting the Indian market.
In the USA, Pirelli has recalled 3100 Pirelli and Metzeler-branded motorbike tyres due to manufacturing issue that could result in tread separation. 100 per cent of the 150/70 R18 M/C 70V Metzeler Tourance Next; 150/70 R18 M/C 70V Metzeler Tourance Next II; 150/70 R18 M/C 70W Metzeler Tourance Next II; and 150/70 R18 M/C 70V Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tyres produced between a total production period that covers a maximum range of 30 November 2016 to 11 June 2024 are said to be affected.
Bridgestone Corporation (Bridgestone) has today announced the launch of the Battlax Hypersport S23 a new sports radial motorcycle tyre for street use that will be available from January 2024.
The Maxxis MaxxCross MX-ST+ motocross tyre has been selected again as original equipment for the 2024 range of GASGAS motocross bikes. Meanwhile, the 2024 enduro range including the EC450F and EC500F models will feature Maxxis MaxxEnduro tyres.
Maxxis reports that its Maxxcross range is now complete following the addition of the MXMH rear tyre. The off-road motorbike tyre range includes the MXST+ (mid-soft terrain), the MXSM (sand and mud), and now the MXMH (hard and loose over hard).
Vipal will supply tyres directly for the production of Honda motorcycles in Brazil. The Honda CG 160 Fan will be the first model to come out with Vipal tyres as original equipment (OE). The motorbike will specifically be fitted with Street ST600 80/100-18 (front) and Street ST600 90/90-18 (rear) tyres. Both are tubeless designs.
On May 16, Risingsun, a Chinese manufacturer of air-free tyres, was listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ). The move means the company’s shares can be publicly traded.
Mitas is launching a new tread pattern in its adventure range, the Enduro Trail-ADV, which the company says “reflects the true spirit of modern adventure riders and delivers superb performance on and off the road.”
Following Goodyear’s takeover of Cooper and the integration of the German Cooper sales organization in Goodyear Germany, the German wing of Gooodyear EMEA has added two more logos to its product portfolio, those of the Cooper and of Avon brands. However, the German introduction of the latter is bringing with it significant changes in the Avon brand’s positioning.
On 10 November, Cheng Shin Rubber Ind., Co., Ltd. announced that it is preparing to increase the capital of PT. Maxxis International Indonesia by US$30 million (about £25.53 million pounds; 29.01 million euros). Cheng Shin Rubber said that the capital increase meets the operation’s needs.
After entering India’s motorcycle tyre business a good two years earlier, at the end of 2018 Apollo Tyres announced plans to introduce motorcycle tyres in European markets. It even presented the first local products – Centauro ST, Centauro Road and (for Scooters) Staccata early in 2020, along with the promise of a two-wheel TPMS system. But after that, everything went quiet until Apollo Tyres confirmed suspending its European rollout due to “high demand for motorcycle tyres in the Indian market” and “limited production capacities.” Yves Pouliquen, head of sales and marketing at Apollo Tyres Europe, recently provided an update on the company’s two-wheeler plans.
Following the news that Goodyear is investing in converting its Montluçon into a two-wheel tyre production centre of excellence, company officials have confirmed that, subject to consultation with the relevant employee bodies, Goodyear expects the plans to be “substantially complete by the beginning of 2024”.
Following the news that it is consulting on the closure of the Cooper Melksham tyre factory, Goodyear has announced that it is set to invest 16.5 million euros into the “modernisation” of its Montluçon, France tyre production plant over the next 18 months. The news also marks the end of light truck tyre production at Montluçon. Prior to the announcement, the production of two-wheel tyres accounted for 50 per cent of the site’s activity and the site has also made motorsport tyres during its recent history.
At the start of May, in the USA, Continental issued a recall of 68,770 two-wheel tyres of which an estimated 10 per cent suffered from cracking in the tread groves during FMVSS 119 endurance testing.
Michelin has produced a new version of its motorcycle racing tyre with an even higher share of environmentally sustainable material ahead of the MotoE World Cup motorcycle racing series. This is the fourth season of the MotoE World Cup electric motorcycles racing series.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
Bridgestone
Maxxis
Vipal
Cheng Shin
Christian Marx/Profil-Verlag
Christian Marx/Profil Verlag
Christian Marx/Profil Verlag
Michelin