Dunlop Sportmax qualification

If there was a question at the end of the title, we would still be wondering, but since this is an exclamation point, this is a statement. Why are we so sure? Simply because it is a great tire. We tested it both on the racetrack in Spanish Almeria and on the winding roads of this seaside town.

What is the secret behind the progress of the Sportmax Qualifier? First and foremost, according to the leading people at Dunlop, this is the knowledge that they gain as a result of testing, years of experience and racing in various championships around the world (superbike, supersport, GP 250 and GP 125, as well as GP motorcycle racing). This is followed by high technology that translates the results of racing and testing of small series tires into the production of large series road tires. The demands of motorcyclists are growing with the advent of more powerful bikes, and the segment in which the Sportmax Qualifier is competing is on the rise, accounting for up to 45 percent of the market.

Thus, the Qualifier is a new tire that may face the biggest challenge in Dunlop's extensive range. Compared to strictly racing tires that specialize in constant driving conditions on the race track (the asphalt is the same from lap to lap) and given the fact that they are available in at least three different tire compound hardnesses and that in the rain , a motorcycle, if we ride in the pits (or put rain tires on it), the qualification must provide good grip and stability on both bad and good pavement and, of course, even when we are surprised by rain away from home. A lot for one tire, huh?

Well, because motorcyclists, by the definition of our profession, are somewhere in the middle between manufacturers, who usually praise their product to the heavens, and among end users, that is, you, dear readers, who write off good amounts of hard-earned money for your own pleasure. money, we take our mission very seriously.

As we mentioned in the introduction, we were impressed with the new Dunlop tire. Let us explain in more detail why.

First, because of the time it takes for the tire to warm up to the correct operating temperature. After one warm-up on the racetrack, the new Qualifier goes through all corners very quickly without any problems. In the second round, the Suzuki GSX-R 1000 sang through the short tailpipe. We also have no reason for bad criticism when the tire puts all these horses on the ground and also does not slip a bit. Dunlops was able to provide the minimum time for the tire to warm up to the desired temperature, resulting in a new rubber compound that is now softer.

Nothing new, you say, soft rubber heats up quickly, but also wears out quickly - a mistake! It's not just the new rubber compound, but the design of the tire itself. Namely, it is made from an endless braid of 0-degree nylon belt, which, together with the new technology of applying the rubber compound, allows it to be more evenly distributed along the entire radius. So the rear tire is half a kilo lighter, which means a lot in terms of handling. Due to greater stability, this leads to less deformation of the mixture and the prevention of the accumulation of thermal energy, which is one of the main enemies of rubber.

This is not all. The gyroscopic effect on the tire and rim is lower due to the lower weight of the entire tire, which ultimately means easier and more precise suspension operation. This, in turn, is good news that leads to the end result: easier and more precise control of the motorcycle. All this is more than obvious on the track, as the qualifications have always inspired us with confidence, which is a prerequisite for a relaxed and enjoyable motorcycle ride. Despite the partially flat asphalt on the race track, the tire did not give way. We did not find any signs of overheating or excessive wear, despite the fact that the racetrack is known for its fast and very long corners, when the bike spends more than average time on the slope. Qualifier also provides stability by providing a larger contact surface between rubber and asphalt. When it rains (unfortunately or fortunately, we didn't taste it), the tread grooves of the new design should also work well, thereby emphasizing the usability of the rubber on the road.

But lest you think we were just driving on the race track (Dunlop has an even more racing tire for it that plunges even faster into turns), and then a full-day drive along the varied Spanish roads that wound from the densely planted seaside resorts. ... to the mountains and winding serpentines. The otherwise good asphalt was connected in some places to a poorly paved and sandy road, which was an ideal training ground for road use.

Well, even on this trip we didn't have a single swear word, the tire provides a reliable and comfortable ride, it has never been supercooled or overheated, in short, all the while one good feeling that puts a smile on your lips at the sight of the end of the day . "Nice, let's do it again," was the thought. Isn't that what riding a motorcycle is all about - enjoying what you love to do? At the end of the test, it was clear that the Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier is a great and very versatile tire for performance bikes and riders who like to ride longer rides but sometimes brighten up their lives by spending a day at the racetrack. .

text: Petr Kavchich

photo: Dunlop