Maxxis Tire in UK - Tires

While in the UK on business recently I spotted this Maxxis tire on a CBR.
Owner not around to ask questions as to why the different surfaces. To me it looks like a good spring/fall tire when pavement conditions are more variable.
In the town of Brackley (where I stayed) there was a nice used bike shop. They had four Gen-6 VFRs and one Gen-5. Three red ones, a dull silver, and one blue. All had black rims. Though clean, none shouted "nice bike". Prices ranged from $4500-$5500 US dollars.
Of the bikes I saw out and about, most seemed to be early to mid 2000's general sportbikes like non GSX-R Suzukis, a couple of two-stroke enduros, and of course the mass produced GS adventure bikes. Calmness of a Sunday morn following Armistis (sp?) Day parade shattered by none other than a couple of..............you guessed it Harley's.

Attached Images

• [image: Attached Image: Maxxis_Tire.JPG]

I don't even see that tire on their website.

http://www.maxxis.co...ATV/Street.aspx

That's the Maxxis Diamond Tire:

Quote

Maxxis' ground breaking MA-3DS Supermaxx Diamond - sports touring radial - features an eye catching Diamond shoulder tread pattern, incorporating micro pore technology, combined with Maxxis' new 'Ultra' tread compound to deliver outstanding levels of dry traction and increased wet weather grip.

Hmm, the front has the same treatment on the edges:

[image: Posted Image]

Video on this page here, featuring former 500GP pilot James Haydon:

http://www.maxxis.co...permaxx-Diamond

How does that work?  Less rubber surface area in contact with the pavement usually equals less grip.  Good for channeling away water, but for grip?

supposed to do 2 things:

1.  with peaks/valleys, you get more movement on the rubber, thus more friction/heat introduced to warm up and provide better grip.
2.  with peaks/valleys, you are supposed to get more surface area on road when compressed under load.

no idea if it really works.