Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128370
[]unlop"§ Yin and Yang Dunlop Motorcycle Tires recently announced its new Dunlop Sportmax GP tire, a multicompound DOT-approved racing tire. The tires are debuting on the AMA Supersport machines competing at Daytona International Speedway this week. With the introduction of the Sportmax GP, Dunlop produced a multicompound tire that matches the stability and predictability of the 0208 GP-A, while also enhancing the cornering grip necessary to exploit the full potential of today's supersport racing motorcycles. "What we've done with the Sportmax GP is produce a tire that, all things being equal, is faster around the race course," Dunlop's motorcycle racing manager David Watkins said. "Our goal was to increase the performance of the 0208 without sacrificing wear or stability, and we succeeded. We know we've succeeded because we have perfected these tires in the crucible of racing, and there is no more demanding development environment than the track." The Sportmax GP multicompound rear tire design has received an international patent. The first layer is a continuous tread that spans the face of the tire from edge to edge. A second compound is then layered radially on top of the first compound to form the main running surface around the circumference of the tire. The first layer, called the lateral-grip compound, makes contact with the pavement whenever the motorcycle is leaned over, and it therefore incorporates a rubber compound developed specifically to enhance cornering traction. The second layer, which contacts the pavement when the motorcycle is upright, uses a tougher, cooler-running compound that maintains straight-line stability and traction when the motorcycle is accelerating or braking in a more or less upright orientation; it is called the traction compound. The Sportmax GP's multicompound design incorperates Intertread Fabric (ITF), a gossamer-thin rubberized nylon ply seated between the first and second layers. The ITF is an engineered system that, when bonded with the two tread compounds, allows Dunlop's engineers to fine-tune the end-result characteristics to achieve an ideal blend of stability and wear as the tire transitions between upright and cornering attitudes. The Sportmax GP features a new tread pattern. An extension of Dunlop's finite element analysis (FEA) cosecant-curve design first introduced on the 0207 and perfected on the 0208 GP, the tread grooves continuously coincide with the forces running through the tire. As the curving tread pattern travels across the tire to the shoulder area, it keeps the driving and braking forces aligned properly as cornering forces come into play. The newer tread pattern of the Sportmax GP has more longitudinal elements in the center of the tread for enhanced wet-surface grip, yet it sacrifices none of the D208's excellent dry-surface wear performance. It is visually distinguishable from the 0208 GP tread pattern by the V-shaped chevrons that are molded into the tread grooves in the middle portion of the tread. The Sportmax GP front tire is a single-compound design that features the same new tread design as the Sportmax GP rear tire. Availability will initially be limited to licensed racers through Dunlop distributors. To cast your vote, log on to www.cydenews.com. WEb INSiYE ~ Cyclenews.com reader poll question of the week PY2!t,6~ After a week of racing at Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Florida, which event do you think was the highlight of the week? A. The Daytona Supercross 250cc main event won by Chad Reed. Online poll results from last week B. The Daytona Supercross 125cc main event won by Josh Hansen. C. The AMA Superbike race at Daytona International Speedway won by Mat Mladin. The Daytona 200 now features Formula Xtreme machines. Do you feel that the Superbike race is still the premier event' D. The Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway won by Miguel Duhamel. E. The Supersport race at Daytona International Speedway won by Tommy Hayden. F. The 5uperstock race at Daytona International Speedway won by Vincent Haskovec. G. The Daytona Short Track at Daytona Municipal Stadium won by Jake Johnson. Yes 2529 (72.01%) No 983 (27.99%) Total Replies : 35 12 H. The Alligator Enduro won by Mike Lafferty. I. The Florida GNCC won by Doug Henry. CYCLE NEWS • MARCH 23, 2005 lOS