Dunlop SP Sport tires- observations

[KuroNekko]

Yes I know this is an old thread but just adding to the collective.

15,500 miles on my OE Dunlops.
About 50 percent worn.
No signs of uneven wear.
The ride feels stiffer going over bumps.
The car feels very neutral entering corners under hard braking and hard acceleration out, but the tires don't grab the road like they used to. I find myself having to turn in to corners earlier to compensate for the loss of traction. Still very good balance through corners.
No issues of hydro planning.
It feels to me that the rubber compound is aging and getting harder sooner than I would expect.

I just hit 24,000 miles today on the original tires. All my tires are wearing unevenly (insides wearing faster) which I think is related to the alignment issue. I need to get that resolved.
Otherwise, my observations are very similar to yours. The ride is definitely stiffer over imperfections on the road. Some of the rubber on the side of the tread is cracking.
When these tires are done, I'll go to a superior tire given these are not favored among owners here nor at tirerack.com.

[SamirD]

I just hit 24,000 miles today on the original tires. All my tires are wearing unevenly (insides wearing faster) which I think is related to the alignment issue. I need to get that resolved.
Otherwise, my observations are very similar to yours. The ride is definitely stiffer over imperfections on the road. Some of the rubber on the side of the tread is cracking.
When these tires are done, I'll go to a superior tire given these are not favored among owners here nor at tirerack.com.

Ours had 28,800 when we took them off to put on the snow tires, and they weren't the best in rain for sure. Snow was crazy bad.

Ours also have the same inside wear problem. I've briefly talked to Suzuki on this since it is known that a factory alignment issue could have caused this, even with propertire rotation. I believe they should be responsible for at least a portion of the cost for a new set of tires.

Rubber cracking on a tire as young as yours is an absolute no-no. I would contact Dunlop about that as it should be a warranty issue. The more important thing is to watch this area for bumps or any other signs of the internal structure of the tire deteriorating. I once had a belt separate on a set of tires that were cracking. Luckily, I was able to pull over once I noticed vibration in the sterring wheel. But in a highway situation, it could have been a very bad blowout.

[KuroNekko]

I just hit 24,000 miles today on the original tires. All my tires are wearing unevenly (insides wearing faster) which I think is related to the alignment issue. I need to get that resolved.
Otherwise, my observations are very similar to yours. The ride is definitely stiffer over imperfections on the road. Some of the rubber on the side of the tread is cracking.
When these tires are done, I'll go to a superior tire given these are not favored among owners here nor at tirerack.com.

Ours had 28,800 when we took them off to put on the snow tires, and they weren't the best in rain for sure. Snow was crazy bad.

Ours also have the same inside wear problem. I've briefly talked to Suzuki on this since it is known that a factory alignment issue could have caused this, even with propertire rotation. I believe they should be responsible for at least a portion of the cost for a new set of tires.

Rubber cracking on a tire as young as yours is an absolute no-no. I would contact Dunlop about that as it should be a warranty issue. The more important thing is to watch this area for bumps or any other signs of the internal structure of the tire deteriorating. I once had a belt separate on a set of tires that were cracking. Luckily, I was able to pull over once I noticed vibration in the sterring wheel. But in a highway situation, it could have been a very bad blowout.

It's very minor cracking, not the kind to be really worried about. I'm well aware of the dangers of cracking tires. If there are any dangerous conditions as they apply to vehicles, I've dealt with them on the VW bus. I've already had a tire blow out due to sidewall cracks on the VW. It now has all new tires.

[Firefly]

I had noticed the cracking on my Dunlops as well, apparently not the kind to worry about - just around the area where the sidewall meets the tire shoulder.

In revisiting this thread I can say that some of the instability I was experiencing that I mentioned in my original post was due to the failing rear shock. However, the worn tires seemed to add to the aggravation.

[SamirD]

I'm well aware of the dangers of cracking tires.

I though you would, but a lot of people read our posts, so it was more for everyone else than you. Stay safe!

[SamirD]

I had noticed the cracking on my Dunlops as well, apparently not the kind to worry about - just around the area where the sidewall meets the tire shoulder.

In revisiting this thread I can say that some of the instability I was experiencing that I mentioned in my original post was due to the failing rear shock. However, the worn tires seemed to add to the aggravation.

Interesting that you both have had this cracking. I wonder if there is some sort of 'known' issue with these? Anyone called Dunlop yet?

[KuroNekko]

I had noticed the cracking on my Dunlops as well, apparently not the kind to worry about - just around the area where the sidewall meets the tire shoulder.

In revisiting this thread I can say that some of the instability I was experiencing that I mentioned in my original post was due to the failing rear shock. However, the worn tires seemed to add to the aggravation.

Interesting that you both have had this cracking. I wonder if there is some sort of 'known' issue with these? Anyone called Dunlop yet?

Nope. I rather ride them out until they are pretty worn and then get some other tires from a different brand. When I move back to California like I'm planning, I'll just get summer tires with a higher performance rating.

[~tc~]

Mine wore out before they had a chance to crack LOL

[SamirD]

I spoke to Steve at Ray Suzuki (Chevrolet) today about this since he is obviously a fan of the Kizashi and services hundreds a month. :O

He even said the Dunlops are horrible, and that most people don't put them back on. He mentioned the cracking before I even mentioned the experiences in this thread.

[Firefly]

Interesting that you both have had this cracking. I wonder if there is some sort of 'known' issue with these? Anyone called Dunlop yet?

I researched the cracking issue online, and this kind is likely the ageing/wear/drying out of the compound. The kind of cracking to be concerned about would be on the tread - and this isn't it. It's a spider webby evenly dispersed cracking just around the shoulder edge, which I have learned is not all that unusual.

I do think that the drying out of the compound with age, along with the reduced tread is what causes the harshness. I've experienced this with other tire brands and cars - particularly with lower profile tires. (1/8" of tread is a bigger portion of cushioning on a 45-series tire than a 50-series or so)