Drowland
Zone Head
Posts: 733
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posted June 04, 2004 05:36 PM
Kawasaki and their new unavailable Tires
Fuck Kawasaki! This is the second time this has happened I bought a new bike and then my back tire wears out and then the tire is unavailable unless you order it directly from the manufacture who bends you over and lets you have it. For the price of one tire and you can buy a set of new Michelin Pilot sports. First this happened on my 2002 ZX12R and now on this fucking ZX10. Do you think its Kaw trying to make a extra buck by ripping us a new one for one tire? I have bought 3 Kaws in the last 3 years and u best believe Im going to think again the next year.
   
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zeta xray
Expert Class
Posts: 416
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posted June 04, 2004 06:22 PM
I have a D218 take-off rear tire. It has 1100 street miles and about 45 track day miles. I did my break-in by the book so you know it was not abused during the first 1000 miles. I would be happy to sell it to you. But in all fairness, I think you could do a lot better than put mine or any D218 back on your ZX10. I was "satisfied" with the D218 but my seat of the pants experience says the Pirelli Diablo has more grip. And will probably wear as well. PM me know if you want my D218. I have a friend who has a lower mileage D218 he would probably sell also.
Why are you so upset with Kawasaki? DUNLOP makes the tire and they are obviously not making them at a fast enough rate to have any for retail sales. I don't see this as a F**k Kawasaki issue.
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted June 04, 2004 06:23 PM
That's like blaming Ford for Firestone's tires...Oh wait, lots of folks did just that! 
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bovinespongiformencephalo
Pro
variant Kreutzfeldt-Jakob
Posts: 1060
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posted June 04, 2004 06:23 PM
 Edited By: bovinespongiformencephalo on 4 Jun 2004 19:31
Why so hard up to put a 218 on it? Is there something magical in that tire? Are your panties all knotted up because some know-it-all told you it was dangerous to mix tires? It isn't. Unless your fashion sense would go into overload and cause your brain to explode or something. Oh, I have one with 29 miles on it that I used for break-in. Pre-scrubbed edge to edge so it'll harvest the the hotties at bikenite.
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zeta xray
Expert Class
Posts: 416
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posted June 04, 2004 06:45 PM
This is from Dunlop on another forum...
'Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding the Dunlop D218. The new Dunlop D218 is an original equipment (OE) tire that has just reached the North American market with the introduction of the '04 Kawasaki ZX-10R, the '04 Suzuki GSX-R 600 & 750, and the '04 Yamaha R1. The D218 is available in limited sizes (only those that fit these vehicles) exclusively through the vehicle manufacturer's Parts and Accessories department and is not intended to be used as a general replacement tire, as is the D208 ZR. The D218 is considered an OE sport tire with performance characteristics at levels below the existing D208 ZR. The Dunlop D207 ZR has been discontinued and is no longer available.'
So for those of you who insist on having a Dunlop tire, go get the D208 ZR and get more performance at a lower price. Win/Win.
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kz2zx
Pro
Nobody in Particular
Posts: 1166
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posted June 04, 2004 06:51 PM
Edited By: kz2zx on 4 Jun 2004 19:52
I did just that. I have a 208ZR in my garage, waiting to go on tomorrow.
Trikchop, I may do your smokey burnout with what's left of the 218.
[edit] I lost my cookies (internet ones) and when I logged back in I have this signature again...
____________
ASMA 47
WERA 147
www.dhowellbooks.com
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drowland
Zone Head
Posts: 733
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posted June 04, 2004 07:18 PM
Well you are right I like my front to match my back tire and it might be a mental thing but can't get my mind off it. The tread pattern is way different than the 208.
So Everybody! Whats the best tire for the buck? For longevity, and grip and ride??????
I like those pilot sports but haven't tried those Diablo's. And those brigstones 010's dont' last 900 miles???????
