Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 – First Look

Two new iterations for Pirelli’s top-end supersport tire are coming in April 2023, the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 SC and SP.

Pirelli has just taken the wraps off their fourth generation of Diablo Supercorsa for 2023. Building on the success of the Diablo Supercorsa brand, which has sold more than 3.5 million tires since it first hit the market in 2007 as a direct spin-off from Pirelli’s involvement in WorldSBK as the control tire supplier, the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 series will feature two versions in the track-specific SC (Special Compound) and road-orientated SP (Sport Production).

Both versions share the same, revised tread design, but there are some key differences between them. First, let’s look at the SC.

The Diablo Supercorsa SC is the tire commonly used in production superstock racing (most international championships than run in the Stock 1000/600 classes use treaded tires, excluding MotoAmerica).

Compared to the SP, the SC uses wider section structural cords made up of a high number of textile fibers braided together with different tensions to give the tire greater rigidity and shock-absorbing capabilities. Using the Pirelli Superbike slick as the base, the SC uses the same profile and geometry Pirelli claims offers greater turn in speed, faster directional changes, and better high speed stability compared to the outgoing Diablo Supercorsa SP V3.

The SCs are designed to run at Pirelli’s prescribed hot/of the tire warmer pressures of 2.3 bar at the front and 2.1 at the rear (33 psi/30 psi) but can be lowered safely to suit track conditions and bike set-up.

The tread design has been changed slightly compared to the old V3, which utilized a continual, unbroken groove from the shoulder to the center of the tire. The V4 uses Pirelli’s new Flash Design, where the single groove is sliced in two at the mid-point to offer a small slick section that Pirelli claims offers increased rigidity, reduces deformation under braking and accelerating, and gives greater acceleration grip.

Like the V3, the V4’s grooves don’t go right to the edge of the tire and give a small slick section for high grip when leaned right over.

The SC will come in three compounds — the soft SC1 for high temperatures and smooth asphalt; medium SC2 for low temps and quite abrasive asphalt; and the hardest SC3, intended for long track sessions but not ideal for race use.

Although running the same tread design as the SC, one of the SP’s biggest differences is the dual compound front tire, a production first for Pirelli. With the SP’s forte mainly being high mileage road use, the dual front should increase mileage and help maintain a more even level of performance in hot and cold conditions.

Both the SP’s front and rear tires use a 100 percent carbon black central and base compound with the softer compound shoulders, the same as the SC3’s, layered on top. The same dual compound structure is used in the SP’s rear tire.

The Diablo Supercorsa SC now sits second on the list of Pirelli sportbike tires behind the race-only Diablo Superbike slick, with the Diablo Supercorsa SP third. For more street-focused riding, there’s the Diablo Rosso IV Corsa and the Diablo Rosso IV (see chart) for each tire’s breakdown.

The new range of Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa V4 SC and SP tires will be available in April of 2023, prices are yet to be confirmed.

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