Metzeler announces the launch of a radical new Supersport five zoned tyre, the Metzeler Sportec M5 Interact™, a first for a motorcycle tyre.
The Sportec M5 Interact™ is Metzeler’s redefining supersport tyre for 2010, packed with technology and giving riders superior road-holding capability. Inside this new tyre lies the German brand’s patented Interact™ multi zone tension technology, further innovated with a motorcycle tyre first: five differentiated tension zones to optimise performance and durability. The new 5 tension zones combine the technical advantages of the extreme racing-oriented Racetec Interact™ tyres with those of the sport-touring Roadtec Z6 Interact™, a combination which showcases the best options in tread design and compounds for the best combination of traction even in wet conditions, smooth rideability and wear uniformity. In all conditions, on every road, the Sportec M5 Interact™ is the perfect all-round supersport tyre.
Interact™: 5 Zones Tension Technology
Metzeler engineers answered the most diverse requirements of the supersport segment with a new stage of development on the tension system of the tyre’s steel-belt. The new Sportec M5 Interact™ boasts five well-defined zones over the entire contour of the tyre, achieving the best grip for each lean angle, high stability and constant feedback. Interact™ technology is the precise tuning of the high-tech steel belt, winding tensions combined with a perfectly matched carcass, without the discontinuity experienced by alternative multi-compound products. With this new structure, Metzeler engineers also succeeded in optimising the total area of the tyre footprint at every lean angle with an 8% increase, while improving also its shape and pressure distribution. This success is felt in every situation: with an increased stability in a straight line, better contact feel at the central part of the curve and safe grip at full lean.
New ‘Pi’ Tread Pattern
The tread pattern of the new Sportec M5 Interact™ is the result of an extensive series of tests to achieve high effectiveness in dry (for maximum stability) and wet (for drainage) conditions, but also provides an increased life for the tyre. The registered design of the Sportec M5 Interact™ tyre tread resembles the Greek letter "Pi", a component of the formula of a perfect circle. The shape and distribution of the tread grooves contribute to the overall performance of the Sportec M5 Interact™ with very effective water drainage as well as superb flexibility. This increased flexibility complements the Interact™-based tyre structure in maintaining an optimized contact area to avoid slippage which positively affects wear uniformity and thus mileage.
Lean Indicator
An additional ‘first’ comes from the Sportec M5’s new lean indicator which offers riders visual confirmation of the maximum level of the tyre’s usage: riders can verify which of the 5-stage markings were contacted while riding. The five lean indicator markings are placed on the shoulder of the rear tyre where the profile meets the road surface at angles of approximately 25°, 30°, 35°, 40° and 45° (depending on vehicle weight and tyre pressure).
High Silica Mixture
The two newly developed tread compounds of the Sportec M5, unique between front and rear, seamlessly partner with the Interact™ structure. Derived from a completely new mixing procedure and produced with a larger percentage of silica, they bring top-of-segment adhesion in dry conditions as well as uncompromising confidence in the wet, retaining a rapid warm-up time for a maximum supersport grip level from the off.
Sizing
The new Sportec M5 Interact™ will be available from the middle of February, 2010 in front size: 120/70ZR17; as well as three rear sizes:, 180/55ZR17, 190/50ZR17 and 190/55ZR17, and shall gradually replace its successful predecessor, the Sportec M3. Front size 120/60ZR17 and rear size 160/60ZR17 will follow in April 2010.
Metzeler supported the launch of this groundbreaking tyre with a web-competition; ‘Gimme 5’ an online motorcycle knowledge quiz, with seven lucky winners visiting a secret top circuit for a fantastic launch event. The competition was given the name ‘Gimme 5’ as a way of introducing Metzeler’s new Sportec M5 Interact™, the perfect all-round supersport tyre in this competitive field. The seven lucky winners will take their all expenses paid trip to a famous international race circuit in March 2010 for a memorable track day experience and even bring home their own professional video and action photographs of the event. As part of Metzeler’s Interact philosophy, these participants will have the opportunity to see the inner workings of a brand whose tyre production reaches every segment of motorcycling including; road, track, sport, touring, adventure and off-road.
‘Gimme 5’ Contest winners will be published on the Metzeler website on 4th February, 2010 once winners have been verified. The contest was designed to test the knowledge of biking fans, challenging them to answer 10 questions correctly in the quickest time and even offered bonus points for referrals.
All details can be found on their website
