Mitas Sport Force+ EV Score
The Mitas Sport Force+ EV is the "Enigma" of the hypersport segment. As an evolution of the standard Sport Force+, it positions itself as a budget-friendly alternative to the premium big brands, promising racetrack-ready performance and rapid warm-up times. However, our extensive testing on the GasGas SM 700 revealed a tire that is brilliantly capable one moment and puzzlingly inconsistent the next.
The Good
- Good price
- Racetrack use possible
- Resistant
- High mileage
The Bad
- Feedback missing
- Unpredictable
- Inconsistent behavior
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Grip Dry
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Grip Wet
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Warm-Up
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Handling
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Mileage
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Value for Money
The Mitas Sport Force+ EV is a hypersport tire designed for extremely sporty road riding and occasional racetrack use. According to Mitas, the Sport Force+ EV focuses on very short warm‑up times, ensuring excellent grip at all lean angles as quickly as possible. At the same time, the compound is engineered to maintain traction and high‑speed stability even after prolonged, intense use.
How does the Mitas Sport Force+ EV perform in real sporty riding on the GasGas SM 700? We tested the tire extensively and thoroughly – and here are the results in our full Mitas Sport Force+ EV review.
Table of Contents
Technologies of the Mitas Sport Force+ EV
The Mitas Sport Force+ EV is the evolution of the standard Sport Force+. According to the manufacturer, it is suitable for both street and racetrack use. It targets experienced riders – even those on high‑displacement motorcycles – who demand performance and occasionally ride on track.
The Sport Force+ EV uses a special Multi Compound Technology (MCTT) designed for extremely short warm‑up times, providing maximum grip at all lean angles as quickly as possible. The compound is also engineered to maintain traction and high‑speed stability even after long, intense sessions. A carefully balanced silica content ensures adequate wet grip.
For racetrack use, Mitas recommends tire warmers for at least 50 minutes at 80°C, highlighting the tire’s very sporty compound. For comparison: the Dunlop Sportsmart TT (a 50/50 road/track tire) is designed to be used without warmers.
Multi Compound Technology (MCTT)
- Multiple compound zones across the tire
- Optimized traction at high operating temperatures
- Maximum grip at extreme lean angles
Silica Content
- Ensures acceptable wet grip despite the tire’s very sporty orientation
Mitas Sport Force+ EV Review
Let’s set the stage: the Mitas Sport Force+ EV promises sharper handling and improved stability over its predecessor – now it’s time to see how it performs in the real world.
Grip on Dry Roads
Dry grip on the Mitas Sport Force+ EV is highly temperature‑dependent. When the tire is properly warmed up – and ambient temperatures are high – the Sport Force+ EV sticks to the asphalt extremely well. Although the tire warms up quickly, it still requires high temperatures to reach its true performance window, which can only be achieved and maintained during very sporty riding.
If the tire is not in its ideal temperature range, unpredictable slides can occur. In our test, we experienced several small moments of lost grip at both the front and rear. The Sport Force+ EV is the only tire so far that managed to trigger the cornering ABS on the GasGas SM 700 during trail braking.
At low temperatures, it was extremely difficult to get the tire up to proper temperature and pressure. We recommend increasing tire pressure by 0.1 bar compared to hot days.
The compound is very hard when cold, but becomes soft and sticky as it heats up. This is great for the racetrack – but on relaxed country‑road rides, it’s difficult to keep the tire in its ideal window, especially on lightweight supermotos under 100 hp. Heavy supersport bikes may have a completely different experience.
Overall Dry Grip Summary
The Sport Force+ EV’s grip is inconsistent:
- occasional slides
- ABS and traction‑control interventions
- alternating with moments of perfect, glue‑like grip
Grip on Wet Roads
Wet grip is significantly limited. Rain usually comes with lower temperatures – and the Sport Force+ EV is extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations. The silica center strip provides acceptable grip for normal riding. However:
- sporty lean angles should be avoided
- strong acceleration in the wet is risky
- overall wet performance is mediocre for a hypersport tire
For relaxed riding in rain showers, the grip is sufficient. But competitors like the Bridgestone Battlax S22 are far superior in the wet – which is understandable given the Sport Force+ EV’s lower price and racetrack‑oriented compound.
Braking Characteristics
Braking performance depends heavily on tire pressure.
Front Tire
- With high pressure, the tire works too little → poor braking grip, weak feedback
- With lower pressure, braking improves significantly → better deceleration, more feedback
Once the correct pressure is found, braking performance is perfectly acceptable.
Rear Tire
When hot, the rear brake performance is strong. Rear‑wheel sliding requires a lot of force – once the tire is in its temperature window.
Riding Comfort
The Sport Force+ EV is not a touring tire – and it doesn’t try to be.
- Rolls firm and stiff
- Damping is acceptable but far behind competitors like S22, Power 6, or Rosso IV
- Comfort improves noticeably with lower tire pressure
Tire Wear
In moderate street riding, the Sport Force+ EV shows virtually no wear. Only when the tire is ridden very hot and very aggressively does the surface begin to roughen and bond with the asphalt – exactly as a racetrack‑oriented tire should. Under extreme heat and load, the tread edges may break slightly, but this is not problematic.
