Dunlop Announces Big News for Small Race Bikes

Buffalo, NY: Dunlop has just released a line of slick race tires for small displacement motorcycles. The all-new KR448 front and KR451 rear sizes are designed specifically to work with small displacements bikes in the 300 to 400cc range. The front 110/70R17 is available in an extra soft compound, and the rear 140/70R17 is available in both an extra soft and medium compound.

For the 2019 season, these tires will also be the Official Tires of the MotoAmerica Junior Cup Class.

With the widespread availability of small displacement sport bikes from the motorcycle manufacturers, the industry has seen a large bump in club racing for small displacement classes. To better support these classes, Dunlop expanded the KR448 and KR451 size range, which are made in Dunlop’s Buffalo manufacturing facility.

John Robinson, the Tire Design Engineer behind the project, said, “We were looking for something to add more grip for the small bikes, and there was a lot of excitement about having a slick tire from the guys at my local track where I race my 300, so it seemed like there would be a broad appeal for a small slick. We chose the 140/70 profile versus the 150/60 after testing because the shorter 150 profile lacked the cornering clearance we wanted for high lean angles. Even though the 140 is slightly narrower than the 150, the transitions are quicker because of the height, and since we patterned the profile after the 200/60, we were able to get a bigger footprint at maximum lean with the 140/70.”

To find out more about the new sizes offered for the KR448 and KR451, go to Dunlop’s all-new web site dedicated entirely to race tires at www.dunlopracing.com.

About Dunlop

Dunlop is the largest supplier of original equipment and replacement motorcycle tires in the U.S.A. For more information, visit www.DunlopMotorcycleTires.com.