Pirelli DIABLO™ Rosso Corsa named ‘Best Sports Tyre’ by Performance Bikes

Pirelli UK, Burton on Trent, UK, August 20 2014 – With an incredible score of 92/100 the Pirelli DIABLO™ Rosso Corsa tyre stands head and shoulders above its rivals in the annual test held by Performance Bikes. The tests were carried out by former Grand Prix rider Jeremy McWilliams, who praised the feedback from the confidence inspiring tyre.

Conducted as a totally blind test, Jeremy McWilliams and Performance Bikes Road Tester John McAvoy tested the Michelin Power Supersport, Bridgestone S20 Evo, Dunlop Sportsmart 2, Metzeler Sportec M7 RR and Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa around a warm, sunny and dry Rockingham circuit. The two used a Kawasaki ZX-10R to conduct the test on.

Known for its long traction zone, a 120mph sweeping corner, fast and slow direction changes as well as bumps and heavy braking sections, the circuit is a perfect location to push the tyres to the maximum. The two test riders then scored marks out of ten in five seperate categories; Stability, Turn-in, Apex grip, Exit grip and feel – with the Diablo Rosso Corsa coming out top in every category and finishing 15 points ahead of its nearest rival, the Metzeler Sportec M7 RR.

Performance Bikes also recorded the lap times of each tyre with the Pirelli shod Kawasaki finishing 1.43s ahead of the second place Metzeler, 1.61s ahead of the Dunlop, 4.58s ahead of the Bridgestone and 6.43s ahead of the Michelin.

Both McWilliams and McAvoy praised the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa for its superior grip and stability on the side and its ability to carry more speed at the apex. They were also impressed with how it behaved like a race tyre, allowing them to get on the gas harder, carry more speed and brake later. Finally, they praised that when it did lose grip, it did it predictably concluding, “The Pirelli tyres are still by far the best tyre here when it comes to lapping a track hard and fast. They’re good for all levels of track rider.”

Download the Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa tyre test results here