2025 Sport and Hypersport Motorcycle Tyre Test

In the most comprehensive motorcycle tyre comparison test ever conducted by PS Magazine, twelve high-performance motorcycle tyres went head-to-head to answer a fundamental question: how close can everyday sport tyres get to specialized hypersport rubber when pushed to their limits?

The April 2025 test put six sport tyres against six hypersport models from the industry's leading manufacturers—Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Metzeler, Michelin, and Pirelli. Each manufacturer contributed both a sport and a hypersport option, creating the perfect conditions for direct comparisons between brands and tyre categories.

Testing took place at Goodyear/Dunlop's premier testing facility in southern France, where temperatures ranged between 14-18°C—typical conditions riders might encounter during shoulder-season track days. The test bike was a BMW S 1000 RR

Sport vs. Hypersport: Breaking Down the Differences

The fundamental distinctions between these categories lie in their construction and intended use. Hypersport tyres feature stickier rubber compounds, higher positive profile ratios with minimal tread grooves, and stiffer carcasses. They're designed primarily for track use in dry conditions, prioritizing maximum grip and stability at extreme lean angles.

Sport tyres, by contrast, offer more versatile performance with better wet-weather capability, longer wear characteristics, and quicker warm-up times—making them more suitable for varied road conditions throughout the year.

Surprising Results

Perhaps the most striking outcome of the test how blurred the lines have become between these two categories. The test's standout performer was the Dunlop Sportsmart MK4, a sport tyre that claimed the overall victory by excelling across all test criteria. The MK4 demonstrated exceptional cold-running behavior, precise and effortless turn-in, and transparent feedback—all while delivering the fastest wet lap time by a considerable margin.

The Pirelli Supercorsa SP V4 secured the hypersport category victory and second place overall, posting the fastest dry lap time of any tyre tested. Its transparent feedback and exceptional precision made it the benchmark for pure track performance.

Interestingly, the results showed significant crossover between categories. Two sport tyres outperformed two hypersport options on the dry track, while three of the best hypersport performers in wet conditions outpaced the least capable sport tyre. This indicates that the traditional segregation between these categories is becoming increasingly fluid, with top performers in each group encroaching on the other's traditional territory.

Weather Matters

The test highlighted the critical importance of conditions when selecting tyres. While hypersport options generally required a lap or two to reach optimal operating temperature even in moderate conditions, most sport tyres were ready to deliver performance after just a few corners.

In wet conditions, the gap became more pronounced, with the Dunlop Sportsmart MK4 outpacing the slowest hypersport tyre (Continental RaceAttack 2 Street) by over 11 seconds per lap on the wet handling course. However, versatile hypersport options like the Michelin Power GP2 demonstrated impressive adaptability, proving that some cutting-edge hypersport designs can maintain reasonable wet-weather capability.

The Final Verdict

This landmark comparison revealed that for most road riders—even those who occasionally participate in track days—modern sport tyres offer an exceptional balance of performance characteristics. The test's findings suggest that unless you're exclusively focused on track riding in dry conditions, the latest generation of sport tyres provides grip levels that were once the exclusive domain of specialized track rubber, combined with superior versatility and safety in varied conditions.

For those seeking pure track performance regardless of conditions, the test highlighted several standout options that bridge the gap between categories, particularly the Michelin Power GP2, which delivered strong performance across all conditions while maintaining hypersport-level grip.

As the testers concluded, even normal sport tyres now offer grip reserves that can hardly be fully utilized on public roads—a testament to how far motorcycle tyre technology has advanced in recent years.

Dry

Wet

Results

1^st

Dunlop Sportsmart MK4

190/55 R17

The Dunlop Sportsmart MK4 is a sport category tyre that emerged as the overall winner in this comprehensive test. This brand-new tyre excels with its exceptional cold-running behavior, requiring minimal warm-up time before it's ready to deliver optimal performance. Riders will appreciate its incredibly easy and precise turn-in capabilities and outstanding feedback both front and rear, creating what the testers described as a "heightened pleasure factor" when cornering. Its behavior at the grip limit is particularly noteworthy, with slides beginning relatively late and remaining highly controllable under skilled hands. The MK4 was the absolute fastest tyre in wet conditions with the best wet lap time in the entire test, dominating both sport and hypersport competitors by a significant margin. Its exceptional wet handling is complemented by excellent braking performance and outstanding feedback in these challenging conditions.

