Ducati’s choice of a 200-section rear on the Monster 1200R may look great, but it really limits tyre choice for riders.
After being impressed by Michelin’s Pilot Road 3 on a previous bike, one Ducati owner asked MCN for a list of more versatile options for his Italian machine – and as their go-to option for tyre advice, our very own Bryn Phillips was only too happy to oblige.
When it comes out of the factory, the Ducati is fitted with Pirelli’s Supercorsa SP rubber. This is all well and good on warm, dry days on both road and track, but when the rain kicks in and summer fades away, they’re not the best choice if you want to keep on riding all through the year.
A less extreme option would be to fit a Hypersport tyre, which is one step down from the Racing Street tyres fitted by Ducati, and one step above a Sport Touring tyre like the Pilot Road 3.
All of the following options are approved for fitment on the bike, and will offer improved performance in wet and cold conditions over the Supercorsa SP whilst also giving better mileage:
- Bridgestone Battlax S21
- Pirelli Diablo Rosso III
- Metzeler Sportec M7 RR
When in doubt, always speak to your local motorcycle specialist!
If your dealer needs any additional advice, our highly experienced sales team will always be on hand to help!
