You’ve got your leathers packed, your passport ready and it’s almost time to fly out to the Paul Ricard circuit in France for the official media launch of the new Metzeler Sportec M7 RR.
Then you get that last minute call, letting you know that the launch isn’t going to happen. What do you do after all that preparation?
Well, if you’re Simon Roots at Fast Bikes magazine, you get a set fitted to your Kawasaki ZX-6R long term test bike and head out to Castle Combe for your own mini test session right here in the UK.
The first thing that Simon noticed was how comfortable the ride became on the new Metzeler, saying “the Kawasaki felt like it had a pair of slippers on. The ride was transformed into comfort personified.”
This might have something to do with the updated construction. Essentially Metzeler have used a new version of Rayon which has increased stiffness. This means that they can use less rayon, and importantly more rubber. Add to this a reworked profile with a taller and sportier slant than the Sportec M5, along with improved drainage for greater lean angles in the wet and you’ve got a real all-round performer.
The tyres scrubbed in quickly, and although the weather was rather warm they were up to temperature within a lap. Out on track that level of comfort transformed into feedback, with Simon praising the performance of the front under hard braking. The rear also gave consistent performance and good feedback.
After his track session at Castle Combe, Simon headed home where he found the tyre “accurate and stable on fast A-roads, but still retaining comfort and confidence in more sketchy conditions.” The confident performance in the wet was also praised.
Members of the trade can get the new Sportec M7 RR in a range of sizes from Cambrian Tyres, along with a great range of Metzeler hypersport tyres.
