Dunlop 209 GPA's vs Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa

Mmelmann · 04-07-2009, 04:57 PM

Time for new trackday tires again. Problem though... Nesba has seemed to have dropped their Pirelli contract, most likely due to their huge price spike. I ran the old Supercorsa Pro's with great success, i.e. I loved the tire's feedback, grip, and stability. Then I figured that I should run some Dunlop 209 GP's. Big mistake. My bike developed a bad high speed wobble that I just couldn't figure out. It led to a massive tank slapper at Carolina Motorsports Park and I just haven't had the same confidence in the bike since ever since with the Dunlop's.

So, have any of you guys had the same problem with the 209 GP's, or is it just me? I think that Derek is selling the 209's for around $395 installed at the track... and it seemes that if I were to get Diablo Supercorsa's, or even Supercorsa Pro's, that I will have to drop an additional $100. $500!!

( I remember when I paid $275 for the same tires a couple of years ago. What the hell?)

I'm looking for a better race tire guys, and I don't think that I will ever want to feel the Dunlop Wobble again. That kind of adrenaline rush just isn't fun. I'm getting too old for those oh shit moments.

jk750 · 04-07-2009, 05:04 PM

What pressures were you running. I've love my 209GPA's. Maybe a setup issue? I haven't run Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa or Pros, so I can't directly compare.

Mmelmann · 04-07-2009, 05:53 PM

It was back in the '07 season when I ran those tires on the track... but I think that I was running cold pressures of 31 front and 28 rear. I missed all of last season because I was flying in good 'ol Afghanistan, so my memory could be serving me wrong... but I do remember trying all sorts of pressures and fork ride height settings with no success.

One of the problems that I experienced was finding a good setup that would work with running that 190/60 R17 rear tire with the 209. With the Supercorsa Pro's, I found that the 190/55's worked much much better for my bike.

Keep in mind, I'm running 100% stock suspension components. I can't convince the wife that I need racetech bits unfortunately. I even talked to Keith Code and his guys about it, and they couldn't really figure it out. (This was not on a roadcourse mind you... we had to use a runway and taxi way, so we couldn't really see much speed... but hey, it was a free weekend paid for by the Marine Corps)

Mmelmann · 04-07-2009, 06:08 PM

My main fear is that I'm going to choose the wrong tire for VIR Full. I could barely get to 150 mph without experiencing those frustrating as crap oscillations that the 209's would develop. The wobbles would start at around 120 mph or so... and they only got worse the longer/harder I held the throttle. I've never felt the same thing with any other tire in the past... even street compound tires.

From talks with other guys, they claim that the Dunlop 209 GP's are not as forgiving as the Pirelli's to any imperfections in bike setup... and it seems to manifest itself in the form of wobbles (i.e. the Dunlop wobble some refer to). Then I hear conflicting claims that these "AMA spec tires" are the best thing around. It makes me think that it's just marketing hype. I could be wrong though.

jk750 · 04-07-2009, 07:57 PM

I've run VIR North with the 209 GP-As with no issues. In fact, I love these tires so much I don't want to use anything else!

Keep in mind, I run 180/55x17 rear and 120/70x17 front in med/hard/med compound on my GSXR600. Cold PSI 26 rear, 30 front. Your issue may have something to do with the tall 60 rear and your setup.

Not all riders or bikes will agree with all tires. Until you get it figured out I would run a tire you have absolute confidence in. VIR's main straight, and the back half, is no place to be questioning your tires.

Mmelmann · 04-07-2009, 09:13 PM

Man, I wish I had a 600... man, I wish I could make these tires work. Oh well, I'm kind of stuck with what I've got... and it isn't ideal for trackdays being that it's an expensive powerful bike that can be a handful if it's not treated with respect... as in being able to light up the rear at 140 mph mid corner actually makes me want to sell it. I just miss 600's. (Man, somebody call the Waaambulance cause this guy whines a lot.) sorry, lol

But yeah, I think most of my problems revolve around the 60 series rear tire. It's a tall boy, and I don't have the ability to adjust my rear ride height. That would have been nice.

volcom415 · 04-08-2009, 12:03 AM

Melmann, the 60 size rear tire is way different that the one they have now. Those tires fucking blew balls, but the new GPAs are a lot better. A definite step down from the 211s but a good tire nonetheless. They are the 190/55 and are zero growth, they are not NTECs but they are zero growth and that was the problem with the old GPA tires...

