Motorcycle Racing Forum

Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: PolishPete on March 21, 2007, 10:43:00 PM

Title: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: PolishPete on March 21, 2007, 10:43:00 PM
I'm looking to buy a rear Pilot Power or Pilot Race before an upcoming track day, but don't know what vendor to get it from.  Anyone on here sell at a great price?  I looked through the vendor classifieds but nothing.  Who's your favorite to buy from and why?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: PolishPete on March 21, 2007, 10:45:43 PM
Also, what is the deal with buying take-off tires...are they as good as the originals, or are they cheap copies?

And...I'm trying to learn to read tires, the ebay link below is for used tires.  What can you tell me about the tread.  Are these done, almost done, plenty of life?  And most importantly...why, what tells do you look for?  Thanks again for your help!!

Peter
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: RCR_531 on March 21, 2007, 11:27:32 PM
Give Lithium Motorsports a call 1-800-894-7190 Rob will give you an awesome price.  Take off have been raced  or used by someone before and now they are triing to sell them. A lot of drag racer like them because there is still a lot thread in the center left. If you find someone that changes out their tires often you would ok for trackdays. Just be careful what you buy. Tires are pretty cheap when you start to replace things after you crash because you gone cheap on tires.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: wolf44 on March 21, 2007, 11:44:57 PM
+1 on LMS.  Don't know how fast you are but Pilot Powers are very capable tires and they last a long time.  If you want to buy take offs develop a relationship with someone that you know takes care of their tires.  Try not to buy tires off someone you don't know as they can sell you a line of bull about how much life is left in the tire but they tire is basically junk.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: Sobottka on March 22, 2007, 08:23:52 AM
buy your tires at the track, whatever brand.  you cant beat trackside service, they will "read" your tires for you and give you priceless advice on everything!!!  :thumb: +1 on lithium
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: Super Dave on March 22, 2007, 08:48:07 AM
The availability of actual current DOT race tires is generally limited to race distributors for most manufacturers to ensure that there is an ample supply of those tires for licensed road racers that need the actual race rubber. 

Older production race rubber does come out through other channels.  We have found differences in how a tire works based on date codes.  This happens as a manufacturer will change the tire's attributes, carcass and/or compound, during production runs to satisfy various issues that may be driven by world wide or US market needs.

The Michelin race distributor for the Midwest area is Tom Mason.  Tom's getting a new phone, so his number is out of service.  I believe his simple website is http://www.masonracintires.com

The Pilot Power and the new 2TC are not race tires, but they do rock.  Should be available through your favorite dealer and others like Lithium.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: RCR_531 on March 22, 2007, 03:34:21 PM
I agree to buy from a trackside vendor but PolishPete would like them before a trackday. Tommy is the man at Race events.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: LMsports on March 22, 2007, 11:02:31 PM
Thanks guys! A common size if you are running a 600 would be a 120/70-17 front and a 180/55-17 rear. We sell that combo of Pilot Power for 235.00 shipped. I'd be suprised if you could find it cheaper elsewhere.

For race tires, Tom Mason is the way to go with great trackside service for Michelin tires.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: Kelly Ruby on March 25, 2007, 08:52:39 PM
Frank Kinsey always is a  pleasure to deal with trackside.  You can check out his site at www.kinseyracingschool.com. 
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: Super Dave on March 25, 2007, 11:03:27 PM
Frank's a great guy.  His tires are also Michelin race distribution too.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: PolishPete on March 25, 2007, 11:56:28 PM
Thanks for the input.  I think I'm going to jump on that Pilot Power deal for LM for now.  But its good to have people to talk to at the track...especially pros in their field.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: ssduc750 on March 26, 2007, 05:29:58 PM
What about Pirelli? I need a set of Race D.O.T's but can't wait till the first race. (I have my reassons!) I need to get a set. I'm in Wisconsin. Who's the distributor here?
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: ssduc750 on March 26, 2007, 05:31:36 PM
Oh crap Dave. That's probably not a good avatar for me to use seeing your Super Dave's Race Against Childhood Cancer
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: Super Dave on March 26, 2007, 07:04:15 PM
Well, I don't think toddler smoking is the cause of pediatric cancer. 

I'm just lookin' at it for the silliness.  You're fine.  No offense taken.

And I don't know who's doing Pirelli right now in the area.  I know there's a Pirelli Privateer website, but I haven't gotten any answers there myself.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: stickboy274 on March 26, 2007, 10:19:17 PM
I can get you good prices on Bridgestone's. We even have a new trackday tire based off the 002's.
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: Gixxerblade on March 27, 2007, 11:22:33 AM
Quote from: buellracer9r on March 26, 2007, 05:29:58 PM
What about Pirelli? I need a set of Race D.O.T's but can't wait till the first race. (I have my reassons!) I need to get a set. I'm in Wisconsin. Who's the distributor here?
www.tigersharkracing.com
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: kvanengen on March 28, 2007, 05:12:52 PM
Give Lithium Motorsports a call 1-800-894-7190 Rob
Title: Re: Where do you buy tires?
Post by: PolishPete on March 28, 2007, 05:37:48 PM
Ordered through Lithium Motorsports.  Best prices around from what I found.  Thanks guys and thanks Rob.