decision help SportmaxQ2, RosoCorsa/Rosso2, Metzeler K3

Hello guys. Its time to change Michellins power2ct which I never liked at all.

When I first got the SD, it had a pair of Metzeler Racetecs (k1front,k3 back) which I really liked, BUT I can't fairly judge em cause I was during the "learning" period with the bike (I am still at, but in higher level )

I have conclude to these 3 options. I heard a tone of kudos regarding Pirellis, but I also like Dunlop back when I was driving LC4s.
I drive 90%road and 10% track and maybe this year 0% track (fooking IMF!!!). So my first thought is about grip to filthy old greek roads, where you could not spot the difference between the asphalt and a mirror with wet surface. Unfortunately most of the roads are like this. My second thought is mileage and least cared about is warming time.

Any kind of opinion is really apreciated. Thanks in advance
stel

You cannot go wrong with Dunlop Q2s. Quick warm up, stick like glue, wear reasonably well and are cheap as chips.

I've got a track day comming up next week and just spooned a new set of Q2s on and cannot wait! They work great on the road and work unbelievably well on the track.

Some of the UK guys might chime in here but I think your equivalent to the Q2 is the Sportsmart. You cannot go wrong with them or the Q2s.

My 2p.

Thanks m8.

Actually I am thinking something among Pirellis and Dunlops cause I already tested K3s and I would like to experience something new. Also K3s were very good at grip but to much racy for me and with low mileage.

i went through 6 sets of Q2's on the SD and had no complaints whatsoever except that i wear them to the cord in 2 k miles . Hold pretty well when it's damp out too. Like everyone else says stick pretty darn well too. Predictable handling and probably as close to neutral steering as you can get.

i've finally tried a different tyre looking for better mileage out of a set and have gone to Pirelli Rosso 2 , people report getting more miles out of em - anyway a little quicker turn in as though that matters on a SD anyway and seem to stick pretty well also. Haven't put a ton of miles on em yet but so far so good ---

i ride pretty hard on the street lots of twisties out here and push the tyres close to their limits ...

that's all i got to report on.

cheers - good luck

Sportsmarts.....with ntec good engough for the odd track day...with double the milage of most comparable tyres

Thanks for the replies guys.

Sorry JohnJJr but my english level fails to understand what you mentioned as a difference with the Rosso 2. They are better for faster steering-turns ?

I must be the only one that thinks the sportsmarts or Q2's are shite, maybe ok for road but like plastic on the track with no consistent slide, just a sudden break of traction. Was a second a lap faster on the SC2's but still not a Lot of warning when pushed... Could just be me and my ham fistedness. I do like a slick for the track or at least a DOT tyre. I run them in summer on my bike as the occasional rain can be dawdled through.
Haven't run the metzlers but I think Viking may have pushed some hard on the track. Are they the interacts?

I'm running rosso 2's for the last few months on my superduke and find 'em excellent. Roads over here are never in great condition either and these have saved my ass a few times. Good mileage too out of then and i dont be hanging about! Rosso Corsa's another excellent tyre but with less mileage.

Sticky but soft

Rosso Corsa fitted to mine. Great grip, quick warm up and reasonable mileage. I would be happy to stick with these for as long as I own the bike. Would also be good on track although I haven't put any track time on the SD yet.

Good luch whichever option you go for.

Try to get your hands on the December 2012 issue of Sportrider magazine. They just did a comparison of the tyres you are considering (on some of the most seriously twisty, bumpy and dirty roads you're likely to find anywhere in the world...my back yard).

Thanks a lot. All of your replies are really helpful.

Have a nice week everyone.

I like to mix and match from time to time with a sport touring rear and sport front. Sport touring rear tyres like BT-021's, RoadSmarts, PR2's, PR3's, etc. give better wet grip and longevity over sport tyres. The only downside is the carcasses are typically stiffer as they are designed for heavier bikes. That's why I like using a sport front with a softer carcass to give better feel coupled with a ST rear for longevity/wet grip. Never had any issues with Q2's during wet TD's.

I had the 2 ct's and switched to the Pirelli supercorsa's.
They stick like glue. Yes you won't get high mileage of out they but
you will not compromise on grip.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will go for Pirelli to check if it worths the word of mouth or if its an urban myth.

One more thumb for the Rosso II.

