Jason Disalvo pops a tire!

[B-MAC]

Everyone has an opinion, I voiced mine. You are right in saying that some people jump on a band wagon to protest things because of what he said or she said. Thats not me, I could care less how many Championships have been won by Dunlop. In my mind, the S U C K. Tire failure is a bad thing, at any speed. But when it happens over and over again with the same manufacturer, I am not buying them!!! And, to top it all off, the Dunlop tires that came on my dirtbike were crap after 1 ride, which telld me, they don't know what they are doing. Oh, I almost forgot, all the crap 207's that come on new bikes that get become horribly cupped after only 2000 miles.

Some of you may have a great relationship with Dunlop and that is great for you. I had the same with Michelin in the past. But, have you thought about trying something else!!! Are you running Dunlops just because they have numerous championships, or because you like them??

[GAMEDIC]

My Pirelli's have never come apart... but then again i'm slow ;D

[Super Dave]

Make all the excuses you want, like the tire rubbed. What a crock of sh!t. That's just a manufacturer trying to dodge a bullet.

Actually, as fourandsix stated, Tom Halverson reported the rubbing.  Tom is with Yamaha.  Mistakes can happen.  Tom Kipp lost the whole front wheel from his bike when he was with Yosh.  

In a perfect world, nothing would ever happen to anyone.  Certainly, a contracted rider doesn't want to have something like this to happen.  The Dunlop tire test is kind of high profile because they have such a big commitment to the US market.  No one else has done what Dunlop did, is doing, and will probably continue doing.

As for other manufacturer tires failing...I'm sure it happens.  But those sessions are a bit different.

I do remember Dale Quarterley getting hurt in 1996 testing Michelins at Daytona.  I do remember WSB star Giancarlo Falappa getting hurt testing  Michelins at Texas World Speeday in like 1995.

We do have to remember that these are "A" riders on "A" level bikes.  Not even "B" level riders on "A+" bikes may not be able to generate the loads that these riders impose on the tires and chassis.

I am primarily a Michelin racer, but I do have to stand up for Dunlop in this matter.

[1fastmofo]

In a perfect world, nothing would ever happen to anyone.  Certainly, a contracted rider doesn't want to have something like this to happen.  The Dunlop tire test is kind of high profile because they have such a big commitment to the US market.  No one else has done what Dunlop did, is doing, and will probably continue doing.

We do have to remember that these are "A" riders on "A" level bikes.  Not even "B" level riders on "A+" bikes may not be able to generate the loads that these riders impose on the tires and chassis.

I am primarily a Michelin racer, but I do have to stand up for Dunlop in this matter.

I agree that mistakes happen. If the tire rub occured on the swingarm, either the tire is the wrong size, or there is some serious misalignment of that rear axle. If that's the case, then that A+ rider has a D- mechanic, which I find hard to believe. I'm sure the mechanic knows how to properly install a rear tire. It's pretty obvious to anyone when a tire is installed wrong. I don't buy it.

Even if there are mistakes, they're usually isolated events. Recently, to only have one brand of tire have catastrophic failure is no coincidence. Now, if one is going to say that the bikes have to high of a power to weight ratio, that's B.S. These ridrers have tires made by D- engineers.

I consider a tire as a motorcycle part, especially at that level. Tire manufacturers need design criteria. How much does the bike weigh? What type of forces are we going to see? Ect... ect... Then they go and develop a tire to suit those needs. At least they're supposed to, and I'm sure they have. What they've come up with doesn't work and instead of pushing the envelope the way they have to, they should first determine a minimum safety factor, then base performance on that design. I think it would be better for Dunlop to be a second off of pace than to have their tires explode.

If there was a certain part that was failing on your car, or an appliance at home, in some other product that you use, you wouldn't use that product. You certainly wouldn't give it your support. UNLESS, you are a paid or endorser of that product. More likely than not, there is a stipulation in any agreement with a manufacturer that you cannot give any poor review of the product that helps pay for your racing campaign. Look at racers who bad mouth factories or products after they switch to another team. It's because they're no longer obligated not to say anything negative.

I don't know anything about tire design or development, but I do know that you can't place the blame on the bikes, riders, or the tracks. Dunlop is certainly scrambling to make changes. I hope they do and their product improves because of it. I don't want to see any dead riders because everyone pretends the product is fine even though it's exploding here and there.

I'll never be as good as the pros. Hell, I hope to someday be a fraction as good as Superdave.  ;D But, I just hope that Dunlop does something better before someone dies, and that people see that the blame should be placed on the design, not the bikes or the track. If you don't have a product that can stand up to the rigors of what you throw at it, don't risk your riders life with something inferior.