Mmelmann · 04-08-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volcom415

Melmann, the 60 size rear tire is way different that the one they have now. Those tires fucking blew balls, but the new GPAs are a lot better. A definite step down from the 211s but a good tire nonetheless. They are the 190/55 and are zero growth, they are not NTECs but they are zero growth and that was the problem with the old GPA tires...

Whoah

Forgive my ignorance, but I was referring to the Dunlop 209 Sportmax GP's.... is the GPA a totally different tire all together??? It sure looks identical and I was led to believe that I bought the same "AMA spec" tire. I do seem to vaguely recall that it wasn't the NTEC version though. I distincly recall however that it is a SKBLS (suck balls) tire.

volcom415 · 04-08-2009, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmelmann

Whoah

Forgive my ignorance, but I was referring to the Dunlop 209 Sportmax GP's.... is the GPA a totally different tire all together??? It sure looks identical and I was led to believe that I bought the same "AMA spec" tire. I do seem to vaguely recall that it wasn't the NTEC version though. I distincly recall however that it is a SKBLS (suck balls) tire.

Well hope you didnt take offense
The other guy is running the old OLD tires. The new ones will have a date code of late 08 to present.

The compound codes will be different....so ask if this is the AMA spec tire...they should only come in 190/55 if that is what you are asking.

Mmelmann · 04-09-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volcom415

Well hope you didnt take offense
The other guy is running the old OLD tires. The new ones will have a date code of late 08 to present.

The compound codes will be different....so ask if this is the AMA spec tire...they should only come in 190/55 if that is what you are asking.

No I didn't take offense... I was just admitting that I was an idiot. I keep hearing from guys that the current GPA's rock, so I may give Dunlop another shot. Thanks.

Mmelmann · 04-13-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volcom415

Melmann, the 60 size rear tire is way different that the one they have now. Those tires fucking blew balls, but the new GPAs are a lot better. A definite step down from the 211s but a good tire nonetheless. They are the 190/55 and are zero growth, they are not NTECs but they are zero growth and that was the problem with the old GPA tires...

Hey man, did you get a chance to run the old 209 GP's? Rear tire growth definately would explain my problem. On another note... go drag a few knees at Palomar Mountain for me. It was the only thing that brought me satisfaction every weekend... except for when the CHP brought aircraft to issue unsuspecting tickets to our asses.

(Mr. Ticket to the rescue!!!) Say hello to my old Palomar Mafia buddies for me.

volcom415 · 04-14-2009, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmelmann

Hey man, did you get a chance to run the old 209 GP's? Rear tire growth definately would explain my problem. On another note... go drag a few knees at Palomar Mountain for me. It was the only thing that brought me satisfaction every weekend... except for when the CHP brought aircraft to issue unsuspecting tickets to our asses.

(Mr. Ticket to the rescue!!!) Say hello to my old Palomar Mafia buddies for me.

oh yeah, you know phil and rocky?

I ran the old tires once, they sucked ass. these are night and day

Mmelmann · 04-14-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volcom415

oh yeah, you know phil and rocky?

I ran the old tires once, they sucked ass. these are night and day

Rocky the cameraman-inator. I was there when he slung his GSXR 750 at Rick Clemson, thus chop-block-blasting Ricks legs out from under him causing him to land on his nub, and Rocky didn't have much to say other than to laugh at the situation!!! Steve and I were just looking at each other with our jaws dropped. Ahh memories.

Photo Details(I can't seem to post the pic) That's me to the right of Rocky.

If these new GPA's are a night and day difference, then I will give them a shot.

I can't wait to get back to San Diego someday.

Mmelmann · 05-01-2009, 07:55 PM

Have any of you guys had a chance to run and compare the 209 GP to the 209 GPA and also to the 211's? I'm now trying to decide between the GPA and the 211's... but still, if they even remotely resemble the 209 GP's characteristics then I'm headed right back to Pirelli and I'll deal with the price increase. Thanks. Any experienced input would be great.

volcom415 · 05-01-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmelmann

Have any of you guys had a chance to run and compare the 209 GP to the 209 GPA and also to the 211's? I'm now trying to decide between the GPA and the 211's... but still, if they even remotely resemble the 209 GP's characteristics then I'm headed right back to Pirelli and I'll deal with the price increase. Thanks. Any experienced input would be great.

As a mafia dude, you probably could feel the differences between the 211 and 209 GPA, they are running about at least a second off pace for the AMA guys. The ntecs are by far a better rear, both front are good though.

For trackdays I think the 209 are plenty good, but for racing the 211s are worth every penny.