Dunlop DZ02 Vs. R888

[oldbimmer]

Hi,

I've been using R888s for the last 3 years and I've always found them excellent on track.

I recently went to buy a set and was shocked to see how much the price has increased compared to last year..

R888s are now in the ball park of the Dunlop DZ02 which begs the question:

Are the Dunlops much better??

Any feedback and/or shared experiences much appreciated...

[Jon_Bmw]

I have noticed this recently. Retail on r888s in 195 50 15 is in the region of £104.

I am sure you used to be able to get them for around £68

[UweM3]

I use DZ02. Will never use R888 again.
Not only they steer much better, grip better, they also last longer!
They are non directional, which means you can swap them around. But two tyres will alway run "backwards" if you look at the profile (they have outside-inside marking)

I have done about 1500kms on the Ring and they are completely evenly worn and about 50% thread left. The only other tyre similar IMHO is Yoko 48R

When you order them, ask for the production date. There is the the new DZ03 and DZ02's might be a bit old stock now. When I got mine the where 3 years old!! But didn't matter in the end.

Important is to heat cycle them before first use.

[oldbimmer]

Yep sounds about right....

I use 205/50 and I could get them for around £75 each this time last year.. Yesterday I was quoted £113!

Not happy!

[kimbo]

It seems to me that Toyo have done what they set out to do - they put a decent tyre out there at a reasonable price, got the world and his wife using them, including quite a few championships and then - KERCHING - its payback time!!
At those prices there are definately better tyres out there, the Yoko 048 and one of the Dunlop cut slicks (like the DO1J, if it's still available or whatever is the current equivalent) at broadly similar money.
I get the feeling that certain championships still get a mega deal on the 888's - anyone care to confirm / deny. Fair enough if they do, BTW, marketing and all that!

Kim

[Bladerider]

I only use Yoko's

But then I would as I drive for them !!



But in all honety I have found 48's to be a better tyre, if slightly less grippy straight off the bat.

j.

[oldbimmer]

I use DZ02. Will never use R888 again.
Not only they steer much better, grip better, they also last longer!
They are non directional, which means you can swap them around. But two tyres will alway run "backwards" if you look at the profile (they have outside-inside marking)

I have done about 1500kms on the Ring and they are completely evenly worn and about 50% thread left. The only other tyre similar IMHO is Yoko 48R

When you order them, ask for the production date. There is the the new DZ03 and DZ02's might be a bit old stock now. When I got mine the where 3 years old!! But didn't matter in the end.

Important is to heat cycle them before first use.

Thanks for your considered opinion Uwe. I normally get about 4-5 trackdays out of a set of R888s, so any improvement on that would be a bonus. It sounds likea win/win situation..

As for heat cycles - what's your method? I normally just go for a farily gentle drive for 2 or or 3 consecutive evenings.

[oldbimmer]

Thanks guys for your input.. I couldn't agree more about the "loss leader" approach from Toyo..
Shame, as they were really quite cheap for the performance they offerred.. I guess the £/Yen exchange rate has changed significantly in the last year or so - prices were bound to go up..

Interesting comments about the Yokos - I'll probably give 'em a try sometime this year..

[rix313]

Well now the price of them have shot up I'm certainly not going to rush out and buy a set. Will more than likely go to a few race meetings and get some part worns.

[UweM3]

..

As for heat cycles - what's your method? I normally just go for a farily gentle drive for 2 or or 3 consecutive evenings.

I heat them up once to as much temp as I can get on the road and let them FULLY cool down. Not really life essential, but I think it helps a little bit to minimise wear afterwards.

[kimbo]

..

As for heat cycles - what's your method? I normally just go for a farily gentle drive for 2 or or 3 consecutive evenings.

I heat them up once to as much temp as I can get on the road and let them FULLY cool down. Not really life essential, but I think it helps a little bit to minimise wear afterwards.

Used to do much the same as the above when we were racing on Dunlop DO1J's - one out lap to knock off the release compound, two laps at full race speed and an in lap to cool them before removing them, letting them cool right down and wrapping in black bin liners or similar. Normally did this at the end of Friday practice, ready for final run in quallifying on Saturday and then the two races. Same tyres were then used for practice at the next meeting, by which time the front pair would be shot.
Definately made a difference to these tyres under race conditions, non heat cycled tyres would 'go off' much quicker and the rubber would smeared across the tyre, if you see what I mean.

Kim

[SteMarsden]

..

As for heat cycles - what's your method? I normally just go for a farily gentle drive for 2 or or 3 consecutive evenings.

I heat them up once to as much temp as I can get on the road and let them FULLY cool down. Not really life essential, but I think it helps a little bit to minimise wear afterwards.

Used to do much the same as the above when we were racing on Dunlop DO1J's - one out lap to knock off the release compound, two laps at full race speed and an in lap to cool them before removing them, letting them cool right down and wrapping in black bin liners or similar. Normally did this at the end of Friday practice, ready for final run in quallifying on Saturday and then the two races. Same tyres were then used for practice at the next meeting, by which time the front pair would be shot.
Definately made a difference to these tyres under race conditions, non heat cycled tyres would 'go off' much quicker and the rubber would smeared across the tyre, if you see what I mean.

Kim

Exactly the same in karting.
We would fit race rubber during testing and do 3 laps building up speed and then a slow in lap, bag them and store them ready for a race meeting.
Something else we always did and I still believe is relevant for any tyre is storing them at a constant temperature when not in use.
It might not seem pedantic, but stopring your race rubber in a garage or car that will see 10 or 20 deg C changes in temperature during a warm day and cold night will heat cycle your rubber. And that will be exactly what tends to harden them.
I used to keep my kart tyres in a duvet in my wardrobe (sad I know), but now remove my race rubber and wrap them in a few old blankets in the corner of the garage to minimise any great changes in temperaute.....
Ste.

[GeoffBob]

I used to keep my kart tyres in a duvet in my wardrobe (sad I know), but now remove my race rubber and wrap them in a few old blankets in the corner of the garage to minimise any great changes in temperature

LOL. Keep in mind that tyres aren't like humans, they can't produce their own heat while in your cupboard or garage. So wrapping them in any form of thermal insulation does nothing to help maintain their temperature. The tyres temperature will always rise and fall in sympathy with ambient. A bit of insulation will just slow the heating and cooling process down (it won't actually keep the tyres warm during the winter).

Best thing to do is to keep them indoors in the warmth of the house.

BTW, I have DZ03's on my car, R1 compund. I'm not sure that DZ02's are available, at least down here they aren't anymore. The DZ03's are directional. I paid the equivalent of £70 for my 205/50/15 DZ03's. Minimal import duty on tyres for competition use down here you see.

[SteMarsden]

I used to keep my kart tyres in a duvet in my wardrobe (sad I know), but now remove my race rubber and wrap them in a few old blankets in the corner of the garage to minimise any great changes in temperature

LOL. Keep in mind that tyres aren't like humans, they can't produce their own heat while in your cupboard or garage. So wrapping them in any form of thermal insulation does nothing to help maintain their temperature. The tyres temperature will always rise and fall in sympathy with ambient. A bit of insulation will just slow the heating and cooling process down (it won't actually keep the tyres warm during the winter).

Best thing to do is to keep them indoors in the warmth of the house.

BTW, I have DZ03's on my car, R1 compund. I'm not sure that DZ02's are available, at least down here they aren't anymore. The DZ03's are directional. I paid the equivalent of £70 for my 205/50/15 DZ03's. Minimal import duty on tyres for competition use down here you see.

Sorry if that wasnt clear..... I meant insulating them to minimise heat cycling, NOT keeping them warm for months at a time