The offer runs nationwide until 15th July and with a wide selection of different tyres available within the offer, Dunlop and Avon are providing cashback to adventure bikers, street cruisers and track day goers alike.

Dunlop and Avon have decades of heritage to bear in crafting tyres that deliver the value, confidence, styling and, above all, the performance to deliver the perfect ride. Riders seeking to get a new set of tyres for the new season can claim the following:

• £40 cashback on a pair of Dunlop RoadSmart IV, SportSmart TT and Mutant tyres
• £30 cashback on a pair of Dunlop SportSmart mk4, Trailmax Meridian and Trailmax Raid tyres
• £20 cashback on a pair of Dunlop Qualifier Core tyres
• £30 cashback on a pair of Avon 3D Supersport, Spirit ST or Cobra Chrome tyres

This year, the offer has been extended to allow Dunlop customers at Adventure Bike Rider Festival (26-28th June) to take advantage of the deal. Dunlop will return to Europe’s largest adventure motorcycle festival to offer expert advice and will also provide an on-site tyre fitting service, delivered in partnership with fully licensed provider Holbeach Motorcycle Tyres. Customers at the event will also be able to take advantage of the offer.

Dunlop and Avon’s cashback campaign runs nationwide until 15th July 2026. For more information about Dunlop discounts, please visit: https://www.dunlopmotorewards.eu/en_GB. For more information about Avon discounts, please visit: https://www.avonmotorewards.eu/en_GB.

154 days since the last race at Valkenswaard, Netherlands, Glenn Coldenhoff restarted the FIM Motocross World Championship season off in winning form, taking victory with Dunlop tyres at Kegums, Latvia. 

The Dutch rider gave the new Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing Team its maiden win on Sunday afternoon after a tense late-race battle in the second of two rounds in the MXGP of Latvia. Earlier in the day, Coldenhoff narrowly missed out on the Race 1 win by 1.9 seconds. 

The hard sand surface of the Kegums track in central Latvia provided fascinating racing in a new condensed one-day format for MXGP and MX2 competitors, but Coldenhoff proved himself to be the stand-out rider of the day with impressive starts in both 30 minute + 2 laps races. 

He took the lead early in Race 1 but slipped back to second when he ran off track. Hungry to go one better in Race 2, the GasGas rider grabbed the lead and won the holeshot on the first lap and never looked back.

More of Dunlop’s star MXGP riders had good days at Kegums, including Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team), who placed third in both races, and Arminas Jasikonis (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), who crossed the line sixth on both occasions. 

Dunlop’s MXGP competitors will be back in action in just a couple of days’ time, with more races on the same track on Wednesday (12 August) and next Sunday (16 August). 

Eddy Seel, MXGP Event Leader, Dunlop: “It was great to see MXGP return to action after a five-month break, and even better that Coldenhoff and GasGas took a memorable victory with Dunlop Geomax tyres. With four more races on the same track over the next week, our partner teams can fight for even more wins soon.”

Dunlop teams occupy the top three positions in the FIM Endurance World Championship teams’ standings heading into the historic 24 Heures Motos this weekend, and Dunlop is ready to help them fight for a historic race win on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit. 

The FIM EWC season resumes with the 43rd edition of the 24-hour endurance race at Le Mans after a lengthy gap since the last round, the 8 Hours of Sepang in December. While the championship hasn’t raced for eight months, Dunlop has been working closely with its partner teams to head to Le Mans as prepared as possible. 

After the two races already held this season, the three leading motorcycle racing teams at the top of the championship standings are all running Dunlop tyres on different manufacturers’ bikes. Suzuki Endurance Racing Team leads the charge, ahead of BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team and the Yamaha of Wojcik Racing Team.

A notable addition to the field is Wojcik Racing Team’s new rider Broc Parkes, who will share the No. 77 Yamaha YZF-R1 with Gino Rea, Axel Maurin and Marcelli Bezulski. Australian racer Parkes previously raced in MotoGP, Superbike World Championship and Supersport World Championship and is a proven addition to the Wojcik squad.

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop, said: “I’m really excited about Le Mans, and Dunlop is in a great position with the top three bikes in the championship. The addition of Broc Parkes at Wojcik Racing Team is great to see, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do for them. We’ve been hard at work preparing for Le Mans and we tested at the track in July. We know the track very well and we’ve raced there for many years, so we’re confident that we can give the highest level of support to our teams.

“We’ve been working alongside our official partner teams to help them prepare for what is always a tough race. Suzuki and BMW have made important developments on their bikes and we’ve been in close contact with them and other teams to assist. I’m eager to see how these developments will help these leading teams have an edge over the competition.”

As always in the highly competitive FIM EWC, Dunlop will provide a combination of standard KR tyres and unique development tyres. The KR series of slicks, including the KR106 and KR109 fronts and the KR108 rear tyre, are proven race-winners, but Dunlop’s official partner teams in the top class will also have the opportunity to race unique development tyres. The data gathered from racing these tyres at the highest level of two-wheel endurance competition goes directly into producing the next generation of road and track tyres.

