Thread: Take the track tire poll:

Shinkos here

I'd rather not let any poles get near my track tires.

Just a FWIW the D208 is going the way of the Dodo. D209 is the new bargain and D211 is the 'fast' tire....might try them if they get a bit cheaper

How long is the pole?

Can you buy the 211's yet? Where do they fit into the picture? 209's is = to 211's as Corsa III's are = to Supercorsa's?

Originally Posted by Baketech

How long is the pole?

I believe 8 foot. Long enough for it to bolt to the floor on one end, and the ceiling on the other end. Any volunteers?

I didn't put a time limit on it.

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Can you buy the 211's yet? Where do they fit into the picture? 209's is = to 211's as Corsa III's are = to Supercorsa's?

From what I am told, you have to have a race lic to buy the NTEC Dunlops.

Originally Posted by Hammer

From what I am told, you have to have a race lic to buy the NTEC Dunlops.

I think you automatically get one of those when you hit 160 on the straight. Its good to have friends in low places

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

I think you automatically get one of those when you hit 160 on the straight. Its good to have friends in low places

So since you will not be able to get a set, I will let you ride my bike to see what you are missing out on.

Originally Posted by Hammer

So since you will not be able to get a set, I will let you ride my bike to see what you are missing out on.

...and I will let you ride my bike so know know what 160 feels like

Seriously whats up with the 211's?

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

...and I will let you ride my bike so know know what 160 feels like
, I know!!!
Seriously whats up with the 211's?

For one, you will not need a $450 set of tires.

These are the same tires the AMA guys are riding on. They do not grow at speed so they keep the same circumference. But requires a race lic to purchase them.

The profile is different also, 190/55/17 and the pressures are waayyyyy different. 31f 21r hot

Originally Posted by Hammer

For one, you will not need a $450 set of tires.

These are the same tires the AMA guys are riding on. They do not grow at speed so they keep the same circumference. But requires a race lic to purchase them.

so are they = to supercoarsa's , or better then?

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

so are they = to supercoarsa's , or better then?

I am not up to date on the Pirelli so I do not know.

I've taken pole before using Michelins.

Originally Posted by bwhip

I've taken pole before using Michelins.

Which ones?

Guys, if you are poling "other" please list what it is

I'm going to help you out just so that people will quit teasing and maybe answer your questions.

pole = "pole position" as in fist place on a starting grid, or "pole" as in "I wouldn't touch that with an 8 foot pole."

poll = what you are actually trying to accomplish here.

poling = probably something that should be kept between you and your wife.

polling = the verb form of poll, the act of taking a poll.

Originally Posted by slickwill

I'm going to help you out just so that people will quit teasing and maybe answer your questions.

pole = "pole position" as in fist place on a starting grid, or "pole" as in "I wouldn't touch that with an 8 foot pole."

poll = what you are actually trying to accomplish here.

poling = probably something that should be kept between you and your wife.

polling = the verb form of poll, the act of taking a poll.

Yeah yeah... In school I was busy thinking about motorcycles. now go back and vote

Albeit well-meaning, your poll is flawed, and may not provide much insight. To ask which is the best track tire is far too broad, IMO.

Best for whom? Newbie? Pro? Occasional trackday rider? Someone with tire warmers? With what sort of budget considerations? Someone who is sponsored by a particular tire manufacturer or dealer? On a two-stroke? A Hypermotard? A CBR1000RR? Based on grip? Duration? Turn-in characteristics? On which track?

Favorite tire as opposed to best tire may be more meaningful, with an explanation of why and on what bike. I've used primarily Michelins and Pirellis over the years, with very good success. Had a set of Dunlop slicks briefly. Only had Bridgestones on a sport-touring bike. So, even for a fairly experienced rider/racer like myself, to tell you which I thought was best would be unfair and somewhat ridiculous. I haven't tried many of the available options, and I imagine most others haven't either.

Tires I like based on my own limited experience? For a street/trackday rider I really like the Pilot Power 2CTs or the Diablo Corsa IIIs. Amazing grip and long life. For racing with DOTs I've really liked the Power Race PRC fronts and Medium or Medium Soft Rears. At my next trip to the track I'll be testing a PR-E rear, which is supposed to have outstanding grip while on the gas exiting corners.

