Pair of front and rear pneumatic tires for motorcycles and method of improving the performance on both wet and dry ground of a motorcycle equipped with said pair

A pair of pneumatic tires for a motorcycle, comprising:

• a front tire;
• and
• a rear tire;
• wherein each tire comprises a tread band provided with a plurality of grooves,
• wherein the tread band of the front tire comprises:
• at least one circumferential groove;
• and
• a plurality of transverse grooves;
• wherein the at least one circumferential groove extends at an equatorial plane of the front tire within a central zone of the tread band of the front tire,
• wherein the central zone of the tread band of the front tire extends astride the equatorial plane of the front tire,
• wherein the transverse grooves comprise axially inner ends lying within the central zone of the tread band of the front tire,
• wherein the transverse grooves alternately extend from the central zone of the tread band of the front tire toward axially opposite shoulder zones of the tread band of the front tire,
• wherein the axially opposite shoulder zones of the tread band of the front tire are axial external to the central zone of the tread band of the front tire,
• wherein at least some of the transverse grooves are connected to the at least one circumferential groove,
• wherein the tread band of the rear tire comprises:
• an area defining a substantially null sea/land ratio within a central zone of the tread band of the rear tire;
• wherein the central zone of the tread band of the rear tire extends astride an equatorial plane of the rear tire, and
• wherein the central zone of the tread band of the rear tire has a width greater than or equal to about 5% and less than or equal to about 30% of an axial development of the tread band of the rear tire.

A method of improving performance on both wet and dry ground of a motorcycle, the motorcycle comprising a pair of pneumatic tires mounted on respective front and rear wheels of the motorcycle;

• the pair of tires comprising:
• a front tire;
• and
• a rear tire;
• wherein each tire comprises a tread band provided with a plurality of grooves,
• the method comprising:
• enhancing water-draining capacity of the front tire under a ground contacting area within a central zone of the tread band of the front tire;
• and
• enhancing traction capacity of the rear tire by providing a substantially null sea/land ratio within a central zone of the tread band of the rear tire;
• wherein the central zone of the tread band of the front tire extends astride an equatorial plane of the front tire, and
• wherein the central zone of the tread band of the rear tire extends astride an equatorial plane of the rear tire.