New Metzeler SPORTEC™ range: SPORTEC™ 01 for sporty road riding, SPORTEC™ 01 RS for track ambitions
New Metzeler SPORTEC™ range: SPORTEC™ 01 for sporty road riding, SPORTEC™ 01 RS for track ambitionsThe Metzeler brand expands its supersport range with the introduction of SPORTEC™ 01 and SPORTEC™ 01 RS, two tyres developed thanks to the know-how acquired in the Road Racing field, in particular in its participation in the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy), and designed to interpret sportiness through different yet complementary philosophies. The result of a completely new project in terms of tread pattern, compounds and structure, the latest two additions to the SPORTEC™ range open a new chapter in the brand’s historic supersport family.
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TWO PHILOSOPHIES OF SPORTINESS, A SINGLE DNA
The new SPORTEC™ 01 and SPORTEC™ 01 RS share the same Metzeler DNA but are aimed at different riders and uses.
SPORTEC™ 01 is designed for those seeking an extremely versatile sporty tyre, capable of offering high dry performance and benchmark wet behaviour, with precise, intuitive handling that is easy to use on the road in a variety of conditions.
SPORTEC™ 01 RS, on the other hand, represents the sportiest evolution of the range, developed for the most demanding riders who want maximum dry grip, steering precision and hard handling, with the option of track use while still retaining road approval.
TARGET MOTORCYCLES AND RIDERS
The targets also differ, both in terms of motorcycle models and the type of rider.
SPORTEC™ 01 is dedicated to sporty riders who use their bike mainly on the road and want high performance with confidence even in variable weather conditions. It is ideal for owners of supersport, naked and sport-oriented crossover bikes who enjoy dynamic riding on twisty roads and mountain passes, without giving up safety, stability and ease of use in everyday riding.
SPORTEC™ 01 RS is instead intended for experienced riders and enthusiasts of pure performance, typically owners of supersport, high-performance naked and hypernaked bikes who expect direct, racing-inspired feedback on the road and who also want to tackle track days with the same tyre, without having to transport the bike and change tyres at the circuit.
TREAD PATTERN: VERSATILITY VS EXTREME PERFORMANCE
Both tyres feature a unified tread pattern design for front and rear, a solution that ensures consistent motorcycle behaviour under braking and acceleration, providing coherent feedback and predictability.
The tread of SPORTEC™ 01 has been completely redesigned and evolved compared to the previous generation of Metzeler supersport tyres, with which it still shares the design inspired by the Greek letter π, a symbol of continuity and circular perfection. The aim is to promote water evacuation, improve directional stability and deliver effective performance from wet conditions through to sporty dry riding. The grooves work progressively as lean angle increases, offering quick warm-up, consistent grip and balanced behaviour.
On SPORTEC™ 01 RS, the same tread concept is taken to the extreme: the design is slicker and more compact, with an even lower void-to-rubber ratio under load thanks to the evolution of DYNATREAD™ technology.
This makes it possible to maximise the contact patch on dry surfaces and bring tyre behaviour closer to that of a slick tyre in the sportiest riding conditions.
COMPOUNDS: HIGH SILICA FOR CONTROL, RACING-DERIVED FOR MAXIMUM GRIP
SPORTEC™ 01 features a high-silica bi-compound architecture on both front and rear, designed to offer balanced performance across a wide temperature range:
- Front with a more stable central zone for braking and more hysteretic shoulders for grip when leaning
- Rear with a central band optimised for stability and mileage, and high-hysteresis shoulders for traction and acceleration
SPORTEC™ 01 RS uses an evolved bi-compound version with a sportier set-up:
- Central zone in full silica for stability, control and road use
- Shoulders with carbon black-based racing compounds, derived from Metzeler’s Road Racing experience and in particular the Isle of Man TT, optimised to deliver grip and stability when leaning, while maintaining an operating window suitable for road use and track days.
- In the shoulder area, there is a racing-derived base layer, whose compound is softer than that of the compound in contact with the road:
– At the front, the base layer is made of full silica and covers both the tread band and the shoulders;
– At the rear, the base layer is made of carbon black and is present only on the shoulders.
The configuration is designed to offer fast warm-up, high grip and consistent feedback even under prolonged stress.
STRUCTURE: BALANCE OR MAXIMUM PRECISION
The structure of SPORTEC™ 01 is designed in a harmonised way between front and rear:
- Front with a double rayon carcass and a 0° steel belt for stability under braking and directional precision
- Rear with a single-ply rayon carcass and a 0° steel belt for support under acceleration, and a wide footprint
The result is predictable, consistent behaviour at every lean angle.
SPORTEC™ 01 RS introduces a completely evolved structure, with materials such as PET (with exception for the 200/60 size using rayon), designed to offer:
- Stability at high speeds
- Steering precision
- Control in extreme riding conditions
The structure is optimised to maximise interaction with the racing compounds and exploit the potential of DYNATREAD™ technology.
THE PATENTED DYNATREAD™ TECHNOLOGY
At the heart of both tyres is DYNATREAD™ technology, a patented adaptive tread pattern system that enables the tyre to change its behaviour according to stresses, loads and the rider’s style.
During braking, acceleration and high-demand use, the tread grooves tend to close dynamically, increasing the footprint. This helps maximise rubber–asphalt contact when more grip is needed, while still ensuring effective water drainage in less demanding phases. The result is greater stability, especially in the most critical moments of sporty riding.
DYNATREAD™ also helps reduce the tyre’s mechanical and thermal stress, limiting overheating. For riders, the benefits of this technology are great control, confidence and usable performance. On the road, it improves safety and versatility, while on track, it ensures high grip, precision and consistent performance.
METZELER AND ROAD RACING
Metzeler boasts a long and established tradition in road racing, the most extreme and authentic form of road motorcycling. The brand has been a key player for years in some of the most iconic competitions, including the Isle of Man TT (for which Metzeler is the Official Tyre), the North West 200, the Ulster Grand Prix and the Macau GP. These races provide a unique proving ground for developing tyres capable of delivering grip, stability and reliability on uneven surfaces and at high speeds. Collaboration with some of the best road race specialists has contributed decisively to the technical evolution of Metzeler products. The sporting successes achieved over time have strengthened the brand’s historic link with this discipline. The experience gained in road racing is transferred into the development of Metzeler’s supersport tyres. Concrete examples are SPORTEC™ 01 and SPORTEC™ 01 RS, designed to offer benchmark road performance thanks to technologies and solutions derived from road competitions. Road racing thus remains the beating heart of Metzeler’s technical and sporting identity.
A NEW ERA FOR THE SPORTEC™ FAMILY
With SPORTEC™ 01 and SPORTEC™ 01 RS, the Metzeler brand redefines the supersport tyre concept, offering two complementary interpretations of sportiness: one focused on versatility and control in different conditions, the other on extreme performance and precision. Two different products, one goal: to take the riding experience to a new level.
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Who are Metzeler Tyres
Metzeler is a premium German motorcycle tyre manufacturer established in 1863, known for specializing in high-performance, durable tyres for various riding styles. Owned by the Pirelli Group since the 1980s, Metzeler maintains its own distinct brand identity, focusing heavily on innovative technology, wet-weather performance, and extensive experience in the motorcycle sector.
Original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk and published by Frank Duggan. Frank is the Founder and Editor of Modern Classic Motorcycle News, an independent motorcycle publication covering modern classic motorcycles, roadsters, scramblers, cruisers, electric motorcycles and the wider motorcycle industry.
