I want to replace my Pirelli Supercorsa SP tires on the 848 with something that's a bit better in wet conditions so I'm looking at Diablo Rosso Corsa, Bridgestone S20, maybe Dunlops Q2.
Anyone experience (good or bad) with these? I read a lot of mixed feelings about Pirellis, but I think it's due to all the different tires having similar names (Rosso, Rosso 2, Rosso 3, Rosso Corsa, SuperCorsa,...). Also read a lot of good about the Dunlops but most of it was a few years ago and tires change a lot over time (new tires that come out I mean).
I've been using Dunlop Q2's on my S2R-1000 and love them. My buddy also uses them on his 848 and they work well for both street and track. The other think I like about them is the price, you can find the rear tire for about $125 and the fromt for just over $100.
New RoadSmarts are out...
I ran a couple of sets of Rosso Corsas on my Super Duke. Things hooked up like a hybrid of bubble gum and snot from a sinus infection, and had TONS of feel to them. Only bad thing I can say is that the rear seemed to last a few hundred meters before it was time for a replacement.
Roadsmarts seem a bit to much street oriented, I'm looking to do a couple of trackdays this year.
Prices at this side of the pond are all within 20â,¬ of each other; Dunlops Q2 270â,¬, Bridgestone S20 260â,¬ and Pirellis DRC 280â,¬, so I'm not going to base my choice on the price (alone).
DRKWNG, any experience with the DRCs in the wet? Oh and I hope they last a bit longer than the Super Corsas, at 2200 miles I only have 2 mm tread left.
Nothing more than getting caught out by a shower or two. They seemed to do ok in the rain, but I wouldn't go pushing it.
Since you're in europe, maybe try the Dunlop Sportsmarts? I've heard incredible reviews about them, ride magazine gave them the first 5 star rating they've ever given a tire... but they just dont sell them here in the US. Dunlop says that they're optimized for EU roads so wouldnt work correctly with the kind of roads we have here.
This may sound nuts, but despite my love of Pilot Powers on my previous bike, I've come to enjoy my Pilot Road 2CTs. I literally wore out the sides of the tires before the middle. Like belt showing kinda worn out. At the time I lived forty miles up a 2 lane road all filled with hairpins and corners requiring extra knee protection. I can honestly say that the tires never overheated once, though they didn't last very long either..
If you want to try something totally different, you might consider the Pilot Powers. They are triangular in profile, so they turn in sharply, but hold their angle with greater stability than most.
I actually used some roadsmarts (the older model) for a track day and they worked out great. No issues with grip after a couple of laps and have ridden in the rain several times with no issue. I don't know specifics with the newer type, but they're supposed to have better side compounds for a sportier feel.
I've just bought pr3s for my s4 and I'm mighty impressed in both wet and dry conditions we somtimes get dry conditions in Ireland cant say what the milage will be out of them as there only on the market but heres hoping.