Chain's going to the track!

Chain · 04-13-2004, 7:50 AM

I did it guys and gals, I'm going to the MAM Rider School on Thursday!!

http://www.mamriderschool.com/

Now for the not so good news...

Take a look at the attached pics. This slicing and scarring on my front Bridgestone BT020 took place yesterday when I was backing the bike out of my truck using my utility ramps. The ramps have star shaped punch-outs cut into the surfaces to provide traction (these ramps are actually designed for lawn tractors).

The damage occurred when I rolled the FZ backwards down the right ramp and stopped it a couple of times with the front brake (while I walked down the left one). I guess the bike's heavy enough that it slid a couple inches even though I applied the front brake to control the descent to the ground.

Well, when I saw the damage, I about fainted.

None of the cuts appear seriously deep (nowhere near as deep as the tread channels themselves). However, the tire darn sure wasn't designed with these little slices in them and I'm wondering if I'm asking for trouble running them at a fast clip at the track (or on the local byways for that matter).

I'm going to ride the bike on the street tomorrow to see if I can detect any performance or handling anomalies.

What do you think? I'm pretty freaked out right now. I've had at least one close buddy who is of the firm opinion that the tire needs to go; another says its not a problem because none of the cuts appear deeper than a wear bar. I DO NOT want to get to the track on Thursday and not pass tech and be told I have to go home.

Pete · 04-13-2004, 7:54 AM

That other buddy is full of ****, and if you don't replace it, you will not be allowed on the track.

ND4SPD · 04-13-2004, 8:06 AM

Replace it.

Is a $100 tire really worth the chance of you becoming a tigerbl....sandbagger?

Chain · 04-13-2004, 9:00 AM

OK, I've got some phone calls to make. If I can't find a local shop which has a BT020 front on hand, I'll pony up the bucks to have SW Moto Tires overnight me a new set of rubber front and back - this will give me an excuse to buy a stickier set of 010s (or maybe D208s) for more confidence inspiring handling, albeit at the expense of mileage.

Pete gave me the idea of having my ramps sprayed with Rhino Liner - the same material I've got in my truck bed. Super idea methinks. Provided they can apply it in sufficient thickness, I'm sure it will take the sharp edges off the star-shaped cut-outs.

If I can't get the ramps fixed up by Thursday, I'll RIDE the bike to the track. It's only 20 minutes from my house, but the last mile approach is gravel - I would have liked to avoid that.

Updates to follow ... thanks for the input you two.

HondaGalToo · 04-13-2004, 9:06 AM

Chiming in late, but I concur...replace the tire and the ramps if coating them doesn't work. They make good ones without those sharp star-thingies. But, the coating is a good idea and may work well.

Chain · 04-13-2004, 9:19 AM

I just got off the phone with the local Rhino Lining dealer. He PROMISES he can spray the stuff on thick enough that I'll be very satisfied. I'm headed out the door.

In the meantime, a question: you think I should overnight a lone front tire or replace them both? I know my bike isn't a hard core sportbike, but it IS a performance motorcycle ... I wonder if I ought to just pull the trigger and get a set of Dunlop 208s.

Edit: I've got about 1,500 miles on the BT020s, fwiw.

Newfie TLR · 04-13-2004, 9:30 AM

Hey Chain.

1500 on 020's ain't squat (unless you like the smell of smoke, know what I mean?). If the rear is OK, keep it and just replace the front one. Go to the BT010, you won't be disappointed.

tigerblade · 04-13-2004, 9:31 AM

You probably won't NEED 208's for your first track outing. Just make sure you have decent rubber front and rear. If nothing else, you need to have confidence in your tires so you have one less thing to think about.

Pete · 04-13-2004, 9:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

If the rear is OK, keep it and just replace the front one. Go to the BT010, you won't be disappointed.

That's got to be the dumbest advice I have ever heard anyone give.

ccwilli3 · 04-13-2004, 9:33 AM

sportec/diablos, skip the 208s...

EDIT: Oh yeah, hell just froze over, thanks Chain...

bwhip · 04-13-2004, 9:48 AM

Have a great time at the track!

Pete · 04-13-2004, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

That's got to be the dumbest advice I have ever heard anyone give.

