Daytona Spec tires (Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, Dunlop) for Endurance Race

[Carnag3]

What tire compound/brand do you run at Daytona?
Does Michelin sell a special tire for Daytona or only Dunlop?

[MELK-MAN]

only Dunlop, but on 600cc bikes tires have not been a big issue.

[600killer]

I

only Dunlop, but on 600cc bikes tires have not been a big issue.

You think any of them will hold up for the 2hour race???

[red900]

I wouldnt think any would last that long on that track.

[GregGorman]

I used a medium compound Dunlop front (not a Daytona specific tire) for 6 practice sessions at Daytona last year.  It lasted 24 laps before going flat on the 25th lap.  The plies of the tire separated allowing the air to escape.  Don't screw around with tires at Daytona, it's a different beast.  I'd suggest you email Steve Brubaker steve@dunlopracing.com, or any other distributor that sells there on a regular basis, and get real answers about Daytona and tires. 

[DEVINC]

So what does one do that rides on Michelin tires with a 1000cc bike (or any bike that could have a problem at Daytona with non-Daytona tires)? Do you just have to pay close attention to your tires and probably have to change them alot more often than you normally would? I don't ride a 1000cc just curious also.

I heard at least one expert if not more got permission from Michelin to switch to Dunlop for some races at Daytona in October because he couldn't get his Michelins to work well enough for him. I think it was in the RRW coverage of the ROC.

[Carnag3]

Can you run the Michelin C rear tire for the endurance race or are they too soft?

[MELK-MAN]

call a michelin tire distributor.. I suspect the C may do the trick, but not sure as i have never ran it. It is an endurance tire.

[apriliaman]

As long as i have been running pirelli i never had a problem at daytona about tires. My bike has 90-95hp and not 160hp that maybe why?? With my type of bike in the moto-st races you can go 4hrs easy,On a SV 650 people went the whole 8hrs.If your on a 170hp 1000,that will be a different story.

[MELK-MAN]

As long as i have been running pirelli i never had a problem at daytona about tires. My bike has 90-95hp and not 160hp that maybe why?? With my type of bike in the moto-st races you can go 4hrs easy,On a SV 650 people went the whole 8hrs.If your on a 170hp 1000,that will be a different story.

The only regular issue that comes up is on the big bikes.. If you have 90-95 hp you should be able to ride all day at Daytona..

[Rick Johnson 29]

Anyone know how Pirellis do on a liter bike at Daytona?

[red900]

It depends on your pace.  In 5 lap sprints, on 186hp Gsxr 1000, I used a set of pirelli's per race.  Expensive, but I won every race.  The front tires would have gone 2 or 3 races, but the I smoked the left side of the rear climbing the banking every time.... 

If you are a front runner, then you will do what you have to do to win, But if you are just going to have the experience, your tires will last quite a bit longer.