Pirelli sure knows how to make an impression. Is there a more dramatic way to test the stopping ability of Pirelli’s new Angel GT sport touring tire, than on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier? After all, these surfaces are used to the physics of 30,000-pound fighter jets decelerating from 150 mph to a dead stop in a matter of seconds. Surely that should suffice for a Kawasaki Ninja 1000 stopping from a speed of just 60 mph.

And that’s just what Pirelli decided to do, holding the press launch of the Angel GT on the Italian Navy’s Cavour aircraft carrier anchored in the Mediterranean Sea at the Marina Militare‘s  Taranto Naval base. And if that’s not enough, Pirelli enlisted the recently-retired World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi to show the collection of journalists – including our very own Troy Siahaan – how it’s done. Continue Reading »

Dunlop says its second-generation of American Elite tires provide increased mileage, and come in a variety of new styles. Designed with Dunlop’s MT Multi-Tread technology, with a long-wearing center compound and grippier compounds on each edge, the new American Elite’s should pique the interest of Harley FL owners.

The second-gen series of American Elites are also now available with narrow white bar sidewalls and wide white walls along with the original black sidewall, providing FL owners more choices.  Continue Reading »

Kawasaki is issuing a recall on the 2011 Vulcan Classic LT tourer due to a risk of damage to the tires’ inner tubes.

According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the inner tubes on some Kawasaki Vulcan Classic LT models may become pinched near the valve stem during mounting. In some cases, this may result in a loss of air pressure.

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Dunlop has signed a deal with Dorna Sports and the International Road Racing Teams Association to supply tires for the Moto2 and Moto3 Grand Prix World Champions through 2014.

The new agreement extends Dunlops’ role as Moto2 tire supplier and adds the new Moto3 class to Dunlop’s duties. Dunlop has been the spec tire supplier for Moto2 since the class replaced the former 250cc class in 2010. The Moto3 class replaces the 125cc class next season.

“Moto3 is an exciting new Championship for Dunlop, our engineers and technicians and we relish the new challenge, and look forward to the progress in our understanding as we develop tires for the new 250cc 4-stroke powered racing machines,” says Jean-Felix Bazelin, general manager of Dunlop Motorsport. “The extension of our Moto2 contract is a strong validation of the good job we have done in that Championship, the results of which are clear to see.”

Bridgestone’s contract to supply tires for the premier MotoGP class also expires after the 2014 season.

[Soruce: MotoGP]

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Michelin unveiled its new Power Pure at Indy. It uses Michelin’s 2CT dual-compound construction and is claimed to be 10% lighter than tires from its competitors.

According to Michelin, Light Tire Technology reduces unsprung weight and rotating mass, which benefits acceleration, braking and grip. Michelin also says the Power Pure features wider 2CT shoulders for improved cornering grip and improved lateral rigidity for cornering stability. These are lofty claims, but hopefully we can test it for ourselves to find out.