Dunlop Sportsmart TT - 1,000 road miles, 3 track days | The review from KNOX
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- Опубликовано: 7 авг 2024
- Dunlop Sportsmart TT - 1,000 road miles, 3 track days | The review from KNOX
At Knox, we love all types of bikes and appreciate all types of riding disciplines, but viewers of our channel over the last year will have undoubtably noted the increased interest in riding our sportsbikes on track.
In any case, my new love affair of track day riding on my GSXR 750 started with Oulton Park late last summer and has since taken us around some of the most famous tracks in the UK including Oulton Park, Donington Park and Snetterton most recently.
As part of my journey from my first ever track day in the Novice group last year, to the latest one at Donington Park where I was in the Advanced group and riding alongside some racers, Dunlop Sportsmart tyres have been the rubber holding me and my bike to the tarmac. Formerly the Sportsmart MK3, and now the Dunlop Sportsmart TT. www.dunlop.eu/en_gb/motorcycl....
Between the two sets of tyres, they have given me the confidence to make some serious progress in a new form of riding, and I have developed a huge trust in their ability to keep me safe as I get progressively faster on track, ride on the road, and riding in pretty much all environments. I don’t think praise gets any higher than that!
This review of the Dunlop Sportsmart TT included around 1000 road miles, 3 track days and some fast airfield riding including some immature skids and tricks for the camera. The profile of the tyres has changed now and therefore I believe they’ve come to the end of their life, however, what a life they’ve had and I rate the wear very highly considering the abuse.
The Dunlop Sportsmart TT are a step up in terms of track performance in comparison to the Sportsmart MK3 and are Dunlop’s most track-oriented road tyre and their introduction to their GP racer collection.
The big thing with the track technology is the Ntec feature, and this is one of the big differences between the MK3 and the TT; the ability to drop the pressure of the rear tyre like you would with a race tyre.
As the structure of the tyre has been designed to run at lower pressures, it means that you have approximately 25% more contact patch on the rear in comparison to the MK3 for example and allows you to get on the gas earlier and harder with more grip.
The last couple of days I’ve done, I’ve really picked up the pace and the tyres are faultless, the grip is amazing! Riding faster on track means higher corner entry speeds and every time I enter faster, the tyres just grips and the lean angle is great and there is a deep pool of grip available.
Like the MK3, the front feel is amazing, promotes a fast turn in and is very stable.
In regards to corner exit, obviously, I’m on a GSXR750 with 130hp at the rear wheel so can’t comment on what they’d be like on a 1000cc with 180hp+, but they did allow me to get on the gas earlier and harder than I’d have thought possible.
So, we’ve talked a lot about track and that’s good because it is the most extreme application, but what about the road?… Well, I was a bit worried about getting these, because I knew they weren’t as good as the MK3 in the wet and I developed real confidence in the MK3 in the wet, like doing stoppies in the wet sort of confidence. Actually, they have been great and taken everything I could throw at them, from fast sweeping bends to commuting in the rain and everything in between - I would definitely say that these aren’t as good as the MK3 in the wet as I have had a few slips where I wouldn’t have had with the MK3, but they are mostly as good as anything else I have tested and everything about the confidence factor on track relates to the road, so a big thumbs up!
So to finish, when I consider all that I’ve put them through, from the airfield to the road miles, to 3 full on track days where in the last one I’m riding amongst racers, I’m blown away to be honest and have absolutely no issues recommending them to anyone!
Hope you enjoyed the video, please like comment and subscribe and we’ll see you next time!
Aaron
KNOX
Road gear worn on test:
Knox Zephyr Pro - www.planet-knox.com/product/m...
Knox Shield Jeans - www.planet-knox.com/product/s...
Knox Orsa Leather MK2 gloves - www.planet-knox.com/product/o...
Knox gear worn on track:
KNOX Handroid MKIV Gloves - www.planet-knox.com/product/h... Knox Aegis Back Protector - www.planet-knox.com/product/a...
KNOX Dry Inside Base Layers - www.planet-knox.com/category/...
Knox Trooper Shorts - www.planet-knox.com/product/t...
To see all the other episodes of the GSXR 750 project series, please see here, • Suzuki GSXR 750 road/t... . 
