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View Full Version : My review: Pirelli Diablo Corsa III tires


dhdrider
07-03-2007, 01:19 PM
Well, prior to my track day on July 2nd I was up in the air about what rubber I was going to run out at TWS.

Background:
I used to be a regular trackday attendee about 1 1/2 to 2 years ago. I took a hiatus due to the birth of my daughter. I am now back on track (pun intended). Prior to my break, I had run DOT race rubber. I ran through several sets of Bridgestone BT-002s which I absolutley loved. I also ran through a set of Pilot Race tires as well. I preferred the BT-002 between the 2 but felt very confident on either. I had also got my lap times out at TWS below the 2:00 mark. That's not Ty Howard pace or anything, but it's quick enough to be competitive on some of the novice classes. (specifically heavyweight twins class that I would run in if I raced my RC51).

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, I didn't want to run a race tire. Way too expensive on the old RC51. That bike absolutely vaporizes rear tires, even more so w/ a hot track. I could typically get 1 1/2 days on the rear w/ a hard BT-002.:doh: So, a "street" tire was what I was looking for. I wanted longevity of a street tire. I wanted good feel. I wanted good wear. Most of all I wanted the confidence I had in running a DOT race tire. So I was up in the air between the Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs and the Diablo Corsa 3s. (Both of which feature a rear tire w/ dual compounds). well I decided to go with the Pirellis, and was I impressed! They were great in the rain in the morning and then when the track dried up, they were incredible in the dry. I felt every bit as confident as I ever did w/ the DOT race tires.

To sum it up, I am truly astonished at the level of performance of modern "street" tires. So, if you might be considering this tire, I would give it a big thumbs up. After I purchased the tires I found out that this tire (even though it is considered a "street" tire) is the spec race tire for European Supersport 600. How's that for a "street" tire? :clap:

Please note: I cannot comment on longevity of the tire for street use at this time. I will post up at a later date about mileage. Furthermore, in no way is this a negative against the Power 2CTs as I have not tested them personally.
Also, it should be noted that I am not a professional test rider. Just offering my humble opinion. :mrgreen:

Skid
07-03-2007, 02:29 PM
I was really impressed with the Corsa III's in the rain. I know I wasn't setting any records this last track day, but the tires seemed to be very predictable in the wet. I felt that I had a good idea of when the tires would step out. I have had these tires now for 3 track days and quite a bit of street riding and they still have a lot of tread left.

Skid

X1Glider
07-03-2007, 03:13 PM
I'm anxious to try this tire as soon as I go through this 4th set of Qualifiers...my favorite to date.

Tango1300
07-04-2007, 01:28 PM
These are great tires but has anyone tried the Metzler M3's? Pirelli is their parent corp and through my reading see that these are supposed to be the same construction/compounds. I now have the Michelin 2CTs and wish that i had never changed from the Metzlers.

buck000
07-04-2007, 08:42 PM
I now have the Michelin 2CTs and wish that i had never changed from the Metzlers.

Interesting. Care to say why? :ponder:

dhdrider
07-05-2007, 08:40 AM
These are great tires but has anyone tried the Metzler M3's? Pirelli is their parent corp and through my reading see that these are supposed to be the same construction/compounds. I now have the Michelin 2CTs and wish that i had never changed from the Metzlers.
I've heard good things about the M3s. However, I opted to go with the Pirellis mostly due to their success in racing over Metzler. But like you said, it is possibnle they could be very similar...

Loyd
07-05-2007, 09:19 AM
There's another tire manufacturer besides dunlop???:eek2:

Tango1300
07-05-2007, 09:29 AM
Interesting. Care to say why? :ponder:

The Metzler exhibits a greater grip at excessive lean angles without any wiggle. I can feel the 2CT move around a bit even after raising the air pressure.

Then there is the issue that I have a Pilot Power front and a 2CT rear because of the recall on the front tires.

My last point is the tread design on the 2CT channels water to the center of the tread rather than away from it. Since purchasing these tires 3 weeks ago, I've been caught in torrential rain a few times. I can definitely say the Metzlers are far superior in wet weather traction. I can back that up with my last trip to Atlanta where 761 miles of that trip was in the rain. Another trip from Deal's Gap last October, temps were dropping from 27 degrees and the snow was falling on I-81 North heading to Annapolis. Not once did I fear about grip. The only grip I needed more was in my frozen fingers.

Yeah I'm sick like that.