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Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR vs Pirelli Angel GT — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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5 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier HR | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 83 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier HR | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 40 | 81 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier HR | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 83 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier HR | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 40 | 79 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier HR | Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 76 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR | Pirelli Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 65 | 80 |
| Dry | 100 | 83 |
| Wet | 40 | 81 |
| Comfort | 90 | 83 |
| Treadwear | 40 | 79 |
| Handling | 90 | 76 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Tire A
Tire B
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR is perceived as a performance-oriented tire best suited for lightweight, lower-horsepower motorcycles in dry conditions. While it offers high levels of confidence and agility, its utility is significantly hampered by poor wet-weather performance and exceptionally short tread life.
Pros
- Excellent dry-weather grip and handling
- High confidence during aggressive cornering
- Reduced rotational inertia suitable for smaller displacement bikes
Cons
- Very poor tread longevity, even on low-power motorcycles
- Significant lack of traction in wet conditions
Observations
- Users note that the H-rated specification is well-matched for smaller displacement bikes (e.g., 60BHP range) to improve acceleration.
- Despite the lower power output of the intended vehicle class, the tire still suffers from rapid tread wear.
The Pirelli Angel GT is widely regarded as a high-performance sport-touring tire that excels in wet conditions and provides significant rider confidence. While many users praise its longevity and grip, performance can vary significantly depending on the motorcycle's weight and the specific 'A' specification requirements for heavier touring bikes.
Pros
- Excellent wet weather performance and grip
- High level of rider confidence and feedback
- Strong longevity for many sport-touring applications
- Stable handling for loaded, two-up touring
Cons
- Inconsistent tread wear on specific motorcycle models
- Potential for handling degradation as the front tire wears
- Specific 'A' spec requirement is critical for heavy bikes to avoid premature shoulder wear
- Some users report a 'flat' or 'tame' handling profile compared to stock tires
Observations
- Heavy sport-touring motorcycles like the FJR1300 require the 'A' specification to prevent premature shoulder wear.
- Users on lighter sport bikes report excellent performance, though some note a loss of 'lively' handling compared to stock rubber.
- Front tire wear patterns on certain VFR models can lead to under-steering and reduced confidence as the tire reaches the end of its life.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR | B · Pirelli Angel GT |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Ultra High Performance tires | Summer Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Motorcycle | Motorcycle |
Which one should you actually buy?
Dunlop
Pirelli
Winner: Pirelli Angel GT — better wet and treadwear. Pick the Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR if dry, handling and comfort matter most to you.
Pirelli Angel GT scores 81 vs 40 on wet.
Pirelli Angel GT scores 79 vs 40 on treadwear.
Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR scores 100 vs 83 on dry.
Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR scores 90 vs 76 on handling.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.