It's my second set, the first one was on a FZ6s, and now on the SD. Can't compare how other tyres are on the SD as I changed the tyres a few days after I bought the thing (it had Dunlop Roadsmart which I didn't like).

Anyway - It's one of the best tyres I've tried to this day offering a very good mix between stickiness and longevity.

I ride hard (though no track) and it's looking quite good after about 7500 km's, will probably last about 3000 more for the rear and the front has some more life in it.

Already have a new set of Dunlop Sportsmart's waiting, as I rode with 'em for two days on a VFR800X and they were very good as well.

Didn't like the Q2 too much, BTW (and it's not the same as the sportsmart with different name, it's an older tyre).

The Pirelli Rosso Corsa should wear faster, not sure it's worth it if you're not doing much trackdays and concerned about mileage.
The Pirelli SuperCorsa are plain sick tyres - The grip is endless for road use but mileage would be like a butterfly lifespan.

You won't be disappointed with Rosso II.

Mine came with the rosso corsas fitted. front felt a bit vague.
Went back to my favourite tyres. metzeler racetec interact. k1 front. k2 rear. love them.
I buy them nice n cheap from a lad who races a 600.

Sportsmart is the new generation Dunlop with NTEC.....same as D211

Can't speak to the Qualifiers as I've never tried them but I have heard they were not that great. The Q2 is brilliant in every way...I cannot adequately convey my enthusiasm for this tyre (and I've tried just about all of them up until 2 years ago...after my first ride on the Q2s).

The Sportsmarts are not available ion the US other than OEM fitment to the RC8R.

Another vote for the SportsMax Q2s. Just put a set on for a track day and was very impressed. Fast warm up and superb grip levels .

The rep told me the SportsMax are a 50/50 tyre. 50% track and 50% road. He said they come up to temp faster than the more track focused SportsSmart with excellent mileage.

For an 'A' class tyre they are one of the cheapest available and in a tyre shootout they were only a fraction behind the Pirelli Super Corsa.



Best value performance tyre for money out in the market right now.

After a plenty of helpful and so prestigious replies I would be at least bastard not to post my final choice and my experience. My previous sets were Metzeler K1,K3 and Michelin PowerOne 2CT.

I took a pair of Diablo Rosso 2. I have heard so much about Diablos in general, so I was very very curious to realise if its true or an urban legend. I initially was more into Rosso Corsa, but my budget isn't so agile yet, so trackdays are more than rare for me. So as Pirelli mentions the ultimate tyre of its line, for absolute road use is Rosso2.

That's more than true. Even at its firs kms I was really amazed with my bike's performance. Steering and cornering has never been easier with a lot of information provided to the handlebar regarding road's condition and tyre's grip. I have never felt more confidence to catch my own steering and cornering limits. I can feel with a very safe progression when I 've gone too much and when the rear or front wheel are loosing grip. I haven't test them yet in wet surface but assuming its performance on f@cked up roads, I think it would be great. The only disadvantages I realised are the sensitivity to bouncy roads and holes and that (maybe, cause my break pads are at their final kms) the front wheel can "lock" more easily at high breaking. Even though I can still easily do stoppies.

In conclusion: One of the best tyres for SD.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the tyres you chose.

I am confused about one thing however - did you start out with Pilot Power 2CTs (as stated in your OP), or PowerOnes - presumably the "commercial" version (as stated in your last post)?

I like the sportmax and got around 7000km on them, not to shabby for sticky stuff.

went to the track with some new Q2s.

saw something weird on my rear tyre after my second session. I was afraid to push it too hard rest of the day. looked like layers of rubber were coming off. dunlop replaced the tyre with a new one at no cost to me. it is still my favorite street tyre.



I'll probably run pirelli pro slicks now that I have tyre warmers....

Looks like you spun it up !!!

+1 for the Pirelli Rosso's,
You can also mix Rosso 2's with Rosso Corsa's... A Rosso 2 on the rear Corsa front works well

You made a good decision mate

Nice to read you like 'em, they are quite superb in my mind. You'll be happy to know they hold up nicely as well. I'm on about 8000 km's on mine, still looking good, the rear treads are starting to come thin, so I suggest they would be good for about 1500 km's or so. That's good for a tyre that's been hammered for most it's spinning time (though, no track use).

Nice wheelie on your avatar fazer.