Overall, the wear pattern suggests the Sport Force+ EV is built for extreme stress. Even multiple racetrack sessions should not negatively affect wear.
Mileage
The Mitas Sport Force+ EV achieved 238.6 km per 0.1 mm of tread wear in our test. Based on a measured new tread depth of 5.0 mm front and 5.5 mm rear, with a wear limit of 1.6 mm, the following mileages are possible under sporty road use on small displacement bikes:
- Front: 8,112 km
- Rear: 9,305 km
Riding Stability / Cornering Stability
Overall stability of the Mitas Sport Force+ EV is perfectly acceptable. Even in tight hairpins, the hypersport tire remains stable. At higher speeds and deep lean angles, the Mitas holds its line well and allows clean mid‑corner corrections.
However, on the GasGas SM 700 we noticed a slight tendency to “tip in,” which can be mitigated by lowering tire pressure.
Agility / Turn‑in Behavior
The Mitas Sport Force+ EV offers generally agile turn‑in and can be steered precisely into the corner. With higher tire pressure, the front becomes very agile – but also a bit twitchy and less precise. With lower pressure, the razor‑sharp agility decreases, but feedback and stability at lean improve. Tire pressure adjustments directly influence the handling characteristics.
Uprighting Tendency
The Mitas Sport Force+ EV behaves extremely neutrally in all riding situations. Throughout our entire test, we did not experience any uprighting tendency when braking at lean. Although the GasGas SM 700 typically tends to stand up under braking (e.g., with the Attack SM Evo), the Mitas remains exemplary and does not stand up even under hard trail braking.
Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is a critical topic with the Mitas Sport Force+ EV. We quickly learned that this tire is for riders who enjoy fine‑tuning. Even small pressure changes have major effects on grip and handling. Mitas – and we – recommend running lower pressures than usual.
Mitas’ own guidance emphasizes experimentation:
“Use our hot and cold pressure recommendations as orientation until you find the best pressure combination for your motorcycle, track conditions, and riding style.”
Ideal Pressures on GasGas SM 700 (determined in our test)
Warm pressures:
- Front: 2.1 bar
- Rear: 2.0 bar
Cold equivalents:
- Front: ~1.9 bar
- Rear: ~1.7 bar
Recommended Tire Pressure – GasGas SM 700 (Sport Force+ EV)
- Front: Cold 1.9 bar at 25°C+ (2.1 bar hot)
- Rear: Cold 1.7 bar at 25°C+ (2.0 bar hot)
On the supermoto, we found a hot pressure range of 2.1–2.55 bar to work well:
- Higher pressure → more agility, less feedback
- Lower pressure → more stability, feedback, and braking confidence
Heavier bikes (supersports, superbikes) should start with Mitas’ official table. If in doubt, racetrack cold pressures can also be tested — though for heavy bikes we recommend the upper end of the cold‑pressure range.
Note: For racetrack use, Mitas recommends tire warmers for at least 50 minutes at 80°C.
Mitas Sport Force+ EV Experiences
The Mitas Sport Force+ EV is not a tire you mount and immediately feel at home with. During the break‑in period, we feared the worst. But once you take the time to understand the tire and adjust your bike accordingly, the Sport Force+ EV reveals a completely different character.
While feedback is somewhat limited, the tire performs at a solid sport level. The relatively hard compound is particularly noticeable – once it reaches temperature, it offers massive grip, even on the racetrack. Using tire warmers for a full 50 minutes at 80°C is possible.
Despite its agility and precision, the Sport Force+ EV remained somewhat puzzling. Throughout the test, under similar conditions, the tire often behaved completely differently:
- from grip monster
- to unpredictable slider
- to flawless hypersport performance
Even when pressure and temperature were correct, traction control at the rear and cornering ABS at the front intervened multiple times. We even experienced a two‑wheel slide at moderate lean – a genuine scare. Yet on the same ride, under similar conditions, the tire later delivered perfect grip in every situation.
We could not conclusively determine the cause. Pressure and temperature were identical. Our best guess:
- the tire reacts sensitively to different asphalt types, or
- the behavior is rooted in the multi‑compound zones and their temperature characteristics.
This inconsistency not only causes surprises – it also affects rider confidence. But once the tire is “in the zone,” corner carving becomes genuinely fun.
Alternatives to the Mitas Sport Force+ EV
Here are suitable alternatives – including top‑tier options and equally priced or better budget choices:
- Bridgestone Battlax S22
- Bridgestone Battlax S23
- Bridgestone Battlax BT‑016 Pro (similar price)
- Dunlop Sportsmart MK3
- Dunlop Qualifier Core (similar price)
- Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV Corsa
- Metzeler Sportec M9 RR
- Metzeler Sportec 01
- Continental SportAttack 4
- Continental SportAttack 2 (similar price)
- Michelin Power 2CT (similar price)
- Michelin Power 5
- Michelin Power 6
- Michelin Power GP 2
