Super Bike tyre Test - Track day tyres
Discussion
Have been analysing the magazine article together with own experiances and come up with the following observations.
The overall SBike finding were:
1st - Dunlop GP racer & Pirelli Diablo Corsa III
3rd - Pirelli Dragon Super Corsa Pro
4th - Mich Power Race Medium
5th - Metzeler Racetec K3
6th - Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
7th - Avon Viper Supersport
8th - Bridgestone BT-002 K3
Dunlop - I have always liked Dunlops (207GP and 208GP) and their finding bear out what I like about them. Fast to turn, stable and high confidence factor, not the fastest tyre but not to shabby. Ok in the wet as tread runns to the edge, big factor if you do not like changing tyres. (yes I am a lazy git)
Pirelli Diablo - Not as sharp as dunlops, nothing is, but very stable and neutral fell. The other thing is they seem to work well on all bikes. Also like dunlop they have tread on the edge so are useable in wet weather although not as good as the dunlops (IMHO).
Pirelli Dragon SC pro - This was the fasted tyre (by 1.6secs) in the hands of a ex racer the others felt it not as neutral as the two above, can not say that I found this to be the case, as always felt good when I used them. Opinion seems to say they do work better on bigger bikes that push the rear tyre harder. Not great in the wet.
Mich power race - Just put these on my R6 and to be honest was not expecting to like them, but they are really good. Really nice on the brakes and a very neutral feel. Both the pro riders felt it moved around under power, but I have not found this so maybe better suited to the 600's rather the the GSXR 1000 they tested it on. Not used them in wet but little or no tread on edge so would not expect much
Metz Rachtec - I personally like these tyres especially on twitchy bikes as they are a really stable tyre, thought they would score better, but maybe do not suit the GSXR. On my ZX10 they seem as good as the Dunlops, in the dry at least.
Mich Pilot 2CT - Surprise of the test as this was by far the most road biased tyre in the test. All testers noted bit more movement and less grip and overall it was the slowest tyre, just. But for a true road tyre loads of tread at the side and by far the best wet weather tyre, it looks a good bet for anyone that rides to tracks days and will get out there rain or shine.
Avons - Never used these so can't comment. Testers all liked the front but felt the rear lacked grip. Again this points to it being more suitable to a 600 that does not use the rear as much as the 1000's. Cheapest tyre so interested what other think.
Bridgestone Bt - Old technology and really a road tyre in todays terms, all said the same OK tyre / stable / not enough grip. Bridgestone do seem to have a nice level of grip in damp and wet conditions so one for the all weather riders but think the Mich is a better bet.
Conclusion - Dunlop GP racer and Pirelli Diablo Corsa III way ahead of the rest on the test and would tend to agree with them. If you like a bike to have a nice sharp turn in and you like a bike to steer fast then te dunlop is your tyre. For those who like a more linear turn in then the Pirelli is a great tyre. Both OK in the wet. My only query with the results was the Metz SC as I have found it a better tyre than they thought.
If you ride to the track days then the Mich 2CT has to be worth a look.
Comments always welcome....
The overall SBike finding were:
1st - Dunlop GP racer & Pirelli Diablo Corsa III
3rd - Pirelli Dragon Super Corsa Pro
4th - Mich Power Race Medium
5th - Metzeler Racetec K3
6th - Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
7th - Avon Viper Supersport
8th - Bridgestone BT-002 K3
Dunlop - I have always liked Dunlops (207GP and 208GP) and their finding bear out what I like about them. Fast to turn, stable and high confidence factor, not the fastest tyre but not to shabby. Ok in the wet as tread runns to the edge, big factor if you do not like changing tyres. (yes I am a lazy git)
Pirelli Diablo - Not as sharp as dunlops, nothing is, but very stable and neutral fell. The other thing is they seem to work well on all bikes. Also like dunlop they have tread on the edge so are useable in wet weather although not as good as the dunlops (IMHO).
Pirelli Dragon SC pro - This was the fasted tyre (by 1.6secs) in the hands of a ex racer the others felt it not as neutral as the two above, can not say that I found this to be the case, as always felt good when I used them. Opinion seems to say they do work better on bigger bikes that push the rear tyre harder. Not great in the wet.
Mich power race - Just put these on my R6 and to be honest was not expecting to like them, but they are really good. Really nice on the brakes and a very neutral feel. Both the pro riders felt it moved around under power, but I have not found this so maybe better suited to the 600's rather the the GSXR 1000 they tested it on. Not used them in wet but little or no tread on edge so would not expect much
Metz Rachtec - I personally like these tyres especially on twitchy bikes as they are a really stable tyre, thought they would score better, but maybe do not suit the GSXR. On my ZX10 they seem as good as the Dunlops, in the dry at least.
Mich Pilot 2CT - Surprise of the test as this was by far the most road biased tyre in the test. All testers noted bit more movement and less grip and overall it was the slowest tyre, just. But for a true road tyre loads of tread at the side and by far the best wet weather tyre, it looks a good bet for anyone that rides to tracks days and will get out there rain or shine.
