The Gear Grind: Metzeler Karoo 4 Knobbly Tires

[admin]

After quite the wait – and we are very bad at waiting – Metzeler has finally unveiled their Karoo 4 Knobbly Tyre to the Moto masses.

Metzeler’s aim in creating this unit was to marry quality off-road traction with the benefits of on-road stability. In a world where adventure motorcycles are becoming more and more synonymous with comfort and accessibility, it was only a matter of time before we got some updated offerings set to fill the ‘do-it-all’ shelf for maxi-enduro riders – so let’s get into it.



Updates to this unit include a new tread patent design, Metzeler’s Multiple Radius Contour (MRC) technology that Metzeler’s press release states “improves line holding despite the ‘knobs’,” carbon black based compounds and footprint area optimisation for cut and tearing resistance, and an apparent improvement in performance when dealing with current riding modes – wet weather and the ever-dreaded emergency brake situation included.



Performance is also improved for ultra-soft surfaces, such as sand and mud – here’s a breakdown of the compounds used, as well as the structure and range:

Compound​

FRONT

Carbon Black Single Compound, with cross-ply sizes featuring “a new compound with the aim of reaching a wider operating range and greater adhesion to surfaces.”

REAR

Central compound: 100% carbon black

Shoulder compound: 80% carbon black and 20% silica formulation, “to ensure thermal stability even under stress.”

Structure​

Zero-degree steel belt with INTERACT variable tension technology

Range​

FRONT

19” 100/90-19 TL 57Q M+S

19” 110/80 R 19 TL 59Q M+S

19” 120/70 R 19 TL 60Q M+S

21” 90/90-21 TL 54Q M+S

REAR

17” 130/80 R 17 TL 65Q M+S

17” 140/80 R 17 TL 69Q M+S

17” 150/70 R 17 TL 69Q M+S

17” 170/60 R 17 TL 72Q M+S

18” 140/80 – 18 TL 70Q M+S

18” 150/70 R 18 TL 70Q M+S



For other news related tothis, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, where our main man Cameron Martel curates the best fo the latest and hand-delivers it to your inbox twice a week.

Drop a comment letting us know what you think, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

*Media sourced from Metzeler’s press release*

The post The Gear Grind: Metzeler Karoo 4 Knobbly Tires appeared first on webBikeWorld.

Continue reading...

 

[salishmoto]

I can tell with confidence and from experience that these will not be safe or solid here in the cool and rainy PNW on roads. The large gap between the contact patches reduces your surface area to more detriment than the water evacuation benefits. Folks here ride the Dunlop Trailmax Mission and even that will get squirelly on tar snakes and slide on wet roads when it is 38 degrees F. Basically, something like a Pilot Road or Road 5 is the only winter option around here that will get you home safely if you ride a lot. Many of us who can simply swap tires between winter and summer. We will have the Trailmax Mission on the wife's bike this summer for fire road work.