Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MECHANICAL & TECHNICAL => Topic started by: H2RICK on June 08, 2007, 11:40:39 AM
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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 ??
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Does it have to be a Dunlop? There's plenty of other good brands out there that make good tires.
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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.)
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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. :duh: :grin:
So, if there is anyone out there that has experience with D205's I'm all eyes/ears......
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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. :wink:
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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
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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.....
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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.
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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)
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Yep, Paul, I could do that since we sell Shinkos where I work but unfortunately I'm just another "brand-name brainwashed consumer sheep". :wink:
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....
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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.
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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... :stickpoke: :wink: :bandit:
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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... :stickpoke: :wink: :bandit:
And Dunlops are cheap? :stickpoke: :wink:
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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....... :wink:....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.....
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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
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They are selling 208's here for $175 for a pair. I am not a big fan of Dunslap's but I have seen some good riding on 208's and they do wear out fast. I personally have been happy with my Z6's.
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OK...it's a done deal. I mounted the D205 on my rear wheel last night after we closed the yard up. Now if it'll stop raining for a day or so and I can go for a ride to scuff the tire in somewhat, I'd be a lot happier. I don't want to be riding off to the PNW II ride this coming weekend on a totally brand new tire. A guy gould come to grief doing that kind of thing..... :wink: :grin:
More info/observations/opinion on this tire coming after next weekend's big meetup/ride with the US Bandit folks. Stay tuned.
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Would you believe that this whole time, I've had a D204 sitting in my shed? I just noticed it the other day, and thought,.. Oh! I know someone interested in a similar tire! I haven't mounted it yet, but what do you think of the 205?
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OK....First observations (very subjective, of course):
1) the 205 takes quite awhile to warm up. This doesn't bode well for rainy weather, since our rainy days are typically cool where I usually ride. Make note to self on this important point:
No fancy riding in the wet !!!
2) the first 200 km was quite rough, compared to the 218....maybe the belts were getting used to each other ?? Maybe I'd forgotten what the 218 was like originally ?? The 205 IS getting smoother though so that's good.
3) the grip of the 205 appears to be about the same as the 218 so at least the back is not trying to push the front through the corners.
4) chicken strips are about the same size on the 205 as they were on the 218 so that's good......I guess. :grin:
Strangely enough, the Dunlop Master Dealer Catalogue recommends the new Qualifier as the "preferred" replacement for the 218 with the 205 as "second choice".
More data to follow when my shoulder heals up allowing me to get back in the saddle and put more miles on the 205.
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Well, at about 2400 miles on my new B1250, my rear D218 is on it's way out.
I've had no complaints on this tire, it's been sticky and predictable even with the flat spot now occuring in the middle. I've used the tread all the way out to the edge (no chicken-strips left) and once got them hot enought to melt some "string cheese" off the edge, (it was over 90 that day) but generally haven't gotten too crazy. Haven't touched a peg down yet. :motorsmile:
The flat spot is from the sheer torque... I have NOT done a single burn-out or spun the rear at all, but the temptation to crank on the throttle in the higher gears on this bike is too much to resist... the g-force pull is way too addicting. You don't see a black stripe, but it's definitely leaving rubber on the road. :bandit:
The front still has a thousand or two left on it. I use my front brake aggressively and often, but the tire is wearing smoothly and evenly. I'll probably change them both out at once anyway.
These OEM Dunlops were definitely not intended for longevity, but they handle nice and stick good. If the D205's or D208's are anything like them, they'll only be good for 3-4K or so, which drops them from my list.
Right now I'm looking hard at the new Michelin Pilot Road 2CT's as my next pair, or possibly the Continental Road Attacks. The new PR-2's come in a 190/55ZR-17 size, most 190's only come in a 50.
Like anyone else, I want the best of both worlds... sticky and long-lasting. But I'd rather sacrifice a little corner speed for a few extra K's of mileage at this point. I don't run with a pack of sportbikes, and my budget is a concern. I don't mind paying for the best, as long as I don't have to pay often. :wink:
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Right now I'm looking hard at the new Michelin Pilot Road 2CT's
Zenman: I had heard that Michelin had recalled a bunch of their Pilot series tires. I'm not sure whether it was the Pilot Powers or the Pilot Roads. Something for you to look into before buying anything with the Micehelin name on it....until they get it all sorted out.
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The recall is on Pilot Power & Power 2CT fronts in the 120/70ZR17 size.
Here's the press release (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/06-15-2007/0004609225&EDATE=)
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Right now I'm looking hard at the new Michelin Pilot Road 2CT's
Zenman: I had heard that Michelin had recalled a bunch of their Pilot series tires. I'm not sure whether it was the Pilot Powers or the Pilot Roads. Something for you to look into before buying anything with the Micehelin name on it....until they get it all sorted out.
Thanks for the heads up, Rick. But I think Red is right and the recall is for the Power2CT's and not the Road2CT's.
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Thanks for sorting that out, Red. Now we ALL know exactly what's involved. :thanks: :thumb:
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My 06 came with 218s. Just had to replace the rear due to a nail (and premature wear) with a Michelin Pilot Road. Seems like a pretty good tire. Can't feel any difference in handling or anything. I'll replace the front with the same next spring.