Tire and brake thread for track newbs

[gatti man]

I know there are other good threads for tires but none really spell out exactly the options and pros/cons.

I'm a rookie track day rider and am fixing to burn through my first set of tires. The supercorsas are great to me as I don't have much to compare them too but I'd like to switch them out with something cheaper yet just as good for the track or better.

The bike will rarely see the street and when it will i will have prep time for warmers. I've put 1700 miles on it and the 1199 is just too much power for the street IMO.

So do we have any race tire options? Will race tires last as long as the supercorsas on the track?

What about brakes? How long will brakes last for track days and anyone have a link for DIY swapping? I'd like to get to the point of doing tire and brake jobs myself.

 

[Gunny Fitz]

Great Hook!

I know there are other good threads for tires but none really spell out exactly the options and pros/cons.

I'm a rookie track day rider and am fixing to burn through my first set of tires. The supercorsas are great to me as I don't have much to compare them too but I'd like to switch them out with something cheaper yet just as good for the track or better.

The bike will rarely see the street and when it will i will have prep time for warmers. I've put 1700 miles on it and the 1199 is just too much power for the street IMO.

So do we have any race tire options? Will race tires last as long as the supercorsas on the track?

What about brakes? How long will brakes last for track days and anyone have a link for DIY swapping? I'd like to get to the point of doing tire and brake jobs myself.

Hey Brother.
I have a super connection for you who happens to covert that area and lives in TX too! He has taken care of me for YEARS on both race bike and my street Ducati's. I have yet to find someone who beats his prices and serves as your track tire expert as well. I literally call him from the track to inform him of both air and track temps and he suggests which PSI to run for you based on this and other aspects on your style, etc. Best customer service I have ever had with a tire pro! Inquire on the brake issue as well since he is a racer at heart.

Call John Hutchinson from South Central Race Center and tell him I sent you personally man. PM me if you need more in depth details ok? He carries Pirealli and Bridgestone only and every compound you can think of. GREAT track support specialist who will take care of you!

South Central Race Center

 

[zvez]

Good place to start is a nomar tire changer set, bought mine about four years ago and have changed dozens of tires and paid for itself long ago!

http://www.nomartirechanger.com/?gclid=CIu3wqTMtLcCFVIV7AodoBEA5A

I'm guessing you're talking DOT tires and not slicks? I think few threads on the michelins have been started. and of course pirelli does make two compounds in DOT rubber for the 1199, the SP1 and SP2.

 

[gatti man]

Good place to start is a nomar tire changer set, bought mine about four years ago and have changed dozens of tires and paid for itself long ago!

http://www.nomartirechanger.com/?gclid=CIu3wqTMtLcCFVIV7AodoBEA5A

I'm guessing you're talking DOT tires and not slicks? I think few threads on the michelins have been started. and of course pirelli does make two compounds in DOT rubber for the 1199, the SP1 and SP2.

I really don't care. I just need track tires. If I ride on the street I can use warmers. It won't ever be a commuter bike.

 

[gatti man]

Good place to start is a nomar tire changer set, bought mine about four years ago and have changed dozens of tires and paid for itself long ago!

http://www.nomartirechanger.com/?gclid=CIu3wqTMtLcCFVIV7AodoBEA5A

I'm guessing you're talking DOT tires and not slicks? I think few threads on the michelins have been started. and of course pirelli does make two compounds in DOT rubber for the 1199, the SP1 and SP2.

Which nomar did you buy?

 

[zvez]

I went the classic ultimate package:

No-Mar Tire changer, Motorcycle Tire Changer

It comes with everything you need including balancer.
In the last couple years they've come out with a more economical line called the cycle hill, you're better off buying anyone of the packages as they've got everything you need to demount mount and balance tires.

My main reason for getting was so the low man on the totem pole at the bikes shop wouldn't be monkeying with my wheels. the added bonus was saving $$$

Which nomar did you buy?

