Using "take offs" question

[Hoss]

Ok, this may be a bit of a dumb question. But what the hell, right?

When I got the R6 track bike, the former owner had some take offs and left over tires that went along with the bike (pilot powers) on spare rims. The one real usable set only had a few laps on them in the rain from the previous season. This was this past fall. So here it is now spring and these tires are still mounted on the spare rims in my garage.

What is the general rule of thumb for putting these things on a street bike? They are not shagged really, but are a few seasons old? I'm leaning towards not risking it, but I'm a cheap bastard and am curious what everyone else thinks?


Maybe it's time to try those Road 2's

Thanks all

[union]

Depends how bad they are. I have a set of tires that Ive used on the track and then on the street and they are just fine.

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

If they are in good shape, and they are the Street tires Use em,

[Paul_E_D]

use 'em. But as always with unknown tires, be cautious as you bring up the pace. That means smooth braking and acceleration. You can usually lean em over just fine if your other inputs are smooth.

[Hoss]

Thanks for the comments guys

Yeah, they are in good shape visually. I guess my one worry was that they are a few seaons old from the last use, and have been sitting in a garage since.

[loridin64]

id guess they're good. they dont have any discoloration or anything right? if they were only run in the rain the temps shouldnt have compromised the compounding or integrity.
like Paul said, ride 'em easy for the first few times also make sure they dont have any flat spots

[DucDave]

the main question is whether they are street tires or race tires. If street tires, and still have tread...use 'em up! I just dropped off some Pilot Power take offs I had on my track bike that I intend to use up on my MultiStrada.

If they are race tires then you need to know a lot more...like whether the previous owner used Tire Warmers...how often...how many heat cycles they have been through. And even then, knowing all that, you really know nothing that will help you!!! Best bet is NOT to use 'em!

[Hoss]

Yep street Pilot Powers. I think they used them as rain tires as the bike itself had pilot races on them

Thanks for the help guys

[akira700]

Pilot Powers used a few laps in the rain?

A few years old shouldnt be a problem.
To really check how old they will see a 4 digit code
on the side wall. The first two numbers indicate the week
of manufacture then second two the year.

You can get 3000-6000 mile off a set of Powers no problem.
Good tires I think.

[OreoGaborio]

All the tires on my bikes are a few years old & have been used on the track.... omg, dey gonna esplowde!

[CMG241]

Want to sell the spare rims?

[Hoss]

All the tires on my bikes are a few years old & have been used on the track.... omg, they're gonna explode

Blah blah. Just making sure, there are so many tire/oil changing/overall nazi's on the internet and apparently I read too much. So I turn to you sensible experianced track type guys for help.


....fuck I'm screwed, they are gonna ES-PLODE!

Want to sell the spare rims?

Nah, keeping the rims with the bike. Thanks though.

My tires could explode apparently. Imagine what that would do to them? I'll be lucky to have a spare set.

[akira700]

Yeah the tires might be ok...
but watch out, those rims could explode
R6s are prone to that !

[mzdagrl]

Rob used to use race takeoffs all the time. Lots of highway miles makes good use of the untouched middle of those track tires.

[DucDave]

...eye tink my heds guna zplode fter reedng dis tred...

[Hoss]

Es-plode

[legalspeed]

They are fine. Just remember that race tires do NOT come up to temp/grip on the street very easy.

That said, I ride my take-offs on a GSXR 1k until the steel gleems in the sun. I think the last set went 3 years on my street bike after racing them into the ground.