I have found too that the favored brand will be different in different parts of the country as well.

But to follow Bwhip

Michelin Power race, run them a bit and not a fan of them. Just a demon I guess, but it seems like when they go off there is no warning what so ever.

Dunlop 208GPA, good tire for intermediate riders. Good grip and good feel. I only ran these in the 180 which provided good turn in but would slip a bit on the exit.

Dunlop 209GPA, better than the 208GPAs but not by alot. I found them to be a little longer lasting than the 208GPAs.

Dunlop 211NTEC, the holy grail of tires IMO. I had some issues getting the pressures right but amazing grip with amazing lean angles. Felt planted faster than the other tires I tried. Corner spin was an issue though, but I would contribute that to the pressure issues I was having at the time. I will be on them next year.

Originally Posted by bwhip

Albeit well-meaning, your poll is flawed, and may not provide much insight. To ask which is the best track tire is far too broad, IMO.



Best for whom? Newbie? Pro? Occasional trackday rider? Someone with tire warmers? With what sort of budget considerations? Someone who is sponsored by a particular tire manufacturer or dealer? On a two-stroke? A Hypermotard? A CBR1000RR? Based on grip? Duration? Turn-in characteristics? On which track?

Favorite tire as opposed to best tire may be more meaningful, with an explanation of why and on what bike. I've used primarily Michelins and Pirellis over the years, with very good success. Had a set of Dunlop slicks briefly. Only had Bridgestones on a sport-touring bike. So, even for a fairly experienced rider/racer like myself, to tell you which I thought was best would be unfair and somewhat ridiculous. I haven't tried many of the available options, and I imagine most others haven't either.

Tires I like based on my own limited experience? For a street/trackday rider I really like the Pilot Power 2CTs or the Diablo Corsa IIIs. Amazing grip and long life. For racing with DOTs I've really liked the Power Race PRC fronts and Medium or Medium Soft Rears. At my next trip to the track I'll be testing a PR-E rear, which is supposed to have outstanding grip while on the gas exiting corners.

I know.. I didn't know how else to do it. I thought most would know what I meant. The poll would be for the track, so take the street out of the equation. Also for a regular sport bike. Favorite tire would be preferred. I currently have Bridgestone BT015's. They work great on the street but take too long to heat up, and overheat on the track. I don't want my next tire to be my limiting factor. I was going to go with the Corsa III's but I'm afraid they are catered more toward aggressive street riding, and will only be slightly better then what I have. My main concern is not cost, although with today’s economy it’s hard not to be. I'll pay for what need be. I'm waiting on used tire warmers, so that’s ok too. If you could explain the difference in turn in characteristics that would be great too.

Originally Posted by Hammer

I have found too that the favored brand will be different in different parts of the country as well.

But to follow Bwhip

Michelin Power race, run them a bit and not a fan of them. Just a demon I guess, but it seems like when they go off there is no warning what so ever.

Dunlop 208GPA, good tire for intermediate riders. Good grip and good feel. I only ran these in the 180 which provided good turn in but would slip a bit on the exit.

Dunlop 209GPA, better than the 208GPAs but not by alot. I found them to be a little longer lasting than the 208GPAs.

Dunlop 211NTEC, the holy grail of tires IMO. I had some issues getting the pressures right but amazing grip with amazing lean angles. Felt planted faster than the other tires I tried. Corner spin was an issue though, but I would contribute that to the pressure issues I was having at the time. I will be on them next year.

Now we are making some progress. I want a good lean angle, and am not sure which tires have that. I am having a problem feeling the back end slip coming out of turns and I'm not sure if it’s the tire, liter bike hp, the temp, ..maybe rear suspension. All I know is if it means going a little overboard on tire selection not to high side or low side so be it. I know as far as suspension that needs to be right. I'm not going to put 700 dollars into my forks right now, so I'm just going to continue dialing in my stock stuff the best I can with some help from others.

What's a perelli?

I hope you take what our experienced racers and trackday junkies like Bwhip and Hammer are telling you very seriously.

Another consideration is whether these are to be trackday-only tires or whether you intend for them to be useful on the street.

