OEM - Dunlop Qualifiers

[quietlilsis]

does anyone know if the stock Qualifiers are the same as the qualifiers everyone raves about? something about the tread pattern looks slightly different from the Qualifiers my pal BV had installed on his R6.

any info would be helpful


btw: my RR is an '08, in case there's a need for that info.

[Vtec44]

From what I read, the OEM version is NOT the same as the one that you purchase outside. But, someone else need to verify this because I haven't.

[quietlilsis]

From what I read, the OEM version is NOT the same as the one that you purchase outside. But, someone else need to verify this because I haven't.

yeah, neither BV, nor think they're the same qualifiers. but i've not found anything that states what type of qualifiers they are.

[RanchoRider]

Aftermarket Qualifier has softer compound. That's what I've heard.

Stock Qualifier has a blue and yellow line running through the middle. That's what I've noticed.

According to Sport Rider, stock Qualifier seems to have better wear rates and is substantially lighter than the off-the-rack Qualifier.

[Asian Dave]

The tire manufactures OEM verison will differ from the aftermarket version. As someone has already stated the AM version will be a slightly softer compound. The OEM is a littler harder to get more mileage out of them.

[quietlilsis]

the center (chicken strip area) is the harder part of the tire, but what about the outer parts... will they stick (or heat up) like the AM qualifiers? got a couple trackdays coming up and i'd like to know what i can expect from my tires.

[Asian Dave]

I'm guessing the overall compound will be slightly harder, but will be fine for the track day. Unless you're running a very fast B pace, I think you'll be okay.

My bike came w/ stock BT014's and they worked fine the track days I did. The next set of tires I used were the Michelin 2CT's. They started sliding out on me at several tracks. Hopefully it means I got faster.

Sunday I'll be running some Dunlop 208/209 Medium take offs. I forgot which ones they were.

[Vtec44]

I ran the old Dunlop D207 before, at 41PSI. :ohno I think if you're smooth, then it's less of an issue.

[quietlilsis]

okay... but i'm spoiled, i've been riding 208GP's for the last few years


the OEM's are part of the reason me n my bike will be found in the novice group this weekend. :rolleyes

[Asian Dave]

You'll be fine. Just make sure you have the correct tire psi and warm up your tires.

James, wtf are you doing w/ 41 psi? Did you ride 2 up? LOL.

[Vtec44]

No, I was new to riding so I went with the mfr recommended PSI. I didn't know better :(

That's a good reason to sandbag, Stef! LOL It's cool, new bike & new tires. I moved down to C group several times and it helped with my riding.

[Asian Dave]

I usually sign up for the C group when I ride new tracks. Then ask to bump up when I feel more comfortable.

I can't wait for Sunday!!!

P.S. - I wish James was going...

[Tornadom]

The Honda OEM Qualifiers are different than the aftermarket Qualifiers. The OEMs are actually slightly lighter than the aftermarkets, and are very similar in overall grip and feel... an average rider is unlikely to notice any difference.

[quietlilsis]

after riding on the OEMs for 2 days at buttonwillow, i must say they performed much better then expected. while i didn't feel comfortable to push it as much as i normally would, i was pleasantly surprised at how the tires heated up and seemed to grip the track surface.

[Asian Dave]

Glad you liked them.

I ran the 209's and wasn't used to them. I guess they have a taller profile. I'd get headshake on the front straight.

[quietlilsis]

Glad you liked them.

I ran the 209's and wasn't used to them. I guess they have a taller profile. I'd get headshake on the front straight.

what's up you big cheater.... how come you jumped-in to ride w/ us inda slow C group???

[RanchoRider]

after riding on the OEMs for 2 days at buttonwillow, i must say they performed much better then expected. while i didn't feel comfortable to push it as much as i normally would, i was pleasantly surprised at how the tires heated up and seemed to grip the track surface.

You already went to 2 trackdays on the new bike? Nice!!!

[quietlilsis]

You already went to 2 trackdays on the new bike? Nice!!!

yep... i just did sun/mon and monday it was CCW.... lotsa fun!

too bad u n tristan didn't make it

[Chas4RR]

I just ran 2 track days with "replacement" Qualifiers i picked up on sale at Cyclegear. Honestly, I don't know if they are different but I can say that after 6000 miles the stockers had tons of tread on them but had become as hard as a rock. In fact, at 5000 miles it started to get real fun dancing the rear out unpredictably when they were cold. I ran at Buttonwillow on those tires at 2000 miles and they were fine.

