ASBK: Waters gives new-spec Dunlops approval after test
Team Suzuki's Josh Waters has approved Dunlop's new size control tyres heading into the Queensland Raceway round.
Reigning Australian Superbike Champion Josh Waters has given Dunlop’s new specification tyres the thumbs up after his initial test on the tyres at Queensland Raceway earlier this month.
The official ASBK control tyre tender was awarded to Dunlop at the beginning of the season, however a number of teething problems have plagued the Japanese giant at the opening rounds of the season while awaiting the arrival of the latest rubber from Europe.
Next weekend’s Queensland Raceway round will see Dunlop introduce new rear sizes in the Superbike and Superstock 1000 A and B categories, the 200/55R17 D211 tyres in soft and medium compounds replacing the 190/55R17 tyres that were used at the beginning of the season.
“The 200 tyre is a bit bigger so it gave a little bit more side grip during the test at Queensland,” Team Suzuki’s Waters commented. “It made an improvement, but then it made the bike a little bit unstable in some spots so we do still have some improvements to make with the set-up.
“I think that overall they will be better though, I’m pretty sure that the new tyres will be the ones that everybody chooses to ride on. The new tyre gives it a different feel on the corner entry and also when you’re right on the side of the tyre, but I do think it will be better overall because it’s something that’s a closer shape to last year’s tyre.”
Waters spent the entire test on the new size tyres, however the 190 size tyres will still be eligible for those who prefer them.
This year’s control rubber has been a more cost effective option compared to the Dunlop N-Tecs that were the benchmark in recent seasons, with teams continuing to work hard in an effort to extract the maximum performance from the control tyres as bike settings are fine tuned.
A new rear Supersport GP-A tyre will also be introduced, as will a new front for the Superstock 600 category.
According to a statement released by series promoter International Entertainment Group, competitors can swap the previous spec tyres for the new ones at Queensland Raceway on the race weekend.
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