To supply the official partner teams and the 18 teams racing in the EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy, Dunlop will bring around 3,500 tyres to the track. The EWC Dunlop Independent Trophy has awarded prize money to privateer and amateur teams for four years, and will distribute a further €40,000 to independent teams at Le Mans, providing vital financial support to privateer teams competing on the world stage.

The 24 Heures Motos was initially set to be followed by another historic 24-hour race in France, the Bol d’Or, but that event has now been cancelled. The FIM EWC season will now conclude on 27 September with the new 12 Hours of Estoril in Portugal. 

154 days since the last race at Valkenswaard, Netherlands, Glenn Coldenhoff restarted the FIM Motocross World Championship season off in winning form, taking victory with Dunlop tyres at Kegums, Latvia. 

The Dutch rider gave the new Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing Team its maiden win on Sunday afternoon after a tense late-race battle in the second of two rounds in the MXGP of Latvia. Earlier in the day, Coldenhoff narrowly missed out on the Race 1 win by 1.9 seconds. 

The hard sand surface of the Kegums track in central Latvia provided fascinating racing in a new condensed one-day format for MXGP and MX2 competitors, but Coldenhoff proved himself to be the stand-out rider of the day with impressive starts in both 30 minute + 2 laps races. 

He took the lead early in Race 1 but slipped back to second when he ran off track. Hungry to go one better in Race 2, the GasGas rider grabbed the lead and won the holeshot on the first lap and never looked back.

More of Dunlop’s star MXGP riders had good days at Kegums, including Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team), who placed third in both races, and Arminas Jasikonis (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), who crossed the line sixth on both occasions. 

Dunlop’s MXGP competitors will be back in action in just a couple of days’ time, with more races on the same track on Wednesday (12 August) and next Sunday (16 August). 

Eddy Seel, MXGP Event Leader, Dunlop: “It was great to see MXGP return to action after a five-month break, and even better that Coldenhoff and GasGas took a memorable victory with Dunlop Geomax tyres. With four more races on the same track over the next week, our partner teams can fight for even more wins soon.”

154 days since the last race at Valkenswaard, Netherlands, Glenn Coldenhoff restarted the FIM Motocross World Championship season off in winning form, taking victory with Dunlop tyres at Kegums, Latvia. 

The Dutch rider gave the new Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing Team its maiden win on Sunday afternoon after a tense late-race battle in the second of two rounds in the MXGP of Latvia. Earlier in the day, Coldenhoff narrowly missed out on the Race 1 win by 1.9 seconds. 

The hard sand surface of the Kegums track in central Latvia provided fascinating racing in a new condensed one-day format for MXGP and MX2 competitors, but Coldenhoff proved himself to be the stand-out rider of the day with impressive starts in both 30 minute + 2 laps races. 

He took the lead early in Race 1 but slipped back to second when he ran off track. Hungry to go one better in Race 2, the GasGas rider grabbed the lead and won the holeshot on the first lap and never looked back.

More of Dunlop’s star MXGP riders had good days at Kegums, including Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team), who placed third in both races, and Arminas Jasikonis (Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing), who crossed the line sixth on both occasions. 

Dunlop’s MXGP competitors will be back in action in just a couple of days’ time, with more races on the same track on Wednesday (12 August) and next Sunday (16 August). 

Eddy Seel, MXGP Event Leader, Dunlop: “It was great to see MXGP return to action after a five-month break, and even better that Coldenhoff and GasGas took a memorable victory with Dunlop Geomax tyres. With four more races on the same track over the next week, our partner teams can fight for even more wins soon.”

Its recommendation of Trailmax Meridian was featured in the July 2020 issue of Motorrad Magazin MO. Experienced tester and editor Maik Schwarz reviewed the BMW R 1250 GS adventure bike and included a separate section reviewing the tyres used over the course of his year-long test, including Trailmax Meridian.

“The Meridian harmonises excellently with the R 1250 GS, under all on-road conditions,” Schwarz wrote, before adding that Trailmax Meridian’s durability was also impressive. “Around 10,000 kilometres can be expected here; depending on the riding style. Conveniently, the compound, construction and tread depth are designed so that the wear at the front and rear is fairly equal and the tyre can be changed in pairs.”*

MO’s long-term impressions of Trailmax Meridian align perfectly with Dunlop’s objective: to unlock versatile performance from a range of on/off-road adventure bikes such as the BMW GS, Honda Africa Twin and Suzuki V-Strom. Its tread pattern is designed to efficiently expel water at speed but still retain a high level of dry grip, allowing riders to enjoy nimble and dynamic handling on powerful but heavier adventure bikes.

Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, stated, “Dunlop designed Trailmax Meridian to unlock the potential of the growing number of powerful on/off-road adventure bikes in a variety of conditions and environments. The results of MO’s long-term test of Trailmax Meridian using the BMW R 1250 GS prove this achievement, through their thorough evaluation of the tyre’s performance in all conditions, and its endurance. We’re very pleased that MO gave Trailmax Meridian its ‘MO TIPP’ award.”

The Trailmax Meridian features a range of technologies including an Innovative ‘Ice-Ax’ tread pattern to give sure-footed handling in all conditions, a rayon-ply casing to provide a quicker warm-up time and Dunlop’s renowned Multi-Tread technology, including new compounds and resin blends to provide improved grip in wet conditions. The Trailmax Meridian and the more off-road orientated Mission were both launched in 2020, underlining Dunlop’s commitment to developing new technology for the growing adventure bike sector. 

END

Motorrad Magazin MO tested Dunlop Trailmax Meridian on a BMW R 1250 GS as part of its ‘20 Tausend’ feature in the July 2020 issue. Tyre sizes tested were: 120/70 ZR 19 and 170/60 ZR 17.

*Quotes translated from original German.

The FIM Moto2™ and Moto3™ World Championships roar back into action this weekend after a break of over four months and Dunlop is ready to support teams in what is expected to be one of the hottest race weekends of the season.

Moto2 and Moto3 competitors have so far only raced once this year, in the season-opening QNB Grand Prix of Qatar in early March, which was held just before restrictions on travel and events were put in place around the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The revised Moto2 and Moto3 calendars now see both championships return to action at Circuito de Jerez in Andalusia for the Gran Premio Red Bull de España on 19 July, the first half of a double-header that is resumed at the same track on 26 July.

Tetsuta Nagashima (Red Bull KTM Ajo) and Albert Arenas (Aspar Team Gaviota) lead the Moto2 and Moto3 standings after their wins in Qatar but, as always, both classes are expected to produce a lot of surprises at Jerez.

As exclusive tyre supplier to both categories, Dunlop is adopting a proven approach to the two Grands Prix at Jerez, facilitating teams’ return to the paddock after a lengthy break and difficult period for all.

Stephen Bickley, Senior Race Engineer explains: “With all the unknowns and confusion from the current situation, we want to keep everything as simple as possible for everyone involved. In Moto2, we introduced a larger front tyre at Qatar, going from 120/75R17 to 125/75R17, and that was instantly a success. We want to build on this at Jerez, where last year we also debuted a larger rear tyre. The new 2020 front is a very good match with that rear tyre, and teams are finding it helps with consistency and lap times.”

At Qatar the 2020 pole time was 0.6 km/h faster than the previous year and a full 5 km/h faster than in Moto2’s debut year a decade ago, showing the relentless pace improvement in this highly competitive category.

Hot weather to play a major role

Heat will be a major factor at Jerez, with ambient temperatures of up to 40ºC forecasted, compared to last year’s peak of around 26ºC. Moving the race from early May to mid-late July has made a considerable change to weather conditions, and is likely to make this one of the hottest races of the season under the Spanish sun.

Moto2 teams will have the Medium and Hard front compounds and Medium and Medium-Hard rear compounds to choose from. The Medium specs are expected to be the most popular choice on both wheels, but teams might opt for the Hard front tyre to benefit from more stability in the track’s heavy braking zones given the higher temperatures.

Bickley notes Jerez’s Turns 3 and 4, a pair of sweeping left-handers, as the most challenging section of the 4.4 km track for tyre performance: “It’s mostly a right-hand turn circuit, which means that even when you are generating a lot of heat and energy through Turns 3 and 4, it doesn’t negatively impact the tyres because it is on the non-working side for most of the lap. That's why we've chosen compounds and specifications that have been proven to tackle the challenges of the heat, fast corners and heavy braking and traction zones.”

Rider preference key to Moto3 tyre choices

Riders in the lightweight Moto3 category can choose between Soft and Medium front tyres and Soft and Hard rear tyres at every race this season. It’s expected that each rider’s personal preference will dictate their choices at Jerez, with benefits to be had from both harder and softer compounds.

Gary Purdy, Race Service Engineer, says: “It’s all about rider choice in Moto3. Some will prefer the stability of the harder compounds but others will want the additional grip from the Soft tyres.”

Dunlop’s Geomax MX-33 has been selected as original equipment by Honda for the 2021 CRF450R, further proving its ability as a highly versatile motocross tyre capable of performing on an unparalleled range of surfaces.

Honda has updated almost every aspect of the CRF450R for 2021, with new parts throughout and a central development theme of ‘razor-sharp cornering’. This aim has been aided by the race-winning technology in Geomax MX-33, which is designed for soft, mud and intermediate terrains, but is versatile enough to perform on an even wider range of surfaces.

Geomax MX-33’s design features a thinner and longer apex shape to provide enhanced stability and feedback coupled with an enhanced construction to improve shock absorption and more effectively control casing deformation. Dunlop’s Progressive Cornering Block Design is used across the Geomax product line and MX-33 was the first tyre in the range to have this technology on the front as well, helping riders to control slides and benefit from additional grip. 

