Reise TraceRad Tyres: Track Review: Looks Can Be Deceiving

Reise Moto has launched the TraceRad steel-belted radial tyres in India. These are currently available in sizes common for the sub-500cc bikes. The new Reise tyres are priced at Rs 6,199 for the rear tyre and Rs 5,199 for the front tyre. At the price, these are cheaper than the steel-belted radial-tyres from some of the other more popular brands. 

However, unlike some of their rivals, these are single-compound tyres. Meaning, the surface rubber is made of the same compound all over - from the centre to the shoulder. On the contrary, the dual-compound tyres have the surface rubber made of two types of compounds – most commonly, a harder compound on the centre for increased longevity, and a softer compound on the shoulder for better cornering grip. 

Steel-belted radials are better than regular radial tyres since these are stiffer and less prone to flexing. This allows for better tyre feedback, and inspires more confidence. This is due to the steel belts within the tyre carcass that increase the rigidity and strength of the tyres. Visually, these tyres are like semi-slick tyres from the more expensive brands. However looks can be deceiving. 

But fortunately, it’s not the case with these tyres. We had a chance to test these tyres at CoASTT High Performance Centre racetrack in Coimbatore. It was a cold morning and it had just rained in and around Coimbatore. This meant the track was damp when our session began. Cold tyres and a damp track is not really a recipe for a fun track day. However, I am happy to report that the TraceRads did not leave me scared on my out-lap. It became better as the laps flew by and the tyres got warmer. The CoASTT has a flowing layout, and is wider than some of the other tracks in the country; it also barely has a couple of tight corners that need you to shift down to first or second gear. That means it's a fast track where you can quite literally belt out a bike once you get into the rhythm. 

The tyres add to the flickability of the bike – a newer-gen KTM RC 390 is what we were riding – and let you have more fun around the corners. Even an inexperienced track rider like me could hang off the seat around the corners and come out with a wide grin on my face. The TraceRads inspire enough confidence to let you explore the edge of the tyre grip on a track – on one that’s also damp. 

However, there’s a world of difference between a damp racetrack and a wet real-world road. The groove pattern on these tyres look premium, and makes these tyres look like semi-slicks. Which also means, there are no connected grooves to draw out water from under the tyre. That said, this is in no way an indicator of how these tyres will perform in the real-world on a wet road. Like I said, looks can be deceiving. 

Reise Moto has launched these tyres in just two sizes for now: 110/70 – R17 for the front and 150/60 – R17 for the rear. These would fit the likes of KTM Duke and RC range, TVS Apache RR 310, Bajaj Dominar, Aprilia RS 457, and more. We are told the brand will soon bring out more sizes for bigger capacity bikes. 

The Reise TraceRad should definitely be on your list if you are looking for track tyres that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. But I cannot yet comment on their real-world performance without testing them on our everyday roads – something I am very keen on doing soon. That aside, tyre technology has come a long way in the last 2 decades and nobody really makes bad tyres that you would regret buying – unless maybe those made by brands with no credibility. And before we part, you might like that these tyres are offered with a 6-year standard warranty.