This tyre has been mentioned a few times on here, but I cannot see that anyone has done any mileage on them yet. One forum member sold his set quite quickly, not liking them particularly. So, is there any update from forum members who have had a set of these and have now done a few miles in varied conditions ? Currently I have the Continental Trail Attack 3 on the bike - which have been on all the previous winter, now a + 3,000 mile summer road trip completed - a fantastic tyre really. Quite happy to put another set on the bike. Just wondering what the story is with the Scorpion Trail 3. Thanks.
Decided to bite the bullet and buy a set to see how they roll - as it were. Rode into the dealership with Continental Trail Attack 3 on the bike, with just over 7,000 miles on them - showing some signs of squaring off, but still plenty of life left in them. They have been great. They warm up quickly, they are grippy, with excellent wet weather performance. They do drop in a little bit. But they are a heavy tyre though. Probably very puncture resistant - but definitely on the heavy side. I picked them up before they went on the bike - I thought these Contis are heavy - which brings me on to the Pirelli Scorpion Trail III. I picked the Pirellis up before they went on the bike, just to judge the weight, and the front seemed very light, the rear no so much - maybe about normal for an adventure tyre, but not as heavy as the Contis. Collected the bike after an hour and it was noticeable straightaway that the Pirellis are much lighter to change direction. The drop in is very neutral, no shocks as the tyre suddenly drops off - none of that. Just very neutral. That the Pirelli front tyre, was much lighter than the Conti TA 3, was immediately obvious - very flick-able side to side. Really nice. Rode all round those lovely roads on the Isle of Wight - radiating out from Newport / Carisbrooke / Military Road - as well as parts of Dorset / Hampshire / Salisbury (some of it in the rain). Roads are warm and grippy at this time of year - so no issues with warm up times. And no 100 mph getting the knee down Marquez style - just out riding the bike on some great roads. Very pleased with them. Some pictures: Day 1
You should try Dunlop Mutant’s next. Having had them on my Multi V4S (3rd set now) there’s no way I’d go back to Pirelli Scorpions.
Maybe right. I put Dunlop Mutants on my XT660 X - way back when - probably when they first came out ! I don't think they are available to fit my bike though. I need a 100 / 90 / 19 front for the Triumph
I’ve just done 2 months round Europe on a set of Trail 3’s Took far too much luggage & it was on my GS. However; they performed brilliantly for 6000 miles in thunderstorms, sketchy over-banded & split Austrian roads and light gravel. Now a bit squared off but very happy with them. They’re the 2nd set I’ve had.
I am 1500 miles into my second set of Scorpion 3s on a Rally, I really quite like them and they performed briliantly on a trackday at Donny
That is a fair old test then - and a repeat customer for them as well. Good to hear your trip on the "panzer" went well ! It gets better - used on a trackday as well. And another repeatt customer for these tyres. Thanks for your valuable input. Getting the feeling now of money well spent
Just my view but tried the Scorpion 3 and took them off . I found the front vague compared to the TA3 , the set reminded me of the ST2 , same feel . If you like to push on a bit , this is not the tyre . TA3 much better and drops lower . The Scorpions seemed to run out of rubber on the front before the rear , for me thats a no no.
Just wondering what size front you had ? I have 19 inch front on mine. Not sure that running out of tyre is going to be an issue for me, on an adventure bike. But fair enough if that is an issue for you. I had Michelin 6 on the KTM 1290 SAS and figured I was paying for a lot of rubber that was not being used - ever. So took them off and put something more useful on. Personally I am happy with the much lighter feel of the Scorpion III compared to the Conti TA3 - especially noticeable on a 19 inch front wheel.
V4s Grand Tour 19 front , just felt the Scor 3 were less sporty , but we all have our views. The front felt awkward / resisting when pushing , the TA 3 just drops in. I noticed no chance of peg scrap with the ST3 but will with the TA3 , which for me is a better tyre . But again we all have choices , and put out my point in case others would feel the same.
