| Author | Message | ||
     Midknyte |
What is anyones opinion / thoughts on the stock Dunlops and under 50 degrees (temperature) traction / riding? Thanks. | ||
| Fullpower |
purchased my buell last fall, ran the first 350 miles in temps between 24 and 38 degrees F.the d 207's work ok in cold, and only fair in wet. | ||
| Easyflier |
I don't think they grip for beans until warm. Run lower than recommended tire pressure to accelerate the warm up and be cautious. | ||
| Fullpower |
dont worry you will wear them out real soon. i got 2700 miles on my d207's and the first 600 miles were real gentle miles. | ||
| Starter |
I found they were fine in the colder temps as I had mine only in winter. I would rate them a fair performer in the wet. Definately better than road/race compounds like D208GP and not any worse than D208s. I have found sports touring tyres get my vote of confidence in the wet (D220 etc) as they don;t seem to need any warm up. (Message edited by starter on September 28, 2004) | ||
| Spike |
My personal opinion is that the OEM 207s are downright scary when they're cold. While I'm at it, they're very sensitive to tire pressures, cup easily, wear out quickly, and have a flatter profile that causes a dull turn in when compared to proper tires. No matter what type of riding you do, there are far better tires than the OEM 207s. Mike L. '04 XB12R | ||
| Macbuell |
I didn't realize how bad the 207's were until I put on some real tires. I have Pirelli Diablos on now and won't be changing to anything else. | ||
| Xb9er |
I feel the same as Spike and Macbuell. The cupping of the front tire, the flat profile, the cost, as well as the thin tread make OEM D207's a poor tire choice. Cold weather traction/performance becomes a moot point. Metzeler Sportec M-1's or Pirelli Diablo's. Mike. | ||
| Outrider |
I must be anal retentive. Two sets of 207's and now a set of 208's on my X1. Ridden hot, cold, wet, dry, onroad, offroad, smooth pavement, rough pavement, clean roads, heavy sand'n'gravel roads as well as in snow and ice conditions without any problems. About the only things I haven't done with them is ride them on a track or in BattleTrax. Looks like I have something to look forward to by trying other brands. The only thing that keeps holding me back is I get excellent mileage and performance from the Dunlops. The most important thing in my mind is the predictability of a tires response to input especially in dire situations. In that respect, I guess I am just used to the Dunlops as you may be to another brand. In conclusion, I don't see where the Dunlops are bad, but I sure like to read what others say about their tire choices. | ||
| Glitch |
I don't see where the Dunlops are bad Me either, except for the fact the Buell issue ones are lighter (thinner?) so they wear out faster. Never did I lack confidence while I had them. The Dunlop issue Dunlops are better IMHO, as far as longevity is concerned. At the same time, the M1s, are IMHO better for the XBs. So much better that once you've tried 'em you won't want to try anything else. | ||
| Outrider |
Does anyone have anything to report on Michelin's? They were my favorite sport tire before I bought a Buell with Dunlops. Then again, all things change. The Brands folks are touting now, didn't work worth a darn then. LOL | ||
| Macbuell |
I really think it is the profile difference that makes the M1's and the Diablos the better tire. They both have a taller profile compared to the Dunlop. This gives the tire a larger contact patch while at lean promoting stability and greater feel. That's just my opinion. I have read that the new 208's are supposed to have a higher profile so they may be more comparable than the 207's are. Cupping was also a big issue for me on the 207's and I am not sure that Dunlop has done anything to fix that problem. I have over 2,500 miles on my Diablos and tred life has been great and I have not seen any indication of cupping. By the way, considering I weigh about 190 both of those points are even more valid. As far the the Michelin Pilot's are concerned, I do not have any personal experience with them. I did read a tire comparison in Motorcycle News I think that stated they were great tires until they got really hot and then they became a little unpredictable. For normal street riding, I don't know home much of an issue that will be. | ||
| Daves |
I love the H2s but they are not the best choice for street use. They are pretty scary in the rain and wear out in about 1500 miles(with one track day on them) | ||
| Outrider |
MacBuell...cupping is an interesting subject. Too many variables to really get into and be conclusive. Just to mess things up, the following is my experience and I religiously check air pressures before every ride, don't overload the bike but ride aggressively. I have never cupped Michelin (four sets sport and two dual purpose radials) or Dunlop tires (three sets sport, two sets sport touring and two sets cruiser) but cupped all four sets of Metzler's (two sport and two cruiser). Luck of the draw, eh? | ||
| Macbuell |
I have not tried Metzelers or Michelins so I cannot comment on them. The 207's for me cupped severely. I have heard from others that this is a common problem with the 207's. | ||
| Glitch |
I think the aggressive rake and trail on our bikes make cupping more of an issue. I've cupped all the fronts of all the brands I've tried so far. Some more than others, more compound related than brand me thinks. The price you pay for an aggressive set up suspension and geometry. | ||
| Spike |
Just in case I gave the wrong impression in my last post- It's not that the OEM 207s are bad. It's just that there are better tires available that offer both more traction and more mileage at the same time. Mike L. | ||
| Outrider |
Hey, I will go for more traction AND more mileage anytime. Just don't want to sacrifice traction for mileage. | ||
| Buellkowski |
Last January, sunny, 35 degrees & dry streets, but not much warm-up. Lost rear traction on a right-hand turn from a stop sign. Also lost the right footpeg, brake pedal, etc. That was on stock 205's and I can't wait to get new tires next year. | ||
| Lovematt |
Personally I hated the D207s and was honestly wondering where the great handling everyone raved about was on my bike. Then I got the Michelin Pilots and the bike was transformed into a much better handling bike...at least for the street. | ||
| Odie |
Rode some good 100mph plus long sweepers today on my 208 and was very pleased...... | ||
| Outrider |
Lovematt...How is the mileage on the Michelin Pilots? I assume you have the Pilot Sports. Correct? | ||
| Lovematt |
Actually they say Michelin Pilot Road on the sidewalls. Mileage is great...about 3,000 miles on the rear and I should get about 10,000 out of them...even the rear. I also have an SV1000S with the Michelin Pilot Sports with about 2,500 miles on them...I would say I'll get about 7,000-8,000 miles out of the rear easy. On both tire sets the traction is good...I don't ride in heavy wet weather but the roads get fogged in and shiny with no problems with traction even then...I have been very happy with them. | ||
| Outrider |
I have used the older version of the Pilot Sports on my FJ1200 and averaged around 7,500 miles on the rear. Got the same with my first set of 207's on the X1, then about 5,000 on my second set, but the first set was more highway sweeper miles and the second set lived in the twisties. Also rode two up with the second set quite a bit which probably cost me lots of miles as I didn't change my riding habits. LOL Seldom rode the Michelin's in the rain. I lived in So Cal and we just didn't get any. The Dunlop's however, have seen plenty of the stuff and handle very nicely on the slick asphalt. Wonder when some MC mag is going to do a tire shoot out. Sure would like to get some unbiased (yeah sure) input. LOL | ||
| Jabrien00 |
one word diablos it's worth it |
