Metzeler has presented the successor to the KAROO 3, the KAROO 4. The KAROO 4 represents the latest generation of the Metzeler product family: a studded tire intended for adventure and maxi-enduro motorcycles, designed for on- and off-road use.
According to Metzeler, the new KAROO 4 should improve even the most advanced, latest mid- and large-displacement enduro motorcycles that ride both on asphalt and off-road, in harmony with the most advanced driver assistance systems.
KAROO 4 is, according to Metzeler, a very versatile product that, compared to its predecessor KAROO 3, provides a significant improvement in off-road and on-road performance on wet surfaces, even when fully loaded.
Who is KAROO 4 designed for?
If we are to believe Metzeler, the KAROO 4 is the ideal choice for:
Adventure motorcycle owners, riders who use their motorcycle for travel 50% on the road 50% off road, seeking experiences without limits. They seek reliability and performance in different weather conditions, stability even at full load and mileage.
Motorcyclists who want to test their skills and the capabilities of their bike place great value on off-road performance in a tyre.
Owners of ‘scrambler’ style machines, who require an aggressive, knobby look without sacrificing on-road performance, with particular attention to wet handling and safety.
The advantages of KAROO 4
According to Metzeler, the main advantages of KAROO 4 are:
Exemplary off-road traction thanks to the patented tread design.
Considerable handling on the road, even at full load, thanks to the profile with Metzeler MRC technology that improves line retention despite the ‘knobs’.
Extreme abrasion resistance, cut and tear resistance, thanks to the carbon black based compounds and optimization of the footprint area.
Top performance on wet surfaces and integration with driver aids. The combination of the technologies in KAROO 4 allows riders to safely manage different weather conditions and road surfaces, including in case of emergency braking.
The details
KAROO 4 has a revolutionary patented tread design, according to Metzeler, which must have increased the tire’s all-round performance levels on both asphalt and various types of off-road terrain.
In terms of on-road performance, engineers have worked to improve in particular overall handling and wet handling by developing a knobby pattern that allows you to tackle lean angles safely, even in wet conditions. In the off-road field, KAROO 4 increases the level of performance, especially on very soft surfaces, such as sand, mud and clay.
The tread pattern of KAROO 4 has the following main features:
– Patented DETRATEC design, consisting of central spoon-shaped knobs, separated from the side knobs by a wavy longitudinal groove. The combination of these three elements has a double function: firstly, it captures the terrain between the studs to generate lateral thrust and secondly, it releases it thanks to self-cleaning properties.
– Multi-pitch design. The groups of studs are repeated at an irregular cadence to reduce the impact of the tread on the asphalt and improve the smoothness of the rolling;
– Optimized footprint area with a greater number of buttons in the contact patch, compared to KAROO 3, to improve handling and integration with electronic driver aids;
– Patented DYMATEC technology, a design methodology that preserves the functional geometries of the buttons and tire performance over time. In detail, this technology provides variable groove wall angles, depending on their position along the tread tire, to maximize tread pattern firmness and wear uniformity.
The tread compound
KAROO 4’s front tire is a single compound. The radial sizes have a carbon black compound with extreme wear resistance, a direct evolution of what was used for KAROO 3. For cross-ply sizes, the engineers of the Metzeler brand developed a new compound with the aim of achieving a wider working range and greater adhesion on surfaces.
The rear radial sizes are bi-compound:
– The central composition is 100% carbon black, with remarkable wear resistance;
– The shoulder compound has an 80% carbon black and 20% silica formulation, to ensure thermal stability even under stress.
The profile
KAROO 4 uses the Metzeler MRC technology, which has different profiles from the central strap to the shoulder area. This increases ease of operation, improves traction and stability, even under full load. In the rear sizes, with a shorter and wider contact patch compared to its predecessor, the KAROO 4’s tread pattern helps reduce and even out tread wear for more mileage.
The structure
KAROO 4 has lighter construction schemes than its predecessor. Radial sizes in particular, thanks to the use of the zero-degree steel strap with INTERACT variable tension technology, guarantee a smooth riding response and a solid sense of control.
The range
KAROO 4 will be available in the following sizes from March 2022:
In front of
19” 100/90-19 TL 57Q M+S
19” 110/80 R 19 TL 59Q M+S
19” 120/70 R 19 TL 60Q M+S
21” 90/90-21 TL 54Q M+S
rear
17” 130/80 R 17 TL 65Q M+S
17” 140/80 R 17 TL 69Q M+S
17” 150/70 R 17 TL 69Q M+S
17” 170/60 R 17 TL 72Q M+S
18” 140/80 – 18 TL 70Q M+S
18” 150/70 R 18 TL 70Q M+S
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.