In the continuing quest to expand our riding horizons with the VERSYS-tility machine, our focus turned to finding a set of tires that might cope with a wider variety of roads and conditions.

The Pirelli MT90 Scorpion Sync tires that were installed on the Ebony Versys have continued to work extremely well on a wide array of surfaces, as we expected, but we wanted to try something a bit more aggressive, allowing the on-road and off-road potential to be tilted a bit more in favour of the latter.

In October of 2007, during one of our frequent visits to the Ottawa Goodtime Centre, we were shown a set of Pirelli MT 60 Corsa tires that had been left at the store by a Pirelli rep. 

Although there had been plans to possibly use them on a Supermotard demo machine, it was agreed the tires would likely be a good candidate for the Versys.  Accordingly, a deal was struck for the pair: an MT60 Front (120/70R17TL 58V) and a MT60 Rear (160/60R17TL 69VRS).

I didn't confer with said Pirelli rep, but our own research discovered that the MT 60 Corsas are described as a 60% on-road and 40% off-road tire.  A V-rated radial, they have an aggressive knobby tread pattern for maximum grip under all conditions and surfaces.

This design is touted to provide light, responsive handling, superb cornering combined with straight line stability, exceptional wet-weather performance and excellent traction, on- and off-road.  So with a description like that, it's no wonder we wanted to try them!

The following weekend both Versys were taken up to OGC and for expediency, a straight wheel swap was carried out: the Scorpion tires and wheels were removed from the Ebony Versys and moved over to the Orange Versys, while the wheels from the Orange Versys, with the original OEM tires removed, had the MT60 Corsa tires installed.  Both sets were then balanced before being refitted to the respective machines.

So, how is this little experiment going?  After 1000kms of use, just fine, thank you!

Although our riding has been somewhat limited given the ever-changing weather, the MT60 shod Versys (mine) continues to get in lots of time being run through its paces - on- and off-road.  A bit more vibration is felt from the tires, but only at lower speeds and on paved surfaces.

Overall, they track and hold very well on all surfaces - pavement, gravel or dirt.  Another bonus, particularly at this time of the year, is their ability to provide good adhesion and feedback even in cold weather and when riding on cold road surfaces.

Somewhat rounder in profile than the Scorpions, the MT60 Corsa tires seem to slow the way the bike transitions in the corners.  But as the Versys is a very light and quick steering machine, this is not necessarily a bad thing overall, and one quickly learns to compensate.

With their somewhat gnarly appearance, the MT60 Corsa's tend to generate a fair bit of conversation, typically leading to other questions about just what the machine is getting used for - something we are always happy to expound upon, even in the middle of some dense bush with a single-track path.

With the primary objective to find a better mixed use tire more than satisfied, we will acknowledge that tire life of the MT60 Corsa tires is still an unknown.  Although they broke in quickly, there is virtually no visible wear yet after 1000kms (620mi), despite some high speed road use and prolonged off-road running.  Other research indicates that the MT60 tire can actually be a long-life tire, so only time and distance will tell.

The Corsas are slightly wide where a thinner and higher profile tire is typically preferred for more traction and stability on very loose surfaces, their tread pattern does much to mitigate this issue.  Even when the front tire is pushing through heavy loose gravel at low speed, good control is maintained and feedback provided, whether the rider is standing or sitting.

While on the control issue, we believe that a similar tire or a hybrid, in a 100 or 110 front along with a 140 or 150 rear, would be an even better choice to mount on the Versys, allowing even more aggressive off-road riding.

The Pirelli MT60 Corsa tires may not be the "perfect" setup for the Versys, but in addressing our desire to take the Versys over a wide range of surfaces, they are far better off-road than their cousins, the Scorpion Sync tires.

The MT60s are the best of breed multi-purpose tires we have found and tried so far.  We are glad the dealer had not yet mounted them up on something else, thus giving us the opportunity to try them.

In conclusion, our initial impression of these tires is very positive.  It is unfortunate that prolonged (further) use will have to wait until the spring -- maybe.  If you want to run hard on a wide variety of surfaces, the Pirelli MT60 Corsa tires are definitely worth a look.

Quick-Look Technical Specifications

Pirelli MT 60 Corsa Tires

• More information:  wBW Motorcycle Tire Page  |  Motorcycle Wheels Page  |  Changing and Balancing Motorcycle Tires  |  Pirelli Motorcycle Tires

• 60/40 On/Off Road Classification

• V-Speed rated and updated version of original MT60

• Radial construction

• On-off road knob design facilitates wide-range of use on variety of surfaces

• Installed on: 2007 Versys, Sizes: Front, 120/70R17TL 58V; Rear, 160/60R17TL 69VRS

• Size range available for other on/off road motorcycles

• Cost: a set typically lists for around 265.00 USD. Check with your local supplier