 

[anthem]

how experienced of a track day rider are you ? If you're starting out, you don't need to even bother with tire warmers and just use the SuperCorsa SP's as they heat up quickly. . . When you're outgrown the SP's, then you can move to the DOT tires (same profile) but using different compounds like the SC0, SC1, SC2's. They dont have to have tire warmers depending upon weather conditions, but you can use them to reduce cycling. .

You do know, if you're using them for the track and you use them for the street - that you will have tire cycling issues, right ? It's not as simple as just saying I'm going to use tire warmers on the street. . .

You can also fit other race tires, but what kind of race tires are you familiar with and are knowledgeable about ? Usually if you're good enough for race tires, you'll know and have a preference for a brand and compound. If you don't, well - most of the time you aren't good enough to be on race tires. .

 

[gatti man]

I'm a beginner. I would probably ride street once or twice per set of tires. I'm asking about tire options for price not necessarily performance just that all I'm familiar with on the track is the supercorsa.

 

[anthem]

Then I would highly suggest you stick with the supercorsa SP's. . . Don't even bother with the DOT tires yet as they are beyond your ability and while not as cycling intolerant as pure slicks - they are still affected by heat cycles. . .

Tire options for price on the DOT tires aren't much different than the SP's. If you switch to another type of tire, its possible but the TC isn't really tuned for them. It still works just not "as well". . .

But honestly, I would stick with the Super Corsa SP's until you are much more experienced. They should last 5-6 sessions (at least) for beginners. ..

 

[gatti man]

Then I would highly suggest you stick with the supercorsa SP's. . . Don't even bother with the DOT tires yet as they are beyond your ability and while not as cycling intolerant as pure slicks - they are still affected by heat cycles. . .

Tire options for price on the DOT tires aren't much different than the SP's. If you switch to another type of tire, its possible but the TC isn't really tuned for them. It still works just not "as well". . .

But honestly, I would stick with the Super Corsa SP's until you are much more experienced. They should last 5-6 sessions (at least) for beginners. ..

That's another thing. How do I know when a tire is used up? Ducati Austin said 2-3 track days.

 

[veck]

You can run them down to the wear bars in most cases. If you ride tracks that wear more on one side than the other you may wear one side flat and have to change them earlier.

From what you are describing I'd run the stock tires. I'd guess you should be able to use 2 rears to 1 front based on what I've seen so far.

 

[TricoloreSF]

+1 on what Anthem is suggesting. I'd stick with Pirelli's or give the Bridgestones a try - cheaper and wear a bit longer. I'd call Jarel at Ducati Omaha for the scoop on Bridgestones.

What tracks are you riding and what pace? It's silly for someone to make a general statement and say tires will last 2-3 track days. You've just got to watch how the tire is wearing as it'll be the best way to gather info on your suspension setup and geometry. Most track day providers have a suspension vendor trackside that, inexpensively, will help you get a baseline setup and look at tire wear after each session and make adjustments for you throughout the day.

I'd be surprised if the SP's lasted more than a full track day at any intermediate pace. You'll eventually want to move to slicks as your pace picks up but the SP's and SC's will give you a fair amount of runway to improve before needing to upgrade to a full slick.

Track days are addictive and soon you'll be upgrading suspension, trying out different spring rates, sprockets, chains, oil, fork oil, tire warmers, and you'll get a pit bike. Nobody said this was a cheap hobby!

Have fun out there.

 

[gatti man]

You can run them down to the wear bars in most cases. If you ride tracks that wear more on one side than the other you may wear one side flat and have to change them earlier.

From what you are describing I'd run the stock tires. I'd guess you should be able to use 2 rears to 1 front based on what I've seen so far.

I must be ......... I know what wear bars are but do the supercorsas even have them? Also I think I will wear them on the sides most and that definitely doesn't have wear markers as far as I can tell.

Got up to 170mph at COTA yesterday and ridesmart told me to start registering for intermediate sessions. I need to check my pads too as COTA beat them to crap as well.

