Metzeler Sportec M3

Metzeler Sportec M3

CW EVALUATION

Radials for road and track

PREMIUM SPORTBIKE TIRES ARE A compromise. For one, they're expensive. Two, their high levels of grip are generally short-lived. In exchange for several C-notes, an aggressive rider on an Open-class racer-replica may get only a day or two of peak racetrack performance before traction drops off like an Acapulco cliff diver hurtling toward the sea. Street pilots do better but not by much.

Metzeler claims to have changed all this with its new Sportec M3. The Ger man tire maker has revised compounds, constructions, profiles and tread patterns to enhance contact patch, feel, grip and handling in both dry and wet conditions compared to its popular, previous-generation Sportec M1. Dura bility is alleged to be a whopping 50 percent better, as well.

That's significant.

When the M-i debuted a few years ago, we mount ed a set on a long-term Hon da Interceptor. Handling and grip received high marks, but after just 2500 street-only miles, the tires were toast. Four thousand miles would have been acceptable.

With the M3, harder DuraSil compounding with high silica and new reinforcing elements allowed engineers to use softer casings to reduce heat, thus improving overall per formance and durability. Development took place in six stages and in several countries, with testers covering more than 370,000 miles.

For the M3 ’s launch late last year, Metzeler laid on a morning street ride over Southern California’s Sierra Madre Mountains and an afternoon of hot-lapping at Buttonwillow Raceway Park near Bakersfield. Cool, dry conditions were a good test of the company’s claims of quick warm up, smooth comer turn-in, reduced tendency to stand up while braking and excellent high-speed stability. For tires that are marketed for 10 percent track, 20 percent highway and 70 percent backroad use, they performed awfully well on the track.

After 400 miles on the street and track, the tires showed little wear. Of course, that only equates to about 10 percent of Metzeler’s increased mileage claims for the Sportec M3. We’ll put a set on a longterm bike, then report back. But so far, so good. □

DETAI LS

Metzeler Motorcycle Tires

100 Pirelli Dr. Rome, GA 30161 800/747-3554 ext. 5802 www.us.metzelermoto.com Pricing.. .$163 front, $235 rear

A Stick hard, appear long-lasting A Sizes for everything from middle weights to Open-classers A Sportec M-1 still available, cost reduced by 30 percent

`~owns v Rounder profiling steers slower than more triangular, racing-oriented designs (an "Up?") v Premium performance, premium pricing v Doesn't use sister-company Pirelli's MIRS manufacturing process