curry@nsc.UUCP (Ray Curry) (05/01/86)
I have the new Dunlop 700 radials front and read on my new GSXR 1100 and while I am happy with the performance of the tires, I have the following caution to pass on bassed upon sad experience. With any present belted tire, fabric belts are being used. This means that if you get a cut or pick up a nail, you run a likely hood of cutting some of the belt fibers. If this happens, a patch can not be done and the tire is gone. Dunlop flat says don't path the 700 radial at all. I had to because being new, replacements are rare yet and on my Suzuki, the tire size is unique. I was the second to pick up a nail with less than 100 miles on the bike. Anyway I patched the tire with an internal radial patch and it held air fine. In about 800 more miles, the tire has started to come apart. The roundness and ballance of the tire is causing an out of round and the tread is cracking four or five inches on either side of the high spot. I can't fault anyone but luck, but I would sure be happier if Dunlop or Suzuki had made sure there was a better supply of these tires, especially if they are going to recomment that the shops don't patch flats. I am also not so sure, it was sound business practice to make a tire that a nail (a fact of life) would ruin. Especially one that sells for close to $200. About radials in general: The MP7 is not a true radial, but is a belted, bias tire with a slightly less oblique angle on the side walls. The Dunlop is a true radial, with 90 degree side ply's. The Dunlop has to be mounted on a wider than normal rim, which is why the Suzuki is the only one offering the Dunlop for the front. About mixing tires: This is generally bad news except for the Metzler lazer which was designed to be compatible to most sport rear tires. I find that on my Yamaha FJ1100 that the Metzler is too small for its rated size although is works fine on a heavier stearing bike. I find it and the Dunlop radials follow rain groves more than the Elites I settled on for conventional bikes. For my Suzuki, I'll have to stick to Dunlops for now until someone else makes a tire to fit my wider rims. I sure wish Michelin made a slightly harder version of their supersports.