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04-27-2010, 02:35 PM | #1 |
WERA White Plate
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Moto: '01 Aprilia Falco
Posts: 1,041
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Trackday-only bike: street or DOT race tires?
Hey all, I'm taking a break from street riding for a while and turning my Aprilia back into a track-only bike. It has been a long while since I did a trackday, but I'm hoping to change that this year. I'm not fast by any means, but I'm hoping to pick up some speed as the summer progresses.
If you were going to put one set of tires on for a season of maybe 6 trackdays (more if I can swing it), would you put on DOT race tires, or street tires? I don't have tire warmers, though getting a set isn't totally out of the question. How much should I be worried about DOT tires and heat cycles? All my trackdays thus far have been on street tires, so I'm not opposed to getting a set. I was just thinking I might take the opportunity to try something different. |
04-27-2010, 02:40 PM | #2 |
White Trash Hero
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NW Arkansas
Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition
Posts: 4,895
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Never plow with a racehorse or race with a plow horse.
Heat cycles effect both kinds of tires. But the DOTs are made to operate under heat conditions you find on track, while street tires will overheat. Go to the track with track tires, check your pressures consistently and often, use warmers if you can and replace when worn.
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04-27-2010, 02:46 PM | #3 |
Gixxer Girl
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kyle, TX
Moto: 05 GSXR 750 & 06 YZ250F
Posts: 1,424
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BT003 RS work great - Been using them for over a year now....and have been through several sets and until i decided to attempt 'just one more track day' on them there worked perfectly.
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04-27-2010, 03:25 PM | #4 |
Refugee
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Moto: Pimped 2005 SV650
Posts: 332
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I would use sport-oriented street tires until you are near race pace. Race tires are really designed to be used with warmers.
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04-27-2010, 03:54 PM | #5 |
Elitist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Moto: Gix 750
Posts: 11,351
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Because you're not one of the fast guys I don't see anything wrong with it.
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04-27-2010, 04:01 PM | #6 |
moderator chick
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hill Country TX
Moto: Pasta Rockets
Posts: 8,917
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Tires can make or break your trackday experience. Trusting your tires is imperative. Go with Race.
eta: I mean race compound. I wouldn't go with slicks until you have warmers...
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We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"? Come Play at the Track!! http://www.elitetrackdays.com |
04-27-2010, 05:51 PM | #7 |
White Trash Hero
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NW Arkansas
Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition
Posts: 4,895
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I think you can't go wrong with more sticky!
Safe to say if you aren't pushing hard on race slicks it will just be a waste. You have to use warmers with them and beat on em hard on the track. Otherwise a cold or not up to performing temp slick will put you down just like an overheated street tire.
__________________
Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst! |
04-27-2010, 10:56 PM | #8 |
WERA White Plate
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Moto: '01 Aprilia Falco
Posts: 1,041
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Right on, thanks all. DOT race compound it is.
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04-28-2010, 11:42 AM | #9 |
AMA Supersport
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,756
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If you want to get 6 trackdays out of your tires I'm not sure a race compound will hold up for you. The people I know who go to the track are lucky to get 2 days out of DOT race tires on 600 supersports. Race tires should improve your track experience but could be detrimental to your track budget.
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04-28-2010, 11:48 AM | #10 |
giggity
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: socal
Moto: street, sumo & dirty
Posts: 1,071
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Tire life depends on how fast you are, how smooth you are with the throttle, heat conditions, and how fast the track is. I get ~4 trackdays out of a set since I'm a bit of a pussy and am pretty easy on the throttle. I don't slide the bike at all, really. Plus I frequent the lower speed tracks. If you're running big Willow in August you'll need new tires after a day or two.
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