Has Anyone On Here Used....

[H2RICK]

Dunlop D205's ??
I have to replace my rear D218 before the end of June and, of course, the D218 is unknown to everyone but your local Suzuki dealer through Suzuki itself.
The D205 looks like the closest match. Opinions/experences, anyone ??

[Red01]

Does it have to be a Dunlop? There's plenty of other good brands out there that make good tires.

[stormi]

Dita had a D208 on her when we got her.  That tire seemed to wear really fast, but then I wasn't the only caretaker of it, so I can't say that was unusual.  I much prefer the Bridgestone Battlax that's on it now though.  

The metz that we had on the front got replaced as soon as I finished my motorcycle class, because it was badly cupped. (I didn't know what the problem was, but my instructor noticed it, took it for a ride, and declared the tire done.)

[H2RICK]

Does it have to be a Dunlop? There's plenty of other good brands out there that make good tires.

Yep, Paul, I totally agree that just about anything is better than "Dungslops", as they are semi-affectionately known at work. However, since I'm not[/b] replacing the front Dunlop OE 218 tire at this time because it's still in good condition, I'm looking for a rear replacement tire that has the same slip angles and breakaway characteristics as the 218. Reading what little info there is available on the 205 gives me the idea that the rubber compound and casing construction SHOULD be very similar to the 218.
The danger, as you may/may not know, in using a different manufacturer's tire on the rear is that the different mfr's tire might be too "good" as compared to the OE 218 on the front.
This, of course, would allow the rear tire to be able to "overpower" or "push" the front end more than is good for me and/or the Bandit.....if you get my "drift"......(sorry, but I couldn't resist the cheap pun).
Well, Stormi, the D208 might have been a good match but they're no longer available. I've also considered the Metzelers as well but I'd have to change both and that's not an option as mentioned above.....and below.
In the best of all possible worlds I'd just throw a new set of Battlax BT021's on and call it done.....but current finances won't allow this. Besides, the front D218 has still gots lots of distance left in it and my inherently thrifty Scots blood won't let me toss it just for the sake of convenience.
Yes, folks, this is probably somewhat A/R for a lot of you....
but I'm really big on having proper rubber on ANY wheels under me....two or four. We all have our little quirks (and, yes, I have my share and more) but this particular quirk is a hot-button item with me. Over the years I've learned that if you look after your tires all 'round, they'll look after you.
There's nothing guaranteed to concentrate your mind on tires like changing a flat or blowout on some country road at 2:00AM in forty below temps with a nice 30 knot breeze to keep you from getting too sweaty while wrestling with a jack and a lug wrench......and then finding out your spare has gone flat too. I survived that lesson and ever since then I've been very conscious of tire condition on ALL my vehicles.  
So, if there is anyone out there that has experience with D205's I'm all eyes/ears......

[stormi]

Hopefully the BT021 is a nicer tire than the BT020 that I have on the front of the 919.  My GOD that's an awful tire.  It's balanced, yet it bounces.  I've considered taking it off and throwing it out, but like you, the finances don't permit it at this point.  Though it's tempting to remove it and keep it for a spare in case I'm -really- desperate, since it has less than 5K kms on it.

So far, the only bike I have that has matched tires on it is the KTM,.. and that's cos the knobbies are still square on it's original tires.  The other two have similar tread types front and back, but not the same brands.  Of course, I don't even come close to riding any of them to their potential,  though you can tell I can take a corner if I wanna.      

[2005B12S]

The D205 is a Z rated ST tire that should give more life than the comparable D220. I have ridden the 220's but never the 205. I don't see much difference between the two except the 205 is designed to give extended mileage.

I have ridden the D208's, they are now replaced with the Qualifiers. I was always very happy with them, wore out a few sets on my TL1000.

I have since gone to the Michelin Pilot Power. These are the best street tires I have ridden. I now have them on the B12 and 900SS. If the need for maximum grip outweights the need for high wear, the Pilots are the way to go.

Good Luck, Ed

[pmackie]

Hey H2Rick

Like you, I would want as close a tire from the same manufacturer as possible, but make sure it is LESS sticky not more sticky than the front you are leaving on.

I think your comment got it though:

This, of course, would allow the rear tire to be able to "overpower" or "push" the front end more than is good for me and/or the Bandit.....

[H2RICK]

Thnak you, Ed. That's the kind of feedback I need/want. I think I'll go with a 205 on the rear because it's going to be a little less grippy than the 218 and that's what I need. I'm not a big Michelin fan because I've never believed that you get 20% more performance/mileage just because it says Michelin on the sidewall.....the 20% being what a given Michelin tire typically costs above the next nearest competitor....but that's just MO.

[PaulVS]

Replace both front & rear with Shinko 009's from ridenow.com.  

Why waste more time with the most overpriced crap tires ever made for a motorcycle?

(Dunlops)

[H2RICK]

Yep, Paul, I could do that since we sell Shinkos where I work but unfortunately I'm just another "brand-name brainwashed consumer sheep".
Yes, I know the Shinkos are really Korean-made Yokohamas.....but I've never been a Yoko fan.
My "outside-the-box" thinking stops with Conti Road Attacks which I'm considering for when I need to replace both tires at once.....probably around the 14,000 kilometre mark. It's either those or some BattlAx BT021's. Well, we'll see....

[PaulVS]

If the Shinko's scare you off... I'd still go with Pirelli Strada's or Metzeler Z6's.

Either one will last longer and have better grip than just about anything dunlop or bridgestone offer.

I was a big Conti fan in the 80's... but I don't think they've kept up as well in the m/c arena.

[Red01]

If the Shinko's scare you off... I'd still go with Pirelli Strada's or Metzeler Z6's.

I don't know if he's willing to go with those... they're even more expensive than Michelins...      

[PaulVS]

If the Shinko's scare you off... I'd still go with Pirelli Strada's or Metzeler Z6's.

I don't know if he's willing to go with those... they're even more expensive than Michelins...      

And Dunlops are cheap?    

[H2RICK]

Fair comment from both of you Pauls.....
I have considered the Metzelers as well as the Contis. Pirellis are a non-starter for me because I've not ever used any and haven't known anyone who has.....so no real feedback has been available to me on the Stradas.
Nope, this whole thing is a real head-scratcher. It comes down to (probably) the BT021's or Z6's with the Road Attacks as a "Plan B" thing. If the Bandit had been originally equipped with BT020's I wouldn't have to be worrying myself with all these decisions....... ....and Dunlops would be my (almost) last choice in the best of all worlds......but I have ordered the D205 for this go-round. Feedback to follow as available.....

[Red01]

Pirellis are a non-starter for me because I've not ever used any and haven't known anyone who has.....so no real feedback has been available to me on the Stradas.

Pirelli Strada = Metzeler Z6 with a different tread pattern cut in it.
From everything I've read, the two come off the same assy line and are made of the same compound