[ChrisV]

I know this has been beat to death, but I am not sure which way to go. I have my first track day coming up and i need a new rear tire. I have a 2006 R6 and it came with Dunlop Qualifiers. I have 8000 miles on them and still have 1/8" strips left and cant drag knee. I am still a little weary of leaning the bike way over, not sure how to describe it, but it sometimes feels like it just falls quickly sometimes into the turn making me think it is about to fall over.

The tires I keep hearing are the...
Dunlop Qualifiers
Michelin Pilot Power
Michelin Pilot Power 2CT
Pirelli Diablo Corsa 3
Pirelli Diablo Rosso

What are the key diffences in these tires, which heat up fast, what tire profile does it have and how does it effect lean angle and how fast it leans over, which PP is better, Which Diablo is better etc....

I want to feel confident while leaned over and have smooth drops into turns, I dont want to have to feel like it is hard to drop in and at the same time dont want to feel like it falls too quickly for my comfort range. Like I said I have a track day in June and want to improve my abilities while feeling controllable

Also is it recommended that I change front tires as well to run a matching set. I also see post about how not to get a 70width series tire in the front. My stock front tire is 120/70??? IS that for different year R6 then mine???

Thanks in advance guys...also any online special where to get a set at would be appreciated

 

[Chango]

Any of the tires you listed would be fine. Of those, I only have personal experience with the Pilot Powers. I have also used the original Pirelli Diablos, but not the Rossos or the Corsa 3s.

The Pilot Powers (and PP 2CT) turn in pretty quickly. Possibly too quickly for you since you specifically mentioned that you don't want it to just "fall over." They really made my GSXRs turn in a lot quicker, and the R6 already turns in quicker than a GSXR. By the way, there is really no point wasting the extra money on the PP 2CTs. The softer bit on the edge is only on the extreme edge of the tires, and the regular Pilot Powers have more then enough grip for anyone who doesn't get paid to ride their bike.

The Pirelli Diablo is probably one of my favorite tires that I have personally used. It turned in quite nicely (not too fast, not too slow) and had plenty of grip for my needs when I had it. I think the Rosso and Corsa 3 use a similar tire profile, so they should handle similarly, but I'm not certain.

I have absolutely no experience with the Qualifiers, but I know a lot of people who do and really like them. They are on par with the Pilot Powers in terms of grip, etc.

Since you have about 8,000 miles, I would go ahead and replace the front tire at the same time. I have used mixed sets before on the street, but it's not something I would do at the track. That's just one more thing that would be going on in the back of your mind while you're trying to explore your own limits out there. It's just not worth it.

You will definitely want to keep the 120/70 tire size. That's what your bike came with. The 99-04 R6 and the 06+ R6S have a 120/60 front tire standard, so we have the option of sticking with that or making the adjustments necessary to run the 120/70.

 

[ChrisV]

Thanks for the input, so i thinking I am down to either the Qualifiers (staying with original tires) or going to the Diablos. I am guessing I want more of a rounded tire cross section then a more pointier one.

 

[ChrisV]

cant decide between the Diablo Corsa 3 or the Rosso??

 

[Skeeter]

For your first track day the Qualifiers will do just fine. If the front is ok I'd just pick up a new rear and your good to go. I ran the Q's on the track in '06 and they did great for a street tire.

 

[ChrisV]

Well I got the Rosso, I will be having them installed this week to start the break in, i am hoping they give me more confidence in leaning

 

[Disco]

The Rosso's aren't really a trackday tire, they are more of a canyon carving/commuter tire. I would recommend the Bridgestone BT-002 RS next time.

 

[ChrisV]

I havent had them installed yet, I can always swap them back out for something else. Everything I have seen says they are great tires, I cant drag knee anyways, so what to do now.... Get the Corsa 3's???

 

[Chango]

The Rossos will be fine for your first trackday. They might have a little trouble holding up to a track weekend for someone who has been to the track a few times, but for your first, the newer sport-touring tires would be fine. The Rossos will not let you down.

I can get me knee down all day long with the stock Dunlop 208s that came on my R6S, and they are nowhere near as good as the Rossos.

 

[ChrisV]

OK cool, got worried there for a second
Thanks for the input, you can really see the difference in the tire cross section form the qualifiers and the pirellis. Sometime my bike feels hard to get down, i am sure I will have to get used to the new profile of these tires all over again.

 

[Chango]

Yeah, but within a few miles you'll probably be used to it.

 

[CJr605]

I love my corsa IIIs

 

[ChrisV]

Well today I got to take my first ride since I got the Rosso's mounted, I really like the feel of the tire on the turn ins, was kinda wiery about it at first because it would turn in quicker then the stock qualifiers, I really like how it turns in quicker compared to the qualifiers. It seems to flow with curve better

I am happy with them