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Brilliant video, would love to see more videos on all different tyres etc... but thats just me , theres so much quality tyres available, rosso corsas, rosso 4's, r11, m9rr, continental race attack, and things can only get better.
Glad you liked the video. Yes have used most of the tyres out there and most of the very latest ones are great, although having spent such a lot of time on track with Dunlop Sportsmart range, have massive trust in them! All the best, Aaron KNOX
Thanks a lot, appreciate the video. Will be picking some up on monday for a blast at circuit de catalunya
Awesome! Have fun! Aaron KNOX
You are very insightful for the track rider just starting. I have a GSXR 750 (K4) as well but I'm graduating to it from a 26 yr old ZZR600. I look forward to more of your experiences with the Gixxer. Cheers from Brisbane, Australia.
Many thanks. More GSXR content coming soon. Aaron KNOX
Great video mate, thank you!
You break down lot of details on performance and conditions of TT!
Have you tried Supercorsa V2 and if yes what would you recommend better between these 2. For Road cornering mainly and on wet use?
Cheers!
Great video - thanks for posting. Question: why do you say you didn't trail brake (or minimally) as a safety technique?
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Trail braking is definitely one of the more risky techniques in track riding and can load your front tyre too much at the same time you are already asking a lot of it by turning in. Of course I do to an extent and racers do it a lot at a high level, but closed throttle cornering and letting the bike do what it needs to when you get a lean angle on without other rider inputs is definitely the safest way. If I was racing and pushing the limits more then maybe a different idea, but think there is a lot of progress to be had without trailing the brakes too much and also don't want to crash on a track day either (for myself and all the other participants - everyone hates red flags 😅)... hope that makes sense. Aaron Knox
You mentioned that they sit just under the GPA's in terms of grip/performance.
Do you know where the TT's fit in Dunlop's range in relation to the Q3+ and Q4 tyres?
Hi, great question but there isn't a super straight forward answer as they are different ranges of tyres designed for different markets. Basically, the Q3 and Q4 are produced in USA for North America and are suited to that market. The TT is produced in Europe and therefore suitable for our climate, market and machinery. However, the Q4 is a trackday tyre with Ntec (the ability to drop rear pressures etc) so is probably quite close to the Sportsmart TT. The Q3 will be closer to the Sportsmart Mk3 but with less wet weather performance than the MK3 as that is what we need of a lot in the UK and Northern Europe! :) Hope that all makes sense? Aaron KNOX
How are they in terms of working temperature?
Do they offer grip well under 15 cs degrees?
Yes, they are brilliant at lower temps. We just ran them on Geoff's GSXR1000r last week at Oulton Park track day around 14c and were awesome. On the road, ive ran them at 0c and are v good. End of the day, they are still a road based tyre so they are designed to work across a wide temperature range. Thanks, Aaron KNOX
Great video mate, many thanks!
Can you say if you can actually make the difference (since you have tried the Corsa 2 also) between the soft carcass of the Pirelli and the supposedly hard carcass of the FlipFlops?
Also I managed around 7k km on my Corsa 2 out of which around 1.5k km with a pillion and backpacks, what can you say about the mileage on the TTs, would they be the same or a tad less at around 5-6k km ?
Thanks. I am using the rosso corsa 2 right now. They are brilliant on the road and in the wet. On track they are also good and warm up very quickly, but I found the limits of them much easier than the Sportsmart TT. I think if you want to do fast track days, the TT is better. If you want a mostly road tyre, choose Rosso Corsa 2 or Sportsmart mk3. Hope that helps. Aaron Knox
@@KnoxArmour Soooo just a tiny bity update on the tires since I loved the video from the start and I could not let it go this easily. I approve on everything you have said so far and what I wanted to add is just my experience so far after just 1k km with the TTs.
I didn't manage to get them on track as you have done, cause they are doing some repairs, but having found a 12-14km B-road (since 2-3 years now) with nearly track spec asphalt , visibility and good camber, also based on experience with 4 different tires on this road being: SCV3 SP , M9RR , Corsa 2 and now the TTs (apologizes for the language in advance) FUCK everything else, this tires are PHENOMENAL.
I have managed to lose grip on this road with all the other 3 tires, either on corner entry or exit. To make the test fair for the SuperCorsa I didn't drop the pressure that much, only at around 2.2 front and 2.5 rear. The bike felt stable as hell, 1000% feedback all the time from either rear or front, the famous hard carcass of the Dunlops is the first thing you notice in this kind of riding.
