Pirelli confirms Phantom Sportscomp tyres as OE fitment on new Royal Enfield 650cc twins

Pirelli has expanded its partnership with Royal Enfield. The tyre manufacturer has confirmed original equipment  (OE) fitment of its Pirelli Phantom Sportscomp tyres on the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 café racer and Interceptor INT 650 roadster showcased last week at EICMA 2017 in Milan. The two latest Enfields will be shod with the Pirelli tyres in 100/90-18 M/C 56H TL front and 130/70-18 M/C 63H TL rear size.  

Previous Royal Enfield models which are shod with Pirellis are the Himalayan adventure bike (Pirelli MT 60) and Continental GT 500 (Pirelli Sport Demon). 

Phantom Sportscomp is part of a line of historical tyres of the Pirelli Sport Classic range, which includes the MT 60™ and Sport Demon  tyres, developed to respond to the heritage trends and chosen by motorcycle manufacturers and customisers, to equip modern café racers, medium-powered custom bikes and modern classics.

Pirelli says it has revised the Phantom Sportscomp radically, combining the sporting origin of the Sportscomp with timeless charm and style, thus giving rise to a Sport Classic line within the Supersport segment. Among the strengths of this tyre include the easy handling and change in direction, stable and predictable behaviour under acceleration and braking, being able to transmit power to the ground and regular wear combined to excellent mileage.

Meanwhile, in what is a test of the tyres’ performance, an expedition of the Pirelli Motorcycle Testing Department has reached, with two Royal Enfield Himalayan motorcycles equipped with Pirelli MT 60 tyres, the Khardung La Pass. At 5,359 metres (17,582 ft) high, it has long been considered the highest vehicle-accessible pass in the world.

The adventure was realised by Salvo Pennisi, Director of Testing and Technical Relations for Pirelli Motorcycle Division, and by Vincenzo Bonaccorsi, who for Pirelli is the tester responsible for the Original Equipment projects in the Asia-Pacific area.