Tire Pressures @ the track

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.508 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Good info, I apologize for being arrogant.

i knew the michelin recommendations were a bit lower than the traditional 32/32, which was the reason for this thread. i wanted to make a quick index card to bring with me when at the track. i plan on trying different tires, as I have Dunlops, Michelin, and Conti's to use. Plus, i've been asked by fellow riders I'm garaging with, and it would be convient to have something handy.

Oh yeah? Your race bike is in my garage and will remain fitted with continentals. Until you can consistently run sub 1:40s you are not allowed to run any other brands or there might just be an unfortunate spontaneous fire.

[Jim]

i think Degs just layed the smack down

[Karaya One]

Michelin Pilot Power, Power 2CT and Pilot Pure - 31F 28R

Michelin Power Race and Power One - 31F 22R (this is both commercial and race)

Michelin slicks 17" - 31F and 28R (1247A / 1847C generations)

Michelin Power One 16.5 slicks - 31F and 22R.

[The Snowman]

How do you know if you're running the optimal pressure though? I was running consistent 32F/28R on a set of Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas and the seemed to be hooking up very well for times in the low 1:3x range.

Which way should I try to go to possibly get a little more umph?

[Paul_E_D]

you don't. and you really don't get umph from tires, just traction and feel. if you're not struggling for either one, you're not gonna get anything more. The only way to find out though is to experiment and take notes.

[Pigman]

How do you know if you're running the optimal pressure though? I was running consistent 32F/28R on a set of Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas and the seemed to be hooking up very well for times in the low 1:3x range.

Which way should I try to go to possibly get a little more umph?

Going from track day rider to racer....as you get faster you start to out ride the tires then you need to step up from Street DOT compound like a Pilotpower to a race compound in the lower levels like a D209's or D211's...then when you drop lower into the teens you gotta step it up to the Ntec's for Example....

[trider143]

Very helpful! I have my first track day in a few weeks, and had no clue about what tire pressure to run with...

[Doc]

Until you can consistently run sub 1:40s you are not allowed to run any other brands or there might just be an unfortunate spontaneous fire.

Over 1:40 I don't think you need to worry about tire pressure

[CBR929RE]

How do you know if you're running the optimal pressure though? I was running consistent 32F/28R on a set of Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas and the seemed to be hooking up very well for times in the low 1:3x range.

Which way should I try to go to possibly get a little more umph?

try making half pound changes. I think I ended up at 28.5-29 in the rear on the 26th last month (~90° ambient temp). No problems with the Dragons running 25-26s on a bike that has a lot more power than yours.

[Mr. Kurtz]

How do you know if you're running the optimal pressure though? I was running consistent 32F/28R on a set of Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas and the seemed to be hooking up very well for times in the low 1:3x range.

Which way should I try to go to possibly get a little more umph?

Chuck, you should have asked me yesterday!

Assuming you have the pressures in the preferred range(you do), the question to ask is "are they doing anything you don't want them to do?" Spinning the rear, front feeling squirmy, etc. If the answer is "no," then don't change a thing.

When you come up for your Penguin weekend, we can work with you on making sure the pressures are set in the right place.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

Chuck, you should have asked me yesterday!

Assuming you have the pressures in the preferred range(you do), the question to ask is "are they doing anything you don't want them to do?" Spinning the rear, front feeling squirmy, etc. If the answer is "no," then don't change a thing.

When you come up for your Penguin weekend, we can work with you on making sure the pressures are set in the right place.

My tires are doing something I don't want them to, mainly not spinning fast enough to get me into the teens. Suggested pressure correction for this issue?

[The Snowman]

Chuck, you should have asked me yesterday!

Assuming you have the pressures in the preferred range(you do), the question to ask is "are they doing anything you don't want them to do?" Spinning the rear, front feeling squirmy, etc. If the answer is "no," then don't change a thing.

When you come up for your Penguin weekend, we can work with you on making sure the pressures are set in the right place.

