Pirelli Diablo Rosso III first test

We’re at the world launch of Pirelli’s new Diablo Rosso III at Aragon circuit in Spain and the surrounding roads. 

The new tyre replaces the Diablo Rosso II and is aimed at sporty riders who ride anything from an A2-licence-friendly KTM RC390, mid-to-large capacity nakeds and superbikes. The new tyres fit neatly between a sports touring and road-compound trackday tyre.

Pirelli have another tyre in this ‘middle-ground’ sports category: the Rosso Corsa, which sits closer to their Supercorsa SP trackday tyre, but it won’t have the new Rosso III’s durability or wet-weather grip. 

The Rosso III is packed with new technology and built with a new 100% silica compound (with 30 different ingredients), revised front and rear profiles and a Supercorsa-inspired tread pattern – all designed to improve wet and dry grip, agility, durability and above all: confidence. The rear tyre is dual compound and features more areas of ‘slick’ for better grip in the dry. The front is single compound.

We tested them on the dry and wet roads in cold temperatures on a BMW S1000R and Ducati Hypermotard 926 SP. They warm-up quickly and give instant front and rear grip when you need it, even from cold. But what’s most impressive is how light they make the steering when you’re turning, at slow and high speeds. But this agility doesn’t come at the expense of stability, so the bars won’t dance in your hands when you push hard, even on a super naked. The ride quality is on the sporty side of plush. 

At Aragon circuit they’re sure-footed, confidence-inspiring and offer big grip, even on 190bhp-plus superbikes.

Available sizes
Front: 110/70 x 17, 120/60 x 17, 120/70 x 17 
Rear: 150/60 x 17, 160/60 x 17, 180/55 x 17, 180/60 x 17, 190/50 x 17, 190/55 x 17, 200/55 x 17