Dunlop 208's???

1730 Views 17 Replies 0 Participants Last post by Guest, Feb 17, 2005

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Discussion Starter · Feb 8, 2005

GP's or ZR's?? Being honest, I don't get alot of aggressive riding and will probably never do a track day on these tires. I get some twisties on the weekends but most of the commuting is freeway or fairly straight roads. I know either one is going to handle beyond my capabilities but still, I want a good tire, and guess some descent mileage. I had also heard that Dunlops tend to run a little wider than other brands which kinda helps out in the looks department, IMO. I guess Michelin Pilot Powers would be a second choice as well. Also heard on another site that Michelin is coming out with a 190 designed to work on the 5.5" wheel.

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G

Discussion Starter · #2 · Feb 8, 2005

Re: Dunlop 208's??? (galaxy)

GPs are the cat's a** but expect half the life you'd get out of regular 208s. I had a set of 208s on my S4R (after a set of Pilot Sports which I didn't like at all) then replaced them with a medium soft front 208GP and a medium rear 208GP, two track days and around 1,800 miles on the rear and it is in pretty rough shape, I'm on my second medium soft front in that time. Incredible feel though, incredible grip. Could get to be an expensive habit though.

G

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 8, 2005

Re: Dunlop 208's??? (Yowza)

ZR's are as good as any i guess. i have them on my two bikes.

G

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 9, 2005

Put a 'sport' tire on the front and a 'sport touring' tire on the rear.

G

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 9, 2005

Re: Dunlop 208's??? (galaxy)

You've answered your own question. It's a street bike, use good street tires. GP's are race tires and they will heat cycle. ZR's are better when both tires are cold, better in the rain, and after the GP's have a few cycles in them, are probably better all around. 1800 miles out of a GP? Does that thing even still resemble rubber?

G

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 9, 2005

Re: Dunlop 208's??? (galaxy)

If you want the truth, for your needs, a set of D220's would be the best bet. They'll last twice as long as 208ZR's, they're awesome in the rain, and they stick just fine. I have a set on my ZRX1100, and I've pushed them hard with no problems.

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G

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 9, 2005

Re: Dunlop 208's??? (number_nine)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by number_nine »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1800 miles out of a GP? Does that thing even still resemble rubber?</TD></TR></TABLE>

! It remotely resembles rubber. Actually this post had me thinking and I checked my mileage, more like 1,300 miles on the rear. A very expensive habit. Incredibly fun tires though.

G

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 9, 2005

AZ Scott, thanks for the tip on the 220's, not a bad idea...espicially when I can be honest with myself about my riding style. I think I (personally) would be hard pressed to ever feel the difference between the two because I'm sure the 220's are no slouch on the street. Also, and I know it's very minor, but the 220's are just a tiny tad bit wider than the 208's. I don't know how this tire is designed as far as lean angle and all that but sure it would look good.

G

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 9, 2005

Re: Dunlop 208's??? (Yowza)

I got about 100 miles out of my last one.

G

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 9, 2005

Re: Dunlop 208's??? (number_nine)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by number_nine »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I got about 100 miles out of my last one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

And I thought my habit was expensive! What compound and what were you doing that chewed one up in 100 miles? I got 1 track day and some road miles out of a medium soft front (total of about 750 miles) and 2 track days and some road miles out of a medium rear.

G

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 10, 2005

Re: Dunlop 208's??? (Yowza)

Ok, there may be a half-track day left in them but that's it. I'm running the American made version which only comes in Medium.

G

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 15, 2005

WOW, I just got back from the local tire shop and actually looked at a set of 208ZR's in a 170/60 and a 180/55. I was thinking about changing to a 180 mostly for looks but I know the opinions about the 170 handling better. Anyways, I couldn't believe how much wider the 170 Dunlop was compared to my 170 Michelin Hi-Sport's. Or so it appeared. Looked at the Pilot Powers too, they look pretty fat also. I like the looks of both and the Dunlop is a little cheaper but I have heard Michelins last a little longer but don't know if that applies to the Powers as well.

G

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 15, 2005

Re: (galaxy)

The Powers will blow the other two away in mileage and in handling. They are test tube tires. Just like the MotoGp Michelins. Well the MotoGP tires use a larger test tube!

Now the pilot powers "Race" tyres are another breed of hoop!

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G

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 16, 2005

Really??? I thought the Powers were more in line with the 208GP's and more of a street legal track tire. Based on looks it was between the two anyways but if the Power handles better and will last longer on the street I guess I can have my cake and eat it too!!! BTW, what do you mean by "test tube tires"??

G

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 16, 2005

What kind of mileage could you expect from these two tires on a normally driven street bike?

G

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 16, 2005

Re: (galaxy)

Pilot Powers are street tires. I did 2 track days on them in Las Vegas in Oct. and they were fantastic. Supposed to wear longer than Pilot Sports so you should get at least 4-5,000 miles on the street (about what I got on D207s, Pilot Sports and Pirelli Diablos on a 1997 900 SS). Most people recommend NOT buying race tires for the street.
Joe

G

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 16, 2005

2

Re: (galaxy)

Normally driven to whom? I don't get 2000 miles out of a set of 207s or 208Zrs. Joe gets 4000. What's normally driven?

What you really need is to put the 220s on as Scott suggested. You asked about mileage, 220s will give you the best mileage while still being grippy, followed by 208ZRs which sacrifice some mileage for improved grip. And then there are the 208GPs, which sacrifice all mileage for ultimate grip. I'm using Dunlop tires as an example but the same holds true across the manufacturing board.

You have a sporty bike that you occasionally ride in a sporty fashion. Self explanatory. If you've absolutely got to have the GPs, drop ship them directly to me & I'll run a race or two on them & then send them to you.

I'll even pay for the shipping. I'll put your name on the side of my bike and list you as a sponser if you do that.

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G

Discussion Starter · #18 · Feb 17, 2005

No, I learned the difference way back at the begining of this thread and know that the GP's are not for me. The 220's would be ideal but I think I would personally go with the ZR's (or Pilot Powers??) simply for looks preference. I don't mind buying a tire a little bit early as long as I'm happy with it. Plus, I am a believer that even on a moderately ridden street bike, tires make a huge difference, even if you're not pushing to the edge.

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