The technology in MX-33 and the rest of the Geomax range has been proven in the world’s toughest motocross competitions. Every round of this year’s AMA Supercross Championship was won by Dunlop riders such as Ken Roczen, who took three victories with his Honda CRF450R.

Honda’s selection of Geomax MX-33 comes shortly after KTM and Husqvarna also selected the tyre for their 2021 motocross ranges, making Dunlop the prime choice for three leading manufacturers’ top of the range motocross bikes. 

Miguel Morais, Original Equipment Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle EMEA, says: “We’re delighted that Honda has chosen Geomax MX-33 for its updated CRF450R. This comes just weeks after the news that KTM and Husqvarna have selected MX-33 for their 2021 motocross ranges, and we’re very proud that this tyre is trusted by three leading manufacturers. This proves MX-33’s unrivalled ability which gives riders the grip and confidence to ride in mixed conditions and push their bike to the limits.”

Dunlop’s highly versatile Geomax MX-33 tyre has been chosen as original equipment for every motorcycle in KTM and Husqvarna’s 2021 motocross ranges, having proven its race-winning performance in top-level motocross races around the world.

Geomax MX-33 will be fitted on all 2021-spec KTM SX bikes, from the flagship KTM 450 SX-F down to the lightweight two-stroke KTM 125 SX and its Sportminicycle range. Husqvarna’s full 2021 range also benefits from the wide range of Geomax MX-33 performance, including on the top-level Husqvarna FC 450.

These two leading motocross manufacturers have selected Geomax MX-33 after extensive testing due to the tyre’s unparalleled versatility and performance window. Geomax MX-33 is designed for soft, mud and intermediate terrains, but can perform on an even wider range of surfaces to give riders an advantage in mixed conditions and more opportunity to push their bike to the limits.

Geomax MX-33 was developed in close collaboration with riders in the FIM Motocross World Championship, and the tyres equipped to KTM and Husqvarna’s 2021 ranges are identical to the product trusted by the world’s best motocross racers in MXGP.

Its design features a thinner and longer apex shape to provide enhanced stability and feedback coupled with an improved construction to improve shock absorption and more effectively control casing deformation. Dunlop has also proven its Progressive Cornering Block Design across the Geomax product line, and MX-33 was the first tyre in the range to have this technology on the front as well, to help riders control slides and benefit from additional grip. 

Geomax MX-33 has gone on to take some of the championship’s top riders to several race victories, forming a vital part of Dunlop’s motocross range. Dunlop-equipped bikes won five of the last eight 2019 MXGP races and every round of this year’s AMA Supercross Championship, as well as supporting Courtney Duncan’s FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship title win last year.

Miguel Morais, Original Equipment Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle EMEA, says: “We’re very proud that KTM and Husqvarna have chosen Geomax MX-33 as original equipment on each of their new 2021 motocross ranges. It’s a testament to the unrivalled versatility of the tyre which has been proven by the valuable role it has played in our racing success. We’re confident that the technology in Geomax MX-33 will allow KTM and Husqvarna’s customers to enjoy their 2021 motocross bikes to the fullest, extracting maximum grip and control, just as our world-class motocross riders do.”

Teams competing in MXGP, the highest level of motocross, have a free choice of tyres. In recent years, Dunlop has been providing its latest tyre technology to race-winning teams, most notably Monster Energy Kawasaki and also Standing Construct, who ran KTM bikes in 2019 and switch to GasGas this year. 

Having chosen to move to Dunlop at the start of last season, Standing Construct’s riders celebrated five victories from the last eight races, most notably Dutch rider Glenn Coldenhoff taking back to back overall victories in Italy and Sweden as well as wins at the season-ending Motocross of Nations.

David Luongo, Infront Moto Racing CEO said: “Dunlop has been at the heart of motorsport since the very beginning. We are proud to have such a premium brand actively using MXGP to promote their race-winning tyres. We are delighted they see MXGP as more than a promotional platform, too. The open tyre competition makes MXGP a fantastic arena to develop new technologies and products. Dunlop’s recent launches prove that motorsport can drive innovation.”

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop added: “MXGP gives us the opportunity to test our latest off-road technology in the most demanding and gruelling events in the world. Our range of tyres, including the versatile Geomax MX33, have been developed in the heat of competition. As a result, amateur, local and national riders can buy the same tyres that have been developed and used by MXGP race winners. It’s a true proving ground for tyre innovation.”

Late last year, Dunlop launched the Geomax MX53 for harder terrain and cited the MXGP experience as being key to testing the technology in the tyre.

Dunlop also benefits from the growing audiences who follow MXGP events. The events feature live streaming, fan zones in the paddock and strong global media coverage. 

The FIM MXGP World Championship begins with the British Grand Prix at Matterley Basin on 1 March.

