Meet the Metzeler Karoo 4: A 50/50 ADV Tire

[Hugh Janus]

The new Metzeler Karoo 4 was made specifically for adventure bikes like the Honda Africa Twin. (Metzeler/)

After 10 years on the dual sport market, Metzeler has retired its Karoo 3 series tire. The Pirelli-owned brand focusing solely on motorcycle tires has updated the popular series, which was released back in 2012, to the Karoo 4.

The Karoo 4 is a 50/50 adventure motorcycle tire that Metzeler claims is ready to “reach a new level of performance in the maxi enduro segment.” The tire uses Metzeler’s new MRC (Multiple Radius Contour) technology, a patented profile that improves holding a straight line on the road despite the knobby profile, along with a host of other patented technologies.

The rear Karoo 4 arrives with a shorter and wider profile to aid in longevity. (Metzeler/)

The release arrives amid much competition from the Bridgestone AX41, Dunlop Trailmax Mission, Michelin Anakee, and parent company’s Scorpion Rally STR.

The Karoo 4, which is slotted between the Karoo Street and the Karoo Extreme, has a more aggressive knobby profile and larger thread cutouts than the outgoing Karoo 3. The side knobs also alternate, which helps clean out loose sand and dirt for added traction.

In a press release, Metzeler says the new patented tread pattern created to work well with modern electronic aids is a “significant improvement in off-road and on-road wet performance, even when fully loaded” over the Karoo 3.

The Karoo 4’s side profile arrives with central spoon-shaped knobs to help clear dirt from the tire quicker. (Metzeler/)

Metzeler says the tires were designed for two styles of rides: midweight and heavyweight ADV bikes like the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and the BMW R 1250 GS; and scrambler-style bikes for an aggressive tread look without the sacrifice of on-road rideability.

Karoo 4 Tread Pattern: A Closer Look

Metzeler secured a patent for the Karoo 4′s tread design, which was created to advance performance levels on asphalt and off-road terrain with a sharp focus on improving traction and feel on softer surfaces like mud, clay, and sand.

Metzeler claims much more traction in muddy and wet conditions over the outgoing Karoo 3. (Metzeler/)

Other tread highlights include:

• Detratec patented design, which Metzeler says is composed of central spoon-shaped knobs that are separated from the side knobs by a wavy longitudinal groove. The combo has a dual functionality: At first the design traps the terrain between the knobs, generating lateral thrust; secondly, it releases the terrain thanks to self-cleaning properties.
• Multi-pitch design, which irregularly repeats groups of knobs to mitigate the impact of the tread against the asphalt and improve rolling smoothness.
• More knobs in the footprint area than the Karoo 3, which improves on-road handling and integrates better with electronic aids.
• Patented Dymatec technology, a “design methodology that preserves the functional geometries of the knobs and the tire performance over time. In details, this technology features variable groove wall angles depending on their position along the tread band to maximize tread pattern solidity and wear uniformity,” Metzeler said in a press release.

A close look at the Karoo 4’s front tire profile, which is designed to optimize handling both on and off the road. (Metzeler/)

Karoo 4 Tread Compound: A Closer Look

The Karoo 4 uses a single carbon compound that evolved from the Karoo 3. The new compound is more resistant to abrasion, which should increase the longevity.

Out back, the Karoo 4 uses a bicompound solution. The central compound is 100 percent carbon black, like the front tire, for abrasion resistance. The shoulder compound has an 80 percent carbon black and 20 percent silica formulation, which Metzeler says “ensures thermal stability even under stress.”

The Karoo 4s arrive with much new patented technology to outperform its predecessor, the Karoo 3. (Metzeler/)

Karoo 4 Profile and Structure

The profile also features a patented technology: Multiple Radius Contour, which features various profiles across the central band and the shoulders. Metzeler says this profile combo increases “ease of handling, improves traction and stability, even under full load.” To further aid the compounds to increase mileage, the rear’s contact area is shorter and wider.

The Karoo 4′s structure is also lighter than the Karoo 3 and uses a zero-degree steel belt with “Interact” variable tension tech for an optimized response and feel.

The Karoo 4 tires are available now in the following sizes:

Front

• 19 in. 100/90-19 TL 57Q M+S
• 19 in. 110/80 R 19 TL 59Q M+S
• 19 in. 120/70 R 19 TL 60Q M+S
• 21 in.  90/90-21 TL 54Q M+S

Rear

• 17 in. 130/80 R 17 TL 65Q M+S
• 17 in. 140/80 R 17 TL 69Q M+S
• 17 in. 150/70 R 17 TL 69Q M+S
• 17 in. 170/60 R 17 TL 72Q M+S
• 18 in. 140/80 - 18 TL 70Q M+S
• 18 in. 150/70 R 18 TL 70Q M+S

For more information, visit Metzeler’s website.

Source

[Buckster]

Gay.

[boboneleg]

The original Karoo was one of the best tyres I ever used on my DR650, did decent mileage and gave good grip on and off road .  Those new ones just look like a copy of the Pirelli STR as fitted to my T700 and several Ducati's.