The Metzeler Racetec RR Motorcycle Tyre is able to provide state-of-the-art technology compounds which have been developed in road legal specifications. They have been developed to win Road Races, delivering maximum performance.
- Racing performance with ultimate grip throughout the ride
- Extreme versatility across a wide range of temperature and Tarmac surfaces
- Consistent performance throughout the Tyre lifespan
- Offers cornering precision and high-speed stability
The Metzeler Racetec RR range of Motorcycle Tyres earns the ‘RR’ from excellent performance on Road Races. This Tyre has been developed and then put to the ultimate test with the top teams and riders, coming out on top as the winner in 2014 as the Supersport TT Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Motorcycle Tyre. Road Racing is one of the most difficult and challenging racing activities, due to the combination of circuit length, speed, altitude, temperature variation and variety of tarmac. To combat these challenges, Metzeler have manages to develop and engineer the Racetec RR to cope with all these different excesses in one package, providing them with unmatched durability and versatility.
The Tyres have a compound which blends a selection of polymers and resins with different grades of carbon black to maximise hysteresis – even on slippery surfaces. The Front Tyre conform to the micro-granularity of tarmac delivering more grip and wear resistance, to last longer on severe asphalt; the blend of polymers features also high flexibility at lower temperatures. The front tyre compound choice can be made based on the rider’s preferences between higher stability and precision when entering the corner (K2 version) rather than predictability and “edge grip” feeling (K1 version). As for rear tyre, choice of version is based on asphalt friction coefficient (high severity / friction and low severity / friction, depending on the circuit or road race) and asphalt temperature (with the threshold being around 25°/30°degree). The dual-compound cap and base scheme of Rear Tyre features a highly conductive centre strip which supports the Shoulder compound from underneath and warms it up during long straights by redistributing the heat generated to the shoulders, maintaining them in the operative temperature and ensuring grip when going into lean.
Please Note – K1 = Soft, K2 = Medium, K3 = Hard.
Stability is critical in road racing when riding on long straights at full speed because of aerodynamic interferences and needs to be considered when the bike passes over drain covers, repair patches or jumps. In both cases, stability may be temporarily lost in the rebound following the bike quick lift and drop back down to the asphalt, compressing both tyres and shock absorbers. These Tyres feature a composite structure which is differentiated between the crown and the sides of the carcass to react properly to different circumstances. The crown structure of the Tyre has been made with a special rayon fibre which is characterised by a high rate of linear density and stiffness and can maintain its shape under a high stress and load strain. The fibre further assists dampen the rebound stroke which absorbs the shock by distributing it through the whole carcass and dampens the rebound while getting back to the initial shape. The side structure is stiff and has a low deformation ratio. This is so that it can sustain the entire architecture under stress, and guarantee trajectory precision both on long fast and full lean.
Sessions in road racing can go on for over 240 km / 150 miles, which is more than three times an average track race. Therefore, durability, integrity and performance consistency are high on the priority list in terms of Tyre performance, and key characteristics to be successful. All the compounds of Racetec RR range feature high resistance to abrasion thanks to a homogeneous dispersion of the components in the polymeric matrix obtained through our exclusive and patented continuous mixing process. The tread groove layout minimises the wear and disrupts the forces which crease the compound, known as Schallamach’s wear waves. The disruptive angle of Racetec RR grooves are the result of advanced analyses based on road racing activity.
