A new year, a new start, and two brand new slick tyre options for racers and track day enthusiasts from Metzeler!
These two latest products complete the new ‘RR’ family of high performance tyres developed at some of the world’s leading road racing events.
First off, the new Racetec RR Slick replaces the outgoing Racetec Slick, and is aimed at competitive riders who take part in track races, or specific road racing events which allow the use of a Not Highway Suitable marked tyre in the Superbike category.
During it’s development the tyre has been tested by the likes of Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson and Gary Johnson, at some of the most demanding events in the pure road racing calendar.
Two rear sizes have been changed from the old range, 180/55 to 180/60 and 190/55 to 200/60, with the aim of providing maximum levels of grip across the whole radius of the tyre at all angles of lean. The profile is now narrower, which makes the handling more agile, and creates a larger contact patch. The construction has also been changed to find the optimum balance of flexibility and stiffness in the casing to delivery high levels of grip whilst also offering precision steering and excellent stability under hard braking.
Tyre behaviour should also be more predictable than that of it’s predcessor, with high levels of feedback through the bars informing the rider when they near the limits of the tyre, and a reduction in the lateral deformation of the tyre giving more progressive handling, achieved using Rayon in the carcass along with the fine-tuned zero degree steel belt.
Compounds have also been changed, and are now more versatile in terms of their operating range, giving the rider more freedom to choose their preferred compound. The use of specific resins in the compound blend work to reduce the effects of high temperatures on the levels of mechanical adhesion between the tyre and the track surface.
The Racetec RR Slick CompK is aimed at riders on track days, and racers in training. With a more versatile single compound, riders have more time to focus on bike setup and getting out on track to make the most of their time.
The 200/60 rear has been overlooked in favour of the more common 200/55 rear road tyre size, which takes less time for the rider to adapt to. However, the 180/60 rear still takes the place of the more common 180/55.
The compound blend, as well as being more versatile, is also more durable than that found in the competitive Racetec RR Slick, and is capable of lasting much longer than designated race rubber, meaning that the rider can cover more miles on track before needing to change their tyres.
The CompK version is expected to arrive in the UK in February.
As soon as both these products become available, trade customers can rely on Cambrian Tyres to have them on the shelf!
View the full range of sizes for the Racetec RR Slick and Racetec RR Slick CompK.
