Pirelli Scorpion Trail Launch June 2008
by Adam Rous
Date: 22nd-26th June 2008. Location: Taormina, Sicily.
Well, it seems like Pirelli have decided to make a big push for a slice of the Adventure-Sport market with their new tyre, the Scorpion Trail. Taking over from MT90 ST series, the new model is aimed at capturing sales from the well fancied Metzeler Tourance, Michelin Anakee and also Bridgestone’s Battlewing.
Although the MT90 ST was a well performing tyre, it was getting perhaps a bit long in the tooth and, with the demand for Adventure-Sport machines increasing, Pirelli figured it was time to move forward.
So, Sicily was the location for the launch, partly because of the promise of good weather, but also because certain parts of the island are used for OEM approval testing by Honda and Yamaha. And if they were happy to go there, then it would certainly be good enough for an old plodder like me !
Looking at the tyre, you wouldn’t automatically think that it would perform off road as it's pattern does have a bias towards highway usage, and Pirelli are aiming it at a 90% on road /10% off road split.
Now, here’s the technical facts, before we set off: the belt construction is zero degree on front and rear, to aid stability and retain uniformity, but the belt plies have been spaced out in the centre of the tyre to improve the contact area. The new tread pattern grooves are designed in such a way as to purge water away from the footprint, giving superior road holding in wet conditions. it's worth noting that Pirelli have decided not to go down the fashionable multi compound route, as they were concerned that a tyre of that type might lose uniformity on unpredictable terrain, such as off road trail.
So, armed with all this information, I set out on a Benelli TRE-K1130K, a bruiser of a bike to be fair, and wound my way through the tight streets out of town heading for the first section Pirelli had chosen. This consisted of extremely steep and narrow roads, which doubled back on themselves, leading up to a trail path with loose stones and shale. The Sicilians seem to have a different approach to road safety than we do –
meaning there “isn’t any”, and the potential for injury and death seems immediate, due to the lack of safety barriers, all mixed in with a little help from manic local drivers!
I have to say that my experience on this type of bike is fairly limited, and I did feel a little out of my depth as we got to the top of the section, especially in 36 degree heat wearing full leathers, but the tyre held it's ground and wouldn’t let go, even with my ham-fisted control of the Benelli’s throttle. Gratifyingly, on some very loose ground the tyre bit in well, keeping this big machine in a straight line, which was reassuring as I only had a 3 feet comfort zone either side to play with !
After a short stop, we wound our way back down to the town, which was all achieved with great composure from the tyre and negligible loss of traction.
The next section was targeted purely on grip from the Scorpions and we headed toward Mount Etna along some of the most exciting, twisty roads I’ve ever come across. It helps that the locals make use of volcanic material to build the road surface so what you end up with in fact is tarmac that feels like sandpaper. Not nice to fall off on, but very grippy ! Around here, Honda and Yamaha do some of their OEM testing, and I suddenly realised just why.
I have to say that the tyre flattered me, I hadn’t been aware that this sort of riding could be achieved on a trail bike fitted with “knobblies”. I’m pleased to say there weren’t any “moments” on this section, even with the increased travel from the suspension the bike held firm, and the tyre gripped just like a sports tyre. Note that – “a sports tyre”.
We decided to swop bikes at the end of the adhesion section and I opted for something a little less aggressive with a BMW F800GS. This is a vastly different bike to the Benelli, and also has a 21” front wheel compared to the Benelli’s 19”. So armed with my new steed, we headed for the handling section of the test, which consisted of a very twisty but flowing B-road around a hillside. Speeds were raised on this section and I have to say that I don’t think I could have gone much quicker on any other bike, that’s how impressed I am with these new tyres. Unfortunately, we did lose one member of the party, but it was a simple case of overbraking into a corner and losing the front end. That can happen on any bike and was nothing to do with the tyres.
With some relief, I found that the last section we were to ride was simply fast upright motorway work, to see what the Scorpions felt like at speed. And again I was mightily impressed with the stability delivered. Any buffeting caused by cross winds was easily counteracted by a small push on the opposite bar, and that seemed to level things out. Pirelli understand that a lot of Adventure-Sport riders will spend a long time in the saddle on biking holidays, so the tyre needs to be stable and also comfortable, with the minimum amount of road buzz, and I’d say they have done a pretty good job. It’s a hugely impressive road tyre with great off road capability, and what more could an Adventure-Sport rider ask for ??
Just one final point, I now know why Italy produces so many good bike racers. You only have to spend a day riding on their road system to know that it’s like one big race track, with far more corners than straights…. Superb !
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