Dunlop's track day rubber: PH2
It's black, it's round, it keeps you on the ground ... it's Dunlop's latest road legal track day tyre
Good enough for four TT wins with Michael Dunlop
A road legal race tyre, this year the D212 GP Pro won all four of its TTs with Michael Dunlop riding the Supersport, Superstock and Superbike. Technically it also took the Senior TT with John McGuinness, though not in the same format. According to Dunlop, the firm's Superbike slick, the KR106/108, is basically a D212 GP Pro minus its tread pattern. During the final stages of manufacture the tread pattern is imprinted on the tyre when it is going through the vulcanization stage. Up until that point there is no difference between a slick and the road tyre. So it's fair to say this tyre has some performance credibility. So what's new?
Compared with the older D211, the new D212 front tyre has a less rounded and sharper profile as well as a 20 per cent stiffer carcass, while the tread uses Dunlop's multi tread (MT) technology. Before the tyre is cooked to harden it the 'rubber' is extruded onto the tyre in a continuous run of compound a bit like putting string on a bobbin.
By varying this compound Dunlop can give a tyre several different compounds of rubber across its surface, which is what happens in race tyres when riders need a soft compound on one side and harder on the other to suit a left or right handed circuit. The D212 front has two compounds, softer on either edge and a harder central compound, which is exactly as you would expect.
Meaning Jon's got no excuses...
Sticky situation
Although the D212 is available in four front compounds and five rears, Dunlop armed us with middle of the range compounds as one and two are basically qualifying tyres and the only thing I was qualifying for was the sprint to bacon buttie seller. So, faced with Silverstone's full international circuit and a cross-plane crank R1, off I went.
Softer compounds on the shoulders for corners
You can certainly feel the rear has less pressure in it, but it doesn't affect the handling in a bad way. To me it seemed as if the tyre was softening any bumps out in the track and cushioning the ride slightly. As you would expect from a track tyre when you open the throttle the Dunlop digs in and grips like crazy, but for me it was the feeling of flexibility in the carcass over bumps that surprised me the most.
After a few sessions and with a vague idea where I was going I started to push a bit harder on Silverstone's corners. With the bike held on its ear through the long left then right of Luffield the Dunlops provided huge amounts of side grip, allowing me to hold the bike down before aiming at the final marker on the inside of Woodcote and firing out onto the start/finish straight. Having watched Cal slide it out of there in WSB and MotoGP I was pretty glad to be in no danger of repeating his sideways heroics, despite having the R1's throttle on the stop.
D212 is identical to Dunlop's slicks bar tread pattern
How much, how long?
Dunlop reckons you are probably looking at around £320 a set for the D212 GP Pro, which is about £100 more than a set of 'road' tyres. This extra cost is due to the fact that every D212 is hand-built by the Dunlop race department, which comes at a cost. If you are serious about your track days, or race, the D212GP Pro is an incredibly impressive tyre and certainly performed far better than me. Dunlop estimates track riders should get about three track days out of a set and after riding six sessions around Silverstone mine looked to still be in pretty good condition. Maybe I wasn't trying hard enough, bringing us full circle to the whole talent, terror threshold and manhood thing...
t to a blanket almost down to the canvasThe R10 is good but we find the front only lasts 3 sessions at a new track.
The Pirelli and Metzler are great, but not a patch on the D211.
This should be epic!!
After being a Pirelli man for many years the R10 was a revelation. Compared to the Supercorsa's, they are a little more expensive but better grip and last longer makes them an obvious choice for me.
I've always used Dunlops on my race bike (only a 150 section)and been v. happy but may have to try these new ones on the R1
After being a Pirelli man for many years the R10 was a revelation. Compared to the Supercorsa's, they are a little more expensive but better grip and last longer makes them an obvious choice for me.
I've always used Dunlops on my race bike (only a 150 section)and been v. happy but may have to try these new ones on the R1
As for the Dunlop, I can't recommend it strongly enough. I waxed lyrical about these(D211 GP) a few years ago and can't wait to try these. But, and it's a big but, the UK made D211's were worlds apart(better) than the French made items. People would sell their kids for a UK 211!!
But agree with what you say about the SC. Maybe try the K1/K2 Metzler. I love them and much cheaper than the Pirelli.
As for the Dunlop, I can't recommend it strongly enough. I waxed lyrical about these(D211 GP) a few years ago and can't wait to try these. But, and it's a big but, the UK made D211's were worlds apart(better) than the French made items. People would sell their kids for a UK 211!!
But agree with what you say about the SC. Maybe try the K1/K2 Metzler. I love them and much cheaper than the Pirelli.
I'm currently running the Metzler k2 slicks, and love them. Not quite as good as the D211 but readily available and a lot cheaper.
Only really seems useful if they're getting used on the road after - that's the only time I really wear out the centre.
If it's right at the very, very edge, maybe; but it tends to be a bit around where getting on the power/braking in to corners that wears out first I find.
And, of course, I wouldn't want any harder compound than is already there.
These new tyres are expensive tho' - I've tucked a couple of 211s away and will continue to use them while available.
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