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Tire question for the track

  1. #1
    Senior Member AVI8_636's Avatar
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    Tire question for the track

    I just got in a new set of 2CT's for the bike last week. My front tire still has tread left, but my rear is a bit lower. The outside tread is fine, but the middle is fairly worn from the usual highway\city riding. I'll be at the July 30th track day with BOMO, and I was wondering if it's okay to leave my current tires on for one more track day, or if it'd be a better idea to put the fresh meat on so soon. I don't have exact tread depth as I'm not near the bike at the moment, but here's some pictures from a couple months ago at the track. As you can see, the edges have tons of tread, it's just the middle that is lower.




    My worry about throwing the new tires on is that
    A. My tires are still alright and that I'd be wasting useful tread on my current tires, and I think more importantly
    B. I won't really have time to break them in much prior to the track day. I've heard that brand new tires require a break in period otherwise they can be pretty slippery. Is that true at all (I've never had to replace bike tires yet) or is that simply a myth?

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  2. #2

    Re: Tire question for the track

    3 laps on the track and you ll be fine about breaking them in. I would say get new tires you will enjoy te TD much more in my opinion.

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  3. #3
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    New ones will be a better bet. We mount tires at the trackday for $15 per rim.

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  4. #4
    Unsafe At Any Speeds Jim's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    i know of a mint Conti front for sale
    just needs a new rear tire

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  5. #5
    Senior Member AVI8_636's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by Degsy View Post
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    New ones will be a better bet. We mount tires at the trackday for $15 per rim.
    Good info! I might just do that

    Quote Originally Posted by tsorfas View Post
    3 laps on the track and you ll be fine about breaking them in. I would say get new tires you will enjoy te TD much more in my opinion.
    See this is the part that scares me. I've had people tell me, just as you have, a couple laps and you'll be fine. I've also heard and read horror stories of people dumping bikes because they haven't had enough break in time, which I've heard can be around 100 miles of riding.

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  6. #6

    Re: Tire question for the track

    I put new tires on the first track day of the year. went out with the stickers still on the tire was fine. just take it easy the first few laps which you will have to anyways if you dont use warmers.

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  7. #7
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    Do a novice follow the leader session (very slow and open to anyone from any group) and your tires will be fine.

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  8. #8
    Rider. Just a rider... DucDave's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Hate to disagree with Degsy, but from what I see in those pictures you would be fine in novice and anywhere up to about a 1.35 pace.

    This is an opinion, not to be confused with fact....but there's plenty of tread there and more importantly, there's plenty of tread where you'll use it!

    (EDIT - You state that those pictures were taken a couple of months ago...so, this tells me nothing about current state!!!)

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    Last edited by DucDave; 07-11-12 at 07:56 AM.
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  9. #9
    Just Registered Doc's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Swap em. Just for the piece of mind.

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  10. #10
    To Do That!!!! HanktheTank's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by tsorfas View Post
    I put new tires on the first track day of the year. went out with the stickers still on the tire was fine. just take it easy the first few laps which you will have to anyways if you dont use warmers.
    I did the same thing last year, granted I was running at a novice pace but I never had a problem.

    I suspect a lot of the horror stories may start with someone thinking that since they have new rubber, they can suddenly ride above their ability, end up doing something stupid and blaming new tires. Just a thought!

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  11. #11
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by AVI8_636 View Post
    See this is the part that scares me. I've had people tell me, just as you have, a couple laps and you'll be fine. I've also heard and read horror stories of people dumping bikes because they haven't had enough break in time, which I've heard can be around 100 miles of riding.
    Many of us frequently roll out onto the track with stickers still on our tires. One lap and you're good. Just progressively work your way towards the edges of the tires to scrub them in a little. Other than that, it's just like warming up a set of tires that are already "broken in".

    As for the tires you've got on there, they look perfectly fine to me but if you're not comfortable with them mentally, then swap them out (and keep them for later).

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    Last edited by OreoGaborio; 07-11-12 at 09:08 AM.
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  12. #12
    TRACK RAT!!!!! Pigman's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Yea.......worst you can do is have a back up set of tires for the street. I love new rubber and we go hot on B-new tires all the time and stickers and all. Go out get them warm and have fun, take it easy a lap or two and your good.

    and This:

    I suspect a lot of the horror stories may start with someone thinking that since they have new rubber, they can suddenly ride above their ability, end up doing something stupid and blaming new tires. Just a thought!

