Trial is a very special discipline in every sense. On this occasion we are referring to a component as important as tires, which paradoxically and unlike other specialties, have hardly evolved in recent decades. Or at least that’s what it sounds like.
Due to the fact that the average durability of a trial tyre is rather long, fans in Spain have always had a special affinity with the Michelin X11, which was practically the only efficient alternative for those who usually do purely trial areas. Other brands, such as Pirelli or Dunlop, have been more popular outside our borders in Japanese markets, or have been taken into account for more road use thanks to their greater durability.
This is the approach that most fans have in mind, however trial tyres have undergone significant evolutions in recent years. First of all, from Michelin itself, which launched its X-Light version looking for a lighter tyre, which has also turned out to be somewhat weak, and continuing with the tyre at hand: the Dunlop D803 GP
The new tyre builds on the good reputation of its predecessor, the Dunlop D803, incorporating feedback from leading trial riders and manufacturers to provide improved performance under a wide range of temperatures and terrain.
The new D803 GP ensures quality performance with a revamped casing design and a new silica-blended compound that offers superior handling and greater control by giving the rider a better feel on the ground and a more progressive deformation than before. The tyre also stands out for its improved grip on wet and muddy terrain, as well as excellent performance in a wide range of temperatures, including very low ambient temperatures.
Another relevant fact is Montesa’s commitment to offer the Dunlop D803 GP in its Cota 4RT 260, replacing its D803 sibling. This is a good starting point for Dunlop, as Montesa relaunched this model in 2014, offering a more affordable version that is successfully catching on in the market.
The Trialworld team had the opportunity to test two sets of the D803 GP tyre, which we fitted on a Montesa Cota 4RT 4-stroke and also on another 2-stroke model.
A priori the tread does not present aesthetic differences, but the interesting thing is in its interior and composition. However, the outstanding quality is already felt to the touch. It can be easily deformed to the touch with the pressure of a finger and at the same time transmits the necessary rigidity to make the bike stable.
During our test we worked on dirt surfaces with low traction, strong steps to assess its deformation capacity, river areas and also technical passages where we could draw conclusions about the precision it brings to the whole.
Accustomed to the Michelin that equips practically all other brands, the initial sensations of the D803 GP are excellent, so much so that we do not miss the blessings of the X11 or X-Light. With pressures of 300 grams on the rear wheel and 450 grams on the front, we can say that the riding of both bikes is comfortable and effective.
On long climbs with little grip, where we need more traction, the D803 GP is able to read the terrain well, we can see that the new version does represent a significant qualitative leap compared to the standard version (D803) and transmits a lot of safety to the rider.
It was important for us to test how the D803 GP would behave in strong receptions, as we doubted whether subjecting the tyre to large impacts would result in a lack of firmness or even touch the rim. To check this, we looked for a good flight over rock and we studied the piloting sensations, as well as analysing the sequences of photos to assess the deformation on impact.
The result was fully satisfactory and we can affirm that the new Dunlop D803 GP is presented as a highly recommended alternative to the product offered by Michelin. Not surprisingly, in markets such as Japan we have the national champion, Kenichi Kuroyama, equipping these same D803 GP is among the best drivers in the world.
Another detail of the Dunlop D803 GP is that they are being highly valued among users for their robustness. The proof is in the last Six Days of Scotland, where regular Michelin users opted for the new Dunlop, claiming its excellent performance in the wet and its endurance in the harshest conditions.
Regarding its price, Dunlop announces an official RRP for the front of 99.55 euros and the rear of 146.95 euros, although this price is not representative of the dealer price and can be found online or somewhat cheaper than the Michelin.
