Tire Knowlege Needed

Porkchop · 02-01-2011, 04:39 PM

So I was just at the Cleveland International Motorcycle show this past weekend, and ran into the guys that run the "Moto Series" that I've been thinking about getting into. We talked for a good while and told the guy that me and my buddy were intersted in getting into the racing school they offer, so we could get our competition lisence. We signed up for the April school which got me thinking... oh shit, what am I going to do about a ride?

I think I'm pretty sure I'm not going to race the baby Viff, just based on how old she is. People keep telling me that bikes like that get raced in the vintage series all the time, and that they do just fine. The problem is I dont have the cash to just up and buy a track bike yet. So I figure I will use the viff to do the track school and make a decision from there on what im going to do. Hopefully I can save up a little cash by then and can jump on a nice race prepped sv or something. The problem with the viff is tires, they are small. Like 110/90H-18 rear small.... It will definitely need new tires before the riding season starts anyway. So I might as well begin to plan what I would like to put on it for spring/track school. Sport Rider ran a section about tires in the June issue and gave a listing of tires that will fit. What do you think is the best option??? Does anybody have experience with these.

-Battleaxe BT45s - H Rated
-Avon Roadrider - V-rated The Avons are also available in slightly wider versions for both front and rear
-Continental TKV Ultra - H Rated
-Pirelli Sport Demon - H Rated

*EDIT* - and if a wider tire is available that would fit like the Avon note says, what is a better tire size for a track day???? Tire size noob here.

smileyman · 02-01-2011, 04:45 PM

Doubtful the ole viffer can generate the top speed to take advantage of a V rated Avon rubber but its wider profile will slow handling anyways. Battleaxe BT's are good but ancient rubber tech, I have burned my share, IMHO tho, go withe the Pirelli. It is a much newer design tire.

Porkchop · 02-01-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smileyman

Doubtful the ole viffer can generate the top speed to take advantage of a V rated Avon rubber but its wider profile will slow handling anyways. Battleaxe BT's are good but ancient rubber tech, I have burned my share, IMHO tho, go withe the Pirelli. It is a much newer design tire.

Thats what im thinking. Just by reading reviews online, I will be staying away from the BTs and Conti's.

I really like the other two. I figured I would never reach the speed for the V rating, but it might not be bad to have the extra speed rating in the bag.

derf · 02-01-2011, 05:40 PM

Really all those tires are good, I have been using battlaxes for a while and like them, but mainly because of their life span and price, haven't used the pirrellis, but everyone who has swears by them.

Any way, a modern sport tire designed and built in the lsat 5 years will beat almost anything in the 5 years before that, and will look like race rubber to anything built in the 90s

Porkchop · 02-01-2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

Really all those tires are good, I have been using battlaxes for a while and like them, but mainly because of their life span and price, haven't used the pirrellis, but everyone who has swears by them.

Any way, a modern sport tire designed and built in the lsat 5 years will beat almost anything in the 5 years before that, and will look like race rubber to anything built in the 90s

For sure.

vs

askmrjesus · 02-01-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porkchop

People keep telling me that bikes like that get raced in the vintage series all the time, and that they do just fine.

And they do. I've seen far less worthy machines on the track. You're not going to set any records, (well, speed records anyway...) but that's not the point of roadracing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porkchop

The problem with the viff is tires, they are small. Like 110/90H-18 rear small....

...and if a wider tire is available that would fit like the Avon note says, what is a better tire size for a track day???? Tire size noob here.

Fatter does not always equal faster. You can, in fact, go backwards. Depending on the profile of the tire, and the stiffness of the carcass, stuffing a fatty on your skinny-ass rim, can result in a smaller contact patch.

These are not the droids you are looking for.

You'll be better served with tires that fit the rims, and paying very close attention to the pressures you run, and under which conditions you run them. In other words, buy a little fucking note book, and write that shit down.

That said, there may be a slightly over-sized tire out there that will give you more grip. Then again, more grip comes with slower transitions. So......

Find out who the fast guy is, and run what he's running. But wait, you ain't him. Shit. Those tires may not work for you. Now you are seriously fucked. Your tires are too big, bike handles like a wheelbarrow, and girls won't go out with you.

JC

Porkchop · 02-01-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by askmrjesus

And they do. I've seen far less worthy machines on the track. You're not going to set any records, (well, speed records anyway...) but that's not the point of roadracing.

Fatter does not always equal faster. You can, in fact, go backwards. Depending on the profile of the tire, and the stiffness of the carcass, stuffing a fatty on your skinny-ass rim, can result in a smaller contact patch.

These are not the droids you are looking for.

