Tire Knowlege Needed

[Porkchop]

Originally Posted by racedoll

I have nothing to add about the tires but I like my BTs.

On another note, if you don't want to pony up money for a track bike try hooking up with someone and do the 3 hour endurance race where you'd share a bike and the cost.

Doing the sprint races will put you in the hole quickly, even with a little series like this.

There are 3 endurance formats. There is the 20 minute mini enduro, the 40 minute mini iron butt, and the 3 hour endurance. Its a great idea, me and my buddy dave have talked about doing it.

Originally Posted by Hydrant

Sidebar.

Porkchop

Where do they call their home track? Thinking about getting into some schools this spring/ summer if work isn't too crazy. I'd probably take the CBR though.

Doll is correct. It was the old Fasttrax series that calls Nelson Ledges home. Nelson is up by Youngstown. They also race at Beaver Run (penn) yearly. Other tracks that get thrown into the seasons are Mid-ohio, Putnam Park (indy), Grattan and Gingerman (Mich). Come do the race school with us.... its only $125 and includes race school in the morning, a track day in the afternoon, and your comp license.

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by Porkchop

Doll is correct. It was the old Fasttrax series that calls Nelson Ledges home. Nelson is up by Youngstown. They also race at Beaver Run (penn) yearly. Other tracks that get thrown into the seasons are Mid-ohio, Putnam Park (indy), Grattan and Gingerman (Mich). Come do the race school with us.... its only $125 and includes race school in the morning, a track day in the afternoon, and your comp license.

That's not a bad deal at all if you are close.

[Porkchop]

Originally Posted by Cutty72

That's not a bad deal at all if you are close.

I got mine for $100 at the CLE show. But still not a bad deal for all 3.

[derf]

Originally Posted by Cutty72

That's not a bad deal at all if you are close.

Thats not a bad deal if you are far either

[derf]

Back to the original question:

What is the bike going to be used for?
track only?
or will it be used as a street bike too?
What are the rules for the race series?
Are a specific tire mandated?
a tire brand?
how about DOT slicks?
is the investment (and continued investment) in slicks worth it for your goals?
would a spare set of wheels with your race tires be worth it for a street bike?

before you settle on a tire those are some important questions to answer

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by derf

Thats not a bad deal if you are far either

1100 miles @ 15 mpg = 73 gal of fuel. 73 x $3.35/gal = $244.55.

So I'm at $370 and haven't put anything toward the bike yet, not counting the time it takes to get me there...

I think your "far" may be relative...

[derf]

Originally Posted by Cutty72

1100 miles @ 15 mpg = 73 gal of fuel. 73 x $3.35/gal = $244.55.

So I'm at $370 and haven't put anything toward the bike yet, not counting the time it takes to get me there...

I think your "far" may be relative...

Yeh and my gas mileage is slightly better, my truck gets 20 - 22mpg on the highway with a bike in the back

I figure that the other costs in a track day are usually around $100, gas, food hotel, plus track days that cost between $200 and $250 per day, I already saved an average of $100 just by doing that school, plus if there is a second day offered at a package

[Porkchop]

Originally Posted by derf

Back to the original question:

What is the bike going to be used for?
track only?
or will it be used as a street bike too?
What are the rules for the race series?
Are a specific tire mandated?
a tire brand?
how about DOT slicks?
is the investment (and continued investment) in slicks worth it for your goals?
would a spare set of wheels with your race tires be worth it for a street bike?

before you settle on a tire those are some important questions to answer

Heres the thing. I think I am almost certain that the bike will only be doing race school, and then be relegated back to street duty again. As much as I would rather not spend the money on another dedicated track bike and just use that one, too many people have told me the internals on that engine are not up to the task of full time racing.

If it were going to be used as my main track bike, I was told to NOT waste the money on slicks until I am on a non-vintage bike. This coming from the series owner....

[smileyman]

FYI, to get the most out of slicks you really need your suspension set up for them. The added grip that comes from swapping on a set compared to a DOT will cause handling issues that possibly will result in slower times.

and of course the other consideration of the full race slick only having one, maybe two heat cycles in them before traction falls off dramatically, where as a DOT may have 5 or 6, a street/Track tire 8 or ten...