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Just caught a new press release from Metzeler saying that their Z6 series is being altered to change the way the belts are wound for even better handling, as well as increasing the silicacontent from 30% on the RoadTecs to 65% on the new Z6 RoadTec "Interact", plus adding additional resins & polymers into the compound to obtain the same or better distance-lifespan as the previous Z6's.
New Z6 RoadTec Interact Tech Data (PDF)
Unchanged:
The tread profile and groove-shapes/groove-spacing will remain the same.
The belting will still be a metal zero-degree winding (i.e. - belts winding in the direction of rotation), but spacing on the belts will alter based on some finite-element analysis they've done.
Changed:
The belt windings will be altered to change the spring-rates afforded by the 0 degree belting as you lean over harder/further, causing the compounds at the edge to intentionally run hotter for better grip, while at the same time keeping the center cooler and springing it better for more bump-absorption while traveling straight.
Major tread compound changes. The new compound more than doubles the silica content (silica compound is highly desirable for grip and for reducing the rolling resistance of tires, but usually means much shorter tire life-span). It also adds a new resin compounds & polymers to the materials matrix to offset the reduced lifespan of the high silica content, claiming the same mileage lifespans the outgoing Z6 RoadTecs had.
Real World (claimed, outside agency tested to come up with the numbers):
The big deal: no change in performance/feel at any lean angle, any weather - consistent feel all the way to banked over hard.
5% longer expected lifespan on the tires;
5% to 15% improvement in wet-weather grip under all conditions (ratio varies by what point it's at in it's tire life/wear, with bigger benefit worn vs. worn previous generation);
10% improvement in grip/stability;
7% improvement in handling at end-of-life (i.e. - when the tire is seriously worn compared to a seriously worn Z6 RoadTec);
5% improvments in predictability, controllability, wet drainage.
Oddities & CP's Notes:
The base rear-tire model appears to be a 160/60ZR17, eliminating the 150/70ZR17 from the line-up (at least according to the documentation I got). The 160/60ZR17 is listed as being applicable to 4.25" - 5" rims, as is the 170/60ZR17 they will be offering.
Personally, I'm not real happy that that the 150/70 was scrubbed from the line-up, but since the death of the Kat and other carb'd air-oil cooled bikes (and subsequent increase in HP for their injected replacements), it does make sense for them to follow the market.
The front tire of the Interact series will be a 120/70ZR17, for 3" - 3.75" front rims.
All of the new "Interact" Z6 Roadtecs will be weight-rated for the 98+ Kats (or higher), meaning no mistakes matching weight ratings.
No word on whether the previous-generation "Pre-Interact" RoadTecs would become obsolete, but my guess (based on the past habits of the company), the "Pre-Interact" RoadTecs will become unavailable within 4 to 6 months as stockpiles clear out from distributors around the globe. I would suggest any pre-98's stock pile some roadtec 150 rears now before they disappear (the new fronts will work with the old rears for those on 3.5" rims). I have put in a request for info on this topic to Metzeler/Pirelli USA.
Pirelli has not announced a change to the Strada line-up *yet*. If Pirelli follows it's normal pattern on the Stradas, the Stradas will morph to be just like the new Z6's Interact in 6 to 15 months...
Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet
New Z6 RoadTec Interact Tech Data (PDF)
Unchanged:
The tread profile and groove-shapes/groove-spacing will remain the same. The belting will still be a metal zero-degree winding (i.e. - belts winding in the direction of rotation), but spacing on the belts will alter based on some finite-element analysis they've done. Changed:
The belt windings will be altered to change the spring-rates afforded by the 0 degree belting as you lean over harder/further, causing the compounds at the edge to intentionally run hotter for better grip, while at the same time keeping the center cooler and springing it better for more bump-absorption while traveling straight. Major tread compound changes. The new compound more than doubles the silica content (silica compound is highly desirable for grip and for reducing the rolling resistance of tires, but usually means much shorter tire life-span). It also adds a new resin compounds & polymers to the materials matrix to offset the reduced lifespan of the high silica content, claiming the same mileage lifespans the outgoing Z6 RoadTecs had.Real World (claimed, outside agency tested to come up with the numbers):
The big deal: no change in performance/feel at any lean angle, any weather - consistent feel all the way to banked over hard. 5% longer expected lifespan on the tires; 5% to 15% improvement in wet-weather grip under all conditions (ratio varies by what point it's at in it's tire life/wear, with bigger benefit worn vs. worn previous generation); 10% improvement in grip/stability; 7% improvement in handling at end-of-life (i.e. - when the tire is seriously worn compared to a seriously worn Z6 RoadTec); 5% improvments in predictability, controllability, wet drainage.Oddities & CP's Notes:
The base rear-tire model appears to be a 160/60ZR17, eliminating the 150/70ZR17 from the line-up (at least according to the documentation I got). The 160/60ZR17 is listed as being applicable to 4.25" - 5" rims, as is the 170/60ZR17 they will be offering. Personally, I'm not real happy that that the 150/70 was scrubbed from the line-up, but since the death of the Kat and other carb'd air-oil cooled bikes (and subsequent increase in HP for their injected replacements), it does make sense for them to follow the market.
The front tire of the Interact series will be a 120/70ZR17, for 3" - 3.75" front rims. All of the new "Interact" Z6 Roadtecs will be weight-rated for the 98+ Kats (or higher), meaning no mistakes matching weight ratings. No word on whether the previous-generation "Pre-Interact" RoadTecs would become obsolete, but my guess (based on the past habits of the company), the "Pre-Interact" RoadTecs will become unavailable within 4 to 6 months as stockpiles clear out from distributors around the globe. I would suggest any pre-98's stock pile some roadtec 150 rears now before they disappear (the new fronts will work with the old rears for those on 3.5" rims). I have put in a request for info on this topic to Metzeler/Pirelli USA. Pirelli has not announced a change to the Strada line-up *yet*. If Pirelli follows it's normal pattern on the Stradas, the Stradas will morph to be just like the new Z6's Interact in 6 to 15 months... Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet
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