Teams competing in MXGP, the highest level of motocross, have a free choice of tyres. In recent years, Dunlop has been providing its latest tyre technology to race-winning teams, most notably Monster Energy Kawasaki and also Standing Construct, who ran KTM bikes in 2019 and switch to GasGas this year. 

Having chosen to move to Dunlop at the start of last season, Standing Construct’s riders celebrated five victories from the last eight races, most notably Dutch rider Glenn Coldenhoff taking back to back overall victories in Italy and Sweden as well as wins at the season-ending Motocross of Nations.

David Luongo, Infront Moto Racing CEO said: “Dunlop has been at the heart of motorsport since the very beginning. We are proud to have such a premium brand actively using MXGP to promote their race-winning tyres. We are delighted they see MXGP as more than a promotional platform, too. The open tyre competition makes MXGP a fantastic arena to develop new technologies and products. Dunlop’s recent launches prove that motorsport can drive innovation.”

Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop added: “MXGP gives us the opportunity to test our latest off-road technology in the most demanding and gruelling events in the world. Our range of tyres, including the versatile Geomax MX33, have been developed in the heat of competition. As a result, amateur, local and national riders can buy the same tyres that have been developed and used by MXGP race winners. It’s a true proving ground for tyre innovation.”

Late last year, Dunlop launched the Geomax MX53 for harder terrain and cited the MXGP experience as being key to testing the technology in the tyre.

Dunlop also benefits from the growing audiences who follow MXGP events. The events feature live streaming, fan zones in the paddock and strong global media coverage. 

The FIM MXGP World Championship begins with the British Grand Prix at Matterley Basin on 1 March.

Fast Bikes, the UK-based monthly magazine, has published the results of its back-to-back test of leading treaded track day tyres and declared the Dunlop D213 GP Pro as the top tyre in the category.

Fast Bikes’ test rider, Carl Stevens, who is also an experienced race rider, rode on five different brands of tyre at the demanding Parcmotor Castelloli circuit. The latest generation Suzuki GSX-R1000 was used for the test.

Stevens enthused about the D213 GP Pro:  “No other tyre on test seemed to offer up that feeling of initial grip, and ultimately confidence, that the Dunlop simply oozed”.

He was able to set a faster lap time on the Dunlop than any of the other four tyre brands, and was a full second quicker on the D213 GP Pro than on one competitor, a huge margin in track performance. Stevens added: “I’ve never felt so much confidence cracking open the throttle with so much ferocity as I had on the D213GPs. The front was utterly spellbinding in its ability to pull into apexes like a magnet”.

He also praised the rear performance: “It just handled all the abuse I threw its way and took it in its stride. A tyre that does everything it’s asked of and a whole lot more. What else do you need?”

The D213 GP Pro features Jointless belt (JLB) construction. The latest JLB front tyre design features three plies which are proven to control the deformation of the tyre under high centrifugal forces and when leaning over into corners at speed. This new JLB construction has also been designed to provide additional precision and stability under heavy braking. On the rear tyre, the Mono Ply high tensile Aramid JLB provides the benefit of a strong but lightweight carcass providing an extremely high level of predictability, feedback and performance consistency.

Luca Davide Andreoni, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe stated: “In addition to being a magazine test winner, the D213 GP Pro is a proven race winner in events that mandate a treaded tyre. It’s been used to win Superstock and Supersport races across the world, including at the Isle of Man TT. We are thrilled that Fast Bikes have declared Dunlop as the winner in a tough tyre test.”

The D213 GP Pro sits atop Dunlop’s wide hypersport range, which also features the GP Racer D212 for track days, the SportSmart TT for a mix of road and track and the SportSmart Mk3 for road use.

After a successful Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations (MXoN) at the end of 2019 in which five out of the seven races were won by Dunlop riders, the tyre manufacturer heads into the FIM World Motocross Championship (MXGP) opening round, held at Matterley Basin, UK, full of confidence that they can continue that success. 

The 1.95km track has a hard pack surface and poses a unique challenge for all riders, teams and tyre manufacturers. 

Eddy Seel, Dunlop’s MXGP Event Leader, explains Dunlop’s technical development for 2020: “For the hard-packed soil surface of Matterley Basin, Dunlop riders will benefit from the newly developed MX53 tyre. The tyre’s tread block pattern and compounds have been specifically designed to perform on hard surfaces but with the versatility to grip on looser soil too.

“This technology will provide riders with the confidence and performance to challenge consistently for race victories.” 

Dunlop - MXGP tyre technical partnership

This season Dunlop will be supplying tyres and providing technical support to three top MXGP teams; Standing Construct GasGas Factory Racing, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing and the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP.

Standing Construct GasGas rider Glenn Coldenhoff most notably benefited from Dunlop’s continuous tyre development and technology by winning four out of the last eight MXGP races.

Tim Mathys, Standing Construct GasGas MXGP Team Principal describes working with Dunlop: “Having a strong relationship with Dunlop has been vital to our success, Dunlop’s continuous tyre development and instant feedback have allowed the team to head into each weekend confident that the tyre will perform on any surface or condition.” 

FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship (WMX)

Matterley Basin also hosts the opening round of WMX. In 2019, every round of the championship was won by a Dunlop rider. World Champion, Courtney Duncan, returns and will face a tough challenge from another top Dunlop star, Kiara Fontanesi. She returns after a year of maternity but aims to pick up where she left off in 2018. That season was her fifth world championship title on Dunlop tyres, meaning six of the last seven women’s world championships have been won by riders who chose Dunlop Geomax.

MX53 - revolutionary tyre

Launched at the MXoN, the Dunlop Geomax MX53 sits between the ‘super-hard’ terrain MX71 and the highly versatile MX33 in Dunlop’s wide Geomax portfolio.

The MX53 has been developed with a revolutionary tread design that provides traction, durability and improved rider confidence. Featuring a horseshoe-shaped pattern on the front and a distinctive staggered paired blocks on the rear, the MX53 is optimised to perform on both soft and hard terrain.

The first round of the FIM World Motocross Championship is held at Matterley Basin, UK on March 1. 

• Moto2 race to headline opening GP weekend

• Larger front tyre features a new compound to improve braking

• SuperSoft and Medium front tyre specifications will feature in Qatar

The FIM Moto2™ and Moto3™ World Championships seasons start in Qatar on March 8. The Losail International Circuit plays host to 62 of the world’s fastest riders, kicking off a season that culminates in Valencia on November 15. 

Featuring 16 turns, six left and ten right, the 5.3km (3.2miles) Losail International Circuit provides a stern test for riders, teams and tyre manufacturers. As a night race, the drop in track temperature creates a challenge for tyre warm-up and heat generation. In testing, there was 38c to 18c meaning Dunlop has to develop a compound with a versatile range of performance. 

Moto2 becomes headline act

Due to the coronavirus-related travel restrictions forcing the cancellation of the MotoGP category, the Moto2 race will become the headline race. The riders and teams were already in Qatar having been testing last week, so are unaffected by the restriction. Fans will be able to experience a new level in Moto2 pace, thanks in part to the intensive tyre development from Dunlop. 

In testing, Jorge Navarro (Beta Tools Speed Up) topped the times. His 1.58.52 lap, set on a race-length run, was not only faster than the 2019 lap record, but it was less than a second away from several of the fastest laps in the MotoGP race of 2010. This illustrates the improvement in pace in a decade of Dunlop-equipped Moto2 racing.

Larger front tyre - later braking and increased stability

After extensive testing and positive feedback from Dunlop test riders Xavier Simeon and Nico Terol, who work closely with the tyre research & development team, Dunlop has decided to introduce a larger tyre size for the 2020 season. In Qatar, these will be available in SuperSoft and Medium compounds.

Last year, Dunlop increased the size of the rear tyre and the new larger front will work in harmony with this. One feature of the new Dunlop front is the development of a larger footprint with a bigger surface area, generating more grip and stability through the corners. Another area of development is the introduction of a new compound that allows for later and harder braking compared to the previous generation of fronts. 

Stephen Bickley, Senior Race Engineer, explains the technology behind the brand new front tyre range: “The new Moto2 front is a larger 125/75R17, replacing the previous 120/75R17, but the dimensions are not the only difference with the new tyre. The 2020 front range features a new compound and a brand-new carcass incorporating Jointless Belt technology (JLB). This provides reinforcement in the tyre construction which controls the growth of the tyre at speed, improving handling. 

“From the start of the European season, the 2020 front tyre range will be simplified with three options: Soft, Medium and Hard.”

One of the most demanding corners at Qatar is the long, linked curve from Turn 10 to 11. It’s taken as one curve and means riders are working the left-hand side of the tyre for over half a kilometre, with peak tyre temperatures of over 120c, on a circuit where the majority of corners are right-handers. Dunlop has worked on the tyre design to retain heat throughout the lap so the riders are able to tackle this challenge with confidence.

Rear tyre development continues

Dunlop’s continuous tyre development is not just focused on the front tyre performance. Dunlop is developing a brand new SuperSoft rear tyre for the Austrian and Japanese GPs but may introduce it earlier in the season. At Losail, the Moto2 riders will have the choice between a Medium and Medium-Hard specification.

Moto3 - tyre choice spices up race strategy

For the Moto3™ season, Dunlop will continue to supply soft and hard specifications of front and rear tyres to the 32 riders competing across 20 rounds in 2020. The distinct differences between the tyres force teams to make strategy choices, further spicing up one of the most intensely-fought championships in motorsport.

Gary Purdy, Dunlop’s Lead Trackside Support Engineer, describes the Moto3™ tyre allocation: “For 2020 we have decided to continue with the soft and hard tyre allocation after an extremely positive response from riders and teams in 2019. The soft and hard tyre allocation has created more variation and overtaking throughout a highly competitive season.”

