New Rear Tire-Dunlop Qualifiers

[mark]

I need a new rear tire, I was riding and felt like my rear tire was really squidly. I checked my air and I was riding flat as could be. Anyhow, i need to replace my rear tire (I had a finishing nail in there) and I had read nice things about the new Dunlop Qualifier in my cycle mag. After checking the website, Dunlop says not to mix old/new tires. Is this just legal lingo, or is there some seriousness to this claim. Most people I know just buy a new tire when needed, usually a rear. Thoughts?

[MagnumForce]

Sounds like a disclaimer to me. Something to keep Dunlop off any potential litigation action, especially in the sue-happy society we live in today. Most riders I know replace a tire as required.

[Mavman]

This threads, and the tire articles might help out also....

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...ad.php?t=13479

[MagnumForce]

Good call, Mav!

See post #16 in the thread Mavman attached concerning mixing different types of tires.

[Mavman]

Thanks EZ!....hopefully it'll help ya out Mark.

[mark]

Well heres the scoop, I ordered the Dunlop Qualifier from Chaparral for $112.95, 180-55-ZR17 (about $100.00 less than my local dealer). It will replace my stock D207 Sportmax which to my knowledge is no longer available. For those who care, it seems that Suzuki has switched to the Bridgestone Battlaxe (or however Bridgestone cares to spell it).

[Mavman]

Sounds like you made out okay Mark.

Any info as to why they switched to the battleaxe?

[MagnumForce]

Hmm... my CBR came stock with the Battleaxes too. Good luck with the switch. I'm interested in knowing how good the Dunlop Qualifiers are.

[jaydog19833]

I sometimes wonder if tire manufacturers want you to change front and rear tires at the same time so that you spend twice as much money on tires. Most people go through 2 back tires in ratio to 1 front. I have 30,000 miles under my belt with over 20,000 of them on my GSXR and it's safe to say I only replaced front or rear tires when they needed to be. I could never justify throwing away a front tire with 50% of it's tread left just because the back wore out.

Also; my bike came stock with Dunlop D218's. The back wore out first, then I switched to Dunlop D208's on the back with the D218 in the front. I never noticed any inconsistencies or problems with mixing different tires. Granted when the front wore out I switched to D208's all around but my belief is that if the tires are similar in wear and pattern there is no reason to fear mixing brands. Obviously you wouldn't take two totally different styles of tire and mix them and expect your bike to perform correctly and in worst case scenario; dangerously.

[jaydog19833]

Originally Posted by Mavman

Any info as to why they switched to the battleaxe?

I'm baffled. I think the Bridgestones are junk. Maybe they made a contract with Suzuki to sell them on their bikes to get the name of a new tire out? Either way I have never been impressed with most stock tires on motorcycles. Mostly because I think they use harder compounds on stock tires so they don't wear out so fast on a new product?

[Mavman]

Originally Posted by jaydog19833

I'm baffled. I think the Bridgestones are junk. Maybe they made a contract with Suzuki to sell them on their bikes to get the name of a new tire out? Either way I have never been impressed with most stock tires on motorcycles. Mostly because I think they use harder compounds on stock tires so they don't wear out so fast on a new product?

Yeah, I'll probably go with metzler's for my cruiser when the time comes. If I do pick up another sport bike, like EZ.....I'm also interested to see what Mark reports on the dunlop quilifiers, it might be a good choice.

[mark]

So far so good on the new rear. Very sticky overall. I think in a few months a may replace the front too...(My only point of dissatisfaction is the clowns at my dealership put wheel weights on with double sided tape vs the ones that clip on the rim....I think I will write the owners a letter about stepping it up a notch there.)