My introduction, and request for input!

[DocSean]

I never really took into consideration the expense of tires that everyone seems to be raving about. If I am running supersport I have to be running DOT approved tires....I would imagine that a set would be good for a season, am I overestimating the life of tires on the track?

[roadracer162]

I never really took into consideration the expense of tires that everyone seems to be raving about. If I am running supersport I have to be running DOT approved tires....I would imagine that a set would be good for a season, am I overestimating the life of tires on the track?

You are definately overestimating tire life. Lightweight bikes may get two weekends out of them depending on how you handle the rotation of tires and wheels. Soome folks on bigger bikes go through a couple sets in a weekend.

My rotation starts with a fresh set for the sprint races, doing about four races before I use them strictly for practice. I have tested using tire warmers for longevity but really found no significant benefit at the level of rider that I am. The tires seem to wear out(lose traction) with just about the same mileage.

A lightweight bike really is the way to go for learning and keeping expense down. I know that many have spent a lot of money on their ride only to get Middleweight power. That does not commit you to do the same.

My belief is that if you are a new rider and can run a 1000 well then you are a rider level equivalent to an expert rider (club racing).

Mark

[wolf44]

I never really took into consideration the expense of tires that everyone seems to be raving about. If I am running supersport I have to be running DOT approved tires....I would imagine that a set would be good for a season, am I overestimating the life of tires on the track?

i guess it all depends on what kind of tires you are using and how fast you are.  You can run pilot power tires to a decent pace before they really start to get mushy.  They'll last you a lot longer than DOT race tires but you won't get the grip.  I used a rear tire every weekend and a front every two (power race's).    Trying to squeeze my tires too long cost me about a grand after paying for new rearset pieces, bodywork and forks after a highside. I switched to bridgestones at the end of the year and they seemed to wear a lot better to where I might have been able to squeeze another race or two out of them before the grip started going off but I wasn't able to test it as the season ended.

[gpz11]

FWIW: I happen to love my RC51. It's totally changed my riding capability. I've gone from being back of the pack to winning races.

Granted, I wouldn't start on a 51.

Both Wolf44 and I have 51's.

[wolf44]

Yes I love my 51 as well.  I think why everyone is saying don't get a 51 is because there is only really one class that they are competitive in (supertwins) and now that the 1125r and 1098R are out it may not be long before the 51 isn't competitive there either.  An SV650 was competitive(or at least competed against machines with similar performance) in 4 classes last year GTL, LWSS, LWSB, and LW GP not to mention you can run them in Supertwins and do pretty well on tighter tracks.  With the SV being (as of now) an ultra lightweight it will probably be the dominant bike in the class and you can "race up" a class in LW and be competitive as well.  There are just more arenas with an SV to compete and do well. 
I bought my RC51 because I have a history with it and I always said that if I got a chance to get another one I would just because I loved it so much when I first had one.  My machine may only be really competitive in one class next year but I'm just out there to have fun. 

[Jeff]

I never really took into consideration the expense of tires that everyone seems to be raving about. If I am running supersport I have to be running DOT approved tires....I would imagine that a set would be good for a season, am I overestimating the life of tires on the track?

This could quite possibly be the greatest quote on the forum...  ever.

[DocSean]

This could quite possibly be the greatest quote on the forum...  ever.

Haha, yeah, so I see! Like I said, I have zero race experience to date. The last time I ran a set of Pilot Powers on my 1000rr they lasted 6000 miles, apparently race track miles are not equal to street miles huh?

So when you guys say a tire is good for around 4 sprints, you are referring to the actual race sessions? I certainly don't doubt what you guys are saying, but for someone who only has street experience, it's just tough to imagine that tires can only go 80 laps before they become practice tires.

[Court Jester]

i never do more than one race weekend on a set of tires. depending on the number of races i run, sometimes up to three sets a weekend. either way, i'm still slow but i feel safer and slid a less when getting on the gas hard.
some folks do stretch their tires out over more than one weekend or turn them around in a real pintch. but sooner or later it will come back to bit you if you do it enough. new tires are much less than body work, clip ons, rear sets, and ex-rays.

[resurection]

I don't mean to send this thread my way, but
Dave you must see some bigger guys at school and maybe more if we (240 6' 4'') had some input .
In regard to my post earlier in this thread anybody ?

[tstruyk]

80 laps?  I start paying REALLY close attention to what they are doing around 50-60... usually after that they are a TD tire or for sale to street/track day guys.

Jester hit the nail on the head.  Cheap insurance.  Some guys are better, more comfortable slding around a bit. 

The BEST grip the tires have to offer comes from lap 2-22 on a PR5 (this according to Tommy Mason) after that there is a decline in performance.  How hard you are pushing will determine if you notice the decline or not... if you run a LW bike you should be able to extend that performance a bit but then we are talking different carcass, compound etc... Listen to the guys that have run LW, they should give you an idea of how long a set of tires will last.

I would run no more than 3 sprints and 1 GT on a PR5 on my R6.  the old PRC's I could run 2 weekends if need be.  Practice on old tires... save the sticky for the races.  One set a weekend is very doable on an SV, I would budget for 2 weekends if I ran a LW bike.

good luck!

tim

[unforgivenracing]

In regards to tire use, and with RC51 particularly,  If the temps stayed in the mid 70's or below, I could get a weekend out of the front tire (5-races)  I would barely make it threw a day on the rear.  (big power just spins when you hit the throttle out of turns.)  For a starter bike, start small, used, cheap.  Less cost= more madness.

[Simon]

DO NOT skimp on tyre replacement. I did it my first season, saved $300 on tyres...paid $800 in repairs when they let go, and then had to buy a new set!! Rookie mistake.