Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1009427
PIRELLI DIABLO ROSSO CORSA II PRODUCT TEST P108 The feel presented from the Diablo Rosso Corsa II's front tire made an immediate impression on us. With the new Rosso Corsa, there's no guessing where the limit of traction is. Push the new front tire as deep as you want into a corner, and you'll know exactly how much grip there is left to work with through the feedback it gives at the handlebars. Simply, it feels planted underneath you at all times. Complementing the superb amount of feel is a strong feeling of stability under heavy braking, which has been a common issue with Pirellis of the past. The earlier tires would squirm beneath you, robbing the confidence to push the limit. Guys and girls who are going really fast on the track will want something sportier, but for everyone else, this tire will hold its own. pickup at maximum lean. Again, this isn't a true race tire, but it has to be said that some of the Rosso Corsa II's compe- tition doesn't have this issue. Pirelli's use of the dual-radi- us design on the Rosso Corsa II makes the tire yearn for quick side-to-side transitions. Simply, look where you want to go and the tire will fall into the corner with confidence. The changeover from the sharp-radius center portion to the less-angled shoulder feels seamless. While it's impossible to comment on the street perfor- mance of the Rosso Corsa II because we have only ridden them on the racetrack, it's easy to think they'll conquer anything the roads throw at them. Even on the cold, Outright grip of the Pirellis is also impressive, especially at the front end. The Rosso Corsa II is more than adequate to handle the racetrack, hooking hard and carving the corner with ease. We wouldn't go as far as saying they're ideal for top-level racers, mainly because it will push wide under serious load. The rear grip proved worthy of racetrack application, although one of our only gripes with the tire is a subtle spin under initial throttle dewy morning at Laguna Seca, the Pirellis heated up quickly with no issues. This means your chilly morning commute shouldn't require a second thought. With the introduction of the Diablo Rosso Corsa II, Pirelli has proven that it can create a street tire that is still capable of handling serious racetrack use. The Italian brand built upon an already-impressive tire with the experience it has accumulated through the World Superbike championship and delivered a damn grippy set of sport tires. It's safe to say that if you're an aggressive street rider with the desire to dip your feet in the track-day world, the Pirelli Dia- blo Rosso Corsa IIs might just be the perfect fit. CN