This tyres have actually spoiled me! I dont know if I can go back to "normal" tires anymore...
Also important info I guess, bike: 2021 N1K SX, full system and 190/55 rear compared to stock 190/50.
I think this is one of those points in life when you understand that there are 2 types of riders: Soft Carcass or Hard Carcass tire lovers and i'm definitely with the latter xD
I used Sportsmart TT probably 3 sets on my K7 gsxr 600. I could manage 3000-4000km with each on road and I had to change. I really liked those tires . I sold the bike and bought a cbr 1000rr with pirelli rosso corsas 2. I did 1 track day . I think it was amazing on track and also on the street. unfortunately I crashed the bike on the street but the tires were brilliant.
@@eniskallfa3363 Please tell me how long your Dunlop TT has been and what kind of wear and tear? Thank you in advance.
how much better for the track are they than the roads 3's, love the channel
They wont compare on track. The sportsmart TT is a very competent track tyre that is close to a track specific performance. The Road 3 is more about road, wet and cold. Thanks, Aaron KNOX
Which tyre will last more? Rosso corsa 2 or dunlop tt? Thanks!
Thanks, great question. We've ran the Sportsmart TT again on our recent Superbike shootout test so have even more experience with it. Honestly, both the Rosso Corsa 2 and Sportsmart TT are very good lasting tyres, hard to give an exact answer as it depends a bit on conditions and the type of motorcycle. The main differences are that the Sportsmart TT is better for track, the Rosso Corsa 2 is a bit better in wet conditions. Hope that makes sense. Aaron KNOX
How would you compare them to rosso corsas 2 ?
Funnily enough, I am running a set now as wanted to try them and will review them in due course. Initial impressions, very good in wet and on the road, not as good on track as the TT. But still a very good tyre that can tackle everything on the road and well into upper part of fast group on track! Thanks, Aaron KNOX
Cool review, however you haven't done a comment on the price and compare to other brands that then would be a good review in my opinion.
Doing these reviews as we try different tyres so you'll see comparisons the more we do. However, I have tried quite a lot now, Rosso Corsa 2, S22, Sportsmart MK3 and these are the best on track. Now going to try some proper track oriented tyres next. Thanks, Aaron KNOX
Im looking for the US version of this tire. I dont want to pay for shipping these all the way across the pong and the supercorsa are expensive af
Hello!
What tire pressure?
Best regards, Arek
Hi, should be in the description... for road, normally 36/42psi or a bit lower on the rear, track 32/25psi cold as a guide. Hope that helps. Aaron KNOX
That's exactly what I meant 😉
Thank You very much!
Best regards from Poland!
Arek CBR500R track version 🏍️
I think you’ll be safer trail braking than not.
Hi, as mentioned I just do a small amount of trail braking. Trail braking definitely isn't safer than not trail braking and its a fine line which racers obviously do in order to maximise their lap times. Clearly there's different theories about this and the subject of loading the front tyre, some of the best riders and coaches even disagree..., but I'll hang my hat on little or lighter trail braking, using plenty of engine braking and off throttle corner entry to mid corner for safe and fast track day riding. 😉 Many thanks, Aaron Knox
@@KnoxArmour I apologize if this seems argumentative. That’s not my intent. But I disagree with your assessment that “trail braking definitely isn’t safer than not.” By releasing your front brake and turning the job over to “one setting fits all situations” engine braking you are unloading the front tire, and extending your front forks which changes steering geometry, as you enter the corner. You are also taking away your best tool for continuing to refine your speed / line. In the worst case if someone crashes in front of you you will have to react without already having a loaded tire and some brake pressure.
@@jstogdill totally fine don't see it as argument etc... people have different theories and ways of doing things and that's fine... same deal with body position, there isn't one right way - mick doohan vs marques chalk and cheese - both unbelievably fast and right in their time.
I just mean not lots of trail braking gives the front a chance to do its job and get you around the corner without overloading it... maybe you can trail a lot more with racing tyres but I think that with this sort of tyres and on track days (not a race) it is safer and still plenty of load on front tyre from fast corner entry, plus heavy bike and high engine braking to be fast and safe. All the best, Aaron Knox