New Pirelli Diablo Rosso II Tops Motorcycle Tire Comparison Tests

The new Pirelli Diablo Rosso II has placed first in the annual sport tire comparison tests conducted by Germany’s Motorrad and PS magazines. Pirelli celebrates these major wins that help confirm the importance of its role as official tire supplier to WSBK, a critical element in developing technologies that can be transferred to road tires like the Diablo Rosso II.

The new
Pirelli Diablo Rosso II has placed first in the annual sport tire
comparison tests conducted by Germany’s Motorrad and PS magazines.
Pirelli celebrates these major wins that help confirm the importance of
its role as official tire supplier to WSBK, a critical element in
developing technologies that can be transferred to road tires like the
Diablo Rosso II.

These annual comparison tests, independently managed by testers using the newest Pirelli tires offered and three other
leading brands, follow similar testing methodologies each year and this
edition evidenced that Pirelli’s newest product fulfills its claim as
the best supersport tire for everyday use.

“With
excellent stability the Diablo Rosso II convinces on the racetrack and
is the top tire for sporty road use.” Motorrad testers concluded, “The
Diablo Rosso II is brilliant in stability, overall grip and steering
precision – and all these performances are long lasting.”

PS instead offered these words, “The new for 2011 Diablo Rosso II is
a recognized sport tire with a high quality also on the wet. All in
all, an excellent tire for burning rubber that does not abandon you not
even when it’s raining.”

Hosted at an international testing circuit in southern Europe, the
comparison tests are divided into three areas measuring road, track and
wet performances using sizes 120/70ZR17 front and 180/55ZR17 rear
mounted to an ABS-equipped Honda CBR600RR.

In the evaluation of absolute performances on a racetrack, the
Diablo Rosso II was able to set lap times over a second faster than the
closest of competitors, earning top marks in numerous categories,
especially in the area of grip offered both at full lean and under
acceleration.

“Pirelli continuous to be the clear reference for racetrack,”
continued Motorrad. “Valid also for the Diablo Rosso II which is the
benchmark in stability, accelerating out of the curves and steering
precision.”

Featuring innovations developed during Pirelli’s seven years
supplying tires to the Superbike World Championship including a longer
lasting Bi-compound tread along with profiles and structures to
maximize the contact area, Diablo Rosso II is the ultimate sport tire
of the Rosso Generation for absolute road use. This means motorcyclists
can reach the maximum lean angle with precision and safety, up to the
last horsepower of their bike’s engine.

“This test result is clear evidence of the incredible synergy
between our developments in WSBK with the products available for
everyday sport riders. The new Bi-compound tire for absolute road use
has proved it’s the clear winner in delivering the grip, handling and
stability requirements of modern sport bikes and naked bikes. We
couldn’t ask for a better testimony,” commented Uberto Thun, Pirelli
Moto’s Managing Director.

Evaluating road performances, Motorrad added: “Also on the road the
Diablo Rosso II is the first choice for all sport-oriented drivers.
Neutral behavior and high stability are the main benefits in this
condition, plus neutral steering precision and low stand-up tendency
when braking at lean.”

Additional
details on the Diablo Rosso II’s technology as well as
complimentary products of the Rosso Generation are available at www.getpirelli.com.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.