The third generation of Continental’s ContiSportAttack hypersport tyre has been launched ahead of its market introduction early next year. The official ContiSportAttack 3 debut took place at the Red Bull Ring in Austria earlier this month. Former MotoGP rider Alex Hofmann was present at the event and led other launch attendees, including ContiMoto UK, as they put the new tyres through their paces on the latest BMW S1000RR.
PT Evoluzione Tyre, the joint venture that factory Astra Otoparts established with Pirelli following the signing of an agreement in April 2012, is scheduled to enter production this month. Astra Otoparts says the factory’s production target for 2015 is 2 million motorcycle tyres and the total planned annual output is 7 million pieces; 4 million of these will be Pirelli or Metzeler branded tyres that will be sold in the domestic and export markets, and the remaining 3 million will be manufactured under Astra Otoparts’ Aspira brand name for sale both in Indonesia and abroad. Pirelli holds a 60 per cent share in the joint venture and Astra Otoparts the remainder.
MRF Tyres is claiming an Indian-market first with the release of its Revz motorcycle tyre. This new range marks the tyre maker’s – and the country’s – entry into the motorcycle radial segment, and MRF has embarked on an elaborate digital campaign to get the message out. In addition to commissioning an interactive section for the mrftyres.com website, the tyre maker has taken to Twitter under the #RevzolutionIsHere hashtag and is also revving up interest via other social media sources.
Indian tyre maker TVS Srichakra Limited informed the National Stock Exchange of India on 2 June that it has entered into an agreement with wholly-owned Michelin subsidiary, Michelin India Private Limited, to produce a range of two wheeler tyres under the Michelin brand name.
Avon has launched its new TrailRider motorcycle tyre, a product it calls its “most advanced tyre yet”. Making the point that the large trailbike segment has not been a big priority in markets more focused on sportsbikes, tourers, and naked bikes, Avon says that 600cc-plus dirt-styled bikes have become more important over the last decade. Bikes like the BMW R1200 GS and Triumph Adventure are amongst the best sellers in many markets, Avon adds.
At motorcycle fairs during the spring, Bridgestone showed off the Battlax Sport Touring T30 Evo and Battlax Adventure A40, the new tyres it first presented at last autumn’s Intermot show. The first of these is – as the name suggests – a further evolution of the existing T30 sport touring tyre that will (for the time being) largely remain in the Bridgestone portfolio. The second of the pair succeeds the Battle Wing in the enduro segment. According to Bridgestone, both tyres display particular improvements in wet performance.
Around one year ago, Bridgestone entered into a technical partnership with Belgian motorcycle brand Saroléa, designer of the Saroléa SP7 electric superbike. The tyre maker delivered technical support and tyre expertise for the manufacturer’s track testing and racing ambitions, which last year included the TT Zero Challenge at the Isle of Man TT series. Saroléa finished fourth at its debut appearance, and in 2015 will again look to Bridgestone for further expertise.
A number of big motocross names have visited Worcester’s Apex Motocross to try Bridgestone’s new X30 tyre. Multiple British champion Paul Malin appeared as a star guest, with guest appearances by Motors TV commentator Amy Dargan and Bike Channel presenter Suzy Taylor. Two Kawasaki KX250Fs and a pair of Kawasaki KX450s were available to ride on the day, and the tyre was given a tricky workout in torrential rain. The manufacturer will add the new X20 soft terrain tyre to its 2015 motocross range in April.
Avon has been appointed control tyre supplier to the Thundersport GB Aprilia RRV450GP race series. The manufacturer will supply its road-legal 3D Ultra Xtreme track tyres as the official dry race tyre, as well as racing wet tyres, in sizes 120/70ZR17 (front) and180/55ZR17 (rear).
Michelin reports it will revamp “the bulk” of its motorcycle hypersport and track tyre range this year through the introduction of six new products. These additions, the tyre maker adds, are “designed to meet the needs of all riders, from the professional racer to the track-day enthusiast.”
Michelin has suggested that 2015 could be the “year of two wheels for young drivers” after an increase in compulsory basic training applications from the under-25s and a sales uplift from bike retailers and tyre dealerships. According to the tyre manufacturer’s Stoke-based driver safety partner – Bryans Road Safety Centre with whom Michelin runs a range of on-road and off-road driver and motorcycle rider training courses – 2014 saw double-digit growth for courses from each of the key 16, 17-18 and 19-23 age groups. The increase seems particularly relevant to the latter group, which registered a 25 per cent increase.
A year ago the latest-generation Michelin sport touring radial range was released. Since its initial introduction at the MCN Motorcycle Show in February 2014 and subsequent market launch, the Pilot Road 4 has exceeded its maker’s expectations in regards to popularity, and proved to be a highlight within a positive year for Michelin’s motorcycle tyre business. In 2015, the company plans to follow up the success of the Pilot Road 4 with further releases.
Although Goodyear Dunlop has trademarked the name “Sportmax RaceSmart”, it won’t be using it on a new Dunlop motorcycle race tyre this year – and has no plans for later on, either. The company has put the lid on speculation regarding this, telling Tyres & Accessories that while new developments and upgrades are continually added to the two-wheel product portfolio, there will definitely be no new Dunlop model entering the race tyre segment this year. And looking further ahead, there are no firm plans to bolster the ‘Smart’ brand family – ScootSmart, StreetSmart, RoadSmart and SportSmart – with a tyre bearing the RaceSmart name.
The Bridgestone motocross portfolio has been expanded through the addition of its Battlecross X20 soft terrain tyre. The range will be available in one front wheel size and three sizes for the rear, and will come to market in April.
A little over a year ago, ČGS Holding a.s announced the formation of the Mitas Moto business unit, an entity that incorporates both the Mitas motorcycle tyre unit and the Savatech unit acquired by the company in October 2012. The first all-new product announced by the combined business unit was the Sport Force for sport, naked and touring bikes. This has now been succeeded by the Sport Force+, and this new-generation of tyre employs a tread compound developed using the latest findings from Mitas’ research and development unit. Mitas Sport Force+ will be available in global markets as of February 2015. All sizes in the Sport Force+ range boast a (W) speed rating, allowing for use at speeds of more than 270 km/h (168 mph).
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