Go Back   Two Wheel Fix > Riding > Track

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-27-2010, 03:35 PM   #1
anthonyk
WERA White Plate
 
anthonyk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Moto: '01 Aprilia Falco
Posts: 1,041
Default 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.
anthonyk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 03:40 PM   #2
smileyman
White Trash Hero
 
smileyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NW Arkansas
Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition
Posts: 4,895
Default

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.
__________________

Arkriders.com
To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!
smileyman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 03:46 PM   #3
skiergirl
Gixxer Girl
 
skiergirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kyle, TX
Moto: 05 GSXR 750 & 06 YZ250F
Posts: 1,424
Default

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.
skiergirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 04:25 PM   #4
pdog
Refugee
 
pdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Moto: Pimped 2005 SV650
Posts: 332
Default

I would use sport-oriented street tires until you are near race pace. Race tires are really designed to be used with warmers.
pdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 04:54 PM   #5
Homeslice
Elitist
 
Homeslice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Moto: Gix 750
Posts: 11,351
Default

Because you're not one of the fast guys I don't see anything wrong with it.
Homeslice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 05:01 PM   #6
azoomm
moderator chick

 
azoomm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hill Country TX
Moto: Pasta Rockets
Posts: 8,917
Default

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...
__________________
We have enough youth. How about a fountain of "smart"?

Come Play at the Track!!

http://www.elitetrackdays.com
azoomm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 06:51 PM   #7
smileyman
White Trash Hero
 
smileyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NW Arkansas
Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition
Posts: 4,895
Default

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!
smileyman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2010, 11:56 PM   #8
anthonyk
WERA White Plate
 
anthonyk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Moto: '01 Aprilia Falco
Posts: 1,041
Default

Right on, thanks all. DOT race compound it is.
anthonyk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2010, 12:42 PM   #9
goof2
AMA Supersport
 
goof2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,756
Default

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.
goof2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2010, 12:48 PM   #10
Sean
giggity
 
Sean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: socal
Moto: street, sumo & dirty
Posts: 1,071
Default

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.
Sean is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:52 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.