Dry96.6%

Wet100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	9th / 12	82.64 s	+2.82 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	1st / 12	72.64 s	Best in this discipline

Origin

France

Weight

10.54 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

2^nd

Pirelli Supercorsa SP V4

190/55 R17

The Pirelli Supercorsa SP V4 represents the hypersport tyre category and secured the fastest lap time on the dry track, setting the benchmark that no other tyre could match. This tyre delivers what testers described as the most transparent feedback of any tyre in the comparison, combined with exceptional precision when entering and exiting corners. It handles pressure exceptionally well, both when braking into turns and when accelerating out. Following its 2023 update, the developers infused even more sporty characteristics, though this comes somewhat at the expense of cold-running behavior. The tyre shows excellent behavior at the grip limit for a hypersport option, scoring the highest points in this category among all hypersport tyres and demonstrating surprising predictability for such a performance-focused product.

Dry100%

Wet92.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	1st / 12	79.82 s	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better	8th / 12	78.63 s	+5.99 s

Origin

Germany

Weight

10.88 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

3^rd

Metzeler Sportec M9 RR

190/55 R17

The Metzeler M9 RR is a sport tyre that continues to impress despite celebrating its sixth birthday during the test year. Its combination of excellent braking force transmission and transparent feedback enables late and deep braking into corners. The tyre offers abundant grip reserves both front and rear, which helped it achieve the fastest lap time among the sport tyre category and one of the quickest among all tyres tested. When pushed hard, there's some slight movement at the rear, and minor criticisms were noted regarding handling, but these are truly minimal issues. In wet conditions, the M9 RR excelled with the fourth-best wet lap time overall, showing excellent balance between dry and wet performance that few competitors could match.

Dry97.7%

Wet98%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	6th / 12	81.71 s	+1.89 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	3rd / 12	74.13 s	+1.49 s

Origin

Germany

Weight

11.12 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

4^th

Michelin Power GP2

190/55 R17

The Michelin Power GP2 falls into the hypersport category but functions as a bridge between sport and hypersport tyres. It remains stable in all situations, offers precise tracking, excellent handling, and outstanding feedback. The GP2 delivers quick lap times despite requiring a relatively short warm-up phase compared to other hypersport tyres. In wet conditions, it proved to be the best-performing hypersport tyre in the test, securing the best wet handling score in its class and the second-best wet lap time overall. Testers highlighted it as the "insider tip" for riders wanting a comprehensive all-season package from race track to cool, wet weather. Its only notable weakness is a somewhat abrupt loss of grip when pushed to the absolute limit.

Dry98.6%

Wet95.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	3rd / 12	80.93 s	+1.11 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	6th / 12	76.19 s	+3.55 s

Origin

Spain

Weight

10.24 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

5^th

Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV

190/55 R17

The Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV is a sport tyre that shares many characteristics with its hypersport sibling but is more oriented toward everyday sporty usage. The extremely transparent feedback—described as allowing you to "feel everything precisely"—and short warm-up phase make the Rosso IV tremendously enjoyable to ride. Like the Metzeler M9 RR, hard pushing creates some movement in the rear, but the resulting slides remain well-controllable. It demonstrated impressive wet handling capabilities, ranking fifth overall in wet lap times among all tyres tested, making it one of the better wet-weather performers while still maintaining strong dry-track capabilities.

Dry97.3%

Wet97.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	8th / 12	82.04 s	+2.22 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	5th / 12	74.64 s	+2.00 s

Origin

Germany

Weight

11.01 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

6^th

Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23

190/55 R17

The Bridgestone S23 is a sport tyre released the year before the test that demonstrates a small time deficit on the track but a significant advantage on the wet handling course compared to its hypersport counterpart. Its strongest attributes include crystal-clear feedback at the front, ultra-precise and light-footed turn-in characteristics, and high stability at corner entry. When powering out of corners, it introduces some instability into the rear, and the test BMW began sliding relatively early compared to other tyres. However, with gentle throttle application, these slides remain easily controllable. It was one of three tyres showing premature wear during the test, but its excellent wet-weather performance—achieving the second-best wet lap time among all sport tyres and the fifth-best overall—confirms its impressive qualities in challenging conditions.

Dry96.1%

Wet98.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	10th / 12	83.05 s	+3.23 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	2nd / 12	73.45 s	+0.81 s

Origin

Japan

Weight

11.52 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

7^th

Metzeler Racetec RR K3

190/55 R17

The Metzeler Racetec RR K3 is a hypersport tyre that has been available for ten years yet still delivers impressive performance. Its standout feature is immense grip, which combined with high stability allowed it to record the second-fastest lap time on the dry track, demonstrating remarkable longevity in its design. The compound holds up well under hard acceleration out of corners and provides confidence-inspiring traction throughout the lap. Its wet-weather performance is acceptable for a hypersport tyre but still notably better than some of its hypersport competitors, showing reasonable adaptability despite its focus on dry grip. Its main downside is premature wear, which became evident during testing.

