Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Anyone tried a 180/60 rear on their 9? I'm currently running the standard 180/55 Dunlop Q3's and from what I've read the 60 profile Pirelli gives a little better edge grip so was considering them before the next track day. I know they'll raise the rear a bit too so that's something I need to consider also as I've got the ZX10 rear shock installed which raised the rear 8-10mm from memory.

Anyone have any experience with them?

Currently running a 190/55 pirrelli pro on the rear of my c2 and changing to a 180/55 pirrelli sc2 for next trip out probably next month. Found the 190 much to round hoping going to 180 makes it get on the side of the tyre about better. But doesn't really help with your tyre profile question.......

Thanks for the reply mate, can't find anyone that's tried the 180/60 so I could be the guinea pig if I go for the pirelli's. My Q3 rear only lasted two track days so I'm hoping for something a little more durable. Choice is between the Metzeler Racetec K2's, Pirelli Supercorsa and the Bridgestone R10's........

You might wanna look at suspension settings and tire pressures 'cause 2 days out of Q3 rear doesn't sound like a lot to me... Q3s are 100% road tires so the rubber tends to be a bit harder and longer lasting. Chances are the 180/60 is a softer compound and will last even less.

EDU wrote:You might wanna look at suspension settings and tire pressures 'cause 2 days out of Q3 rear doesn't sound like a lot to me... Q3s are 100% road tires so the rubber tends to be a bit harder and longer lasting. Chances are the 180/60 is a softer compound and will last even less.

Disagree with that mate, the Q3 is a 50/50 road/track tyre and only one step down from the GP-A Pro tyres according to the Dunlop website www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire-catalog/s ... ortmax-q3/

I'm running 29psi cold which was 34psi when hot and the wear was pretty even. My mate on his R1 does the same thing to the Dunlops, 2-3 track days and they're toast. Reason behind thinking of changing tyre brand is another friend (and lots of others on the truthful internet) is getting 6-8 trackdays out of the Metzeler Racetec K2's and runs a similar pace to me. The Dunlops we can get for about $350 delivered and the Metzelers cost nearly $200 more but seeing the results it would seem the K2's are better value.

Can't answer your tyre size question. Considering I run a 195 on my 600.......

Obviously everything can be quantified. But 6-8 days out of rear tyre seems like a lot. I know it depends on pace and rider style but even when I was a lot slower than I currently am I don't think I ever got 6 days never mind 8 days from a rear.

Do not take this the wrong way as that's not the intention but is a super sticky/soft tyre required?

I know a mate of mine ran the superbike pro pirellis ( I think that was their name) he was about 5 seconds off his normal pace with them but it was like they never wore. Did 5 days on them and they looked new. Perhaps that's an option were that complete outright grip isn't required but longevity?

He was still traveling at a decent pace just not what he could usually do.
They are a slick too.

I'm sorry but I can't agree with that. Yes, you can use a Q3 on the track but that hardly makes it track focused. It's a great road tire but you'd be mad to try and beat any PB with it when compared to anything decent... and even in the Dunlop's own product line you have at least 3-4 other tires that are better than the Q3 on the track. Probably more as they have a ton of variations too.

Mind you, I'm not saying the Q3s are bad... I'm saying their rubber compound is A LOT more focused on longevity than laptime when compared to a proper race tire. So if you're not happy with 2 days from the Q3, going to a more track focused tire will not improve longevity.

Sure, you can go to the superbike pros as Jonnymac suggested if want something that will last long... but I'm of the opinion that track riding means trying to improve your riding and lower your PBs in which case unfortunately the Pros are not very helpful.

Haha agree Ed I'm not running them:oops:

Jonnymac wrote:Haha agree Ed I'm not running them:oops:

Me neither! Many a sad story was heard from ppl using them... hahaha

Oh, I ran a 200/55 on the ZX6 for a while... it works well enough! I haven't tried the 195 but if you're talking UK Ntec (and a suspension set to match it) there will be no regrets!

And my mate changed them after that last day too, as he also couldn't see the point of running 5 seconds off his pb just for longevity.....

Yep UK ntec.

Even with my standard shock i was getting good wear, I just didn't have the correct preload as my spring was too soft.

All good now with golden goodness.

Yes, I heard you got a good deal..


hahahaha

Only thanks to a good bloke :mrgreen:

EDU wrote:I'm sorry but I can't agree with that. Yes, you can use a Q3 on the track but that hardly makes it track focused. It's a great road tire but you'd be mad to try and beat any PB with it when compared to anything decent... and even in the Dunlop's own product line you have at least 3-4 other tires that are better than the Q3 on the track. Probably more as they have a ton of variations too.

Mind you, I'm not saying the Q3s are bad... I'm saying their rubber compound is A LOT more focused on longevity than laptime when compared to a proper race tire. So if you're not happy with 2 days from the Q3, going to a more track focused tire will not improve longevity.

Sure, you can go to the superbike pros as Jonnymac suggested if want something that will last long... but I'm of the opinion that track riding means trying to improve your riding and lower your PBs in which case unfortunately the Pros are not very helpful.

I was only going off the Dunlop website and what they had listed the Q3 as..

In regards to the wear rate, I wasn't concerned at all until my mate pointed out the life of his Metzelers and once I did a bit of searching it seems the wear rate of the K2's was generally slower than the other track tyres and the grip seems to be comparable. I'm certainly not going to set the world on fire with my track times and on the whole the Q3's have been great and have only let go once (2nd gear right hand turn at Morgan Park) in their life.

What I meant to say but somehow didn't (realized this after re-reading) is that the K2 is a softer compound than the Q3 so chances are it will wear out faster. Then again, it might just suit the track surface better or the different profile will just happen to match your current suspension's sweet spot... who knows?!

But using only logic, I'd start by taking the bike to a suspension technician and having him/her set it up properly for your riding and weight as a bar minimum. On top of that, if your suspension is stock and hasn't been refreshed on the last 2 years... well, it might just be time to do it too!