Avons - Never used these so can't comment. Testers all liked the front but felt the rear lacked grip. Again this points to it being more suitable to a 600 that does not use the rear as much as the 1000's. Cheapest tyre so interested what other think.
Bridgestone Bt - Old technology and really a road tyre in todays terms, all said the same OK tyre / stable / not enough grip. Bridgestone do seem to have a nice level of grip in damp and wet conditions so one for the all weather riders but think the Mich is a better bet.
Conclusion - Dunlop GP racer and Pirelli Diablo Corsa III way ahead of the rest on the test and would tend to agree with them. If you like a bike to have a nice sharp turn in and you like a bike to steer fast then te dunlop is your tyre. For those who like a more linear turn in then the Pirelli is a great tyre. Both OK in the wet. My only query with the results was the Metz SC as I have found it a better tyre than they thought.
If you ride to the track days then the Mich 2CT has to be worth a look.
Comments always welcome....
I've read this test also, and it left me slightly confused.
Surely the Diablo III's are in the same tyre catagory as the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's.
If you read the manufacturers jargon on their websites they are both road based tyres with a leaning to occasional track use. Both have tread to their edges.
So why have Superbike tested the Diablo III's and stated they are full on track tyres? As far as i can tell, Pirelli developed them in competition to the 2CT Pilot Powers.
I'm sticking with my guns on this. I'm eyeing up a pair of the Corsa III's to replace my 2CT's shortly. Another case of bike journalists not having a clue about what they're writing.
Surely the Diablo III's are in the same tyre catagory as the Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's.
If you read the manufacturers jargon on their websites they are both road based tyres with a leaning to occasional track use. Both have tread to their edges.
So why have Superbike tested the Diablo III's and stated they are full on track tyres? As far as i can tell, Pirelli developed them in competition to the 2CT Pilot Powers.
I'm sticking with my guns on this. I'm eyeing up a pair of the Corsa III's to replace my 2CT's shortly. Another case of bike journalists not having a clue about what they're writing.
I cannot see how the Diablo Corsa III came above a Pirelli Super Corsa Pro on a track test. I've used Pirelli SC Pros & Metzler Racetechs on track and they are very similar, this was on an R6. I use Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's for the road (on an R1) and they are superb in all conditions, but I am going to try the Diablo Corsa III when I come to change tyres just to see if they really are as good as the journo's are saying.
I've just changed from 2CT's to Corsa III's - The 2CT's feel very easy to tip into corners (the Corsa's feel a little slower at first) but the Corsa III's feel a lot more planted from the front end. I never really knew what the front end was up to on the 2CT's whereas I can feel the grip of the Corsa III's - feel like they hold lines better. But, my pace is maybe group 2 track day, fairly fast road rider so I think it all depends on what you want out of the tyre.
Andy Oh said:
I cannot see how the Diablo Corsa III came above a Pirelli Super Corsa Pro on a track test. I've used Pirelli SC Pros & Metzler Racetechs on track and they are very similar, this was on an R6. I use Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's for the road (on an R1) and they are superb in all conditions, but I am going to try the Diablo Corsa III when I come to change tyres just to see if they really are as good as the journo's are saying.
The diablo III is a 2007 next generation tyre, compared with the Super Corsa which was a top of class 2005 tyre so the game has moved on. Don't get me wrong I really rate the SC Pro but I bet there is a new one out this year.
Was speaking to Dale Lomas (pb editor) at the ring on saturday and him and Bren from Sliders guesthouse (anyone who's been over to the ring will know what I'm on about) do all their bike tests (on the ring) on crate bikes with almost NO setup. Brendan took all the 4 leading 600s round in between 7 mins 40 secs and 7 mins 50 secs - which is astonishingly quick for any bike, let alone a 600, let alone on std tyres.
My point is that it would seem there is a lot to be had on stock tyres - if you are able to ride out the slides etc (!)
My point is that it would seem there is a lot to be had on stock tyres - if you are able to ride out the slides etc (!)
fergus said:
Was speaking to Dale Lomas (pb editor) at the ring on saturday and him and Bren from Sliders guesthouse (anyone who's been over to the ring will know what I'm on about) do all their bike tests (on the ring) on crate bikes with almost NO setup. Brendan took all the 4 leading 600s round in between 7 mins 40 secs and 7 mins 50 secs - which is astonishingly quick for any bike, let alone a 600, let alone on std tyres.
My point is that it would seem there is a lot to be had on stock tyres - if you are able to ride out the slides etc (!)
My point is that it would seem there is a lot to be had on stock tyres - if you are able to ride out the slides etc (!)
The tyres they used were Bridgstone BT-002 Race in the medium/soft compound.
John.
scobby17 said:
veetwin said:
How many free Dunlop Qualifiers will the Superbike staff be receiveing this year?
Cynical, who me?
