Due to hit the market next month, the MC360 is Metzeler’s brand new motocross tyre, and they’ve been putting it through some final real world tests ahead of the official retail launch.
A team of riders have been climbing the world’s highest volcano, the Nevado Ojos del Salado in Chile, which stands at 6,891 metres in height.
Metzeler’s new reversible motocross tyre was fitted to two Honda CRF450X machines, with prototype sizes also used on three of the latest Honda Africa Twin adventure bikes.
The test was used to assess the MC360’s level of performance, wear, versatility and resistance to tearing in extreme conditions, with temperatures ranging from +40° in the Desert of Copiapó down to -15° up high in the Andes.
The team spent several days taking the time to acclimatise to the increasing height above sea level, with one rider and once technician having ti turn back as they succumbed to acute altitude sickness.
On the day of the record attempt, the team of riders included Salvo Pennisi, Metzeler’s Head of Testing Department, Carlo Fiorani, Honda’s Head of Racing Communications, the industry journalists Francesco Catanese and Karsten Schwers, and Fabio Mossini, former enduro champion and now part of Honda’s Sud America team.
Starting from sea level, the riders set the following records:
- From zero to 5,900 metres above sea level in less than 24 hours.
- Maximum height above sea-level for a twin-cylinder motorcycle – 5,960 metres above sea-level (Mossini – Africa Twin)
- Maximum height reached with a motorcycle in less than 24 hours – 5,977 metres above sea-level (Pennisi – CRF450X)
The climb was made without the support of oxygen, and covered more than 300 kilometres across asphalt, scree, dirt, sand and deep mud pits. At extreme heights they encountered more and more ice along with walls of ‘penitentes’, big pillars of wind blown snow and ice, obstructing their climb. They eventually found a small pathway through the pillars, allowing Mossini and Pennisi to climb further and set their highly impressive records.
You can find out more about the MC360 here.
