Chinese owned tyre maker Pirelli has deepened its Tier 1 relationship with German owned motorcycle manufacturer Ducati.
Pirelli has announced that after being chosen for all versions of the Ducati Scrambler 800, Ducati has confirmed the Pirelli enduro street tyre for their small displacement model, (in this case in the 110/80 R 18 M/C 58H TL front and the new 160/60 R 17 M/C 69H TL rear).
From now on the MT 60 RS is also available in 120/70 front and 180/55 rear sizes with (W) speed index.
The new Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 rides on Pirelli MT 60 RS as original equipment tyres in 110/80 R 18 M/C 58H TL front (the same supplied to Ducati Scrambler 800) and the new 160/60 R 17 M/C 69H TL rear. This best fits the new 399 cc model, rather than the 180/55 R 17 M/C 73H TL of the Ducati Scrambler 800 versions, including the new Pro Flat Track.
Pirelli MT 60 RS has therefore undoubtedly an extremely powerful bond with the family of the new Ducati brand of which it equips all models, but in addition to the sizes for Ducati Scrambler and Scrambler Sixty2, Pirelli, given the strong demand and interest from part of a wide motorcycle audience, decided to make it available in other sizes.
From now on the MT 60 RS is available also in 120/70 front and 180/55 rear sizes, both with a (W) speed index which, along with the new 160/60 rear of the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2, join the other sizes, which were already available in the range.
Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 doesn't just extend the range on offer from the new Ducati brand. It opens the way for a new two-wheel audience for those seeking an accessible bike that is easy to handle and has low running costs, but not wanting to miss out on the unique Scrambler spirit: fun and sharing of positive emotion. Sixty2 is a Scrambler inspired by youth street culture, skateboards, street food, pop music and, above all, the pop art that, back in 1962 (the year the very first Ducati Scrambler was launched), was taking the United States by storm. That's why the Sixty2, the most "popular" Scrambler ever, is already a "pop icon".
MT 60 RS is present in the enduro street range of Pirelli motorcycles tyres and has become a reference for the segment due to its ability to combine sporty road performance with excellent grip, even on unpaved roads. The new Ducati Scrambler family was an opportunity for Pirelli to develop new sizes and to redesign this product in terms of specifications and performance. The tread pattern of the new sizes (including those for the Ducati Scrambler family) presents larger and more variable size knobs along the edge, thus giving rise to a design of multi-pitch compared to the single-pitch that characterised the original tyre.
The new tread geometry is crucial in road use where, usually, the knobbly tyres are less efficient than those created only for road use. In this case the new tread pattern gives a substantial improvement in terms of grip while braking and reduction in noise. This is thanks to a considerable decrease of the land/sea ratio and to the increase of the contact surface, plus a stiffer knobbly tread. The resulting benefits are a reduction in braking distance thanks to the work of the front tyre, and greater stability both on the straight and whilst leaning.
The compounds are another important component of the tyre, which has been renewed by exploiting the experience gained by Pirelli in recent years.
At the front a compound which is derived directly from the sporty DIABLO ROSSO II, with a balanced content of silica and carbon black, provides dynamic riding, with high grip both on dry and wet surfaces.
Regarding the rear, the choice has fallen on a sport touring compound with high silica content so as to ensure long distances and high grip in the wet.
Also, the structure of the front tyre was completely redesigned with regard to the original version of the product. From radial with cross-ply belts it is now radial, but with a 0° steel belt, with significant benefits in terms of stability and steering precision.
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