Anyone have any info on studded ice tires that will fit a sportbike ? I really want to try some ice riding (maybe racing?) this year since I live in Michigan, but I'd like to try it on my 600 and I havent been able to find much info at all on where to get the tires for it.
Any info is appreciated
edit; oh yeah .. I was hoping for something like these:
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.touringsmart.com%2Fimages%2Fmcrides%2Fstuds%2Fstud-1a.jpg&hash=16b12f1d11816cbecc2364a105002f2a2e65e385)
There are some stunters from Chicago running studs on their 6oos but nothing like these. The ones pictured are from Europe.
yeah, these are from a a swedish site .. but I'd pay the shipping from the europe if it was the only way to get them ..
You can do some riding with those studs but not racing. They're illegal here.
hrmm good to know.. thanks
in reality though, I highly doubt I will do any type of racing. I just want a way to have fun in the winter
I think the trick with it is also that they are spikes...so, injuries are likely.
Get a set of rain tires and then some ice screws. Good ones. Cut up a tire and put it inside the rain tire. Screw the ice screws in, put the tire combo on the bike while using a tube.
Or just come out and play on the ice with a dirt bike/motard bike. Crash better.
Rains with cold cutters would shred in one twist of the wrist. The weight and power of a sportbike make it pretty unrealistic to do in any affordable sense, or likely with any safety. Get on a 450 4-stroke with a professionally built set of ice tires and you will honestly believe you're on a 600 on fresh pavement.
I know this is hard to believe, but it's true. If you wanna try it out, come up this winter and I'll put you on my 450. Just bring a checkbook because you'll drop some money after that ride...
hrmm. I know the rational thing to do would be to run a dirt bike ... but I've never claimed to be rational.
I already have a pretty good idea of how to do the spikes .. the problem is my idea involves sharpening the ends of about 400 bolts .. which I have no real desire (or anywhere near the amount of spare time to do).
if I find something pre-made that would work I will pursue it further, but otherwise I might let the idea go for the time being.
thanks again for the info ..
400 bolts? Maybe for 1/2 the front tire...
The bolts aren't the issue. Well, they are, but you have to deal with a tire that is not strong enough to handle the stress of these studs. The studs will bite, the bike will power through, and the tire will shred. Or, you'll start spitting bolts.
If you were to put a liner (second tire) inside of the tire you use, and get about a 3" stud through there, it might work, but then the tire will be so damned stiff that you'll have a REAL tough time working with it.
Then there's clearance issues...
There's just too much to consider and factor in to make it work...
Best of luck though! :-)
Quote from: endoracing on September 05, 2006, 01:17:18 PM
hrmm. I know the rational thing to do would be to run a dirt bike ... but I've never claimed to be rational.
I already have a pretty good idea of how to do the spikes .. the problem is my idea involves sharpening the ends of about 400 bolts .. which I have no real desire (or anywhere near the amount of spare time to do).
if I find something pre-made that would work I will pursue it further, but otherwise I might let the idea go for the time being.
thanks again for the info ..
Those are snowmobile studs in that picture.. They'd last a lot longer than some sort of sharpened bolt would but they're not cheap! By the time you buy the stud, backing plate, and nut for them you're getting close to $2 each..
The couple times I went last year the tracks that were plowed had so many tight turns I don't think it would have been as fun on a sportbike.. Plus all the times I crashed it I would've had a bad back by spring trying to pick up something 200 lbs. heavier!
I found out about the snowmobile studs, that was my original thought, but I never got real far searching...
I ordered a few studs to play with, we'll see how it goes... if they do work it will cost about 400 bucks for the set ..
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.psep.biz%2Fimages%2FSnowmobile%2Ftraction%2520product%2FZ%2520120%2520STUDS.jpg&hash=5a648333e634f4dc21fee9330126fd1142ff3e46)
While you've got time, start figuring out how to run a tube in the tires, and deal with clearance issues front and rear.
cant deal with the clearances until I get the studs ... they should clear though.
as far as running a tube .. I talked to someone that has ran a tube inside street tires, just used an oversized dirt bike tube.. so thats what I'm gonna look into. Pull out the valve stem and run the tube valve through the hole. I will likely look into getting a cheap set of wheels to use so I dont run any risks when I go back to my race tires next season.
Get a dirtbike...
By the time you buy wheels, tires, tubes, studs and spend AT LEAST 15-20 hours studding them you'll be money ahead.
Not to mention it will take three or four sets of tires before you find a pattern that works. And it will be really expensive to crash, and you will crash it, repeatedly.
I'm not ripping on your idea, it's just that I've thought about it for years, and come to the conclusion that it isn't possible without loads of time and money.
You can pick up a clean 98-99ish 250 for $1000, good pro built tires for $500 and you're done. I ride a 98 YZ250 on good tires and it works great.
QuoteYou can pick up a clean 98-99ish 250 for $1000, good pro built tires for $500 and you're done. I ride a 98 YZ250 on good tires and it works great.
where is the fun in that? you can always buy a dirt bike and ice tires...
When logic & reason fail, all you can do is say:
"Let me know how that turns out"
I have ice tires for the fiddy and have always wanted to try it. Where can you do it in the midwest region?
Quote from: msbrit1 on September 13, 2006, 08:32:44 PM
I have ice tires for the fiddy and have always wanted to try it. Where can you do it in the midwest region?
Any place that has ice...
Check www.dieseljo.com once it gets colder.
Quote from: endoracing on September 12, 2006, 12:11:15 PM
where is the fun in that? you can always buy a dirt bike and ice tires...
I'm with you man! Everyone is trying to change your mind as if it were very clear in the first place... :)
Superbike ice racing is so cool! Build the tires, go out and keep posting pictures racing on ice....everyone will become very jealous as they are sitting at home for the winter.....They will have nothing better to do but join you!