The Dunlop D208 is our least favourite road tyre at SuperBike, by a mile. What with all the people who’ve hit the deck on 208-shod bikes and the number of models seriously compromised by original equipment Dunlop D218s (D208s by a different name), we’re pretty wary of the Dumplots to put it mildly.
Several quotes leapt out the pre-event presentation and into my notebook; “constant road feedback in all weather conditions”, “more stability and a bigger contact patch”, “increased and more consistent grip”and “shorter warm up time.”
Right, so, better feedback has to be good, increased grip is a definite improvement and faster warm up time speaks for itself. I have to admit I was sceptical rolling down Almeria’s pit lane for the first time, but I needn’t have been because the Qualifier feels like a different tyre altogether (rather than just an improved version of the 208).
The initial feeling is quite soft but once they’re warm the carcass feels harder than, say, a Pirelli Diablo Corsa (one of the tyres they used for benchmark testing). In a way that’s a good thing because they deform less under load, maintaining shape thanks to Dunlop’s Carcass Tension Control System (CTCS) controlling the stress distribution and maintaining a constant contact patch however the tyre is loaded.
That also helps the steering and makes flicking bike through a chicane, or turning into a corner hard on the brakes less effort than a softer tyre with this profile might be.
There’s no question the Qualifier remains a road tyre which means I grip is compromised to some degree for the sake of stability and longevity but that is common across this sector of tyre and you shouldn’t underestimate the amount of grip the Qualifier has.
The stiffly-sprung Kawasaki ZX-10R did ask too much and the rear began to run out of grip at maximum lean (right on the very edge of the tyre on the track when the ground temperature was 35 degrees).
More softly sprung litre bikes (R1, CBR1000RR) and the full quota of 600 sports bikes I tested didn’t have the same problem. The chief problem with the old D208-sudden and unpredictable loss of grip, especially at the rear – seems to have been quashed with help from Dunlop’s single, jointless belt (JLB) wound between the carcass and tread.
The JLB minimizes dynamic growth (when the centre of the tyre expands with speed) which helps maintain the size of the contact patch but also reduces excessive heat build up which afflicted the old D208. Any slide was always predictable with much improved grip and feel, front and rear.
On the evidence of this track and road launch I’d say the Qualifier sits alongside Michelin’s Pilot Power and Pirelli Diablo in the sport road market. Along with other new offerings from Avon and Continental in 2005 we’re long overdue another group tyre test. How about it then Kenny…?
