The old stuff about tyres!!!

OK here goes again.
With all the new rubber out there, I am completely confused.com! I have heard that Sportsmax are not very good for the front end on our bikes and I almost fitted them last week! Next week I will be fitting some new rubber and want to make sure (because things change so quickly) that I buy the best for my requirements. So I do about 3k over the summer. I ride 2 up most of the time, but Donny is very close so I like to do the odd track day! I don't hang about on normal roads either (see my post last year) So just bloody tell me what to buy.... I Need New Hoops! Aggghhhhhhhhhhhhh

I take it you read about the Dunlops in Fast Bikes. After hearing only good things about them on here I'm buying some next month before my trip and trackday in Spain.

I think dropping the forks down into the triples just a few mm is enough to increase front end grip and feel.

Starting new threads on the same subject makes it very difficult to find the right information when you search for it...

http://www.google.com/search?q=tyres+si ... t&ie=utf-8

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18710
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18528
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17841&start=75

It's alright saying the same subject, but tyre change so quickly you need the new information!

The last thread is only a month old (last reply on feb 7th)
And there is no problem in replying on an old thread. This automatically puts it back on top of the forum.

Oh... I run Michelin Pilot Power 2ct and I can recommend them. But, I don't do any track days (I would if there was a track nearby).

I run power pures and did the cadwell crashfest last year on them......... I won't be changing tyre type any time soon - they're IMO excellent....

Sportsmarts are fine. I like them.

If your really jamming on track you might start to notice a bit of movement from them but then again they're not a pure track tyre.

You've gotta remember that guy from FB is some size and he's on standard suspension.

I would not take too much notice of anything you read in Fast Bikes....... bunch of wankers IMO

Always praise our bike though

I like Racetechs and Dunlop NTECs, in fact thought NTECs were better, hoop of choice for me, front is going to last but you might need a new rear.

I'd go for the D211 GP Racers if I didn't have a 1600 mile round trip as well as the trackday.

Yawn.... not again....
Try pirelli diablo rosso corsa's... you never look back.
Nice on track too!
If you ride a lot in the wet use the diablo rosso II.

I remember flicking through a copy of Fast Bikes when I was in Manila last, still got some dodgy looking Essex bint with her tits out in the centre pages..... same hoody wearing spotty kids, same obsession with staged wheelie photos and the editor is a fat ginger wanker with a goatie....... what a waste of paper

Errrr, very helpful

Dunlop Sportsmax Q2...amazing rubber and with dual compound rear you will get good mileage out of them!

Thanks Don, what have you used them for, general riding or track or both?

The Sportsmarts are a step up on the Q2's. More grip, more mileage.

Honestly, get a set, you'll love them.

Mich pilot power

been using them for years and can get under 1minute 50's at cadwell on them, not quite as good as racetechs but very close and last longer !

I love Racetec when the weather warms up a bit. Have to say I wasn't that keen on the Power Pures. Just something didn't feel right about them for me profile wise. Always likes the BT16 and am tempted to try the new BT16 Pro or S20. Also the M5 are meant to be good.

Another for the sport smarts... Great tyres. They have the ntec technology to be able to cope with low pressures (read track psi low) and are the replacement for the q2's which I loved too

If we're giving personal opinion......


For mostly road and a bit of track..... Sportsmarts or Pilot Powers.

For mostly track and a bit of road...... Metzeler Interacts or Bridgestone R10.

I'm only running K1/K2 Interacts this year as they're proven tyres. My mate is using R10s and rates them. He was lapping Jerez in consistent 1min 56s on them only 2 secs behind he race guys on the proper Motorsport versions of the D211 slick.


I see the D211gp racers get a good name too but I've got no experience of them. I've heard from guys running them that they're superb at 1st but the grip drops quite a bit pretty quickly.

I use Pirelli diablo rosso corsa's and they are the best I have yet found. Good feel, great grip and they even seem to be lasting well although I dont do high mileage.

Not been on the track with them (or the SD) but I'm sure they would be fine.

Tyres are all about confidence really. A pro rider could set good times on any of the top road rubber so pick the ones you have most faith in. I will replace the DRC's with another set for sure when the time comes.

I have tried a couple of brands. I seem to always go back to the diablo"s corsa rossa's or super corsa's There is a reason they come stock on high end bikes. My duke came stock with them. and both my RC8's came with super corsa's.I use the corsa rossa's for track day. I think they have the best grip of anything I have ridden.
Now avon have come out with some new tyres.

I spoke to the rep at the dealer show and told him what I use. He told me he would send me a set for free so I could do a review.I will try the track tyre it seems to be a nice tyre.when i get them I will use them on the track and see.
for now I would use the pirelli you can't go wrong they are so nice.I have never had any slip they are great.

Try them you won't be sorry

I love the Q2's. I had several spots like this when I got home from last weeks ride. The tyre was worn out as hell but was still sticking somehow. Got a new one on there for todays ride though. Plus here in the states you can get a set for our bikes for $212 shipped.

I run D211 on track and finish them on the road.....you would do 1600 and your track day easy on a front (as long as you change pressures ) and thats using Soft compound Front ...

Think I'm going to go with the Sportsmarts anyway as I only run Intermediate pace currently and I'll get more out of them on the road.

do you use tyre warmers? ive always been afraid of going to track focused only to find I cant get the heat into them fast enough, I run sportsmarts last year and thinking of using them this year too

I use tyre warmers.
It enables you to have a base setting for your pressures - once the tyres are warmed up with their electric blanket you are never more than a couple of psi away from the ideal track pressure.
I can't really comment on the dual use of road and track but a number of magasines have said good things about the latest road/trackday tyres from both Dunlop and Pirelli but they made the point that you need to be aware that they are a compromise and won't be as good in the cold and wet as a more road orientated tyre because it won't warm up/retain its heat and typically won't have much side grip in the wet.

I don't use warmers and generally 1 and a half laps warming up works for me.

[

on a nice day then 2 laps are they always seem good to go to me. I'm not the quickest though, even though like everyone, I like to imagine myself as Rossi

I buy scrubs so I normally get 1 and a bit days out of a rear depending on the track.

Have yet to change my tyres. 1200 miles of basically M/way driving and Wow. Cannot wait to do 1200 more.

'Tis been a long while since I got more than 1500 out of a "Street Tyre".

cheers for that