Tires(rear)

[SmokennFasTT]

I just bought a 01' RC51 today I noticed it needs a new rear tire. one of my friends said to go to the track to buy a tire cuz they use them for practice and get rid of them is that true? I know alot of you race dident know if you get tires at cost(not trying to be cheap) or where you get them. thx guys -Smokey

[OreoGaborio]

they're called race take-offs..... you can buy em cheap, yes.... but they're race compounds.... take a while to warm up & don't have much grip till they're up to temp (IF you can even get em up to temp). They're not designed for street use.

Personally, I'd go w/ a good street/trackday compound. Michelin Pilot Powers, Pirelli Diablo's, etc.

[SmokennFasTT]

it might have a track tire on it.. not sure. if it does that prolly not safe eh?

[OreoGaborio]

not necessarily UNsafe.... just not as safe as a street compound. There's a reason why they make street tires & race tires. Street compounds warm up quick, are designed to give good grip at lower temps, and have a longer wear life. Race tires get much hotter so they're more resiliant to heat & are designed to grip at those higher temps. They're also not designed to last as long, as that's not what racers look for. There's only 3 purposes of a race tire that i can think of at the moment: grip, grip and grip. Longevity isn't on that list.

I actualy have a set of Supercorsas on my street bike at the moment cuz that's what was on there last month when it was being ridden at VIR. Those are the DOT race compounds from Pirelli. I've ridden a couple times w/ em on the street & haven't had any major problems (a slip here, a slip there, nothin huge), you just gotta remember that they're not gonna have as much grip as a normal street compound cuz chances are high that its not getting up to it's operating temp unless you're railin pretty hard on some twisties.

Find out what's on the bike ya got & get back to us.

what WOULD be unsafe is if you had a race tire on one rim & a street tire on another... that could make things interesting.

[Awesome]

I run all my race tires on the street once they're no good for racing. They're slick when they're dead cold, like when it's been sub 40 and I've been out hammering but they still heat up after a few miles and i had no problems with them. They're not up to race temps but you're not up to race pace so it doesn't matter. If you want t buy takeoffs many people sell them at the track and I'll probably be selling my spares on here when they start piling up. Most people charge around $100 for the set.

[Degsy]

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
they're called race take-offs..... you can buy em cheap, yes.... but they're race compounds.... take a while to warm up & don't have much grip till they're up to temp (IF you can even get em up to temp). They're not designed for street use.

Personally, I'd go w/ a good street/trackday compound. Michelin Pilot Powers, Pirelli Diablo's, etc.

It's great to hear the experienced racers chime in with their expert advice on race compounds, warm-up times..etc etc.

How many races have you done now Pete?

[Degsy]

Originally posted by OreoGaborio
what WOULD be unsafe is if you had a race tire on one rim & a street tire on another... that could make things interesting.

Not so. Same manufacturer and year, probably not a bad idea. Nice sticky rear and a street front. Should work fine. Most racers race with different compounds front and rear.

derek

[OreoGaborio]

degs shut up, i'm a genius & you know it....... you're makin me look bad in front of the newbies

buy a busa!

[TTD]

I have to admit... I ran takeoffs on my streetbike for 4 years.

(I was racing and riding the same type of bike, so it was perfect)

Like mentioned above... take it a little easy when it's cold out, but under normal temps they never gave me any trouble.

[Awesome]

lower pressures will give you a better footprint and keep them heating up faster as well. I run around 30-32 on the street, somtimes adjusting for weather and 28-29 on the track. Keep an eye in the forsale section if you don't want to go all the way up to the track, many racers will be selling them. I have 4 or so sets but I think they may all be spoken for. i'll have one or two more as of next race weekend.

[Honclfibr]

Originally posted by hessogood
They're slick when they're dead cold, like when it's been sub 40

<= Found this out the hard way. Only crash in 3 years of track riding, first day on race tires.

[Awesome]

Originally posted by Honclfibr
<= Found this out the hard way. Only crash in 3 years of track riding, first day on race tires.

I still forget from time to time. Like pulling out of hooters` parking lots.

[Half Squid]

1st off congrats on the sweet purchase!
You have chosen Wisely!

What tires are on the bike now?
I have a few rears kicking around and may be able to hook you up inexpensively. Depends on if we can get you a match to your front tire.

Also do you want to run the stock 190 rear or go with a faster turn in width and use a 180? Most of us with RC's switched to a 180 because it helps the bike drop into corners a bit Quicker!

I believe I may have a couple of slightly used rears? 180/55's
I know for sure I have a slightly used set of pilot sports in super good condition for short $. They may have 500 miles if even that much.... $100 for the set.
Or I can give you a rear Pilot sport 190, that has a patch for $50 The patch is absolutely fine to use! Better than a plug. I have run using many plugs without ever having an issue. the patch is a whole lot better so the risk of ever having an issue with it is very unlikely.

Let me know,
Mike

[SmokennFasTT]

Originally posted by Half Squid
1st off congrats on the sweet purchase!
You have chosen Wisely!

What tires are on the bike now?

well heres the thing.. i dont have the bike yet(cuz he dident have a title for it) I gave him a deposit and im waiting for the DMV to send him a new1.. i should have it in a few weeks.. i would be intrested in some tires if u still have them when i get the bike in my possesion(i cant wait to drive that dam thing again) being bikeless sucks lol

[LuvDog]

I'm running race take offs right now on the duc and they're damn slick when they're cold and it's cold out.

I'm changing them out for Pilot Powers as soon as possible.

[Rye]

I have a Michelin that is literally brand new. When I say literally brand new, <50 miles. I'll let it go for $60 and mount/balance it for another $15 since your buying the tire. Can't remember if it is a 180 or 190. I think 190. Let me know.