I had a set of Dragon Supercorsa DOT race tires on my 954 that I used on the street once or twice between trackdays. They were great on the track, but NEVER warmed up sufficiently in the street. I had them pretty warm in the twisties, stopped at a gas station to gas up and use the facilities, and nearly highsided the bike going into traffic. I stopped to see if I had picked up some oil, but they were dry - and after a 10 minute stop, stone cold.

We used regular Michelin Pilot Sport street tires at the Schwantz school at Road Atlanta... not dual compound, not tires that are even recommended by MIchelin for racing. Kevin and the instructors were flying faster than you or I will ever go, and we were all dragging hard parts and knees within a lap.

So it's really a matter of trust and technique on the part of the rider. If you scream on the straights, get on the brakes hard, take a bad line through the turn and punch it on the exit while you're leaned over too far, you're gonna land on your head sooner or later whether or not you're using Rossi's tires heated to 200 degrees.

Trackdays eat tires, especially on literbikes. Go for value rather than subjective preference from people who, as 'Whip points out, might be riding different bikes in a different style. All the major manufacturers make tires that are adequate for the task. And call the rep on their website to get the pressure recommendations. You won't get a straight story from anyone else.

Originally Posted by evl_twn

What's a perelli?

Pirelli* fixed it

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Now we are making some progress.
I want a good lean angle, and am not sure which tires have that. They all have good lean angle, but with the profile of some tires with the 190/55 instead of the 190/50 it lends itself to faster throttle out of turns. But then again, I am on a 600 and you are on a liter bike and the difference of when you can go WOT and me are 2 different things all together.

I am having a problem feeling the back end slip coming out of turns and I'm not sure if it’s the tire, liter bike hp, the temp, ..maybe rear suspension.
I doubt you are spinning up the rear too much, at least not enough to feel it.

All I know is if it means going a little overboard on tire selection not to high side or low side so be it.
Tires are not your limiting factor. Ability, bike set up, experience, etc......will limit you more than tires will.

I know as far as suspension that needs to be right. I'm not going to put 700 dollars into my forks right now, so I'm just going to continue dialing in my stock stuff the best I can with some help from others.

If you want good advice:

Save your money and not get the "latest and greatest tire" out there, take that savings and get your forks done by a reputable suspension guy. It will make a world of difference. You do not need a set of Ohlins 25mm kits or a set of Road and Track forks. A simple spring and valves in the front will do fine.

If your "latest and greatest tire" is losing contact with the ground, how much good is it doing you then?

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

I hope you take what our experienced racers and trackday junkies like Bwhip and Hammer are telling you very seriously.

Another consideration is whether these are to be trackday-only tires or whether you intend for them to be useful on the street.

I had a set of Dragon Supercorsa DOT race tires on my 954 that I used on the street once or twice between trackdays. They were great on the track, but NEVER warmed up sufficiently in the street. I had them pretty warm in the twisties, stopped at a gas station to gas up and use the facilities, and nearly highsided the bike going into traffic. I stopped to see if I had picked up some oil, but they were dry - and after a 10 minute stop, stone cold.

We used regular Michelin Pilot Sport street tires at the Schwantz school at Road Atlanta... not dual compound, not tires that are even recommended by MIchelin for racing. Kevin and the instructors were flying faster than you or I will ever go, and we were all dragging hard parts and knees within a lap.

So it's really a matter of trust and technique on the part of the rider. If you scream on the straights, get on the brakes hard, take a bad line through the turn and punch it on the exit while you're leaned over too far, you're gonna land on your head sooner or later whether or not you're using Rossi's tires heated to 200 degrees.

Trackdays eat tires, especially on literbikes. Go for value rather than subjective preference from people who, as 'Whip points out, might be riding different bikes in a different style. All the major manufacturers make tires that are adequate for the task. And call the rep on their website to get the pressure recommendations. You won't get a straight story from anyone else.

I plan on starting the year off on new track tires. Maybe doing a track day before the 3 day event. These tires won't be used on the street except for maybe putting a few miles on them to help scrub them in a bit before getting them on the track. After the three day event they will probably be done. Another set of rims for the street might be an option as well. I guess my options would be either 2 catagories: Supercorsa, power race, or d211's. The other cat: Corsa III, pilot 2c, Bridge bt003, dunlop d209's.