Qatar Track Facts:

Length: 5.380km

Left Turns: 6 Right Turns: 10

Energy level: mid/high

Left: right bias 40%/60%

Scooter and Sport (Issue 1/2020) tested 5 brands of tyre on Honda Forza 300 (Sizes: 120/70-15 front and 140/70-14 rear) and focused on dry and wet grip and handling. 

The test team were wowed by the ScootSmart’s grip: “Even if a bump pushes you out at full lean angle, the Dunlop sticks securely. The braking is very stable. They perform magically on wet asphalt without rising the rider’s pulse.”

The testers also praised the feel and feedback from the tyre. “When rolling into a bend, they feel light-footed. Whether sneaking through traffic or racing, the steering power remains the same. That’s very pleasant because it is so clearly predictable.”

Whilst a scooter can bring fun to the commute, many riders are seeking comfort too. The testers noted that Dunlop ScootSmart excels in this area too, before concluding: 

“The ScootSmart was clearly our favourite. Fast riding was made easy, without any disadvantage at touring speed.”

Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said: “Dunlop launched the ScootSmart with the objective of bringing their Sport Touring motorcycle performance knowledge into the premium scooter market. The ScootSmart features silica in the compound. This gives improved mileage and strong wet, dry and cold weather performance for scooter riders. The tread pattern is derived from the multiple test-winning Dunlop RoadSmart range, bringing genuine ‘big bike’ technology to the scooter tyre market.”

The Dunlop ScootSmart is available in a vast range of over 50 sizes.

For more information, click here: https://www.dunlop.eu/en_gb/motorcycle/tires/scootsmart.SCSMART.html#/

Dunlop has launched the Trailmax Meridian, declaring ‘a new adventure dawns’ for the sector. Sitting above the acclaimed TrailSmart MAX, the Trailmax Meridian has been developed around the very specific and complex requirements of the most technically advanced adventure bikes. 

Rider demands are changing

With sales of on/off road machines such as the BMW GS, Honda Africa Twin, Suzuki V-Strom and Triumph Tiger growing faster than the overall market, riders are expecting greater versatility from their machines - and tyres.

“Over the last decade we have seen a change in the market. Sports bikes used to be the star of the sales charts, but the main growth area is now adventure bikes. Riders are attracted to the high riding position and long-distance touring ability, but still demand the potential for off-road adventure. After researching these rider needs, we set a tough challenge for our research and development team.” stated Luca Davide Andreoni, Marketing Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe.

Ambitious target gains: Up to 15% mileage gains* achieved

The research had also shown Dunlop that the Trailmax Meridian had to have the versatility to conquer challenges as diverse as off-road adventures and long pan-European tours - as well as harness the power and performance of the latest high-end bikes. 

Dunlop is particularly proud of the mileage gains seen in spirited riding. On the rear Trailmax Meridian, testing versus the best performing competitor tyre proved a 6% mileage gain in straight-line riding, increasing to over 15% with 40-degree lean angles*. Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager, explained more: “Our research tells us this is exactly what riders need. They need the durability for long commutes or touring rides, with the ability to retain high performance for the twisty roads of a mountain touring holiday or a weekend blast in the countryside” 

There was an even greater gain in front tyre mileage, with the by-product of synchronising the predicted tyre-change time for both tyres, meaning only one dealer visit is needed rather than separate bookings for both front and rear. 

Enduring grip - wet or dry

The dramatic tread pattern on the Trailmax Meridian not only looks spectacular, but it is purposeful and highly effective. It is designed to efficiently expel water at speed, but still retain a high level of dry grip. The magic continues under the pattern with Dunlop’s MultiTread technology. This includes a Hi-Silica compound that provides outstanding wet grip and makes the tyre more flexible at lower temperatures. This, coupled with a Rayon Ply Casing brings the dual benefit of increased mileage and a much quicker warm-up time benefiting riders who increasingly use adventure bikes all-year-round. The rear tyre also features a new centre compound which extends to run under the shoulder compound. This helps promote the overall stiffness of the rear tyre, providing sporty handling and increased traction when power is applied.

Both the front and rear tyres feature a two layer version of this Rayon-Ply Casing which, when combined with Jointless Belt (JLB), provides confidence-inspiring handling. “Many of these adventure bikes have the power that is in the hypersport league and riders expect the tyre to hide the bike’s relative bulk so they can enjoy nimble and dynamic handling. Trailmax Meridian’s mix of technologies achieves this.” added Dmitri.

Off-Road ability comes as standard

An adventure bike needs to have the ability to perform off-road as well. In Dunlop’s own tests, the Trailmax Meridian, with its distinctive claw-like tread pattern, showed improved traction over the three closest competitors and the existing TrailSmart MAX on soft mud terrain**. In hard mud or gravel, the performance was at the same level as the test-winning*** TrailSmart MAX, proving that Dunlop’s focus on exceptional outright performance and handling hasn’t been to the detriment of off-road versatility.

