Ducati Monster Forum

Was running Pirelli SBK slicks soft front, medium rear. I have made them last and used warmers. Certainly got my money's worth out of 'em. I may use them again, but considering trying Dunlops. Bike is my K4 Gixxer 750.

A good feature of the Pirellis is that with only 750cc I can get half a dozen track days out of them if I carefully manage the tyre warmers and psi. According to the wear dots I could do one more track day, but they started getting real greasy one track day ago. The temp yesterday was mild to cool and a highside was awaiting me when getting on the gas, so Im glad it wasnt too hot.
What are the Dunlops like now? Years ago I used them when racing and liked how they talked to you. I note they run much lower pressures than the Pirelli's.

Wish I could offer an opinion on then Tony. Never used Dunlop tires, never mind their slicks.

People that do report they're stiff and are quite predictable, but do slide quite a bit as opposed to the Michelins I'm used to.

What some people don't like about the Michelins is the lack of warning when they're done. You'll be doing the same thing you did on the previous lap, and all of a sudden there you are on your arse.

Interesting how the characteristics of those two tyre brands have endured. That was my experience with them nearly twenty years ago. I used to slither around on the Dunlops quite comfortably due to their feedback, but was amazed by the Michy's grip at severe lean angles until I rode right off them! I remember riding the Dunlops crossed up and out of line (I was younger), but the Michys in line and smooth with more lean angle.
The Pirellis I have been using have drawn me into riding as smoothly as possible from the way they feel to me and due to a general lack of confidence. I dont have much confidence getting on the gas with the feeling of the rear (SBK medium). The slides dont feel very controlled so I'm avoiding that.

I had assumed all that had changed with time.

My experience is limited.

Bruce sold Michelin's...I bought them. Never got off them.

I rode off the edge of my DOT race Michelin's. It was the crash that determined I wouldn't ride while I was building the house. ;D

Yep, cant build a house too quickly on crutches. ;)
I'll probably just run whatever I can get a good deal on and adjust. There are specials on Dunlops at present.

Seems prudent to run tires that give you some warning before they drop you on your head.
I'd rather crash when I was sliding too much than crash when the front folded unexpectedly.

The AHRMA racer we 'support' runs Bridgestones, but AFAIK, that's driven mostly by contingency $.
I'm pretty confident he could do well on square tires made from wood if he had to.

When I say no warning, it's somewhat of an exaggeration. You can ride off the edge of a Michelin that's working and never slide.

If a Michelin starts sliding, it's done. It won't slide predictably like a Dunlop.

Park the bike.

 [laugh] [laugh]