@Captain It is very interesting to hear your views. You must have a lot of riding experience. I do not doubt what you say, it is rather that what you say is "outside my performance envelope " at least since sliding the KTM 1290 down the road a few years ago About the tyres - I remember from when I changed the stock tyres for the TA3 - the slight drop in was immediately noticeable - compared the basic stock Metzelers that came on the bike. At last some feel for what is happening ! Equally, it was immediately obvious to me that the Scorpion Trail 3 is a lighter tyre than the same size Conti. I rode to the dealership - went and had Tea & Toast - came back an hour later to collect the bike. The difference was immediately obvious - I had been riding the bike with Contis on about an hour before. I thought these are sweet, nice and light - great first impressions. Granted some riders, who want to push on, might find other characteristics they like / don't like . Personally I was really glad that I liked them straight away rather than thinking I have just made a £400 mistake.
I was in a similar situation and took the Scorpion 3's off after 2500 miles. They felt vague and wooden to me, definitely not confidence inspiring. Cold / wet they felt horrible. On Captains advice I am now on Conti TA3. Had TA3 of Africa Twin and Triumph Tiger before and rated them then
Hi everyone. I'll tell you about my experience with the Scorpion Trail III tires. After approximately 9,500 km and having read reviews and specifications, I opted to buy the set of Scorpion Trail III tires, especially considering that although they are touring tires, the 3 version is more geared towards asphalt than gravel. I ride the motorcycle with friends on the highway at high speeds; 220 to 270 km/h and a bit. Flat out! With the Scorpion Trail II tires, the motorcycle barely moved at high speeds. With the Scorpion Trail III tires, things changed for the worse. When I'm going 180 km/h and I give it full throttle, the motorcycle starts doing strange things; the front end feels light and it seems like it wants to shimmy. It slows down a bit, and around 220 km/h it does the same thing. The dashboard light flashes yellow. I ride it in Sport mode by default, with the helmet symbol on. A horrible, dreadful feeling. I decided to go to the dealership to have them check if the tires were properly seated and if the wheels were mounted correctly. Everything was fine. They suggested I test them one at a time, adjusting tire pressure, suspension settings (from medium to very firm in the rear and firm in the front), and the riding modes. But except for Touring mode, which was somewhat more manageable, the bike became unmanageable. I don't know if the tires have a defect, but my experience with the Scorpion Trail 3s has been very bad. And they're practically new with only 1000 km on them. I'm waiting for Pirelli to call me to come and get the Scorpion Trail 2s fitted so I can enjoy the bike like before. Last weekend I went out with friends, and three of them had the same bike with its stock tires (SCT 2s) and were doing 250/270 km/h without any problems. I couldn't go over 230/240 km/h because it was dangerous. Well, I hope my experience is helpful. Greetings to all.
I believe the Scorpion Trail III tyres are V rated so only up to 240kph so sounds like they are performing as rated, perhaps if you are looking at consistently doing these speeds then you should consider a more road and sport related tyre.
Hi. When I bought the bike, I didn't realize the front tire was V-shaped and the rear was W-shaped. I checked with the Pirelli dealer in Argentina and also with the Ducati dealer, and they told me that with the V-shaped tread pattern, the bike shouldn't do what it does when I accelerate hard. It only happens when I'm going 180 km/h and open the throttle fully, and it didn't happen with the ST2s. Another possibility is that it's a defect in my tire. It's a relatively new tire with few reviews, and it's also true that most people ride a Multistrada V4S not to go 240/270 km/h, but rather at an average speed of 180 km/h with gradual acceleration. I have to take the bike in this week to get the tires changed again to go back to the ST2s, and then I'll give you my impressions. Have a good day.
Maybe see if you can get a chance to feel how heavy they are when they have been taken off. And if possible compare the weight to the ST2. When I picked up the ST3 ( in my hand ) the front felt very light weight, which was great for twisty "A" roads - changed direction really nicely. Tyres deform at higher speeds due to centrifugal swelling and higher temperatures, affecting the contact patch and the profile. I think you might be asking too much of them at those speeds.
