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Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR vs Pirelli Angel ST — 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 ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 84 |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier HR | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 40 | 83 |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier HR | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 89 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier HR | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 40 | 78 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Sportmax Qualifier HR | Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 81 |
| DriverReviews owners | – | 86 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR | Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 65 | 82 |
| Dry | 100 | 84 |
| Wet | 40 | 83 |
| Comfort | 90 | 89 |
| Treadwear | 40 | 78 |
| Handling | 90 | 81 |
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 ST is widely regarded as a dependable, versatile sport-touring tire that offers a strong balance of dry grip, stability, and longevity. While users generally praise its predictable handling and confidence-inspiring performance in varied conditions, some riders report inconsistent wear patterns and a noticeable drop-off in performance as the tire nears the end of its service life.
Pros
- Excellent dry grip and cornering stability
- Predictable and reliable performance in wet conditions
- Strong longevity for sport-touring applications
- Neutral and responsive steering characteristics
Cons
- Rapid, sudden wear once the tire reaches the end of its tread life
- Requires a brief warm-up period to reach optimal operating temperature
- Inconsistent wet-weather performance compared to premium competitors
- Potential for cupping if tire pressures are not strictly managed
Observations
- Heavy sport-touring motorcycles, such as the Yamaha FJR1300, benefit from running higher-than-factory tire pressures to prevent cupping and improve responsiveness.
- The rear tire performance is noted to be more stable and predictable when the motorcycle is loaded with a passenger and luggage, suggesting the carcass design favors heavier loads.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR | B · Pirelli Angel ST |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ST — better wet and treadwear. Pick the Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR if dry and handling matter most to you.
Pirelli Angel ST scores 83 vs 40 on wet.
Pirelli Angel ST scores 78 vs 40 on treadwear.
Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR scores 100 vs 84 on dry.
Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier HR scores 90 vs 81 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.