Using shit tyres on track

[T0MMY]

I'm about to do my first trackday on my CB-1 but I'm debating whether to get a new rear tyre first. Basically I have a fairly worn out BT45 on the front which I think will be fine but the rear tyre is an everlasting "Golden VR" Malaysian ditchfinder tyre that seems to be made of plastic rather than rubber It's also totally the wrong size (130/90 instead of 150/60) so steep lean angles are quite exciting as you go off the edge of the tyre

Frankly I've enjoyed it on the road as it slides around quite a bit in the dry and a LOT in the wet so over the whole winter I've been getting the bike sideways on roundabouts etc and spinning it up coming out of corners

So my question is, will it be entertaining on the track or will it slow me down so much it'll piss me off (and everyone behind me)?

I'd like to do this on the cheap as the only reason I'm getting into bike trackdays is because car trackdays are getting too expensive with fuel costs the way they are so really I'd rather not buy another tyre if possible.

[CaNsA]

If you have to ask........

There is a dude on another forum with some cheap diablos

Clicky

[T0MMY]

They're too big for my bike...150/60 is already slightly oversized and 120 on the front would probably be awful.

I asked because I've never done a bike trackday before...I really don't know the answer

If someone asked about shit tyres on the back of a car for a trackday I'd say, yes, it'll slow you down but it'll be a lot of fun. Not sure whether or not it'll be the same on the bike.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

On track you're going to ride much faster than on the road, and you want to do this with shitty tyres? Tyres are the only interface between your bike and the track.

Put something reasonable on it. I wouldn't bother with crappy tyres, you'll just have a shite day or bin it.
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[Bendy]

[G]

First trackday I did I was having fun in the Novice group - having fun going around people on Corams at Snetterton etc, keeping a decent pace up for a 250. Was pretty much on the limit of cornering there a few times (little slides etc).

Leant the bike to a racer-friend for the last session and he came back with 'nice bike, but the tyres are shagged!'

Providing you can brake as hard as possible (ie stoppy from speed) with warm tyres, I'd be happy - it'll just mean that you reach the limits earlier (which at least will mean if you crash it'll be slower ).
As ever, only get quicker a little bit at a time - don't go all out trying to beat the quickest person on track and you'll be fine.

[T0MMY]

I suppose the point is that, as you say, I'm not trying to set lap records. For me the fun of a trackday (I'm talking car here obviously) is in driving on the limit, not trying to be faster than anyone. I've used many different cars with many different tyres over the years and I honestly don't think it's automatically more fun if the limits are higher because you have more grip, it just means you have to go slightly faster to reach them. Obviously something that understeers horrendously is never fun but a well balanced car with low grip is just as much fun as a well balanced car with high grip (you MX5ers should surely understand that!).

I think riding a bike with a shit front tyre would be rubbish but like I say, pushing this bike hard with a grippy front and a slidey rear is great. Why would I be more likely to crash? Either way the bike is going to be on the limit, the only thing that would make it more dangerous is if there is poor feel of where that limit is and this tyre is quite progressive.

[G]

You might be more likely to crash because on their first trackday most people probably don't get near the limits, while with a dodgy tyre you're more likely too.

I was glad I had previously crashed my ZX6 on a roundabout after pushing it harder and harder - in hindsight I could see the bike was giving me loads of tell-tale warning signs which I was ignoring, so I had a good idea of what to look out for.

Take it easy, get faster a little at a time and you'll be fine .

[Pete247]

If someone wiped me out on a trackday with worn out and squared off rubber it would piss me off, if they did it but had posted on a forum saying they new they were shit before the trackday then that would be unforgivable.

You can get some cracking deals on tyres, what sizes do you need?

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/110-70-17-150-60-17-Pirelli-Diablo-Motorcycle-Tyres-/290490036218?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item43a28e2ffa#ht_3614wt_905

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Metzeler-SPORTEC-M3-Tyres-SET-110-70-17-150-60-17-/270720418608?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3f0831c330#ht_1584wt_914

If your tyres are worn you'll not enjoy yourself anywhere near as much, you'll ride slower, be more likely to bin it and if they are that worn out then they'd need replacing after anyways so you may as well have some moulton rubber hero blobs on your new tyres rather than the set you are throwing away

[T0MMY]

In fairness I'm well used to feeling the warning signs from this tyre as I regularly have the back sliding when pushing hard even on dry roads (in fact I did today when I popped out for my lunch). On track I expect I'll just push the lean angles until I feel the tyre starting to let go - makes no difference if the limit of grip is higher.

Of course the problem now is that after this thread I'll feel like such a prat if I have to come on here making a thread looking for parts to repair the bloody thing after binning it

[Pete247]

and you'd also want to be hoping that if any other rider involved in you binning your bike and also having to find parts for their bike due to you making them bin it are not a member on here either. Your tyres may be fine but I imagine if you are making this post then really they are turds rolled into a ring and shoved on your rims.

If you can afford a trackday, then you can afford tyres!

[G]

[T0MMY]

[Pete247]

ah well, up to you, is your call, just seems like you made ya mind up not to change them before you even posted the thread which makes it all rather pointless.

Hope you have a cracking trackday mate but seriously hope for your safety you don't bin it and for your conscience that you don't take anyone else out.


btw, when you doing your trackday and what track, will make sure I'm not booked in to it lol

[T0MMY]

I'm willing to change my mind, just looking for a good reason to. I still maintain that feedback is more important than grip in deciding how likely you are to crash when pushing to the limits.

It's quite likely I will change the tyre anyway because I'd rather have a better one for the road as it's very limiting in the wet, a bit like riding on ice.

Track...possibly Snetterton on the 4th if I can get one or two things sorted out on the bike by then (and before it's sold out, if it hasn;t already), failing that the next one at Snetterton or Bedford probably. The bike needs better pads on the rear brake as the front one doesn't work anymore so I'll be relying on the back one quite heavily on the day.

[Pete247]

LMAO, you gotta be trolling

[T0MMY]

Only that last bit

[garth]

Those cheap diablos are from a desmodue bike I'd say, I've got them on mine but they've now changed to Rosso's.

I wouldn't do a TD on a tingtong rear tyre, I had one on the goose and it would spin up off the throttle, with 30bhp that's alarming.

If I were you and money was an issue for tyres, I'd get some of those Maxxis Sportmaxxzzxxzxxzyyzz123 or whatever they are. Supposed to be pretty good in the dry, and cheap.
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[skyline]

Personally Id just get some second hand scrubs off ebay for £40 or so, as the chances are when you've done your track day you aint going to have much tyre left if its already worn so your going to have to replace it after the track day anyway. May as well do it before hand and make your trackday bit more fun

[T0MMY]

Not such a common size for racers unfortunately, they get used on RS125s so there's a few about but I've not seen any bargains.

[Joeb46]

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180645840715&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

your welcome
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[Blue_SV650S]

Get new tyres and enjoy yourself more.

Don't worry about any wear on them as the bits you will be wearing are the bits that won't be getting much (or any) use on the road.

Basically the middle third of the tyre gets virtually no wear on the track, whereas it gets virtually all the wear on the road.

So basically you will simply get to use all the tyre in its life ...

Also you can ride around on the road after the track day with 'blobbed' edges to your tyre ... and you can look like a road riding god for the rest of the tyres road life!!
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[T0MMY]

[Joeb46]

Thank you very much sir
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Kawasaki er-5 race bike# 106

[Damon]

Get a pair from adam on here

https://www.tjtuning.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15219

Karma please