Tire ratings

[koko64]

Trying Metzler Karoo Street tyres on my scramblerfied M750 after three sets of Pirelli MT60RS.

While the little Monster takes a 160/60/17 rear tyre the Karoo Steet only has 150/80 and 170/60 options. My trusted tyre consultant said to use the 170 with this particular tyre. They are a similar tyre to the Pirellis but with a slightly greater bias towards dirt roads. In Australia the Metzlers are about a hundred bucks cheaper per pair.

I note that the Karoo 120/70 front is not as high a profile or as pointed as the the Pirelli MT60RS of the same size, but the big difference imo is the feeling with the rear tyre.

First 150 mile impression here.
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=76629.new#new

[Charlie98]

I used to run Pirelli MT21's on my XR... but boy howdy they got slick fast!  The Dunlops I run, now, not quite so much.  I've always been afraid of moving to a more street oriented tire... and losing what traction I have in the dirt... although it would be fun to flog it in the turns with a tire that wouldn't step out on you. 

[koko64]

I'm really preferring these Karoo Streets. They have a rounder, less pointy profile which feels more linear to me.

On that note, the next tyres I'll try on the 1100evo will be Dunlop Q3's + or Sportsmart's. Both price and profile shape will most likely suit me.

[koko64]

Dunlop have renamed and reorganised some tyres down here. There were so many tyres it was confusing so they rationalized the range i guess. The Alpha 14's are now Q14's and more road oriented than the Q4's which require tyre warmers. The Sportsmart III tyre is gone with the reorganisation of the range. So now it's the Roadsmart range, then the Q14 road hypersport, Q4 production track tyre then the production race tyres, then slicks.
Has this occurred stateside?

[ducpainter]

Looks like Dunlop USA was bought by Sumitomo. We have the Roadsmart Series...3 and 4, and what's called a 'Mutant'. Then there's the Q3, and 4, and what's called a Sportsmart. The website here says Q4 does not require tire warmers.

Didn't go as far as finding slicks.

[koko64]

Yeah I have read that, interesting that the local shops Dunlop catalogue said to use tyre warmers for track use. Your Q series tyres are made locally, which is great. Maybe ours are from Japan.
I ordered what the catalogue now calls Q14's which appear to have replaced Q3+ and Alpha14's . Customers have to pre order due to supply issues to have tyres when needed and the shop stores them for you. Signs of the times.

[koko64]

Dunlop 14's are sitting next to my Gixxer at present. The rear Rosso III on my 1100Evo is at 50% so I got a Supercorsa SP to replace the worn front Rosso Corsa II. Dunlops are in short supply here so I grabbed the Supercorsa as a stop gap. I'm told they warm up quick and stick like glue, for awhile.

[koko64]

So Dunlop Alpha 14's will soon go onto the Monster and I have Dunlop slicks (front soft, rear medium) for the Gixxer. Will let you know how they go compared to the Pirellis.

[Charlie98]

Prior to my Ducati, I was always a big Dunlop fan.  My CBR1000F demanded a specific Dunlop front tire profile, or you got terrible headshake.  I still run Dunlops on my XR... the Pirelli MT21's got very hard and slick very fast, the Dunlop 606's last a bit longer.

[Blackout]

I've always run Bridgestones on everything but tried the Michelin Pilot Rd 5s at my last tire change then took a 3 day ride in the mountains. the Michelins are legit. Waiting to see how many miles I can get out of them.