Dunlop Qualifier Tyres for 08 Blade

aardvark1614 · 07-13-2008, 3:55 AM

Anybody have experiance of the various type of Qualifier, particularly road versus track?

Have Bridgstone 014 or 015? as original equipment and very stable with good rear feedback

aardvark1614

dev435 · 07-13-2008, 9:10 AM

i've got the rr version as standard with my blade must say i'm impressed done 2500 miles so far including a run to germany and they still seem fine

lanbrown · 07-13-2008, 3:25 PM

I don't ride on Dunlops at all. I have never been impressed with them. I know people wo race, they tried the Qualifier once and then went back to other brands.

maxib · 07-13-2008, 6:41 PM

One week ago I had Dunlop 209s mounted on my 954 at a track day. Both I and another (much better rider using my bike) rider thought they were great tires.

After correcting tire pressure for the street, they still perform superbly. I do not expect big mileage out of these tires, but they do what I want them to do.

slickwill · 07-13-2008, 9:20 PM

I had new D208's mounted by Dunlop Race Tire Service at the same track day that maxib is talking about. I thought they stuck very well, then had a great rider take me out for a two up and we REALLY pushed the tires and still had no issues at all.

bob bobbleton · 07-14-2008, 7:03 AM

Just had qualifier RR fitted front and rear they grip so much better than the BT015 that were on as stock.

Bobby B

rjarrowman · 07-14-2008, 2:02 PM

I have found the dunlops to be a great tire on the track. I used 208 GP's on both of my 929's and loved them. The only other tire I used regularly was Michelin slicks. Pirelli's sucked on anything with power. The Dunlop's will indeed wear out sooner than you may like. Try to find a deal on 2 rears and 1 front.

Zuhnu99 · 08-21-2008, 5:53 AM

My bike factory tyres were Bridgestone BT015 F. Those are wery reliable, stable and grip is wery impressive. In 6300km I change those to the Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier 190/50ZR17 NK and 120/70ZR17 PTK. Now the back end of my bike is sliding sideways in a hard cornering in rought tarmac. When Dunlop's are warmed up, grip is better. Bridgestone dosn't do that at all. Hard braking and acceleration feeling is also strange with dunlop tyres. It feels like on the road were little bumps. I don't know if the tyre is sliding little bit or tyre body gives up.

Bridgestone BT015F. My skills dosn't are so high as the tyre features. 10 points.

Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier 190/50ZR17 NK and 120/70ZR17 PTK. Unstable and unreliable tyres. Working better when those are warmed up. I hope that those die soon. 7 points.

Now I have Pirelli Diablo Corsa III tyres. Those are waiting that when Dunlop's are bald.

exit90a · 08-21-2008, 6:11 AM

Dunlops seem to very have a narrow range of useability depending on tire temp. Too low a temp and they slide, too hot and they wear out super quick. I have used ALL types of tires, with the exception of Maxxis, and Dunlop is my least favorite. I can't say enough about the Pilot Power line. Great traction under all temps, quick yet stable handling and decent lifespan as well. As long as these tires are available, my bike will have only them mounted.

Lornick · 08-21-2008, 10:10 AM

My 2008 Blade came with Dunlop Qualifier R tyres as standard fit and my thoughts on them are as follows;

They warm up easily and once warm their levels of dry grip are excellent.

They also work well in the wet, as long as you are smooth on the throttle - anything other and they do let go quite quickly.

The Qualifier RR is a slightly softer composition, so should wear more quickly than the R variant.

Tyre life has been terrible. My bike has 2800 miles on it and I'm on my third rear (without going anywhere near a trackday).

The front is wearing well, but my next change will be to Pirelli's and I'll see how they go.