Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Tyre

Certainly didn't plan on taking my bike in my office lift and pushing it through the reception area, certainly some odd faces from other employees in the building. This is what happens when recovery trucks can't fit in an underground carpark. Apparantly if it was a car they send a van along with the truck to tow it out. Not sure how they expected me to push a 180kg motorbike up 3 levels from the basement.

(Ouch here's the culprit)

(Goin' up, up, up, it's our moment!)

(Good old NRMA, AA/RAC in the UK)

First Impressions

I really like the tread pattern on these, really looks the part for the MT and just feels right. Out of the crate, they feel solid and purposeful.

(Sexy, if Batman chose tyres)

According to Pirelli, the Rosso IV is a considerable step up from the Rosso III. Stability and tyre life are roughly the same, but they’ve made improvements in wet riding, decay, grip, handling at hard and soft lean angles, and even when the tyre is worn. Seems like they’ve refined the compounds and internal structure for better feedback and consistency. (pirelli.com)

Wet and Dry Performance

Had a bit of a play in the wet yesterday and this morning. Honestly, these are way better than the almost‑slick Dunlops I had before. Grip comes on quick, and it feels much more confidence inspiring on wet roads. I’ve only run Dunlop and Bridgestone before, so this feels like the best compromise for sporty road riding without moving to an all‑season tyre.

Braking is solid too. The Rosso IV bites well and feels stable when slowing down, even on wet patches. Definitely more reassuring than my old tyres.

I haven’t pushed them to the edge yet and haven’t taken them on track, so this is all based on road use.

In fairness, this tyre is probably a bit overkill for my daily commuting, but with only these tiny patches holding me to the road, I’ll always try to buy the best I can afford.

(5.5mm tread depth from new.)

Handling & Feedback

They feel predictable and connected. Turn-in is smooth, cornering is natural, and the bike stays composed under harder braking. Leaning in feels planted, even when you’re getting a bit aggressive on back roads. Handling seems consistent whether the tyres are new or starting to wear, which is reassuring.

Longevity & Wear

Mixed reports online, some get good mileage past 8–10k km, others see grip drop sooner if pushed hard. That makes sense since these are sporty road tyres, not touring or track compounds.

Summary

Pros:

• Great grip and handling on the road

• Wet performance noticeably better than previous tyres

• Feels planted and responsive, even when worn

• Stylish tread pattern on the MT

Cons:

• Wear isn’t amazing if you push it

• Not a track-focused tyre (haven’t tried track anyway)

• Minor dealer fitting issues

All in all, for what I do on the road, this feels like the best compromise. Fun to ride, confidence-inspiring in the wet, and just the right mix of sporty and practicality for my daily communting on the MT.

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