Looking for some feedback on those who use 208's? Thanks
Ok, so someone has to be racing dunlops?
I am looking to make a tire brand change and want to get an Idea how they perform.
I can tell you that I switched from the D208's to Bridgestones and I couldn't be happier...
I don't have experience with the 208s but I used to buy 207ZRs for my streetbikes for years. Tried one set of 207GPs on the RC51 and the tread looked like it was coming off the carcass of the tire, kind of like a seam where carpets meet. They told me it was 'normal'. Ran Michelins ever since...
I run Dunlops on my SV. They seem fine -- a little rounder profile than the Pirellis, but I don't really have a preference either way. They seem to wear fairly well, and they slide predictably when they wear down. Contingency is only for races with 10 or more.
I run them mostly because they're made in Buffalo, NY, where I grew up, and because I'm not fast enough to tell if they suck or not.
Roadracing World did a tire comparison a while back -- Dunlop did fine in one category and horrible in the other, if I recall correctly.
Ya, the 208's did great in the comparison, it was their new tires that were not so hot.
I liked them. But when I get my YZF track ready it will have Michelins. But now with a new distributor, the 208's are now about the same price as Michelins.
One thing I can say...the slicks are TOTALLY different and absolutely better. Going from DOTs to slicks with the other brands don't really produce major differences. BUT, the Dunlops do. The slicks are really good. The problem...getting the chasis setup to work with them. :'(
The new sportmax 209s are nice. The fronts are much better, much fewer groves. Much more like a slick and last much longer for me than the 208s. The 208s are probably better for wet tracks.
On a side note the Dunlop rains....I love the new rear and the front is good but not as much contact patch vertically compared to the older rains. I was slippn the front bad braking for T1 at RRR. The last supprisingly well in the dry as I found out.
I've ran 207's, 208's and now 209's. I've never had any tire problems. I like the way when the start to wear out, they give you subtle notices. A little slip here or there, not one big oh $hit!. ;D
Dunlops are very predictable in the way they grip, slide and lose traction. They warm up quickly and wear well.
I ran the new 209s at Daytona and Road America and was amazed at how long they lasted.
I ran the new 209's at Topeka this weekend. I went out on cold tires for all my races. They warmed up quick and had excellent grip. In fact I led the start of every race I entered. ;D
Thanks for the input, I will be trying some this weekend at VIR ;)