Good track day tires

[Alvecchio]

Looking for suggestions on good track day tires. I don't need anything really good. Just a good bang for the buck tire. I hear dunlops are the way to go but which(if that) type? Thanks in advance

[keeena]

I don't need anything really good.

You're going to get lots of varied opinions when it comes to a specific tire, there is no right answer here. Would help to know your skill level / group / laptimes, type of bike, dedicated track bike or are you expecting street use too? Longevity? I assume your comment meant that you don't think you need the fanciest, stickiest race tire. But yeah, you probably don't need slicks.

Folks will chime in with their own favorites; each mfr seems to have their own sort of characteristics in terms of feel, wear, price.

Here's an example of Michelin's lineup (not pushing this brand, just first model lineup pic I found on google). So w/o more info, something like a PP2 or Pure would be the class tire I'd be looking at. Bridgestone, Dunlop, Pirelli, Continental, etc...have similar charts.



When i started TDs I first used the Bridgestone BT-016 on a ZX6R and thought i was very nice tire. 3 compound, good wear, very good grip, good sport tire for the street too.

Oh - and search! Definitely at least a few threads like this already.

[Paul_E_D]

Pirelli makes a trackday pro that sticks great and lasts a bit better than race rubber. After racing on all the major brands, I think Pirellis are the most forgiving tire, and therefore the easiest to get comfortable pushing the limits on.

[TheIglu]

1. Find the most popular tire for enthusiast trackday attendees.

2. Wait for a sale on those or their other-big-brand counterparts.

3. Be happy.


In all reality, for just a trackday tire, you can be pleased with any of the sport tires from any of the brands. Heck, you probably won't notice the difference until you start getting some laps under your belt. Just keep away from the no-names and budget brands. Dunlop, Pirelli, Michelin, Bridgestone. Can't go wrong with any of their supersport tires.

Stay away from race compounds. You'll need warmers with them to get any good traction for the first couple laps each session so they can get up to temp. That can eat into your fun zone pretty quickly. Besides, sport tires are so good these days, you won't even use what those tires are capable of until you get some time under your belt.

[OreoGaborio]

I'm pretty biased towards Pirelli and as Paul said, there's the Dragon Supercorsa Pro which is a track day oriented tire...

Tire tech has come a long way in the last decade or so. There really aren't many bad tires out there nowadays. Pretty much any track day oriented tire from any of the major brands will do you well. If I were you, one of the first things I'd look at is what's the most convenient to get your hands on, where you'll be riding, what tire vendors will be there, etc.

I dunno who you're riding with but obviously MTag Pirelli is at all the TTD events and they can always help you out.

[DuncanMoto]

I used to run Dunlops until I tried Pirelli.
It is so personal preference. You have to start by trying one or the other.
I found that Dunlop GP-A stuck like glue, but I could not tell where the traction would let go until it was too late.
I find the Pirellis Dragon SC Pro offer great traction although not as sticky as Dunlop, but I can feel when it starts to slip and I can keep it under control.
I now run Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa dual compound and love them. Great on track and wears well on the street too.

[Paul_E_D]

I used to run Dunlops until I tried Pirelli.
It is so personal preference. You have to start by trying one or the other.
I found that Dunlop GP-A stuck like glue, but I could not tell where the traction would let go until it was too late.
I find the Pirellis Dragon SC Pro offer great traction although not as sticky as Dunlop, but I can feel when it starts to slip and I can keep it under control.
I now run Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa dual compound and love them. Great on track and wears well on the street too.

I like to call em track tires for dummies. They are just easy to understand and ride.

[Alvecchio]

I should have been more specific with my own details.

Beginner (2 full track days under my belt in red group at tonys) just started getting a feel for traction but that was on a really round profile street tire.

2003 sv650 dedicated track bike. No street use at all. Just looking for a tire that'll be good enough to not have to be thinking about out riding the tires capabilities for a while.

By the sound of it I'll be looking into pirelli as I know they're at ttd and that's where I intend on riding.

Thanks for the input thus far guys :-)

[DuncanMoto]

Definitely hit up MTAG for Pirelli track tires then.
Support the guys that get you on the track.

[RyanNicholson]

Just find the cheapest appropriate performance tire for what you want to do (track only, track and street, etc). Unless you're leaving a trail of fire behind you down the straight, that's all you'll need for now. There really isn't a horrible tire out there.

As for feel, thats something only you can determine what is good over time. For instance, a lot of people suggested Pirellis here but I personally didn't like them at all... I found comfort in Dunlops. Start cheap, try it, next time you're looking to buy then try something different if you want... thats the only way to learn how different tires feel.

Talk to each of the vendors (MTAG, S&C, etc) and see what they can do for you. A deal on a "good enough" tire could save you enough money to run an additional TD.

[Degsy]

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Conti race attack left over stock from last year. Various sizes and compounds, dots $270 a set. Slicks $290 a set.

[G21forme]

I'm a Dunlop fan but that's just me, if you are doing a few days maybe post a wtb thread and see if any of the sv guys have a set they could spare. Like others have said doing your first few TD's any performance tire will suit your needs just fine.

[DuncanMoto]

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Conti race attack left over stock from last year. Various sizes and compounds, dots $270 a set. Slicks $290 a set.

Great prices.
Are you going to have Continental tires this year at the 2011 BOMO track days too Degsy?

[Degsy]

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Conti race attack left over stock from last year. Various sizes and compounds, dots $270 a set. Slicks $290 a set.

Great prices.
Are you going to have Continental tires this year at the 2011 BOMO track days too Degsy?

Yes. And others.

[TTD]

As others have said, all manufacturers are going to make something that will fit your needs.

One benefit of grabbing the Pirelli's from MTAG (if you're riding with TTD's) is that we'll likely have replacements ready to go when needed (if they wear out mid day, get a flat, etc)

[Alvecchio]

Definitely hit up MTAG for Pirelli track tires then.
Support the guys that get you on the track.

I'm a big fan of this. Sold.

[dontpanic]

Useful test:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/545/82...omparison.aspx

Based on that info, I'll be getting Dunlop Sportmax Q2s.

[JettaJayGLS]

I love my Rosso Corsas....love em.

[TTD]

Useful test:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/545/82...omparison.aspx

Based on that info, I'll be getting Dunlop Sportmax Q2s.

this test reinforces my belief... any of the top manufacturers can meet your need.

Base your decision on other factors (price, availability, support, etc)

[dontpanic]

Why do you think I chose the Sportmax?

[TTD]

Why do you think I chose the Sportmax?

I don't know.

It was a long test with a lot of words.

[Alvecchio]

this test reinforces my belief... any of the top manufacturers can meet your need.

Base your decision on other factors (price, availability, support, etc)

Thus pirellis

[patrick #668]

Its personal and a matter of time,wich sounds like your well on your way.For me the pilot powers are fun at Loudon on a hot day.They tend to get a little greasy and can take only so many heat cycles.Great grip and the 180's turn in nice.Best thing for me is how well they perform in the rain.Un real grip, lean angle,you move around but they stick.Only track time will tell.Patrick#668

[Karaya One]

Michelin $250.00 a set. Sold about 600 sets since last spring.

[nt650hawk]

I've been on a mix and match set of tire. Most anything of current technology of a street/track day tire is more than sufficient for a track day.

Most recently I've heard that the Bridgestone 016 is a pretty hot street/track day tire.