You'll be better served with tires that fit the rims, and paying very close attention to the pressures you run, and under which conditions you run them. In other words, buy a little fucking note book, and write that shit down.

That said, there may be a slightly over-sized tire out there that will give you more grip. Then again, more grip comes with slower transitions. So......

Find out who the fast guy is, and run what he's running. But wait, you ain't him. Shit. Those tires may not work for you. Now you are seriously fucked. Your tires are too big, bike handles like a wheelbarrow, and girls won't go out with you.

JC

Girls dont go out with me anyway...

But yes, the consensus on both this forum and vfrworld seems to be stick with the tire made for the rim. Looks like ill be digging a little deeper on the Pirelli and Avon 110/90H-18's.....

racedoll · 02-01-2011, 07:41 PM

I have nothing to add about the tires but I like my BTs.

On another note, if you don't want to pony up money for a track bike try hooking up with someone and do the 3 hour endurance race where you'd share a bike and the cost.

Doing the sprint races will put you in the hole quickly, even with a little series like this.

Hydrant · 02-01-2011, 07:43 PM

Sidebar.

Porkchop

Where do they call their home track? Thinking about getting into some schools this spring/ summer if work isn't too crazy. I'd probably take the CBR though.

racedoll · 02-01-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrant

Sidebar.

Porkchop

Where do they call their home track? Thinking about getting into some schools this spring/ summer if work isn't too crazy. I'd probably take the CBR though.

Sorry, I'm not PC. But I believe Moto Series is the old Fasttraxx. So Nelson Ledges in Garrettsville would be the "home" track.

02-01-2011, 04:39 PM	#1
Porkchop 125GP Champion Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worthington, OH Moto: Empty Garage Posts: 3,418	Tire Knowlege Needed So I was just at the Cleveland International Motorcycle show this past weekend, and ran into the guys that run the "Moto Series" that I've been thinking about getting into. We talked for a good while and told the guy that me and my buddy were intersted in getting into the racing school they offer, so we could get our competition lisence. We signed up for the April school which got me thinking... oh shit, what am I going to do about a ride? I think I'm pretty sure I'm not going to race the baby Viff, just based on how old she is. People keep telling me that bikes like that get raced in the vintage series all the time, and that they do just fine. The problem is I dont have the cash to just up and buy a track bike yet. So I figure I will use the viff to do the track school and make a decision from there on what im going to do. Hopefully I can save up a little cash by then and can jump on a nice race prepped sv or something. The problem with the viff is tires, they are small. Like 110/90H-18 rear small.... It will definitely need new tires before the riding season starts anyway. So I might as well begin to plan what I would like to put on it for spring/track school. Sport Rider ran a section about tires in the June issue and gave a listing of tires that will fit. What do you think is the best option??? Does anybody have experience with these. -Battleaxe BT45s - H Rated -Avon Roadrider - V-rated The Avons are also available in slightly wider versions for both front and rear -Continental TKV Ultra - H Rated -Pirelli Sport Demon - H Rated EDIT - and if a wider tire is available that would fit like the Avon note says, what is a better tire size for a track day???? Tire size noob here. __________________ *Coming soon? 2010 Ducati Monster 696 - Sold 1984 Honda VF500F - Sold 1999 Yamaha R6 - Sold

02-01-2011, 04:45 PM	#2
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	Doubtful the ole viffer can generate the top speed to take advantage of a V rated Avon rubber but its wider profile will slow handling anyways. Battleaxe BT's are good but ancient rubber tech, I have burned my share, IMHO tho, go withe the Pirelli. It is a much newer design tire. __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

02-01-2011, 07:43 PM	#9
Hydrant WERA Yellow Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Moto: 2003 Suzuki TL1000R, 2002 Honda CBR 600 F4i Posts: 660	Sidebar. Porkchop Where do they call their home track? Thinking about getting into some schools this spring/ summer if work isn't too crazy. I'd probably take the CBR though. __________________

02-01-2011, 05:40 PM	#4
derf token jewboy Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man Posts: 10,799	Really all those tires are good, I have been using battlaxes for a while and like them, but mainly because of their life span and price, haven't used the pirrellis, but everyone who has swears by them. Any way, a modern sport tire designed and built in the lsat 5 years will beat almost anything in the 5 years before that, and will look like race rubber to anything built in the 90s

02-01-2011, 07:41 PM	#8
racedoll AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: '04 Kawasaki ZX6RR Posts: 3,392	I have nothing to add about the tires but I like my BTs. On another note, if you don't want to pony up money for a track bike try hooking up with someone and do the 3 hour endurance race where you'd share a bike and the cost. Doing the sprint races will put you in the hole quickly, even with a little series like this.