Developed on some of the world’s toughest road race circuits, the new Racetec RR is the latest generation in race and trackday rubber from Metzeler. Replacing the outgoing Racetec Interact, this new treaded race rubber already has an Isle of Man TT win under it’s belt too.
With the original Racetec Interact proving popular amongst track day riders and club racers, how does the new tyre compare?
Well, after the initial launch in Spain was a complete wash out due to huge downpours of rain, Fast Bikes decided to conduct their own test at Cadwell Park in time for their June 2015 edition. They tested the track oriented K1 and K2 compounds, as well as the road oriented K3 version.
So, what did they have to say?
Stability:
“The tyres feel stiffer under load than the Interacts. They don’t squat under trail braking and seem more suited to hard acceleration, too. The general feel is plusher against the road’s surface, with less flex and movement to compromise the tyre’s tracking in, during, or out of a bend.”
Grip:
“Front end grip is out of this world.”
“The only movement experienced was progressive and telling. Even on a damp track, the tyres performed a treat, mirroring the performance of the best products in the sector.”
Feedback:
“They’re very talkative and it’s easy to feel your way in and around a corner.”
The new RR also features a 60-profile sidewall, and Jim Worland of Metzeler explained why they had opted for a slightly taller tyre:
“A tyre’s profile is fundamental to the way it performs and the character it delivers. By increasing the height of the RR’s sidewall from a 55-profile to a 60-profile, we’ve managed to increase both the volume of compound in contact with the ground and the grip levels it delivers. The new Metzelers also benefit from a 4mm taller front tyre, which aids the speed at which the tyre pitches into a corner, so the agility of the bike is not compromised. By increasing the tyre heights on the RRs, we’ve proven we can also achieve more grip and stability at higher speeds. Another bi-product of this is that, in accordance with the new compounds which have a much broader heat range, our tyres are lasting longer.”
So, what’s this like to ride on? Bruce Wilson of Fast Bikes explains:
“I thought it would have really slowed down the bike’s handling, but it didn’t. The balance of the front and rear profiles is perfectly matched and there’s no awkward pause in transition as one tyre tries to catch the other up during transition from lean-to-lean. The flickability of the tyres proved as easy and inspiring at all paces, all while trying a range of different temperatures to optimise grip.”
As the UK’s largest trade distributor of motorcycle tyres, we stock a wide range of Metzeler products including the new Racetec RR at the best possible prices. Check out the track and road versions..
