Tyre choice

Sorry if there is already a thread about this somewhere, but just wanted to get some advice.

I've turned my 1299S into a track bike and the oriional Pirelli SP rear tyre needs changing.

Given its track only, do i replace with the same, or go for Pirelli SC1 or SC2? I appreciate there are many variables like (track temp, riding style etc.) but i am fast/medium group and don't use tyre warmers.

Any thoughts welcome.

cheers

hu8742 said:

Given its track only, do i replace with the same, or go for Pirelli SC1 or SC2? I appreciate there are many variables like (track temp, riding style etc.) but i am fast/medium group and don't use tyre warmers.

Any thoughts welcome.

cheers

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I'm the same, and use SC1 front and SC2 rear. When it rains I just carry on regardless, some say they are crap in the wet but I ride according to the conditions.

Do you feel like you've taken the SP to its limit? If so then track rubber would be the next step, but you'll have to invest in tire warmers and a generator (if you don't have access to electricity.

I'm still running the SP even though I'm usually the fastest guy in intermediate (or one of the slower guys in advanced). I see guys slower than me with slicks/dots and it seems a bit overkill, but they do provide a bit of a safety net over the SP if you're near the limit of the SP.

Next year I'll probably run slicks but this season I want to continue pushing the SP and developing my feels when approaching the limit.

Thanks - i think you're spot on. I spoke to a few other people with decent track experience and that's kind of what they said too. The SP will cope with the heat cycles better and warm up quicker. I don't think I'm at the edge of the SP's limits yet, so I might try and get there on this set, then invest in tyre warmers and SC's when I feel I am ready to make the next step up.

hu8742 said:

Thanks - i think you're spot on. I spoke to a few other people with decent track experience and that's kind of what they said too. The SP will cope with the heat cycles better and warm up quicker. I don't think I'm at the edge of the SP's limits yet, so I might try and get there on this set, then invest in tyre warmers and SC's when I feel I am ready to make the next step up.

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See what compounds people are using at you local track.
Also if there are fast racers there, they may have some used tires which you should be able to get cheap/free to try out and see how you go.

Just my opinion, though if you go to the track, get track tires. Take-offs are usually available from some racer and you'll wonder why you ever wasted time on street tires. My main takeaway from your post is that you want to try and find limits on street tires. If you are already thinking this way and trying to go faster, get tires that will hold up to it. It's just as much mental when you are thinking about safety, going to work on Monday, and if you should push on tires that may lead to a yard sale and/or injury.

Get tires that will give you the safety margin for error - and more speed and the possibility of bettering your skills. Already turned it into a track bike, so worth it and way offsets the cost of a crash for pushing street tires on the track. Credit cards are great sponsors for tire warmers and having that mental confidence going out on track that tires are ready cannot be overstated plus you waste less time/laps/money forever wondering if your tires are up to temp.

My $0.02.

Yes don't take anything to the limit if your just doing ride days on a track, spend as much as you can afford on tyres and suspension. A little bit more spent will increase your enjoyment.

I would think the new V3s from Pirelli would be the happy medium. I like riding with SCs, but I have also seen DRE instructors get with in 5 to 7 seconds of a track record with OEM rubber on stock bikes.

My rule of thumb has been if your within 20 seconds of Moto GP lap times then change to stickier tires.

Having said that, Pricing delta between OEM rubber and stickier stuff is nothing, other than having to change tires a little more often. Go with what makes you feel comfortable, cause when you feel comfortable, that's where the speed comes from.