New tires!

[lanter]

Time for some new tires and I'm looking at the Metzler M5 or the Pirelli rosso 2. No trac days but hardcore street use. Opinions?

[Quza]

you could try the new Bridgestones, Battlax S20. I have the BT016Pro (their predecessor afaik) and well, look at my footpegs in the Photo Gallery thread :) I had not one 'awkward' moment in the last 2000km.

[motardman]

Time for some new tires and I'm looking at the Metzler M5 or the Pirelli rosso 2. No trac days but hardcore street use. Opinions?

Dunlop Sportsmart without a doubt, better life than the M5, more predictable than the Pirellis and just plain better than the Bridgestones.

http://cycletreads.retail.sprint3.com/package/webservice/kernel_resources_render.asp?strResourceCode=24.212

http://cycletreads.retail.sprint3.com/package/webservice/kernel_resources_render.asp?strResourceCode=24.213

http://cycletreads.retail.sprint3.com/package/webservice/kernel_resources_render.asp?strResourceCode=24.207

[lanter]

Dunlop Sportsmart without a doubt, better life than the M5, more predictable than the Pirellis and just plain better than the Bridgestones.

http://cycletreads.retail.sprint3.com/package/webservice/kernel_resources_render.asp?strResourceCode=24.212

http://cycletreads.retail.sprint3.com/package/webservice/kernel_resources_render.asp?strResourceCode=24.213

http://cycletreads.retail.sprint3.com/package/webservice/kernel_resources_render.asp?strResourceCode=24.207

I don't think we have the dunlop sportsmart in the US. Unless the sportsmart is the same tire as the qualifier 2, which is on my shortlist.

[motardman]

I don't think we have the dunlop sportsmart in the US. Unless the sportsmart is the same tire as the qualifier 2, which is on my shortlist.

Ah, that's a shame, no the Q2 is an older tyre, the Sportsmart uses the latest NTEC compounds. From personal experience if I had to choose a tyre to be a close second to the Sportsmart I'd go with the Sportec M5.

[igotyofire]

Ah, that's a shame, no the Q2 is an older tyre, the Sportsmart uses the latest NTEC compounds. From personal experience if I had to choose a tyre to be a close second to the Sportsmart I'd go with the Sportec M5.

How new is that tire....I wonder if it is coming to the US markets soon.

[motardman]

How new is that tire....I wonder if it is coming to the US markets soon.

It's been around for about a year here in NZ, surprised it's not in the states yet....maybe it has another name over there? I know it's not the Q2 as they are also available here.

[motardman]

Here's the official line from Dunlop US...

'It really is a great tire.You can see more on dunlopmotorcycle.com. The SportSmart is not an option for US road conditions. That being said, we will not import it.
It is avery good tire, but only for the European markets'

How strange, and annoying!!

[motardman]

More info here...

http://www.nashvilleriders.com/index.php/the-news/industry/683-new-dunlop-sportsmart-tires-designed-to-do-it-all

[Quza]

Dunlop Sportsmart without a doubt, better life than the M5, more predictable than the Pirellis and just plain better than the Bridgestones.

http://cycletreads.retail.sprint3.com/package/webservice/kernel_resources_render.asp?strResourceCode=24.212

http://cycletreads.retail.sprint3.com/package/webservice/kernel_resources_render.asp?strResourceCode=24.213

http://cycletreads.retail.sprint3.com/package/webservice/kernel_resources_render.asp?strResourceCode=24.207 I hope those are better than the Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier. That were the tires I got my DD1200 with, after a few days I gained confidence with the bike and suddenly I went over the edge on the rear tire. You don't want to slide through a corner completely askew, I still wonder how I didn't crash. Imho the Sportmax Qualifier does not belong on a 6" rim.

[kevxtx]

I run Pirelli Rosso II front & rear on my SMR, I am on my second front & 3rd rear, they are great tyres, work well from cold, no problems in the wet they give great feed back front & rear when pushed hard, rears last around 7000kms of hard street riding, fronts last around 10K kms with the sides worn out, center still had 3 mm. I run both front & rear tyres right to the edge with no scary moments.

And my next set of tyres will be Pirelli Rosso II

[lanter]

I've read alot of great reviews on the Rosso 2's. I had the Angels on my 750 and they were great but I want something for more aggressive riding.

[kevxtx]

Angels are better in the wet & will last longer, the Rosso II are dual compound offering twice the dry grip compared to the Angels.

http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle/sheet/diablo_rosso_2.tab?tab=2

http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/motorcycle/sheet/angel_st.html

[motardman]

I hope those are better than the Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier. That were the tires I got my DD1200 with, after a few days I gained confidence with the bike and suddenly I went over the edge on the rear tire. You don't want to slide through a corner completely askew, I still wonder how I didn't crash. Imho the Sportmax Qualifier does not belong on a 6" rim.

Infinitely better mate, the Sportsmart is a completely different tyre. The Qualifiers remind me of the original D207RR, great until you push it. Back then I favoured the D207GP and the great news is the Sportsmart is even better as it has better wear and much better wet weather performance with a less extreme profile.

[cliffc]

Any one ever run the NEW Pilot Road 3's on their DD????? I ve had them on other bikes great long lasting tire and not bad on ride(ability). Then again I commute back and forth to work daily. I don't get to go play as much as I would like.

[exploring/nc]

Got a set of Q2s delivered for $219 for the DD 750 from Sport Bike Track Gear.
The Q2s are working great for mountain twisty riding.

[Aprilia Tha Hun]

Any one ever run the NEW Pilot Road 3's on their DD????? I ve had them on other bikes great long lasting tire and not bad on ride(ability). Then again I commute back and forth to work daily. I don't get to go play as much as I would like.

I've had the pr3's on my 750 for about 1k miles, I ride the snot out of this bike and its looking like 3k would be optimistic.
That being said I wore out my last set of pp2ct in about 1300 miles... I really would recommend this tire to someone who uses their bike for commuting and spirited riding. BUT, if you push these tires, they will let you know they are not sports compound. The front is a little softer than the rear and gives good feedback as to what its doing, and will still allow for stoppies when it gets warmed up. The rear on the other hand, with its medium and medium hard compounds, likes to spin and slide a little, can count at least 5 times the rear has broken lose under heavy acceleration out of corners . Its a good smooth riding tire, with great mileage potential, but I will be returning to the 2ct or the scorpion st. I miss the stickiness of a true sports tire.

[keithdavisau]

My bike was delivered with Dunlop sportsmax qualifiers are these more a touring tyre than a sports tyre as I have has a few front slides at fairly slow speeds and have no confidence in them. My previous bike old gsxr1100 has Michelin pilot powers and they never felt like I wasn't in control

[telboy39]

Having used or riding about on most types or styles of tyres I'd recommend Metzeler Z8 rear and a M5 front...when I tested the DD1200 I found the stock Quali front lacked a wee bit of grip / feel compared to the rear.
The Metzelers are probably the most balanced tyres out there and the DD1200 is like them a great allrounder.
Sporty Pirelli's carcasses are too soft and move about too much.
Modern Sports touring tyres are good enough for track use for the average rider who wouldn't get the benefits of the extra grip a sports tyre offers and will benefit from double or higher mileage.

[lanter]

I disagree the "sport Pirelli are soft! My rosso 2s are firm as can be and I'm running them on the low side too. I also would never mix different tires. Most are designed to work as a pair and a different front and rear tire might heat up completly different from one another. IMO

[Lanie]

I'm fitting a 200 on the rear next