Dunlop stands out as a premier tire manufacturer, uniquely positioned with North American facilities dedicated to the development and rigorous testing of their dirt bike tires. Based at the Proving Grounds in Huntsville, Alabama, this 68-acre facility boasts a comprehensive network of both road and off-road tracks. This crucial setup allows Dunlop’s test riders and race team professionals to collaborate closely on both production tire enhancements and cutting-edge prototype evaluations. The presence of a full-time team of design engineers, test engineers, and specialized test riders underscores Dunlop’s commitment to racing tire innovation. Insights gleaned from the Proving Grounds and real-world race tracks across the United States are directly translated into tangible improvements for their consumer tire lines. Furthermore, Dunlop maintains its motorcycle tire production and manufacturing exclusively in Buffalo, New York, proudly operating as the only motorcycle tire manufacturing plant within the United States.
Key figures like Jesse Wentland, Clark Stiles, and Broc Glover are deeply involved in steering the development of high-performance racing tires for off-road motorcycles. This focused effort at the pinnacle of racing directly benefits everyday riders through the creation of exceptional production tires readily available to consumers. The dominance of Dunlop Dirt Bike Tires in professional racing is undeniable. Prestigious teams including PC Kawasaki, Star Yamaha, Factory Honda, and KTM/Husqvarna/GasGas, among others, choose Dunlop. This widespread adoption by top US teams is largely attributed to Dunlop’s strategic advantage of having domestic development and production capabilities that can effectively support these demanding racing programs. Dunlop has effectively established a strong foothold in the US Pro off-road racing scene, leading competitors like Pirelli to concentrate on supporting satellite teams such as FXR/Chap Honda, BarX Suzuki, Club MX, TPJ, JMC, and PR-MX, while also fostering a robust rider support program for privateers. Pirelli has indeed amplified its support programs within the US market in recent years, achieving notable success in capturing a greater share of the market. Historically, Michelin and Bridgestone were significant contenders in AMA pro off-road racing, but their presence has diminished, leaving Dunlop and Pirelli as the primary forces.
Dunlop also extends its support to amateur and privateer racers, though their program differs in scale compared to Pirelli’s extensive offerings. In contrast to Dunlop’s US-centric operations, Pirelli conducts all tire testing at their facility in Sicily, Italy, with production centers also located in Italy. This geographical setup naturally positions Pirelli as a leading brand in Europe and within the Grand Prix motorcycle racing circuit. Consequently, all Pirelli dirt bike tires utilized in US off-road racing must be imported from Italy.
A notable aspect of Pirelli’s approach is their commitment to offering consumers tires that closely mirror their professional racing tires. The Pirelli Scorpion line exemplifies this philosophy, allowing consumers to purchase and ride on “race-spec” tires. Pirelli emphasizes a direct correlation between their racing tires and consumer products, promoting the concept of “racing what we sell and selling what we race.” Dunlop, while benefiting from race-derived technology, typically equips their factory teams with specialized compounds and prototype designs. This means that Dunlop production tires available to consumers are subtly different from those seen on professional race tracks.
Ultimately, when choosing between top-tier brands, both Dunlop and Pirelli dirt bike tires present compelling options, particularly for amateur riders and racers. For many, the deciding factor leans towards supporting domestic manufacturing and employment within the United States, making Dunlop a preferred choice.
