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Usa Ntec's - Gp211 Vs. Slicks?


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I started running the Pirelli Superbike Pro (Trackday slicks) on my '00 Mille late last year at NJMP. I was impressed with the wear, getting 2 track days and 2 days of CSS, both at NJMP, with lots of meat left on them, even on the right side! A bad setup at Pocono the other day, however, shredded the left side of the tire, and I'm left needing new ones. I was talking to one of the coaches, who suggested NTEC slicks.

 

I was a quick intermediate group rider before CSS, and KNOW I'm faster now, so we'll say quick intermediate / slow advanced. (1:40 at NJMP thunderbolt before CSS). This is a dedicated track bike, I do run warmers, and have a spare set of wheels with tires for rain.

 

Based on that, I don't see any reason NOT to run the slicks, but what is the recommendation, especially between the 211's or the Medium/medium slick?

 

Current tires are a 120/70 front and 190/55 rear (Ran both a Michelin Power Pure and the above Pirelli in that size), but I can't go any wider than that because of chain clearance.

 

Thanks...

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Couldn't comment on the other brands, and I'll bet our tire man was at Barber...I'll shoot him a note, see if he can get to this.

 

CF

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The D211GPA and the KR448-KR449 slicks are the same tire before they go in the mold. same construction and they come in mostly the same compounds.

 

The slick having a little bit more grip and wear becaue it does not have tread. Other than that they are the same.

 

The 120/70x17 D211GPA and the 125/80x17 KR448 slick are the same width and diameter.

 

The 190/55x17 D211GPA and the 190/55x17 KR449 slick are the same width and diameter.

 

The 190/60x17 D211GPA and the 200/55x17 KR449 slick are the same width and diameter.

 

These can be interchanged without ride hieght changes.

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Great, thanks Steve! I appreciate the info. Hopefully it will be useful for others as well.

 

Has anyone here gone from a Pirelli to a Dunlop? From what I'm reading, the carcass is far softer on the Pirelli, so I'm wondering if there's a baseline set of suspension adjustments I should try before getting out on track the first time, or anything like that, i.e. go up 1/4 turn on compression, things like that

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Had heard that too, softer carcass. Not sure you would be able to get a blanket suggestion on suspension changes, there are so many variables. Might put a note to Will (our Chief Mechanic) on this, he'd be the guy I would ask.

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I went from Pirelli SuperCorsa SC's (not to be confused with the Superbikes, which is a lower spec tyre) to D211GP's.

Yes, the Dunlops have a stiffer carcass. Personally, I didn't change any settings based on this.

YMMV.

 

Kai

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  • 3 weeks later...

In a perfect world, one where your bike is right on the track record setting pace and the setup is spot on, you would then make changes to accommodate a tire switch. But since you have a mid pack or track day pace and setup, you cannot be certain of the direction you need to go with changes. In your situation you can just put on the new tires and start making small setup changes from there.

 

Its kind of like being lost in the woods, no map, no compass, and asking if you should turn left or right to exit the woods. You might get more lost or not. But if you had a GPS and map, you would know exactly which way to go.

 

With suspension, you need to know where you are at, in order to make a change, confidently, in one direction or another.

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  • 9 months later...

Dunlop Answer Man or anyone else who wants to chime in. I am about to place an order and want to make sure I do what is best. I am picking between the N-Tec Slick and GP211-A (Non-Slick). Is there any advantage to picking one over the other for a novice track rider?

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Between the two, go for the GP. Why?

Because a novice track day doesn't really warrant a slick.

Are you gunna be able to run a pace that will keep the tire at a good operational temp? (Might want to consider that question for both tires.)

The slick will not last as long.

What if your track day is a wet one? Which tire would you rather be on?

 

Any reason you are considering those tires vs. some other alternatives?

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Between the two, go for the GP. Why?

Because a novice track day doesn't really warrant a slick.

Are you gunna be able to run a pace that will keep the tire at a good operational temp? (Might want to consider that question for both tires.)

The slick will not last as long.

What if your track day is a wet one? Which tire would you rather be on?

 

Any reason you are considering those tires vs. some other alternatives?

Thanks csmith. It is a dedicated track bike, so I didn't really see the point in going with a DOT street tire, though I wouldn't be against it. I had read on this forum and a few other forums that the Dunlop GP211 is a great track day tire so I had kind of focused in on that. Then I read in one of the posts above that the N-Tec Slick is just the GP211 minus the tread pattern which led me to the question in choosing between the two. I have attended the first 2 levels of the Superbike School, so I hope that as the season progresses, I will be able to ride more and more aggressively to reach and maintain adequate operational temps. I believe I currently have a Michellin Pilot (at work so I can't confirm the model) and plan to run through those before installing the new rubber. Again, I am always open to suggestions and appreciate feedback.

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