Trackday Tire Question

BillAce · 08-04-2003, 10:35 AM

I am going thursday for my first time on my track bike. It has Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa's on it now with 1 day of use. I also have BT001R's with 1 day on them from the 954. With the wet week predicted for the northeast, I'm worried about the lack of tread on these tires since they're slicks on the last inch or so by design. Should I have a set of M1's, I've used them on the track and street in dry and wet conditions without a problem or will I be fine with what I have?

I'll be learning the new bike and don't want anything in the back of my head while getting comfortable.

ccwilli3 · 08-04-2003, 10:49 AM

ummm...

Unless there is standing water, treads don't do anything... If the track is just 'wet', you should be okay with a lot of tires... Its when you get standing water that the tires have to 'cut' through that you have issues.

I ran Sportecs at Jennings in the wet and had zero issues with grip... I was rather heavy handed too. Thanks to phatblock for pointing out to me to adjust my line to miss the 'puddles' of standing water on the track. Once I did that, I was good...

But unless there is standing water, its the tire compound itself, not the tread that does the sticking...

Zippy · 08-04-2003, 10:58 AM

Good point.

BillAce · 08-04-2003, 11:00 AM

Thanks, CCWillie, Pocono is known for uneven pavement and puddles, I'll switch to Pirelli's M1 equivalent if puddles start to form. I'm sort of looking forward to riding in the rain, I just want to ride all day.

Bill

Red Rider · 08-04-2003, 11:12 AM

Word of caution though...if you are the least bit hamfisted with the throttle on a liter bike and leaning over far enough to be on the slick portion of the tire in the wet, the rear will spin up a LOT quicker than you would expect. Don't ask me how I know...

ccwilli3 · 08-04-2003, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Red Rider : Word of caution though...if you are the least bit hamfisted with the throttle on a liter bike and leaning over far enough to be on the slick portion of the tire in the wet, the rear will spin up a LOT quicker than you would expect. *Don't ask me how I know...

Yes,

RR is right, you still gotta feed in the power gingerly and with care... The ability to grip is lessened as the tarmac is wet... But ignoring puddles and standing water, tread does nothing for you... Tread clears water, compounds and the tire grips the pavement. That was my point earlier (sometimes I am vague)...

Watch it on the brakes too, don't trail brake either... The front tire has enough to cope with and with decreased traction, you wanna be weight bias on the rear as much as possible...

BillAce · 08-04-2003, 12:19 PM

Thanks for the help all. I was pretty smooth and consistent on the throttle on my 954 and that should be easier on the F2. I just want to relax and focus on my riding. I felt great on the 954 and was pretty fast but felt like it was the bike as much as the rider contributing, so I decided to get a bike that would make me a better rider. We shall see......

Bill

luvtolean · 08-04-2003, 12:23 PM

There's some good advice above...also, remember to give the tires a bunch of extra time to warm up. Give them at least 2 laps before you start wicking it up.