Yeah, I know I should have. I lose all thought process when I'm at a track day. I can just imagine how bad I'll be at a race weekend.

The tires weren't doing anything unpredictable. They felt solid. Of course, I'm not pushing them to anywhere near their potential.

[Mr. Kurtz]

My tires are doing something I don't want them to, mainly not spinning fast enough to get me into the teens. Suggested pressure correction for this issue?

I'll let you know as soon as I can figure that out.

The tires weren't doing anything unpredictable. They felt solid. Of course, I'm not pushing them to anywhere near their potential.

Yeah, as you continue to drop time, you may need to make adjustments to those pressures. During race weekends, you can swing by the garage anytime to talk/check/adjust pressures.

[dudutzu]

pretty sure Dunlop calls for 33F/23R for GPA's (same as NTEC's)
http://www.dunlopracing.com/Pressures.pdf

[xsiliconkid]

Our pressures are always given as HOT pressures, meaning where the tire should be at it's operating temperature (as in on the track) for any given day. The trouble with pressures "hot off the warmers" are the track surface temp and ambient temps vary wildly, especially in New England and you will see very different gains depending on the weather. Some tire brands may be less sensitive to this, but IMO regardless of brand you should *always* get in a habit of figuring out what your typical *gain* is (change in PSI up or down from when the tires come off the warmers to when they are HOT right off the track). It is not unusual to see a front tire LOSE pressure on colder days, and on super hot days a rear tire can gain 3-4 psi.

What Scottie says....... for fine tuning race tire purposes.
Where you measure the "hot" pressure is also important.
Measuring on pit lane right after a few hot lap is the place.
Testing shows that following a race a cool down lap and rolling into your pit area - they can drop +2lbs.

While this thread has all the right motivation, if you are using "race" compound - talk to the folk who supply/support that particular brand

- As this thread shows there are many variables in play. Race vs. track vs. street vs. brand vs. compound vs. dot vs. slick vs. track conditions vs. rider expertise vs. where to measure pressure vs the air or moisture content in tire (water vapor expands with temp ………………………

FOR a street rider attending a track day.
First the recommended pressures in the book assumes street riding –
streets have pot holes etc and the pressures recommended takes all that into account

- taking to the track in a known environment, it's about maximizing contact patch for the given track conditions - therefore lowering the pressures is a good thing to something like what Paul said, 30-32 front and 30-32 rear.....
BUT DON'T FORGET TO INCREASE PRESSURE BEFORE STREET RIDER AGAIN or you may damage a rim on the first pot hole rolling the tire on the rim releasing air.

[TTD]

I like all the Pirelli race/trackday tires around these numbers HOT

30-32 Front

27-29 Rear


I generally have to bring the pressures down after my first session or two...then they are good for the day.

[xsiliconkid]

DUNLOP race tire technical data chart (including tire pressures)

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

Pirelli Diablo Dot race tire race tire 36 rear? (from the chart on first page)

That does not seem right if I remember correctly,

[lrrs428]

if it helps I run Dunlop slicks at 29 front and 27.5 rear on a cold day and 30.5 front and 29 rear hot on a hot day

[Mr. Kurtz]

Pirelli Diablo Dot race tire race tire 36 rear? (from the chart on first page)

That does not seem right if I remember correctly,

It's not, I posted the correct pressures, I think Jim just hasn't had a chance to edit them into his first post yet.

[Jim]

It's not, I posted the correct pressures, I think Jim just hasn't had a chance to edit them into his first post yet.

should be updated now, thanks.

let me know if there are any other corrections/additions to make

[nt650hawk]

Excuse me if this has been mentioned earlier. Bike size (Weight and Performance) can come into play.

[Jim]

bump...for those going to LAPS tomorrow

[FireboltEric_MA]

Another bump, just cuz I was looking for the BoMo event...

[Jim]

bump for those riding at the track this weekend