Cynical, who me?
The dunlop GP racer bears no relation to the Dunlop qualifier
the dunlop GP racer is the best track day tyre I have used, but I do like a really sharp turn in.Sorry Scobby misread the OP. I agree. I have heard bad things about the Qualifiers.
As for the Diablo Corsa III, I havent tried them yet. I ran the original Corsas that were fitted to the blade as OE at Donington and gave no sign of movement, warmed up quick and gave good feedback on the limit.
As for the 2CTs I find that they are similar to the old Corsas but feel more talkative at full lean and are great for both road and track.
I run 34/40PSI for the road and 33/31 for track use. 33/31 has the blade shaking its head at low speeds where the HESD can't keep up!!
mc101 said:
This is like someone elses opinion of your shoes ... tyres are a personal thing and entirely subjective. Some suit certain people with certain bikes more than others etc etc.
You pays your money, fit the tyres and ride the bike -- only then can you form an opinion on them.
You pays your money, fit the tyres and ride the bike -- only then can you form an opinion on them.
I agree with the above and I tried to gather opions from other quarters as well as my own to try and help guide some people who are looking at the vast choice and getting confused. The other point that £200 for a set of the wrong shoes is expensive, except the wife says there are no wrong shoes just need more!!
Andy Oh said:
I cannot see how the Diablo Corsa III came above a Pirelli Super Corsa Pro on a track test. I've used Pirelli SC Pros & Metzler Racetechs on track and they are very similar, this was on an R6. I use Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's for the road (on an R1) and they are superb in all conditions, but I am going to try the Diablo Corsa III when I come to change tyres just to see if they really are as good as the journo's are saying.
i also used 2cts on my Fireblade and think thier a great tire on the road, i wasnt too keen on them in the wet though but then i hate riding in the we anyway so it was most likely a mental thing.
YamR1V64motion said:
Andy Oh said:
I cannot see how the Diablo Corsa III came above a Pirelli Super Corsa Pro on a track test. I've used Pirelli SC Pros & Metzler Racetechs on track and they are very similar, this was on an R6. I use Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's for the road (on an R1) and they are superb in all conditions, but I am going to try the Diablo Corsa III when I come to change tyres just to see if they really are as good as the journo's are saying.
i also used 2cts on my Fireblade and think thier a great tire on the road, i wasnt too keen on them in the wet though but then i hate riding in the we anyway so it was most likely a mental thing.
I think the 2CT's are great in the wet and better than the Pirelli Diablo Corsa's I used to run (caveat: not the Pirelli DC III's) but I quite like riding in the wet, maybe I'm a bit strange that I like wet riding
Andy Oh said:
[
I think the 2CT's are great in the wet and better than the Pirelli Diablo Corsa's I used to run (caveat: not the Pirelli DC III's) but I quite like riding in the wet, maybe I'm a bit strange that I like wet riding
I think the 2CT's are great in the wet and better than the Pirelli Diablo Corsa's I used to run (caveat: not the Pirelli DC III's) but I quite like riding in the wet, maybe I'm a bit strange that I like wet riding
Andy Oh, at last someone else that actually likes riding in the wet, I am not the only one after all...
scobby17 said:
Andy Oh said:
[
I think the 2CT's are great in the wet and better than the Pirelli Diablo Corsa's I used to run (caveat: not the Pirelli DC III's) but I quite like riding in the wet, maybe I'm a bit strange that I like wet riding
I think the 2CT's are great in the wet and better than the Pirelli Diablo Corsa's I used to run (caveat: not the Pirelli DC III's) but I quite like riding in the wet, maybe I'm a bit strange that I like wet riding
Andy Oh, at last someone else that actually likes riding in the wet, I am not the only one after all...
Wet riding teaches you throttle control and to be very smooth, the best advice to people in wet conditions is too relax and literally just hold on to the bars as this will give you a better feel for the bike and not to clench the bars tight and be tense.
Andy Oh said:
YamR1V64motion said:
Andy Oh said:
I cannot see how the Diablo Corsa III came above a Pirelli Super Corsa Pro on a track test. I've used Pirelli SC Pros & Metzler Racetechs on track and they are very similar, this was on an R6. I use Michelin Pilot Power 2CT's for the road (on an R1) and they are superb in all conditions, but I am going to try the Diablo Corsa III when I come to change tyres just to see if they really are as good as the journo's are saying.
i also used 2cts on my Fireblade and think thier a great tire on the road, i wasnt too keen on them in the wet though but then i hate riding in the we anyway so it was most likely a mental thing.
I think the 2CT's are great in the wet and better than the Pirelli Diablo Corsa's I used to run (caveat: not the Pirelli DC III's) but I quite like riding in the wet, maybe I'm a bit strange that I like wet riding
its not that i havent ridden in the wet, i used to a lot of the time but i think now i have the option not to i choose not to bother if that makes sense?, its not that i cant ride in the wet is just when i have to i show a lot more restraint
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