How does stiffer tire carcass affect suspension settings?

[TL47]

I was so used to riding softer carcass tires before(Michelin), now I have switched to race tires and the BT-003pro's carcass is very, very stiff. I heard Dunlop’s are very stiff as well.

I think with softer carcass I feel more "planted", and with harder carcass I feel more unsettled for some reason.

Just wondering what kind of suspension setting changes are required to accommodate such a radical change in carcass stiffness?

 

[YellowDuck]

I'll be interested to know the answer to this as well! On the surface one might say reduce compression damping to get more compliance and then maybe reduce rebound damping as well if you are packing down at all on your travel. But on the other hand, you might be running much lower pressures on these tires, especially the rear, so feel might not be that affected.

Just speculating - I don't actually know anything about it! Looking forward to a knowledgable reply from someone - it's a good question!

 

[Mr.Azim]

Definitely less pressure...... Dunlop D211 GPA's are as low as 23 in the rear (hot). I felt the straight line stability was affected, but the cornering stability wasn't too different than other brands I tried.

Suspension settings are dialed by the profile, make and brand... GPA's are different than Q2's and different than BT's. You'll have to find the right setting to balance ride height, grip and tire wear.

 

[dricked]

I switched from pirelli slicks to dunlop and it was mainly the profile of the tire that I felt right away. My suspension still needs work so I may have been able to feel more if the bike was exactly how I'd like it before switching tires. I'm guessing that your feeling the difference between a street and track tire more than anything, without warmers it takes a few laps before they feel "planted". It used to take me around 5-6 laps before I felt the front tire gripping and giving me confidence. Track tires don't work very well without warmers.

 

[TLDeano]

I switched from pirelli slicks to dunlop and it was mainly the profile of the tire that I felt right away. My suspension still needs work so I may have been able to feel more if the bike was exactly how I'd like it before switching tires. I'm guessing that your feeling the difference between a street and track tire more than anything, without warmers it takes a few laps before they feel "planted". It used to take me around 5-6 laps before I felt the front tire gripping and giving me confidence. Track tires don't work very well without warmers.

I went from soft to tough tire pirelli to uk n-tec found the front felt like a hockey puck. Actually feel the sensation of the tire rolling along the pavement. Once I convinced myself it's ok and it will stick I was fine and did my best laps ever. The super soft tires feel fine, til they let go, there's often no warning or feedback. I run recommended tire pressures. I find 300$ tires Last me 2-3 days , $600 tires last me 5-6 days. So good tires is money well spent.

 

[caboose56]

I went from soft to tough tire pirelli to uk n-tec found the front felt like a hockey puck. Actually feel the sensation of the tire rolling along the pavement. Once I convinced myself it's ok and it will stick I was fine and did my best laps ever. The super soft tires feel fine, til they let go, there's often no warning or feedback. I run recommended tire pressures. I find 300$ tires Last me 2-3 days , $600 tires last me 5-6 days. So good tires is money well spent.

I'm running UK fronts with US rears right now and am very pleased. I suggest giving the hard US rear a try.

 

[dricked]

I may try the uk front us rear combo. I'm also using the hard rear and have had no issues, lasts quite awhile if you flip them and they're very predictable.

 

[caboose56]

The medium (or whatever the hardest compound available is called) UK front lasts forever.

 

[TLDeano]

The medium (or whatever the hardest compound available is called) UK front lasts forever.

Yup, frOnt uk tire is still on 10 days! - I also tried a
us rear but hasn't held up maybe it's a soft but 2 days old and not looking too good. Last uk rear lasted almost 6 days

 

[gixxersquid77]

I'm running UK fronts with US rears right now and am very pleased. I suggest giving the hard US rear a try.

Hey Tim, What size US rears are you running?? I thought about the 200/55 but not sure about them as I only ever have run 195/65 rears I got from you!! I just used up the the last good rear at bogie this past weekend. The front is still like new.

 

[caboose56]

Hey Tim, What size US rears are you running?? I thought about the 200/55 but not sure about them as I only ever have run 195/65 rears I got from you!! I just used up the the last good rear at bogie this past weekend. The front is still like new.

The KR106 front makes me happy in my pants!

I'm using the 200/55 rear, it feels and turns very similar to the 195/65. I have no issues going back and forth between UK and US rears.