The Dunlop D208 is our least favourite road tyre at SuperBike, by a mile. What with all the people who’ve hit the deck on 208-shod bikes and the number of models seriously compromised by original equipment Dunlop D218s (D208s by a different name), we’re pretty wary of the Dumplots to put it mildly.

Several quotes leapt out the pre-event presentation and into my notebook; “constant road feedback in all weather conditions”, “more stability and a bigger contact patch”, “increased and more consistent grip”and “shorter warm up time.”

Right, so, better feedback has to be good, increased grip is a definite improvement and faster warm up time speaks for itself. I have to admit I was sceptical rolling down Almeria’s pit lane for the first time, but I needn’t have been because the Qualifier feels like a different tyre altogether (rather than just an improved version of the 208).

The initial feeling is quite soft but once they’re warm the carcass feels harder than, say, a Pirelli Diablo Corsa (one of the tyres they used for benchmark testing). In a way that’s a good thing because they deform less under load, maintaining shape thanks to Dunlop’s Carcass Tension Control System (CTCS) controlling the stress distribution and maintaining a constant contact patch however the tyre is loaded.

That also helps the steering and makes flicking bike through a chicane, or turning into a corner hard on the brakes less effort than a softer tyre with this profile might be.

There’s no question the Qualifier remains a road tyre which means I grip is compromised to some degree for the sake of stability and longevity but that is common across this sector of tyre and you shouldn’t underestimate the amount of grip the Qualifier has.

The stiffly-sprung Kawasaki ZX-10R did ask too much and the rear began to run out of grip at maximum lean (right on the very edge of the tyre on the track when the ground temperature was 35 degrees).

More softly sprung litre bikes (R1, CBR1000RR) and the full quota of 600 sports bikes I tested didn’t have the same problem. The chief problem with the old D208-sudden and unpredictable loss of grip, especially at the rear – seems to have been quashed with help from Dunlop’s single, jointless belt (JLB) wound between the carcass and tread.

The JLB minimizes dynamic growth (when the centre of the tyre expands with speed) which helps maintain the size of the contact patch but also reduces excessive heat build up which afflicted the old D208. Any slide was always predictable with much improved grip and feel, front and rear.

On the evidence of this track and road launch I’d say the Qualifier sits alongside Michelin’s Pilot Power and Pirelli Diablo in the sport road market. Along with other new offerings from Avon and Continental in 2005 we’re long overdue another group tyre test. How about it then Kenny…?

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/testing-mototyres-dunlop-d208-1045377.html

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Traveling on a motorcycle can be a joy and a hindrance. You find yourself out enjoying a leisurely ride, exploring local shops in a small town and find “the perfect gift”. How do you get it home? Here are a few ideas on what you can do.

When you take a trip, or ride on a motorcycle, you’re faced with some decisions. Do you take anything with you that you may need later on, or not take anything at all? If you go to the store, how do you get something home? A solution to this is Luggage for Motorcycles.

There are many different types of luggage, or bags as some call them, come in many different shapes and sizes, and can be mounted in various places on the motorcycle.

1)      The <strong>tank bag</strong>, as the name indicates, can be placed on the fuel tank of the motorcycle. There are many different types of tank bags available on the market, including those that are expandable.

2)      A <strong>saddlebag</strong> is another type of motorcycle luggage designed exclusively for the motorcycles. Designed after the bags placed on horses back in the early west; it actually has two bags that are interconnected with straps. They have two kinds: throw over or bolt on, easy to attach and remove and you can guarantee that they will not be in your way when you are riding.

3)     <strong>Sissy bar bags</strong> carry luggage especially for long journey. They are mounted with backrest of your motorcycles they are easily detachable are very spacious. They can also be detached and carried on shoulders. Sissy bar bags are also available in different design and materials most common ones are the leather and high-density cloth.

4)      The <strong>knapsack or rucksack</strong> can be very convenient for long range riding on a bike. It can be worn on your shoulders if you like, but make sure that they have the right tightness and proper placement on your back. Other riders bring hike bags but instead of putting them on the shoulders, they are usually tied on the pillion seat.

As you can see, there are many different ways of carrying your “goods” with you, and still enjoy your time out in the fresh air on a motorcycle. All of the above are available either as soft case or hard case. Want to see more? Visit www.luggageformotorcycles.com.

Cecil is an experienced rider and spends many hours out on the road travelling on his motorcycle.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/types-of-motorcycle-luggage-and-baggage-1055099.html

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For some people with small budget and could not afford off the shelf motorcycles, custom motorcycle kits is the perfect solution. Custom motorcycle kits also the answer to people who want to satisfy their great passion on building their own motorcycle.

There are many different custom motorcycle kits and there are many places that offer custom motorcycle kits for the home hobbyist, so you need to think realistically about the money that you can spend on these and the time that you have available to build this motorcycle.

Getting custom motorcycle kits is just the beginning of the whole process. One thing you should understand that these custom motorcycle kits do not include the tools required to build the motorcycle. So buying a good set is a great idea.

A set of instructions or user guide will also be included in the custom motorcycle kits. You must read and fully understand all the instructions before you start building your custom motorcycle, If you fail to read the instructions, you might miss something important like your custom motorcycle might not work properly.

You can explore your sense of design and aesthetics by Adding personal touches to your custom motorcycle to makes it more personal and more unique. Maybe some fancy accessories or custom paints jobs, motorcycle speakers, or even flashy neon lights.

All of these customization will require additional cost and it lies outside of the custom motorcycle kit cost. But remember, after all it is all in the pursuit of enjoyment. Nothing beats being able to ride something that you designed yourself, since it is about pride, personality, and identity. Of course, there are those who prefer it straight up and simple.

Evan Pramana is the Author, he writes motorcycle reviews and motorcycle tips at Cool Motorcycles, get Yamaha’s motorcycle images at Yamaha’s motorcycle catalog

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/custom-motorcycle-kits-1048362.html

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