Word on the Street
Tires are like oil, some rider loves some tire, another hates it. What I've read mostly about Q3s is that they aren't well suited to a big powerful bike like a ZX-14R. But then Q3s are lauded by motojournalist, review after review Q3s placing 1st or 2nd in comparisons. So what gives? What can you really expect? Read on...
Test Conditions
I've ran them for about 900 miles. Riding temps have varied from 30s to 60s (sunny/cloudy/dry) as far as riding conditions. For the sake of this comparison the only modern tires I have experience to compare these Q3s to are Metzeler M5s (OEM for my bike). Air pressure was set to 40/40. See the M5 Recap section at the bottom of this review, but I did have ample time with the M5s in good condition during performance riding.
Fit & Finish
This is the least important issue regarding tires (IMO). These Q3s had some extra flash which could've been trimmed off. I pulled off a dime size piece of flash from one tire. The sidewalls are just kind of plain but the information or patterns that are there just look kind of busy or random, even sloppy. Utilitarian might be a way to describe the sidewalls, which is fine. In this case I'll take form over function but form with function is fine too.
Initial Impression
0 to 60 miles - I recommend taking it very easy the first couple miles. Pulling away from my driveway, the bike weaved side to side the first couple blocks. We've all seen the videos on youtube where a rider pulls away, weaves a couple times and falls over! Use caution when installing different set of tires. Over the next few miles the weaving subsided. By 60 miles, I was comfortable at near full lean and medium-high speed cornering. I was still being cautious though.
60 to 200 miles - Around 100 miles I had probably used quite a bit of available lean angle. By 200 I was pretty much back to normal riding, although still feeling out the Q3s seemingly more sporty profile compared to the M5s.
Overall Impression
200 to 900 miles - Over this period time the tires have become more and more stable. In the last 100 or so miles, I've really been pushing these tires pretty hard and am comfortable at what seems to be greater lean angles than with the M5s.
It hasn't been until the last 100 miles that I've been able to lean it over as far right as to the left. I don't recall having this issue with the M5s installed. This makes me think the contact patch profile must be more aggressive than the M5. At the same basic points of wear compared to edge of the contact patch, it feels like I have the bike leaned over further. Steering feels lighter and the bike feels like it turns in quicker. Unfortunately, I am unable to find any data or information to validate these feelings. Do keep in mind, I went from a set of thrashed M5s to these tires.
Scores
Fit & Finish - 6/10
Steering/Agility - 9/10 - lighter steering, quick turn-in, stable and neutral through corners
Grip Cold - 6/10 - use caution with the occasional mid-turn throttle blip, have had tires slip
Grip Warm - 9/10 - warm tires up before pushing. Once warm they'll rock your world
Wear - ? - 900 miles in no issues at this point (will update periodically)
Overall score (excluding wear) - 8/10 - I really like these Q3s. They have a lot of excess mold flash, but they are not flashy. Where it's important, they got it where any serious rider wants it, and that's performance. Use caution as these tires do not seem to react well until warmed up properly. Even during warmup they will easily be over powered (especially by a 14R). Once warm, they are rock solid. The lighter steering has reduced wrist fatigue while performance riding.
Evora is a bit dirty in these pics...she got a bath after these photos were taken.
Front Left:
Front Right:
Rear Left:
Rear Right:
ZX-14R (Gen 2) wheel weights
Includes all OEM components with rim (rotors, ABS ring, screws, final drive, spacers, bearings, etc.)
Front rim - 15.5 lbs (weighed)
Rear rim - 22.3 (weighed)
Dunlop Q3 tire weight
Front - 120/70 17 - 12.6 lbs (weighed)
Rear - 190/50 17 - N/A (will update when I get my next set)
Metzeler M5 (recap)
Fit & Finish - 9/10 - intricate sidewall pattern, very small amount of excess flashing
Steering/Agility - 7/10 - heavier steering, medium turn-in, stable and heavy through corners
Grip Cold - 9/10 - no problem with occasional throttle teasing through an intersection, or getting on it during warm up
Grip Warm - 7/10 - don't blame the rubber, blame the contact patch profile.
Wear - 4200 miles hit wear bars - 4500-4600 miles hit carcass rubber (not good - if wear bars aren't eough, this is the sign to change) - 5000 miles cords showing (DNR!)
Overall Score (including wear) - 6/10 - Good tire, soft rubber. Tire's personality is kind of unclear. Soft rubber which is sporty, but apparently more of a sport touring profile. This just doesn't make sense, the tire wears quickly but can't deliver the performance it should. Got caught in rain a couple times, no issues (taking it very easy of course). The heavy steering caused notable fatigue during performance riding.
Thrashed M5s
