Pirelli launches Scorpion Trail III motorcycle adventure-touring tyre

Pirelli Scorpion Trail III (Photo: Pirelli)

Pirelli has launched the latest generation of its adventure-touring motorcycle tyre series in the Scorpion Trail III. The manufacturer describes the new tyre as the “sportiest ever on asphalt” among its Scorpion range; the tyres was designed for modern adventure and crossover motorcycles. Its versatility, the result of Pirelli R&D’s latest technologies and materials, means that the tyre is suitable for use on dirt roads as well as on asphalt. Pirelli uses the Scorpion name to indicate tyre products intended for off-road use. It is present in two- and four-wheel competitions such as the Enduro World Championship and the Motocross World Championship. Pirelli categorises the Scorpion Trail III as a street enduro tyre.

On asphalt, the Scorpion Trail III offers motorcyclists sporty performance characteristics, with high levels of grip and optimal handling, excellent stability even at full load, and wet performance similar to that of a Sport-Touring tyre. When riders abandon asphalt in favour of dirt roads, Pirelli says the alternation of the central and transverse grooves under the footprint provides control and traction. Pirelli adds that the Scorpion Trail III offers acoustic comfort by reducing road noise.

The tyres offers these characteristics thanks to the development of each element of the Scorpion Trail III. The tread pattern is an evolution of its second-generation predecessor. Pirelli engineers targeted improved stability and riding precision by integrating elements from its on-road Diablo sports tyre range. The grooves on the central band are inspired by the “flash” present in the Diablo range, allowing for wet drainage and lateral riding stability on softer terrain, while providing even wear. The integration with robust central grooves for traction and shoulder grooves has been designed to offer good guidance and traction even on dirt roads.

Thanks to these design features, the Scorpion Trail III has a larger land-to-sea ratio compared to its predecessor. More rubber is in contact with the asphalt, which consequently offers better road performance.

Pirelli Scorpion Trail III size range (Photo: Pirelli)

The Scorpion Trail III’s new 100 per cent silica based compounds on the front and rear sizes helps to improve performance on wet surfaces, as well as offering sporty dry handling. The rear dual-compound radials use a soft compound on the shoulders and use various plasticising resins that optimise cornering grip. The harder compound in the central tread band is similar to that used for the front tyre and has been designed to offer high stability, wear resistance and mileage.

The structure of the Scorpion Trail III front tyre is derived from supersport experience, enhancing ride and grip. The tyre has a zero-degree steel belt construction, which provides excellent stability even at high speeds. The highly rigid structures of the rear tyres allow sporty handling in all applications and give high stability in all load conditions. The tyres has a multi-radius profile designed to provide stability at high speeds, high mileage, and a sporty feeling with progressive behaviour. This was also derived from Pirelli’s sports-touring products.

The majority of the Pirelli Scorpion Trail III size range will be available in the first half of 2024, with the front 120/70 19” and rear 170/60 17″ fitments joining the range in the second half of the year.

Pirelli Scorpion Trail III is designed for performance on asphalt and dirt roads (Photo: Pirelli)