I have been burning Pirelli rubber for many years. When it comes to grip Pirelli tyres are always hard to beat, but I have struggled at times with their durability or lifespan. So, I was keen to throw a set of these new Pirelli Scorpion MX32 mid/hard compound tyres on my Suzuki RM-Z450 long term test bike and see if the longevity had improved.
I ride in the Newcastle, NSW area, and it is brutal on tyres. Everything is hard pack, with sharp rocks sticking out of the ground and it shreds tyres like nowhere else. I often get questioned by readers from other parts of the country as to how we wear tyres out so quickly and why we are so harsh on them in the mag, but unless you’re a Novocastrian you may find it hard to understand how brutal our tracks are on tyres and how quickly they can wear them out.
WE RATE
Fitting Fitting these tyres is an easier task than many other brands. The softer side walls means you can stretch them further to get the tube in easier and the bead tends to slide over the rim much easier than a tyre with a rock solid side wall.
Traction These tyres instantly felt good, they didn’t need bedding in. They hooked up well from the start and even now as they are starting to show some wear they are still working just as well. I ran tyre pressures from 12.5 to 15 PSI and found them to work best around the 13.5 PSI mark.
Durablity I know I raved on about wearing Pirelli tyres out quickly but to my surprise the 2018 version of the Scorpion mid/hard compound tyres have lasted really well. They have been on my bike for close to two months and I’m still not ready to take them off and ditch them just yet. There is still plenty of life in them and they are still hooking up very well.
WE DON’T RATE
Front-end I’m really clutching at straws here, but if I have to come up with a dislike then I feel the mid/hard version of the front tyre in the Scorpion range does not grip as well as the mid/soft. It is hard to pick a winner between the mid/hard and mid/soft on the rear tyre, but the mid/soft front is noticeably better than the mid/hard.
VERDICT
The 2018 version of the mid/hard compound Pirelli Scorpion MX32 tyres have changed my mind. Pirelli tyres have always performed excellently, but now they have proved to me that they can be durable as well. I’m happy with the longevity of the rubber and will continue to run these tyres on my long term test bike.
A 450F usually destroys tyres quickly on hard pack, rocky terrain, but this rear tyre is showing no signs of significant wear. The front tyre is barely showing any wear at all and still has a long life left in it yet.
Both tyres perform very well and have not let me down, but my favourite pairing would be the Pirelli Scorpion mid/hard compound on the rear and the mid/soft on the front. The mid/hard will last longer on the rear and still performs very well, but I have a better feel in the front-end with the mid/soft tyre. For trail riding, run the mid/hard tyres for all conditions.
Technical Editor Matt Boyd
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