Words: Guy Streeter

Pirelli recently introduced the all-new Scorpion MX32 Mid Soft tyre with an official launch held at a unique private facility on the Gold Coast. MotoOnline was on location to put the tyres through their paces for this Tested review.

The event served as a dynamic test session – a rare approach for a tyre launch – with an impressive industry turnout that included motorcycle options from a range of manufacturers, plus KTM Racing Team’s Nathan Crawford was also on hand for the experience.

The tyre made its Australian debut during the early stages of the 2025 Australian ProMX Championship earlier this year with the KTM Racing Team, and it has since impressed — with Crawford delivering some of his best rides to date, as well as MX2 teammate Noah Ferguson in particular.

The Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid Soft is an upgraded tyre developed from the ground up, highlighted by a noticeably revised tread pattern, along with an all-new carcass and compound that improves traction and directional stability. Pirelli’s key focus with the new tyre was to enhance braking, cornering, and traction under acceleration.

The redesigned front tread delivers better ground penetration, which increases grip and improves control during braking. Easier cornering has been achieved by modifying the central knobs on the front tyre, resulting in greater stability and quicker turn-in, giving the rider more confidence on corner exit.

One of the standout and most visible updates is to the rear tyre, with its semi-scoop appearance aimed at improving lateral grip and torsional rigidity, helping the bike launch more effectively and maintain better control under acceleration – even in the dirt track-type environment that we were met with at the intro.

Combined with a newly-developed compound and updated knob geometry, the result is more consistent performance on medium to hard surfaces. Our experience on track was unique and memorable, situated at Troy Bayliss’ home on the Gold Coast with two separate flat tracks used for testing.

Conditions were prime – even if not a direct benchmark for motocross use – the tracks were perfectly prepped, plus Yamaha, KTM, Husqvarna, GasGas, Kawasaki and Beta all supplied bikes for the occasion, each fitted with the new Pirelli Scorpion MX32 Mid Soft tyre.

Testing on a flat track in some ways eliminates variables, allowing us to repeatedly hit the same lines lap after lap without much change. That gave us the opportunity to focus on small adjustments to bike lean angle, etc, and really get a sense of how the tyres felt at speed.

Image: Supplied.

On dirt track at least, front-end traction was both precise and forgiving, offering clear feedback before losing grip — it wasn’t a guessing game of whether you had traction or not. On corner exit, the rear tyre offered plenty of drive, and I can confirm there was no shortage of roost from anyone riding in front of me during the test.

The new Scorpion MX32 Mid Soft is available in multiple variants, being 80/100-21 M/C 51M MST at the front ($155.95 RRP), in addition to 100/90-19 NHS57M, 110/90-19 NHS62M, 120/80-19 NHS63M and 120/90-19 NHS 66M rear ($189.95 RRP) tyre options. Both are available now, distributed locally by Link International. Visit www.pirelli.com for additional details.