Dunlop Unveils New KR451 Tire For 600cc Bikes

Dunlop just unveiled a brand new racing slick specifically designed for 600cc bikes.

By: Tod Rafferty

Jun 27, 2017 at 6:21am ET

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Dunlop just launched a new 600cc-specific racing slick at the Utah Motorsports Campus round of the MotoAmerica. The storied tire company developed this new roadracing slick specifically for the 5.5-inch rim used on 600s, and it offers significantly elevated performance for the class. This KR451 180/60R17 rear tire is offered in soft and medium compounds and will be at first only available in the MotoAmerica series, but will soon be available to club racers across the country.

Developed on tracks across the country with the help of top 600-class riders including Garrett Gerloff, JD Beach, Benny Solis, and others, the company says the skin provides greater feel at maximum lean, quicker cornering transitions, increased overall grip, and prolonged tire life—a big benefit to club racers. Lap time improvements during testing were at least a second a lap depending on the track.

“As the series tire supplier for MotoAmerica, it would be easy for Dunlop to not aggressively pursue new tire designs,” said Mike Buckley, Dunlop Motorcycle’s Vice President of sales and marketing. “But we have continually developed our racing products, and this new tire is a way to provide 600-class riders with tire technology designed specifically for that class, which we hope will provide these riders new opportunities to elevate their own performance and get even better at their craft.”

In addition to its program of roadracing support, Dunlop’s commitment to American racing spans the spectrum of motorcycle competition in the U.S. The Buffalo, New York, plant provides the official tire of Supercross, and is the spec tire supplier of MotoAmerica road racing and AMA Pro Flat Track. Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S., and the only manufacturer of motorcycle tires in North America.

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