Hey Newfie, I don't know if you had to run off or if you're busy formulating a flaming response to my post, but here is an excerpt from my PM to Chain...

If they don't have a BT020, and have a BT010, that's a mismatched pair that work really well together. Lots of street guys do that combo to even out the wearing (more of a 1:1 ratio than the common 2 rears for every front).

Sound familiar?

Newfie TLR · 04-13-2004, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

That's got to be the dumbest advice I have ever heard anyone give.

OK Pete. I'm open to someone changing my opinion. Let's hear it??

Pete · 04-13-2004, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

OK Pete. I'm open to someone changing my opinion. Let's hear it??

LMFAO!!! You replied before reading my last post!!!

RRWANTR · 04-13-2004, 10:36 AM

Holy crap!! What did you do to that thing????? I've never had that problem with that ramp and have did a burnout (Someone else was controlling the gas while going up the ramp...=( ) on the ramp with my F3......Admit it you had that fat chick (from the pic with her wheeling a 900rr) ride it up and do a burn out didn't ya...LOL

Newfie TLR · 04-13-2004, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

If they don't have a BT020, and have a BT010, that's a mismatched pair that work really well together. Lots of street guys do that combo to even out the wearing (more of a 1:1 ratio than the common 2 rears for every front).

Sound familiar?

I guess dumb advice comes from a dumb guy, and this dummy doesn't see the point here, sorry.

I have had a 020 front with an 010 rear, and didn't have an issue. Granted, I may not push the bike as hard as Chain or many of you other peoples do, but the fact that I can type this after this combo, on 2 different bikes, tells me it ain't all that bad.

Is this like the rule you don't mix bias ply with radials?? I was told this, and have read it, many times. When I ask "Why", I am always told "Because", or "They said so", etc. I have a riding pal who is a DRE for Ford and asked him to ask the rubber guru's that question. Their answer was "We dunno, but you shouldn't do that".

So, why not have a 010 front and a 020 rear????

Newfie TLR · 04-13-2004, 10:41 AM

OK Pete, now I'm totally freekin' confused.

Pete · 04-13-2004, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

OK Pete, now I'm totally freekin' confused.

OK, since you're such a good guy, I'll let you down easy. Chain had PM'd me about the tire situation. I responded with (paraphrasing to make it easy for your caffeine-deprived mind to grasp

) "if you can't find a BT020 for the front, to match the BT020 on the rear, go with a BT010. It is a "mismatched" pair that works really well together."

You came out and posted very similar advice, and I sarcastically responded with the "dumb advice" comment, just to mess with you.

Got it now?

nomad · 04-13-2004, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

OK Pete, now I'm totally freekin' confused.

hahaha, poor NewfieTLR. That was Pete's humour...

He was just messing with you because he gave the exact same advice (via PM) to Chain.

Get used to it, Pete's here to stay.

[edit: dang'it, Pete beat me to it.]

Pete · 04-13-2004, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomad

hahaha, poor NewfieTLR. That was Pete's humour...

He was just messing with you because he gave the exact same advice (via PM) to Chain.

Get used to it, Pete's here to stay.

[edit: dang'it, Pete beat me to it.]

*Someone* is awake this morning.

Newfie TLR · 04-13-2004, 11:03 AM

Thanks Nomad. I have been here long enough to know what Pete's like.

BTW Pete, it ain't caffeine deprived, it's nicotene deprived and wayyyyy too much caffeine, plus a whole lotta stress. Not a good mixture, believe me. Some people here figure I'm ready for a rubber room.

roadrunner954 · 04-13-2004, 4:16 PM

NinerPilot · 04-13-2004, 4:42 PM

I would advise against the rhino lined ramps Chain. I dont know about your truck bed, but my buddy's race trailer is Rhino'ed and the ramp is slick as **** when it is wet...
Chris

tigerblade · 04-13-2004, 5:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NinerPilot

I would advise against the rhino lined ramps Chain. I dont know about your truck bed, but my buddy's race trailer is Rhino'ed and the ramp is slick as **** when it is wet...
Chris

Dammit!!! You just ruined a slew of funny posts for Friday...

asiliat · 04-13-2004, 5:32 PM

Chain, don't lie, you were doing burn outs all day at the local 7/11. I saw you!