Maxxis Supermaxx ST rated
54% while driving a KTM 790 Duke
Driving on
a combination of roads for 3100
spirited miles
Dry Grip - really impressive for the price point. Never any drama and very consistent grip all the way to the edge of the tyre.
Wet Grip - again, incredible for the price. Great feel of grip levels and never sliding all over the place for as long as you're sensible with that right wrist.
Road Feedback - while the road feedback was great in the wet due to the low grip threshold, this completely changed in the dry. Whilst I had a rough idea what was going on, it was never a feeling of complete security especially when pushing the tyre. While grip levels to the edge of the tyre was never an issue, feel was. It almost felt like you would hit a barrier where the tyre would just stop communicating what the front end is doing, leaving to a constant feeling mid corner of "oh sh*t am I about to lose the front?" For proper spirited riding on the road, this can be almost scary at times.
Handling - while the handling wasn't bad, it also wasn't great. Tip in was incredibly sluggish, and this is what makes it lose points big time. Once it is tipped in, mid corner adjustments are easy and actually quick pleasant, but quickly flicking back and forth on these tyres feels like more of a workout rather than fun. I find that a real shame.
Wear - the worst point of this tyre, and downright embarrassing for how Maxxis advertise it. A sport-touring tyre, that gets mileage as if it were a hypersport tyre, terrible. While sure it has a lot of grip for what is a sport-touring tyre, I'm 3100 miles in and at the rear it's at the wear bars and it is incredibly squared off. When much nicer (but also far more expensive) hypersport tyres get similar mileage whilst also being far far more enjoyable to ride, I seriously expect better. Not only that but at this point of wear levels, the poor road feedback only gets worse. The front is still doing alright though, it seems like the typical 2x rear for every 1x front.
Comfort - actually quite a strong point of this tyre, it feels wonderfully comfortable over harsh bumps given its decent mid corner support.
Buy Again - absolutely not, while the £175 price for a pair of 120/70/17 180/55/17 tyres is great, you can also get Maxxis' Supermaxx Sport MA-SP tyres for the same price, which are a far more sporty offering whilst having a duel compound tread, likely leading to even better performance at the same sort of mileage. However, for just £100 more or even less if you can get a good deal, you can find the likes of Metzeler M9-RR's or Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3's. Far better tyres which will also should get you more miles both front and rear. I've personally (now that I have worn out the rear) picked up a cracking deal on a pair of Avon 3D Ultra Evo's for just £175, I'm not even going to bother saving some money and buying another rear to make the most out of the front tyre, I really feel these Maxxis tyres are spoiling my bikes handling.