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  13. #13
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    Guys. Please start removing the stickers from your tires before using them.

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  14. #14
    TRACK RAT!!!!! Pigman's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    I do.........others Don't

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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by Degsy View Post
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    Guys. Please start removing the stickers from your tires before using them.
    Why?

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  16. #16
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by csmutty View Post
    Why?
    I am sure he did not mean you!

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  17. #17
    Rider. Just a rider... DucDave's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by Pigman View Post
    and This:

    I suspect a lot of the horror stories may start with someone thinking that since they have new rubber, they can suddenly ride above their ability, end up doing something stupid and blaming new tires. Just a thought!
    No....the horror stories are a result of tire manufacturers using a 'mold release' coating to allow the tires to drop from the the clamshell after the tread has been 'molded' to the carcas. This left a really slick residue on the tires that had to be scrubbed off before really puttin them to use. There are tons of annectodes of riders spinning up their brand new tires just pulling out of the dealership and crashing. Happened to me once even after acknowleging to the service writer that, 'Yeah, I know. Tire will be slipper!" 10 seconds later Im laying under my bike on second street in Manchvegas.

    What I'm not so sure of is whether all manufacturers have changed their manufacturing process for all lines. Or just some for some. As a result, I assume, on new tires, that they will be slick and run them nice and easy for the first couple of laps...

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    Last edited by DucDave; 07-11-12 at 11:40 AM.
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  18. #18
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by csmutty View Post
    Why?
    Because stickers are for swingarms, not tires. And he's specifically talking about a Bostonmoto track day. Do what you want anywhere else.

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  19. #19
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    Actually I meant always. The reason? Because stickers are only sticky on one side. Usually the inside.

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  20. #20
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by Chippertheripper View Post
    Because stickers are for swingarms, not tires. And he's specifically talking about a Bostonmoto track day. Do what you want anywhere else.
    I just don't see a point in removing it. Seems like a lot of extra work for nothing. It's in the center of the tire anyways.

    Quote Originally Posted by Degsy View Post
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    Actually I meant always. The reason? Because stickers are only sticky on one side. Usually the inside.
    How many times have people crashed because of a sticker? I personally have never heard of it and pretty much all the experts with new tires on 600s and 1000s leave them on when they roll out onto the track.

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    Last edited by csmutty; 07-11-12 at 12:45 PM.
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  21. #21
    Lifer Chippertheripper's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Do you throw your McDonald's wrappers out the window too?
    Must you contest everything?

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  22. #22
    Your Father csmutty's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by Chippertheripper View Post
    Do you throw your McDonald's wrappers out the window too?
    Must you contest everything?
    I'm sure if the track had a problem with it there would be a rule.

    Yes.

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  23. #23
    Senior Member AVI8_636's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Thanks for the info guys. I'm still torn on what to do, but I'm leaning towards just throwing the new set on and keeping the old as a spare set. I'll probably have them mounted before going to the track and put some miles on them before the 30th. I hear the 2CTs are much stickier than the Pilots I have on now.

    So much to do before the track day with so little time. I still have to install new brakes and clean and lube the chain. Ugh I need more days off! lol

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  24. #24
    Lifer jasnmar's Avatar
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    Re: Tire question for the track

    Just as an FYI. I showed up at my first track day with a rear tire that had a total of 9 miles on it. The miles were from the house to the track. Take it easy the first few laps and you'll be fine.

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  25. #25

    Re: Tire question for the track

    Quote Originally Posted by AVI8_636 View Post

    My worry about throwing the new tires on is that
    A. My tires are still alright and that I'd be wasting useful tread on my current tires, and I think more importantly
    B. I won't really have time to break them in much prior to the track day. I've heard that brand new tires require a break in period otherwise they can be pretty slippery. Is that true at all (I've never had to replace bike tires yet) or is that simply a myth?
    I currently have 2CT's on my track-only bike - there's no need to scrub them in on the street.

    If it's even a thought in your mind, replace the tires . . . the last thing you should be thinking about mid-corner is whether you should have, if you didn't.

    Glad you're joining us on the 30th, you'll have a great time!!!

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