Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR - Bike Travel Adventures Magazine

It’s been a while since I used dual-purpose tires that impressed me as much as the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR I’m currently riding. Whether on asphalt or dirt roads, the results have been remarkable.

Performance on Asphalt

Let’s start with the asphalt—my least favorite surface but an unavoidable one in daily life. These tires make me feel like I’m riding with street-specific rubber instead of 50/50 dual-purpose tires. The grip when accelerating is exceptional, and whether I’m leaning into a curve, weaving through city traffic, or seeing if they’ll slip coming out of a wet curb, the Scorpion Rally STR has continued to impress.

This performance is thanks to Pirelli’s advanced rubber compound: with a high silica content, this tire ensures reliable grip on both dry and wet surfaces, providing stability and abrasion resistance. The Trail-Road structure and larger contact area with the road also contribute to a notably stable feel on pavement, boosting confidence when leaning into sharper angles.

Performance on Dirt and Gravel

Now, onto the fun part: dirt and gravel roads. Here too, the Scorpion Rally STR has left me speechless. I wasn’t expecting such great off-road performance from a tire that handles asphalt so well, but it has proven to be exceptional on loose terrain.

Thanks to an innovative knob layout—where the blocks are longer and wider and the spacing between each row of knobs is reduced—these tires have more contact with the ground without compromising off-road traction. This translates to stability and solid grip, even on softer ground. As I gained confidence, I noticed the tire maintained great traction on compact surfaces and surprisingly also on looser stretches. Opening the throttle to get out of a tricky spot, the bike responded with a strong, steady push forward.

Technology and Innovation

These tires perfectly balance rally capabilities with street performance. Pirelli has implemented innovations that provide optimal traction on dirt, high-speed stability, and agile handling on the road. The even distribution of heat across a larger surface area helps prevent premature knob wear, making these tires well-suited for long journeys across diverse terrains. This blend of on-road performance and off-road capability makes them perfect for riders seeking a limitless riding experience.

Conclusion

So far, the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR seems like an excellent choice to keep permanently mounted on my 790. Though I still need to test them on mud and sand, I have nothing but praise for these tires so far. The Scorpion Rally STR strikes an ideal balance, making it a top contender for riders seeking both road finesse and off-road grit in a single tire.