TOP 7 RACING TYRES FOR MOTORCYCLES IN INDIA

Motorcycles form a large chunk of commuting, and also the two-wheeler industry in India. However, for many people, riding a motorcycle is more than just shuttling from one place to another for everyday chores. This small percentage of people are performance-hungry and love to flaunt their bikes, while the passion for riding their motorcycle at high speeds comes as a pleasure.

As the two-wheeler industry is growing like crazy, more and more tyre products are coming out for a variety of segments. And for racetrack-like performance, the tyres should be an absolute beast in terms of grip, handling and precise road feedback. So let’s explore the top seven racing tyres for bikes in India. All the tyres mentioned below come with a speed rating of W, which means these tyres can be driven or resist the maximum speed of 270 kmph.

Michelin Road 5

Coming from the stable of the French tyre brand, the Road 5 is a soft and premium tyre crafted for riders with racing and touring intentions. The Michelin Road 5 has been designed to instil riding confidence thanks to its superior grip on damp surfaces.

The dry road performance is nothing short of excellence as the carcass is a result of Adaptive Casing Technology, which offers the utmost rigidity to the tyre shoulders for the needed cornering prowess and straight-line stability. With Michelin Road 5, the bike becomes agile in terms of steering, accuracy and directional changes. The tyre comes with MICHELIN XST Evo sipes, which offer exceptional short-distance braking.

Compatible bikes – KTM Supermoto, Kawasaki Z, Benelli TNT 300, Ducati Monster and Hyosung GT.

Metzeler Racetec RR

If you want a tyre designed for all conditions with the intrinsic nature of racing, then Metzeler Racetec RR is the one to choose. The Racetec RR comes with an exclusive tread pattern and groove layout for ensuring optimised water dispersion, enhanced dry grip and superior cornering stability. The unique rubber compound of this tyre is a combination of selected resins and polymers that provides additional grip and long-lasting resistance against wear.

Another department where this tyre comes with flying colours is the stability and precision, which is vital for racing aficionados. The sidewall of the tyre has been designed to subdue shocks, whereas the rigid ply material is considered best for high lateral stiffness. Overall, the Racetec RR lets the biker always feel connected to the surface and inspires confidence.

Compatible bikes – Ducati 899 Panigale White, Aprilia RSV4RR, Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS and Ducati Monster 1200.

Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa

There are a few tyres that are pure track rubber, and Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa is one of them. The tyre is crafted for everyday street riders who also crave hitting tracks occasionally. The rubber in the tyre carries the SC2 compound, which is popularly used in World Superbike competitions.

The central part is more durable due to the presence of plasticisers and new resins, which also aid in keeping an ideal balance between the wet and dry grip. The best part of this tyre is the outstanding stability and minimal noise it generates, both of which are derived from a flash-shaped tread design and silica-enriched multicompound.

The tyres also address two core requirements of a race track: extraordinary handling and enhanced grip in the mid-lean angles. Moreover, the Functional Groove Design and Enhanced Patch Technology of the tyre safeguard the rider on wet surfaces.

Compatible bikes – Benelli TNT 600GT, Ducati 959 Panigale, BMW K1300 S and Kawasaki Ninja H2.

Metzeler Sportec M7 RR

The Sportec M7 RR is the latest generation of track tyres from Metzeler. The tyres are purpose-made to infuse confidence in the sports riders who love to ride in style right from the everyday city environment to the weekend escape on twisty roads. The tyre comes with dual-compound and Interact technology that features a modular multi-tension steel cord to provide outstanding performance in a variety of conditions.

The high amount of integrated silica is the key to safety and predictability, no matter what driving conditions the rider is exposed to. The profile of the Sportec M7 RR contains a rigid structure for razor-sharp handling, which is one of the core requirements of sporty riding. The tyre is efficient in evading water quickly, providing an outstanding contact feel.

The central stripe with high silica content enhances grip, accelerates thrust and improves high-speed stability while simultaneously deriving maximum fuel efficiency out of the ride.

Compatible bikes – Bajaj Dominar 400, Aprilia Mana 850 GT ABS, Kawasaki Ninja Super Sport, Honda CBR 250R, BMW K 1300 S and Triumph Bonneville.

Apollo Alpha H1

The Alpha H1 is a sheer attempt to take on the European brands in the market. The H1 is specially designed for sporty bikes and is well known for offering enhanced tyre mileage and shorter braking. And this comes from the nice combination of silica and carbon black, which also aid in getting quick lean angles and better wet performance. The grip levels of H1 on twists and turns offer an amazing experience and feel upright at both the front and the rear.

The Alpha H1 feels more flexible on the broken patches while very communicative with a higher edge grip, with the V-shaped grooves further helping in dissipating water swiftly. The soft rubber compound delivers longterm durability, which makes this tyre an extremely value-for-money tyre for performance bikers.

Compatible bikes – Bajaj Dominar, Honda CBR 250R, Benelli TNT, Harley Davidson Superlow and BMW K1600 GTL

Vredestein Centauro NS

Another tyre from Apollo’s fold is the Vredestein Centauro NS. Though a relatively unknown brand in India, it’s been in the field since 110 years and is quite highly rated in overseas markets. The Centauro NS is not a typical racing slick but does deliver exceptionally well in terms of high-speed performance. And as per Vredestein, these tyres are benchmarked against stalwarts like Pirelli Diablo Rosso and Angel GT.

The Centauro NS features dual-compound construction, which improves handling and offers decent lean control. Loaded with an aggressive tread pattern, the NS is equipped with a multi-radius profile, with an augmented zero-degree steel belt and longer grooves, providing excellent dynamic on-road behaviour. With a robust rubber compound and centre band, the Vredestein Centauro NS feels safe at high speeds and offers longer life.

Compatible bikes – Suzuki GSX-R1000, Yamaha R1, Aprilia Dorsoduro 900 and Kawasaki Ninja 1000.

TVS Eurogrip Protorq Extreme

The homegrown tyre brand is on a mission to produce every possible tyre for every kind of bike available in the Indian market. The brand introduced the Protorq Extreme series for small performance bikes and race-spec motorcycles. One of the main highlights of Protorq Extreme tyres is the deep groove tread pattern that runs along the shoulder, providing enhanced water-dispersing capability and longer life.

The polyester casing has been given for better stiffness, while the unique zero-degree steel cords assist in stabilising the motorcycle at lean angles and high speeds. With excellent performance around the corners, the tyres are impressive during hard braking. Even for those who don’t have high-level track riding skills, the Protorq Extreme is mighty impressive and can deliver an enjoyable riding experience.

Compatible bikes – Bajaj Dominar, Benelli TNT, BMW K1600 GTL, Kawasaki Ninja, Honda CBR and Hyosung GT 250R. n

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