Dry99.6%

Wet92.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	2nd / 12	80.17 s	+0.35 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	7th / 12	78.26 s	+5.62 s

Origin

Germany

Weight

10.33 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

8^th

Michelin Power 6

190/55 R17

The Michelin Power 6 is a sport tyre that received qualified praise compared to previous tests. While last year testers praised its increased stability when powering out of corners compared to its predecessor, the punch of the BMW S 1000 RR used in this test appeared to push the tyre to its limits, resulting in noticeable chassis instability. However, in wet conditions, the Power 6 performed impressively well, achieving the third-best wet lap time overall behind only the Dunlop MK4 and Michelin Power GP2. Additionally, the tyre offers formidable handling, high precision, and outstanding wet-weather qualities, making it a viable all-rounder for road use where the dry-condition instability issues are less likely to manifest.

Dry95.5%

Wet97.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	11th / 12	83.59 s	+3.77 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	4th / 12	74.34 s	+1.70 s

Origin

Spain

Weight

10.19 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

9^th

Continental RaceAttack 2 Street

190/55 R17

The Continental RaceAttack 2 Street is a hypersport tyre that demonstrates some positive characteristics along with defined limitations. On the positive side, both this tyre and its sport counterpart exhibit high stability and behave predictably at the grip limit—abrupt loss of traction is not an issue. The RaceAttack provides plenty of grip in dry conditions and communicates the traction limit transparently. However, it ranks as the most water-shy tyre in the entire test, recording the slowest wet lap time with over 11 seconds deficit to the fastest wet performer. It begins to break away at the rear with relatively little lean angle in wet conditions and offers only a narrow margin at the grip limit. It performs best in sunny, warm conditions where its dry-weather talents can shine.

Dry98.3%

Wet86.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	5th / 12	81.23 s	+1.41 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	12th / 12	84.3 s	+11.66 s

Origin

Germany

Weight

11.40 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

10^th

Dunlop SportSmart TT

190/55 R17

The Dunlop Sportsmart TT is a hypersport tyre that already entered its seventh year during the test period. Its primary strength lies in abundant rear-wheel grip, allowing for acceleration rather than sliding out of corners. Despite its high stability, it causes no chassis disturbances on the powerful test motorcycle. In dry conditions, it delivered one of the fastest lap times of all the sport tyres tested, demonstrating its focus on track performance. However, wet conditions are decidedly not its forte, with one of the poorest wet lap times in the test, more than 10 seconds behind the category-leading Dunlop MK4. Testers simply stated "forget it!" regarding its wet-weather performance.

Dry98.5%

Wet87.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	4th / 12	81.03 s	+1.21 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	11th / 12	83.2 s	+10.56 s

Origin

France

Weight

11.46 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

11^th

Bridgestone Battlax Racing Street RS11

190/55 R17

The Bridgestone RS11 is a hypersport tyre that delivered mixed results in the test. Its stiff construction occasionally causes front chattering, offers only average feedback, becomes somewhat sluggish at medium to high lean angles, and grip breaks away rather abruptly when pushed hard. The overall grip level itself is acceptable, but these handling characteristics impact rider confidence. On the wet handling course, it performed better than several other hypersport options but still ranked 10th overall in wet lap times, highlighting the compromises made for dry track performance. It represents the traditional hypersport approach of maximizing dry grip at the expense of wet-weather capability and ease of use.

Dry97.5%

Wet91.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	7th / 12	81.88 s	+2.06 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	9th / 12	79.17 s	+6.53 s

Origin

Japan

Weight

10.61 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm

12^th

Continental SportAttack 4

190/55 R17

The Continental SportAttack 4 is a sport tyre that sits at the bottom of the test rankings but still offers respectable performance. It handles wet conditions significantly better than its hypersport counterpart, though it falls behind other sport tyres in the comparison. Despite being the slowest tyre on the dry track with the longest lap time of all tyres tested, it performed surprisingly well in wet conditions, ranking 9th overall in wet lap times and notably better than some hypersport options. The tyre exhibited relatively coarse wear patterns compared to competitors and showed premature wear signs during testing. According to the testers, a successor is likely to appear the following year, suggesting Continental has already recognized areas for improvement.

Dry94.4%

Wet91.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (2)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tyres in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry HandlingLower is better	12th / 12	84.57 s	+4.75 s
Wet HandlingLower is better	10th / 12	79.62 s	+6.98 s

Origin

Germany

Weight

11.10 kgs

Tread

8.0 mm