Thursday 6 April 2017

Mitas

Mitas adds to on and off-road ranges

One year on from their acquisition by Swedish conglomerate Trelleborg (returning to the motorcycle tyre market after a 25-year absence), Czech tyre maker Mitas (itself owner, since 2012, of the now largely retired Slovenian Savatech brand) unveiled extensions to its on and off-road tyre ranges at EICMA.
Two new sizes were added to its adventure tyre range by adding two new sizes to its TERRA FORCE-R and E-10 tread patterns. In addition, TERRA FORCE-R now features their all new Optimum Steel Cord Technology (OSCT), which “ensures optimal contact area between the tyre and the surface in all driving conditions”.
Ksenija Bitenc, Director of Motorcycle Tires and Tubes at Mitas, said “our aim is to strengthen Mitas in the adventure segment by offering riders a complete range of tyre sizes. The extension of the TERRA FORCE-R and E-10 tread patterns demonstrates this strategy.  

Ksenija Bitenc, Director of Motorcycle Tires and Tubes at Mitas, said “our aim is to strengthen Mitas in the adventure segment by offering riders a complete range of tyre sizes”

“We have also undertaken many development activities in the off-road and on-road segments. Improved SPORT FORCE+ and three new sizes of MC 50 are available worldwide. In the off-road range, Mitas is offering new sizes for all three versions of C-19 and a new carcass construction of trial racing tyre, ET-01 X-PRO”.
The dual-purpose tyre TERRA FORCE-R is designed for maxi enduro and trail motorbikes for use 90% on-road and 10% off-road. The tyre is the ideal choice for commuters as well as adventurers who love longer rides with a passenger and luggage.
Mitas TERRA FORCE-R is currently available in one front size (110/80R19) and two rear sizes (140/80R17 and 150/70R17). Another two sizes, 120/70R19 and 170/60R17, will be available in the second quarter of 2017.
The entirely new Mitas-developed “Optimum Steel Cord Technology” means the tyre is “ideally balanced with optimal contact in all driving conditions, especially at greater lean angles and higher speeds”. 



The E-10 tread pattern is designed to be used 30% on-road and 70% off-road. It is developed as a universal adventure tyre with “excellent self-cleaning properties and superb directional control on soft and hard surfaces. The E-10 aggressive tread pattern is suitable for use on asphalt roads, poorly maintained tracks and light off-road terrain. On bends and corners, the E-10 gives a gentle turn-in and a stable follow-through with optimum directional control”.
New sizes 120/70B19 and 170/60B17 of E-10 for big adventure motorbikes were tested during 2016 in various conditions in Europe, USA and South Africa. Based on the results, the optimal construction of carcass and tread compound were prepared. New sizes will be available in February 2017.
The new MC 50 sizes (80/100-17, 100/90-17 and 130/80-17) are classified as high-speed bias ply tyres and are engineered for young riders and motorbikes of low and mid-range capacity – “their tread pattern ends before the edge of the tyre shoulder to facilitate an optimum contact area at maximum lean angles. 
“The final goal in developing the compounds for the tyres was to ensure the maximum grip in all weather conditions and give optimum life. They therefore incorporate recently developed raw materials, such as S-SBR elastomers and highly active fillers”. All new sizes are currently available worldwide. 
Three versions of new 90/100-21 size C-19 tread pattern tyres for larger displacement motocross and enduro motorbikes are also being launched - the new tyres will have the same tread pattern but differ in the weight and compound; the ET-01 X-PRO trial racing tyre features a new construction of carcass and an extra soft tread compound.
Finally, and based on their experiences gained in cooperation with MXGP sponsored teams I fly JK Racing and 62 Motosport Klemen Gercar, Mitas say they have improved the quality of the tread compound used for its motocross competition fitments  - the new formula of tread compound has a higher resistance to the softening caused by heating during operation.
Mitas has manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic, Serbia and the United States and sells through distributors worldwide.

MITAS
www.mitas-moto.com