The Roadtec 01 is what Metzeler describe as their Sports Touring Tyre and we wouldn’t disagree. The name of the game here is fast and dependable performance. A Ducati Multistrada 1200 has 160 bhp on tap and we know how they’re ridden – their owners want a tire that can keep up when the throttle is pulled back and maximum power is applied as well as when the rain comes. This tyre excels at both.
They were new for 2011 and so have now had a few full seasons for people to try them out. Looking at the reviews from the people in the know, as well as listening to a lot of what is being said in the forums it seems these tyres are rated highly by the vast majority who have tested them, some well known sites saying they give a feel for grip like nothing they’ve tried before. They come in just the two compounds:
When looking at buying track tyres you no doubt want to buy the very best tyres for your money, but with each manufacturer spouting endless lines of marketing gumf it’s tough to know which is best. Keep in mind that each of the below tyres have been designed, tested and manufactured to an extremely high standard, so for 99% of track day riders any of the below tyres will more than perform to the level you would expect (and want) from this type of motorcycle tyre.
The Roadtec 01 is what Metzeler describe as their Sports Touring Tyre and we wouldn’t disagree. The name of the game here is fast and dependable performance. A Ducati Multistrada 1200 has 160 bhp on tap and we know how they’re ridden – their owners want a tire that can keep up when the throttle is pulled back and maximum power is applied as well as when the rain comes. This tyre excels at both.
Ken is author of "Motorcycling the Right Way” and "Riding in the Zone" (book and blog). He is also the "Street Savvy" columnist for Motorcyclist Magazine, and former longtime author of the Proficient Motorcycling and Street Strategies columns for Motorcycle Consumer News. Ken is Lead Instructor for Tony's Track Days, a 20 year Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor, and owner of Riding in the Zone Motorcyclist Training.
The 244 series comes in a wide array of sizes, all of which can be used for rear and front fitment. If you’re riding in dirt or the street, you can count this tire for unmatched performance. Unlike other tires, this model has a tread pattern that delivers a stable and smooth highway feel, while featuring tread spacing that is carefully calculated for off-road grip.
Im an owner of a 98 Ninja ZX6R and a 03 GSXR 1000. Ive been riding for about 10 years and have always dreamed of racing and one day going to the Isle of Man TT races(where anyone can enter to race). So I am looking into getting into some track days and while its not what I had in mind, it will have to do because racing on the street is just stupid, even though Im guilty of that too. LoL anyways. thanks for the various articles, I enjoyed them very much. I also thought it might be worth mentioning somewhere in this article on the best track day bikes… Sometimes its more fun to have a smaller bike, like the saying goes, “Its funner to ride a slow bike fast than it is to ride a fast bike slow”. I believe that can have truth in it. Though dont get me wrong. My 1000 is my #1.
Yes, they’re not as cutting edge as some of the other tires on test here but they’re also not as expensive. This particular model is coming up to a few years old now but can still hold its own against many newer offerings with many people swearing by them and fitting them to bikes such as the Honda CBR600RR. If that isn’t a testament of quality we don’t know what is.
To mark the beginning of a new riding experience, it’s also the best time to invest in other riding gears to enhance your safety. A motorcycle helmet, for instance, is not only essential for your safety while riding, wearing one is also required by law when you’re on your bike. A riding jacket is likewise a key element in your style as well as your safety, as it can help reduce the effects of falling off your bike, especially if you find yourself sliding on the pavement.
What you are going to lose out on is four season suitability as these tires only work with lots of heat it them. If you consistently ride in cold temperatures then you’re going to find the performance of these tires to be much lower than a Roadtec 01 or a Pilot Road 4, and the reason is simple. In cold weather, it just isn’t possible to get the heat into this tire compound that it needs to really stick to the road which makes it suitable for only the hottest of climates.
The performance of a tire depends on several things. First, there are different types of motorcycle tires made for different riders and bikes. This means that a tire will deliver what it’s meant for. For example, sport tires deliver an unmatched grip on diverse surfaces, but at the expense of the tread. If you’re looking for tires with the highest mileage, the best choice would be touring tires. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a compromise, the best option will be sport touring. First, identify where you will be riding; if it’s a commuting bike, go for tires with improved mileage and that performs well on diverse surfaces.
Not precious- Many new track day riders suffer undue stress over the anxiety of crashing their beautiful, high-dollar, chrome and carbon laden street bike. Thankfully, it’s easy not to crash at a track day if you ride within your ability. So, if all you have is your pride and joy, go ahead and bring it to the track, but at some point when you start pushing harder, you may want a dedicated track bike that has less sentimental value.
