Pirelli has unveiled the Angel GT III, the fourth generation of its radial sport-touring tire. The headline changes are easier handling, better wet-weather grip, and more consistent performance as the tread wears, along with a new rear tread pattern intended to last longer and roll more quietly. Pirelli plans to have the GT III in stores in early 2027. US sizes and prices haven’t been announced.
The GT III is the latest step in a line that started with the Angel ST. The Angel GT followed in 2013, with Pirelli claiming about 30% more mileage than the ST. The Angel GT II came in 2019 with high-silica compounds and a tread pattern derived from Pirelli’s World Superbike intermediate race tires.
“Soft Handling”
Pirelli puts handling at the top of the list. The goal is a motorcycle that feels more intuitive, smoother, and less demanding to ride, whether the trip is a commute or a long day of touring. Pirelli calls the characteristic “soft handling”.
Wet Grip and Consistent Wear
Wet performance got particular attention. Pirelli designed the GT III to give riders confidence and control on wet roads and in other low-grip conditions, building on the wet-weather gains of the earlier Angels. The company hasn’t said what changed in the compounds or construction to get there.
Pirelli also worked on consistency over the life of the tire. The GT III is intended to keep its handling characteristics more uniform as the tread wears down, not just when the tire is new.
Quieter Rear Tire
The rear tire gets a new tread pattern aimed at two touring priorities: longer life and less rolling noise. Pirelli’s reasoning is that a quieter tire means less fatigue on long rides, which helps comfort and control alike.
The tread pattern reworks the graphic elements that identify the Angel family, and the sidewall gets a high-contrast treatment with the Angel logo and “Gran Turismo” lettering. Pirelli uses the term the Italian way: traveling quickly, comfortably, and in style.
Riding Partners for the Angel GT III
Pirelli developed the GT III for modern mid- and large-displacement sport-touring, crossover, and naked motorcycles. The GT III size list isn’t out yet. These six current models all run sizes the Angel GT II is sold in, and the GT III is aimed at the same machines.
BMW R 1300 RT. BMW’s 1300cc boxer tourer weighs 620 pounds fueled and is built to cover long distances two-up with luggage, the job a Gran Turismo tire is made for. It runs a 120/70-17 front and a 190/55-17 rear.
Kawasaki Ninja 1100SX. A fully faired 1099cc inline-4 sport-tourer, it uses a 120/70-17 front and a 190/50-17 rear.
Yamaha Tracer 9. The 890cc triple crossover-tourer rolls on a 120/70-17 front and a 180/55-17 rear.
Triumph Tiger Sport 800. This 798cc triple crossover, offered in standard and Tour versions, takes a 120/70-17 front and a 180/55-17 rear.
Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE. The 1099cc inline-4 crossover, with electronically controlled suspension, uses a 120/70-17 front and a 180/55-17 rear.
Yamaha MT-09. The 890cc triple naked bike ships on Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23s in a 120/70-17 front and a 180/55-17 rear. Riders who commute on an MT-09 can trade sport rubber for a tire designed around wet grip and consistency over its life.
When we have a full list of available sizes and prices for the Pirelli Angel GT III, we will share them.
Honda CB1000F + Sabatino Moto at Mecum + Peter Egan
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello and welcome again to the Motos and Friends Podcast, my name is Arthur Coldwells. Our subjects this episode can best be described as ‘iconic’.
Honda motorcycles recently launched the all-new CB1000F, a retro-styled inline-4 roadster that created an absolute social media sensation when it was announced. The er… iconic(!) styling is of course an homage to Freddie Spencer’s 1980/81 AMA CB750 Superbike with its swooping lines and silver paint with blue accents. Freddie rode the superbike so ferociously that sometimes he’d bend the handlebars at high speed. Jonathan Handler rode the new bike recently, and although he didn’t quite do that, he did however have an apparently very spirited ride that left him impressed. The new CB1000F is clearly an outstanding motorcycle, and Jonathan gives us the lowdown on exactly why you’re going to have make space in your garage for one of them.
* * * * *
The annual Mecum Motorcycle auction in Las Vegas is now an ahem… iconic event, yet many people believe it’s aimed at only very serious buyers with very deep pockets. Of course the really expensive vintage motorcycles are the ones that grab the headlines, but interestingly, there is way more to the Mecum Vegas auction than you’ve probably heard. There are also hundreds much more modestly-priced bikes as well, with a strong chance you could pick up a dream bargain if you play your cards right. For this episode, I found Eric Sabatino, who started Sabatino Moto in Portland Oregon a few years ago. It rapidly became one of the top Royal Enfield dealers in the country. Eric went to mecum Las Vegas for the first time earlier this year and was blown away by what he found. The auction ended with him winning a classic BSA, and admits it was such a good deal he feels like he practically stole it. Clearly going to Mecum was an eye-opening experience for him and quite different from what he’d been led to expect. Eric tells us all about his experience and how you too might be able to have the bike of your dreams follow you home this coming February.
* * * * *
This episode’s guest is Peter Egan, the (dare-I-say) iconic American writer whose 40-year career specialized in motorcycle and automotive journalism with magazines Cycle World and Road & Track. I’m sure you’re familiar with Peter’s writing as he’s published many, many books. Peter is of course a natural story-teller, and he chats with Teejay Adams on how he got started, a look back at his amazing career, and some of his adventures along the way. Peter is also a pilot, and recently published another book, Landings in America: Two People, One Summer, and a Piper Cub, and his anecdotes from that are just as entertaining too.
* * * * *
Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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