On the track, the *new* Qualifiers ran very well and I pushed them as hard as any tire I've ridden on track. They held up very well, with less wear than I expected, but track was cool and ambient temps were in the 50's. Very predictable, but didn't feel as soft as a Pilot Power IMO. Also, they are not as quick a turning tire straight out of the box than a Pilot Power. I will do another track day next month and hopefully see warmer temps. My opinion is that its best to get the Qualifiers up to temp - they just seem a hard compound in general. Ran 30/30 pressure.

Front tire, BTW, showed more wear then rear, which made me quite happy. :D

[Asian Dave]

what's up you big cheater.... how come you jumped-in to ride w/ us inda slow C group???

I wanted to ride w/ some friends. Plus, it was the last session of the day.

BTW - Jerry posted up his pics.



ButtonWillow Pics 03/02/2008

I will keep these for about about a month and then delete them. Please pass around these link to those who wants to purchase them.

Paypal venusorguss@<hidden> $30 bucks for all your pics...thanks for the support.

A group: http://orguss.smugmug.com/gallery/4445772_qEGYf#261297885

B group: http://orguss.smugmug.com/gallery/4446091_2CUom#261334912
C group: http://orguss.smugmug.com/gallery/4446235_Jvsot#261347463

[quietlilsis]

I just ran 2 track days with "replacement" Qualifiers i picked up on sale at Cyclegear. Honestly, I don't know if they are different but I can say that after 6000 miles the stockers had tons of tread on them but had become as hard as a rock. In fact, at 5000 miles it started to get real fun dancing the rear out unpredictably when they were cold. I ran at Buttonwillow on those tires at 2000 miles and they were fine.

On the track, the *new* Qualifiers ran very well and I pushed them as hard as any tire I've ridden on track. They held up very well, with less wear than I expected, but track was cool and ambient temps were in the 50's. Very predictable, but didn't feel as soft as a Pilot Power IMO. Also, they are not as quick a turning tire straight out of the box than a Pilot Power. I will do another track day next month and hopefully see warmer temps. My opinion is that its best to get the Qualifiers up to temp - they just seem a hard compound in general. Ran 30/30 pressure.

Front tire, BTW, showed more wear then rear, which made me quite happy. :D

so, were you just at BW on sun/mon w/ TI2TT?

[Chas4RR]

so, were you just at BW on sun/mon w/ TI2TT?

Nope, sowwy. Did Jason Pridmore's school out in Paahhhrump the weekend before. Hope to get to one of the track days with you guys/girls though soon. When's the next one? :P

[Vtec44]

There's a huge one going on 7/6 in So Cal (http://www.sportbikers.net/forums/showthread.php?t=13705).

[Asian Dave]

Eye spy w/ my little eye...

http://orguss.smugmug.com/photos/261354138_gKyXq-M.jpg

[quietlilsis]

Nope, sowwy. Did Jason Pridmore's school out in Paahhhrump the weekend before. Hope to get to one of the track days with you guys/girls though soon. When's the next one? :P


was that your first STAR school? how'd you like it? i did 2 in '07 and am hoping to do 2 this year.

[Vtec44]

Stalker.

[Chas4RR]

was that your first STAR school? how'd you like it? i did 2 in '07 and am hoping to do 2 this year.

Yep - first school period. I'd like to do another when time/money permits....and Pahrump is such a nice track i just HAD to do it!

[quietlilsis]

Stalker.


who u callin' a stalker?

[quietlilsis]

Yep - first school period. I'd like to do another when time/money permits....and Pahrump is such a nice track i just HAD to do it!

i did STAR at SOW and Reno-Fernley... loved both experiences and can't wait to do it again.

[Vtec44]

who u callin' a stalker?

Who else but the notorious DK?

[quietlilsis]

Who else but the notorious DK?

yeah... well, he told me last july at the SBN trackday, that he was stalking me. :help


;)

[Vtec44]

As long as you're okay with it, then he can stay. lol

[Asian Dave]

I stalk James too.