BONDGUY399
Parking Attendant
Posts: 25
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posted May 19, 2008 08:26 AM
Pirelli Diablo Corsa III (novice review)
Alright, So I had seen "track day" reviews on other sites and such for these tires, but never really saw anything i could relate too. So I figure ill let you guys in on my experiences.
So, I initially thought i had the good old stockies on there, because they felt like absolute garbage, after actually LOOKING at them, turns out i had a pair of Dunlop SportMax 208's. With a 205 wide rear. Riding on these tires my bike felt like it weighed 750lbs. Straight line and freeway it was very stable, but in any kind of canyon riding or cornering (below 60-ish) it just felt washy, and gross. When the tires were any kind of cold it was like riding on ice. I actually had the rear step out on me several times in first leaving stop signs and very cautiously turning. Needless to say, after that, i was shopping  .
I had been deciding on going for these or the PP 2CT's, ended up trying these because i got a deal on them, ($250 for the pair.) And i have to say, my initial reaction was WOW(Not sure if good or bad here, just different). First, I went with a 180/55 in the rear. What made me do that over the 190, I'm not really sure. However, the first time i leaned the bike to turn it felt like a completely different bike. The bike wanted to fall into the corner, almost too much at low speeds (this could be due to the 180 vs 190). Riding home after getting them put on was mostly freeway. Up at freeway speeds, they are much less stable than the 208's. The bike is twitchier, but also more responsive. Headshake is more prominent, but by no means unbearable while just skimming the front tire under hard acceleration. This is my ONLY complaint or area i feel I lost anything from these tires.
Last night i hit up a local canyon. Mosquito Ridge. (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=4791390061576650919,39.019300,-120.793200%3B2848534642828884181,39.046310,-120.658930%3B12093039426345094329,39.127746,-120.519341&saddr=roseville,+ca&daddr=Mosquito+Ridge+Rd+%4039.019300,+-120.793200+to:Mosquito+Ridge+Rd+%4039.046310,+-120.658930+to:Robinson+Flat+Rd+%4039.127746,+-120.519341&sll=39.023718,-120.716743&sspn=0.1611,0.376282&ie=UTF8&z=10)
Very, Very fun road. I was with two friends, both on new r6's. Both with more experience than me. And both having done the road before.
Initially, weaving through the tight sections i was still a bit uncomfortable and un-confident with my line choice etc. Up the canyon we went, as we progressed further and further I became more and more confident. Keeping in mind body positioning, throttle control, and keeping smooth and confident apex's in each corner. At about the 30-ish? Mile mark i found my self feeling "held up" by the lead bike, but just kept back.
Finally we reached the turnaround point, and started back. I offered to lead. On the way back down the hill I felt much more relaxed, confident in the consistency of how my bike felt through corners. I gradually increased my pace until I was at the top of my comfort zone. Which do to the tires, had apparently changed drastically. In other canyon roads i was uncomfortable simply keeping up with these specific two friends. I noticed this time however, I was slowly pulling further and further away from them. Out of each corner twisting the throttle fairly hard at roughly 8k in 2nd gear the bike never so much as pretended to walk out on me. Headshake occurred one time, but was rather mild. As far as lean angle. Well I definitely used the entire tire in the rear, but the front still has some strips on it. Braking was noticeably different as well. If i had to start leaning while braking the bike held a familiar line, whereas with the Dunlop's it seemed to resist turning like the plague under braking. About half way down the two of them switched because the back rider was complaining the middle man was "holding him back" but the same thing happened.
My overall opinion for the entire experience?
I'm a novice rider, and i was looking for tires to instill confidence. These tires did that so much, my abilities improved ten-fold over the course of a single evening. The combination of the better grip, and change of geometry in turning, create an amazing riding experience. Would I buy them again? In a heart beat. Recommend them? I think thats what this whole article insinuates . After a few more weekends I'm sure you'll see another post regarding life as i plan to play in canyons daily now .
If you managed to get through that whole thing, hope i at least made it entertaining.
Enjoy!
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2000 ZX-12r
  
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BONDGUY399
Parking Attendant
Posts: 25
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posted May 27, 2008 08:22 AM
So, Little update.
I've put about 1000miles on the tires in the last week, about half are canyons, and about half of that actually pushing (maybe less). Some of my findings.
The dual compound line becomes more and more apparent. I'm actually wearing the sides of the tire faster than the center. And after heating and cooling them many times, they still seem to grip very well. I went up to a local patch of canyon that just got fresh pavement and spent a few hours on it with a friend who frequents trackdays etc. He was giving me tips and such. I was running 34/34 tire pressure. As i pushed harder and harder i did start to feel the silly power the 12 has overpowering that little 180. However, it was very predictable feeling. Its hard to describe, but i suppose it felt like there was say "x" amount of traction, and when you surpassed that, it didn't drop down to "x-20%" or anything as im used to in the car world, More that it was "x+slide" the tire didn't feel like it wanted to let loose, just made it apparent that was the limitation and going past it isn't gonna get you anywhere.
I do recommend avoiding the rain however. They were unhappy in that environment. I got caught on the way home, and while they did the job, it just felt sketchy.
All in all, im super excited about the tires. Even after having more experience on them.
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2000 ZX-12r
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