Metzeler Adds SPORTEC 01 and SPORTEC 01 RS to Supersport Tire Range

Metzeler has expanded its SPORTEC supersport tire family with two new models: the SPORTEC 01, aimed at versatile road-focused sport riding, and the SPORTEC 01 RS, a more aggressive road-and-track tire developed for riders seeking maximum dry grip and sharper handling.

Metzeler has introduced two new additions to its supersport tire range, the SPORTEC 01 and SPORTEC 01 RS. Both tires were developed with technology derived from Metzeler’s road racing experience, including its participation in the Isle of Man TT, but they are aimed at different kinds of sport riders.

The basic distinction is straightforward: SPORTEC 01 is the more versatile sport-road tire, while SPORTEC 01 RS is the sharper, more performance-focused version intended for aggressive road use and occasional track days. Metzeler describes SPORTEC 01 as a tire for riders seeking strong dry performance, wet-weather behavior, precise handling, and road usability across varied conditions. SPORTEC 01 RS is described as the sportiest evolution of the range, developed for maximum dry grip, steering precision, and hard handling, while retaining road approval.

For sport touring riders, that distinction matters. These are sport and supersport tires, not touring or sport touring tires, and neither the press release nor Metzeler’s product pages state a projected mileage life comparable to what long-distance riders may expect from sport touring rubber. The SPORTEC 01 is the more versatile of the two, with Metzeler emphasizing wet-road behavior, road usability, and control in varied conditions. The SPORTEC 01 RS moves the range toward maximum dry grip, steering precision, and road-and-track use. Riders using sport bikes, naked bikes, or sport-oriented crossover motorcycles for aggressive back-road riding may find the SPORTEC 01 more relevant than the RS version. But sport touring riders prioritizing mileage, touring loads, broad weather versatility, and long-distance use should also compare Metzeler’s ROADTEC line, which Metzeler positions separately for touring and sport touring use.

SPORTEC 01: Sport Performance With Broader Road Use

The SPORTEC 01 is designed for riders who want a sporty tire that remains manageable in varied road conditions. Metzeler says it was developed to perform on wet roads with supersport-level feel, using DYNATREAD adaptive tread design technology, precise steering, and a patented supersport tread design.

Metzeler’s product page describes the SPORTEC 01 as offering performance from cold, wet urban riding through to track use, with grooves designed to evacuate water efficiently and a shorter warm-up time supported by high-silica compounds. The tire uses a dual-compound layout, with softer shoulders intended to increase grip during cornering and acceleration.

The press release describes SPORTEC 01 as a high-silica bi-compound tire on both front and rear. The front uses a more stable central zone for braking and more hysteretic shoulders for grip when leaned over. The rear uses a central band optimized for stability and mileage, with high-hysteresis shoulders for traction and acceleration.

Structurally, SPORTEC 01 uses a double rayon carcass and 0-degree steel belt at the front, and a single-ply rayon carcass with a 0-degree steel belt at the rear. Metzeler says the result is predictable, consistent behavior at every lean angle.

SPORTEC 01 RS: More Dry Grip, More Track-Day Intent

The SPORTEC 01 RS moves the same concept toward a more aggressive road-and-track application. Metzeler describes it as “forged in road-racing, built for the street,” and says it is the sharpest evolution of SPORTEC 01 for riders demanding the highest level of grip on the road. The product page places the tire in Metzeler’s “Road and racetrack” category.

Compared with SPORTEC 01, the RS uses a slicker, more compact tread design with a lower void-to-rubber ratio under load. Metzeler says this is intended to maximize the contact patch on dry surfaces and bring the tire’s behavior closer to that of a slick tire in the sportiest riding conditions.

The SPORTEC 01 RS also uses a sportier bi-compound arrangement. Its central zone uses full silica for stability, control, and road use, while the shoulders use carbon black-based racing compounds derived from Metzeler’s road racing experience, including the Isle of Man TT. Metzeler says those shoulder compounds are optimized for grip and stability while leaned over, while maintaining an operating window suitable for both road use and track days.

The RS structure is also different. Metzeler says SPORTEC 01 RS uses an evolved structure with PET materials, except for the 200/60 size, which uses rayon. That structure is designed for high-speed stability, steering precision, and control in extreme riding conditions.

Shared DYNATREAD Technology

Both tires use Metzeler’s DYNATREAD technology, a patented adaptive tread pattern system. Metzeler says the tread grooves dynamically close during braking, acceleration, and high-demand riding, increasing the tire’s footprint when more grip is needed. In less demanding use, the grooves remain available for water evacuation.

On the SPORTEC 01 product page, Metzeler says DYNATREAD allows grooves to compress at higher pace during braking or acceleration, increasing contact patch and lateral grip at high lean angles. At lower pace, the grooves support water evacuation, warm-up, comfort, and grip.

Both tires also share a unified front and rear tread pattern design, intended to provide consistent braking and acceleration behavior, coherent feedback, and predictable handling.

Sizes

Metzeler lists SPORTEC 01 in front 17-inch sizes including 110/70 ZR 17 and 120/70 ZR 17, with rear 17-inch sizes including 150/60 ZR 17, 160/60 ZR 17, 180/55 ZR 17, 190/50 ZR 17, 190/55 ZR 17, and 200/55 ZR 17.

SPORTEC 01 RS is listed in a narrower range of 17-inch sport sizes: 120/70 ZR 17 for the front, and 180/55 ZR 17, 190/55 ZR 17, 200/55 ZR 17, and 200/60 ZR 17 for the rear.

Bottom Line for Sport Touring Riders

Metzeler’s SPORTEC 01 and SPORTEC 01 RS both target riders who want a high-performance sport tire, but they do so with different priorities. SPORTEC 01 is the more versatile road-focused choice, with greater emphasis on wet behavior, control, and usability. SPORTEC 01 RS is the more aggressive option, with a stronger dry-grip and road-racetrack orientation.

For sport touring riders, the SPORTEC 01 may be the more relevant of the two if the motorcycle and riding style lean toward sport performance and twisty-road use. Riders whose priorities include higher mileage, touring comfort, weather range, and long-distance travel should also compare Metzeler’s ROADTEC sport touring line before choosing a tire.