Sport tyre test

[pritch]

The July edition of BIKE magazine contained an evaluation of sports tyres. Track temperature and wind conditions were variable but basically the entire test was conducted on a dry track. No testing for longevity.

"One winner":

***** (five stars)

Pirelli Diablo Rosso


****
Metzeler Sportec M3
Dunlop Qualifier 209
Continental Contisport Attack
Bridgestone BT016


***
Michelin Pilot Power 2ct
Avon Viper Sport

**

Maxxis Supermaxx Sport

Some of you may be surprised at how far you have to look down that list to find the PPs.

Some of the testers comments re the PP2ct:
"They steer well."
"There's great feel from the front and you can get them right over onto their side, even at high speed."
"Up to about 80% effort they're as good as the rest. But when you're really pushing the back moves about. Where the others are progressive this is more eratic."

Although he does point out that you'd have to be a fruitcake to ride that fast on the road.

Test vehicle was a 2008 CBR1000RR

[pritch]

That "80% effort" is his - almost certainly not yours. Thus the "fruitcake" qualification...

The bike was set up for the track, and the use to which he was putting the tyres required that they change from the standard 36/42 to "track pressures". (No specifics given.)

[SixPackBack]

Interesting. Powers would be my least favourite tyre, at this stage conti sports my favourite [without having tried all the flavours!]

Prices ex cycletreads [for what they advertise]. It should be pointed out they often discount and push powers more than other brands, possibly the reason they remain popular. [120/70 and 190/50]

BT016
259-front
389-rear
648 a set

Qualifier
269.18-front
363.90-rear
633.08 a set

M3
273-front
360.16-rear
633.16 a set

2CT
239-front
379-rear
618 a set

Diablo rosso
265.75-front
356.96-rear
622.71 a set

[discotex]

Seems the PP 2ct is falling behind huh? I like having the harder centre compound of the 016 as I commute 40km/day on the motorway so need to prevent squaring off.

Be interesting to know how the Rosso wears.

[AllanB]

"There's great feel from the front and you can get them right over onto their side, even at high speed."

Ah what a dumb statement! - surely that is the point of a hyper sports tyre!!!!!!


I decided these high end sports tyres were a waste of money for my riding style (and the bikes power etc) - I'm getting better feel, turn-in etc and absolutely no difference in stick with my Pilot Road 2's than the dedicated sticky sports tyres I had before. Plus they will last a lot longer and cost less! WIN WIN to me

[Usarka]

I decided these high end sports tyres were a waste of money for my riding style (and the bikes power etc) - I'm getting better feel, turn-in etc and absolutely no difference in stick with my Pilot Road 2's than the dedicated sticky sports tyres I had before. Plus they will last a lot longer and cost less! WIN WIN to me

Bike mag did a blind test with three riders of different ability last year sometime. From memory everyone rated the st tyres much better than the sports versions......

[R6_kid:Me]

Prices ex cycletreads [for what they advertise]. It should be pointed out they often discount and push powers more than other brands, possibly the reason they remain popular.

Yep, Treads import their own Michelins (and Bridgestones?) which is why they are able to knock the prices down quite a bit more than other brands.

Personally I've been equally happy with the RaceAttacks and Supercorsa Pros, but i'm running 180/55 SC on the rear so it feels like i'm getting it right over, yet i'm not dragging knees/pegs... still looks good when i get to the pub having no chicken strips.

[puddytat]

Ive switched to the Rosso's after years on Michelins, had 'em on my Bros & also on my R6 (PR 2ct) & was amazed at the mileage I got out of them-11000 ks on the R6 & I reckon there was another 3000 still left in the front.
But...seeing as I have decided to take my bike of the road & start racing & being the poor sod I am, I wanted summing a bit stickier. I chose the Rosso over the PP 2's as several folk warned me off them for racing & I didnt go the Super Corsa as I cant afford warmers yet. So I figured the Rosso would be a good compromise as it would warm up quicker.
Seems like the right choice so far....on the one trackday & one race meeting Ive done on them Ive been really quite impressed. Somehow Im feeling more confident on them than I felt on the PR2's,& they seem to be wearing well, though Im not expecting anywhere near the k's I got out the Michelins.
Stable as under hard braking,nice easy transition from upright to fully cranked over & once over they feel really confidence inspiring & rock steady. Going into & thru corners faster than ever with no feeling of "oh OOH". But hey Im not that fast so.... it maybe just my head believing the hype & so I feel more confident.
from me

[pritch]

Ah what a dumb statement! - surely that is the point of a hyper sports tyre!!!!!!

Not entirely fair. You're looking at one remark out of context. He's making a direct comparison to the other tyres in the test, some of which presumably don't behave like that.

The PP2s might also merit specific comments about their handling because they are apparently a different profile to the PR or the various Michelin racing tyres.