Pirelli Aims to Test New MotoGP Tyres with 2027 Bikes and Full-Time Riders Before Summer
Pirelli MotoGP tyre testing is set to step up as the Italian tyre maker aims to evaluate its next-generation rubber on 2027 specification bikes with full-time riders before the summer break.
Pirelli is working closely with MotoGP organisers and teams to refine its tyre solutions for the all-new class that will debut in the 2027 season, featuring new bike specifications and more powerful engines. The plan is to carry out extensive on-track testing early in the year to gather real-world data and improve tyre performance under race conditions. (motorsport.com)
The tests will involve a selection of current MotoGP riders, providing consistent feedback that Pirelli engineers will use to perfect tyre compounds, construction, and tread patterns. Feedback from professional riders under race-like conditions is considered essential to ensure the tyres meet the performance, grip, and durability demands of premier-class racing. (motorsport.com)
Pirelli’s testing approach reflects the increasing complexity of modern MotoGP tyre development, where factors like surface temperatures, bike electronics, and aerodynamic changes must all be balanced against tyre wear, heat management, and rider safety. The tyres are expected to play a major role in 2027 competitiveness, with teams seeking the best balance between grip and longevity. (motorsport.com)
In addition to performance criteria, Pirelli will focus on how the new tyres handle across different tracks and layouts, aiming to reduce performance variance and ensure consistent behaviour in dry and variable conditions. The tyre maker also hopes that early testing with full-time riders will accelerate the feedback loop and shorten development time before homologation. (motorsport.com)
Editor’s View
The news of Pirelli MotoGP tyre testing ahead of the 2027 season is important not just for racing fans, but also for the wider two-wheeler tyre ecosystem. MotoGP represents the pinnacle of motorcycle competition, featuring cutting-edge technology, extreme stress on tyres, and an environment that pushes compounds and constructions to their limits.
For tyre manufacturers, success in MotoGP is both a technical achievement and a branding asset. The lessons learned on track, about grip thresholds, wear patterns, thermal behavior, and construction resilience, often trickle down into high-performance road and sport bike tyres. Testing next-generation tyres with full-time riders and 2027 bikes before summer means Pirelli can hit the ground running during the season, reducing surprises and ensuring the tyres deliver consistency and safety at racing speeds.
From a tyre industry perspective, this approach underlines a broader shift toward data-driven development. Where once tyre makers might have relied more on laboratory testing, today’s race-focused programmes integrate continuous rider feedback, advanced simulations, and iterative on-track work. It’s this blend of science and real-world testing that accelerates innovation, and that’s something the whole tyre sector benefits from, from racing circuits all the way to everyday roads.