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kz2zx
Pro
Nobody in Particular
Posts: 1166
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posted June 04, 2004 07:20 PM
Sportec M1s or Diablos are what I'll do next... Or maybe the Bridgestone 014's...
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted June 04, 2004 07:46 PM
The D218 is considered an OE sport tire with performance characteristics at levels BELOW the existing D208 ZR.
WTF?
No wonder I have two sets of Diablo Corsas sitting at my dealer right now. I hear that it's best to stay away from just the Diablos and get at least the Corsas, if not the Super Corsas (depending on one's budget).
Just remember that if you like your current suspension set-up to get all of the settings and measurements written down before you change brands or versions because you'll need them for a reference point when you put the new tires on.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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bovinespongiformencephalo
Pro
variant Kreutzfeldt-Jakob
Posts: 1060
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posted June 04, 2004 11:33 PM
WTF indeed. I've ridden on both and the 218 is tread and shoulders (sorry) above the 208. Seriously, if it matters that much I can wrap a shipping label on a 29 mile near virgin and have it in your hands in about 5 days. What's it worth? Have you tried ebay?
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lrg
Novice Class
Posts: 61
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posted June 05, 2004 01:23 AM
Buy a diablo.
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zx9rcr500r
Expert Class
Kawasakis UNI-TRAK®
Posts: 361
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posted June 05, 2004 05:27 AM
So, whats wrong with the non Corsa Diablos? I purchased a set in January.I havent installed them yet.
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drowland
Zone Head
Posts: 733
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posted June 05, 2004 05:41 AM
Well getting back to the article "'Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding the Dunlop D218. The new Dunlop D218 is an original equipment (OE) tire that has just reached the North American market with the introduction of the '04 Kawasaki ZX-10R, the '04 Suzuki GSX-R 600 & 750, and the '04 Yamaha R1. The D218 is available in limited sizes (only those that fit these vehicles) exclusively through the vehicle manufacturer's Parts and Accessories department and is not intended to be used as a general replacement tire, as is the D208 ZR. The D218 is considered an OE sport tire with performance characteristics at levels below the existing D208 ZR. The Dunlop D207 ZR has been discontinued and is no longer available" Well that is total bullshit because when I bought the new 2002 ZX12R it had the 208 and the only replacement was the 207. That is a fucking cop out on Dunlops behalf!
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swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
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posted June 05, 2004 06:45 AM
Man, you just gotta hate something, don't you?
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Drowland
Zone Head
Posts: 733
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posted June 05, 2004 07:52 AM
Hell yeah! I need a prozac.
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TurboBlew
Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
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posted June 05, 2004 08:16 AM
Fuck that 218 piece of shit tire. Metzler Sportecs are a much better tire.
Pirelli Diablos are too.
I got decent mileage out of the Diablos on my 12. 3500 for the set... but I was doing some touring with them.
I will never put a Dunslop tire on any motorcycle I own.
And why are you trying to buy OEM tires? They cost 3x what a normal tire does.
____________
Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
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TLR2000
Novice Class
Posts: 37
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posted June 05, 2004 01:55 PM
I have a set with 700 miles that I would happily take off my bike and ship to anyone who wants them and has $100.00! I will not be searching for these OEM tires! My modest riding skills have out performed these tires even before I have finished breakin!
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CanyonCarver
Expert Class
Posts: 121
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posted June 06, 2004 06:36 AM
Boo hoo hoo. Who cares. Those OEM Dunlops are shite, just like OEM Bridgestones and OEM Pirellis. I gave mine away, and I LIKE Dunlops. Just not the 218s. Believe me, they are doing you a favor. If you like Dunlop, get the 208ZR or 208GP (my favorite). If not, get some nice Pirelli Diablo Corsa, etc. It's just an OEM tire. Do you buy the exact same POS tire for your car that came on it as OEM, or do you throw down and get something that wasn't made with the bottom-line in mind? My $.02
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Snotrag
Novice Class
Posts: 36
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posted June 07, 2004 07:17 PM
H2's H2'S H2'S..............
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