 

[zvez]

how much did ridesmart charge for COTA? I didnt think they were letting track days for bikes?

Supercorsas do have wear bars, in the middle of the outside sipes, about halfway between the tire edge and it's center.

I must be ......... I know what wear bars are but do the supercorsas even have them? Also I think I will wear them on the sides most and that definitely doesn't have wear markers as far as I can tell.

Got up to 170mph at COTA yesterday and ridesmart told me to start registering for intermediate sessions. I need to check my pads too as COTA beat them to crap as well.

 

[gatti man]

how much did ridesmart charge for COTA? I didnt think they were letting track days for bikes?

Supercorsas do have wear bars, in the middle of the outside sipes, about halfway between the tire edge and it's center.

It was 450 per day. The track was amazing and super clean. My tires looked shaved without a single marble after the whole day. They had just shy of 200 riders there. I only could go Saturday, next time I'm taking vacation time to go both days.

 

[gatti man]

Me at COTA

 

[kope999R]

my 2 cents after seeing you go at cota..


if you track only, keep it simple en rigorous..

1. go slicks and or wets , no intermediates as they re never "just right."
2. go for the warmers straight away .. even get a pair of spares.
3. arrive at the track and don't leave your tires off the warmers for one minute. so you make sure the tires are 'hot' all day long and avoid Warm/cold cycles.
4. get a pressure gage and make sure you stand close to a place that can add or release pressure.. check pressure 15 minutes before you gon on , when your tires are hot.
5. get on the track last. so you can go from taking of the warmers to riding wituout standing idling in front of the que and letting your tires go cold. don't worry, by the end of lap one, you will be past all the slow ones still warmin g up their tires and the quick ones will be gone so will have a nice empty track before you...


this way : you will

1. maximize tire life
2. avoid going out with a dubious tire choice
3. avoid the odd ' just not hot enough on that side' wipe out
4. maximize the number of 'safe' laps you can do on a day, just by avoiding having to do 2 laps just to get your tires heated..
5. ride with peace of mind that you just did everything right !

enjoy !
__________________

 

[MacaveliMC]

zvez, tell me more about these tire unmounting, mounting, and balancing packages. I am seriously considering getting one, but I've never changed and balanced a tire in my life. I'm pretty mechanically inclined so I'm not worried about learning it, but I was just wondering about the difficulty level.

Do you know the big differences between the package you bought, and the newer Cycle Hill packages?

 

[Cloner]

my 2 cents after seeing you go at cota..


if you track only, keep it simple en rigorous..

1. go slicks and or wets , no intermediates as they re never "just right."
2. go for the warmers straight away .. even get a pair of spares.
3. arrive at the track and don't leave your tires off the warmers for one minute. so you make sure the tires are 'hot' all day long and avoid Warm/cold cycles.
4. get a pressure gage and make sure you stand close to a place that can add or release pressure.. check pressure 15 minutes before you gon on , when your tires are hot.
5. get on the track last....

If you're going to this expense, get a pyrometer, too. That way you can tailor your cold tire pressures to conditions and keep you tires in the middle of the optimal temperature range. Your racing tire vendor will be able to tell you what that temperature is for the tires you're using and can give you a good starting pressure to help you get there.

I like the cheap infrared pyrometers. They work well with the emissivity set to black.

 

[Phl]

zvez, tell me more about these tire unmounting, mounting, and balancing packages. I am seriously considering getting one, but I've never changed and balanced a tire in my life. I'm pretty mechanically inclined so I'm not worried about learning it, but I was just wondering about the difficulty level.

Do you know the big differences between the package you bought, and the newer Cycle Hill packages?

let me jump in here. from what i've seen in the picture, it will be really easy for you.

i built my own changer/ balancer, learned it off youtube vidz, and - IT WORKED

even change tires for buddies now (i charge a bottle of good red italian wine) as they know i do it with passion and will take care not to scratch or damage anything.

one thing, you can either use grease or elbow grease