Wide range of fitments

The Trailmax Meridian is available in four front and three rear sizes to cover a wide range of models including the BMW GS, Honda Africa Twin and Crosstourer, KTM Adventure, Suzuki V-Strom, Triumph Tiger and Yamaha Tenere and Super Tenere.

* Internal Mileage and handling testing was conducted using a BMW R 1200 GS at Mireval circuit, France.

 On the rear Trailmax Meridian, testing proved a 6% mileage gain in straight-line riding, increasing to over 15% 

 with 40 degree lean angles with a 170/60ZR17 fitment. On the front tyre (120/70R19) testing showed a 19% 

 gain versus the nearest competitor, rising to 36% at 40 degree lean angles

**Off road testing conducted using a BMW R1200 GS at Monteils, France

***Motociclismo 2018 test - ‘Quality guaranteed’

Dunlop has unveiled the new Mutant, an incredibly versatile tyre that brings the crossover approach to the tyre market. Dunlop’s latest Mutant can provide all-season, all-roads versatility to over 370 different bike models, whether they be an adventure bike, sport-touring, naked, retro or a scrambler. 

The Dunlop Mutant is the result of combining the knowledge of Dunlop’s award-winning hypersport and touring tyres with technologies developed in wet-weather racing. Dunlop calls this fusion of innovations ‘4 Seasons technology’ and includes a mix of ply material, construction and compounds that have been designed to operate in the toughest of climates - including harsh winter conditions. This has earned the Mutant an official ‘M+S’ rating, meaning it is highly suited for challenging conditions.

Dmitri Talboom, Product Manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe explained: “Mutant provides riders with the kind of handling and stability expected from hypersport tyres, but combined with the very best grip in wet conditions this side of racing wets, as well as the kind of durability that you would expect from a touring tyre. Dunlop has vast experience with test-winning sports touring tyres like RoadSmart III, adventure bike tyres such as the latest Trailmax Meridian and performing at the highest level in wet races in Moto2 and the Endurance World Championship. Our development team fused this knowledge together to truly create a tyre for all seasons.”

Dunlop’s Mutant range of five front and six rear sizes means that over 370 different models of bike can be equipped with Mutant. Dunlop’s focus was to extend the range beyond the typical crossover bike such as the Ducati Multistrada and Yamaha Tracer to bring crossover performance to a vast array of models, as Dmitri explained: “Increasingly, we are seeing scrambler, retro and naked bikes being used as all-season, all-purpose machines. Dunlop’s research tells us that these riders are looking for a tyre that gives them the hypersport feel and handling but providing the confidence to enjoy the ride - whatever the weather. Dunlop Mutant delivers that unique crossover appeal.”

Mutant off-road ability proven

A versatile bike needs to be able to perform off-road, and the Mutant has proven to have the capabilities to excel in off-road conditions. In Dunlop’s own off-road testing the Mutant outperformed competitors in front grip, rear grip and handling on a Yamaha Tracer 700 and a BMW R 1200 GS on the demanding Monteblanco off-road course. 

The distinctive style of the Mutant tread pattern combines aggressive-looking blocks with a dynamic directional design. This distinctive look has echoes of supermoto and dirt track tyres and is expected to make the Mutant a popular choice for special build bikes where style is expected - but with no compromise on performance for a completely new breed of tyre.

For more information on Mutant go to:   https://www.dunlop.eu/en_gb/motorcycle/why-dunlop/mutant.html

Dunlop Motorcycle website: https://www.dunlop.eu/en_gb/motorcycle.html#/

• Unveiled on Dunlop Motorrad Instagram and Facebook account

The world is on lockdown with much more important priorities than motorcycling. While riders #StayAtHome Dunlop Motorrad is helping them dream of better days ahead. 

Dunlop has commissioned a fleet of the latest bikes with variations of dramatic Dunlop yellow and black liveries. 

In normal times, riders could test these motorcycles in Germany at selected Dunlop dealers but this has been suspended during the lockdown period. As soon as the time is right for adventure rides and track days again, Dunlop will publish a list of participating dealers, dates and the conditions of participation at www.dunlop-bikes.de.

The stunning collection of Dunlop bikes include two brand new BMW S1000RR models, which, like the two 2020 Yamaha R1 models, are fitted with the SportSmart TT hypersport tyre.

Dunlop's new Mutant crossover tyres with M + S identification are perfect for adventure and naked machines. Dunlop's fleet includes a Mutant-equipped Honda CB1000R and a BMW R1250 GS. A second R1250GS and a Honda Africa Twin are equipped with the new Trailmax Meridian adventure tyres.

For more information on Mutant go to:  https://www.dunlop.eu/en_gb/motorcycle/why-dunlop/mutant.html

For more information on Trailmax Meridian go to: https://www.dunlop.eu/en_gb/motorcycle/why-dunlop/trailmax_meridian.html

Dunlop Motorcycle website: https://www.dunlop.eu/en_gb/motorcycle.html#/