If slicks offer the ultimate in grip ...

[duc995@aol.com]

...then how come DOT race tires are MORE expensive?!!!! ???


I was just pricing out the Michelin Pilot slicks vs a set of S2/M2 and we are talking $300 on one hand and like $375 on the other.  I think I will be happy to continue paying less for more ;D

What you say?

[Super Dave]

Well, the DOT's get more development work.  The carcasses can be different on some of the new production stuff that makes it quite different from the "DOT" slicks.  The DOT slicks might "last" longer 'cause they have more insulation to keep the heat in longer...but for out right fastest laps...the DOT's rock.

And the new DOT stuff that I have sampled last year and this year...well, it's pretty incredible.  

The pricing for the DOT Slick stuff is specifically a price point item from Michelin too.  

[MELK-MAN]

Im trying the new Michelin slick at Barber this weekend. Supposedly it is a DOT carcass but no tread. Perhaps not the superior speed/lap time of a true slick, but they tell me no chassie set up change is required to switch from DOT to slick.. see how it goes.

[duc995@aol.com]

Which ones are "DOT" slicks?  It seems like an oxymoron as a "slick", having no tread would not pass DOT standards.  I know what you are getting at in reference to the carcase, though...

[Jeff]

Not to mention DOT take-off's have resale value.  Slicks do not.....

[Super Dave]

Ok, I believe the DOT slicks are the 1800's or something.  It is the DOT carcass, which gets continued development.

17" slicks have really been out of favor for a period of time as the 16.5's are the tire and wheel combination of choice for top level "slick" racing.  So, if you want the ultimate in grip, you've got to have 16.5's...but they NEED a huge amount of load and power to really be utilized...hence the reason that 250GP bike's didn't use them...yeah, they would load the tire in the corner, but they don't have the 140HP of a Honda CBR600RR FX bike or the bigger HP numbers of a 1000cc Superbike.

The "DOT slicks" from Michelin filled a little void in the market place.  For someone running a bike like a 600 with 17" wheels, it offers an opportunity to use a slick with the exact same dimentions as the DOT tire.  So, the tire will NOT affect the chassis geometry.  Put it on and go.  A DOT race tire really only has a reasonable life to it.  Faster you go, the more one uses it up.  One of the reasons is the siping can cause the edges to pull up a bit.  Second, they only put so much rubber on it.  After so much rubber gets used, the rubber's insulating capacity is reduced and the tire can't maintain any heat inside...it doesn't really work then.

The DOT slick has more rubber and no sipes.  Won't get that edge tearing problem and it will remain covered in the rubber longer.  So, it will last longer.  For a track day guy, this can be nice.  One could change to a slick tire for more contact patch, longer life, no change in handling charateristics...

Can't sell the take offs?  Well, they cost less and you'll get more use out of them.  It will pay for itself, period.  

I can't sell my take offs anyway...I run them down beyond anyone's reasonable use.

[Jeff]

I can't sell my take offs anyway...I run them down beyond anyone's reasonable use.

The majority of mine go to Stunters who are looking for a tire that has meat in the middle.  They don't care if it's to the cords on the sides, just so long as there's tread left in the middle to burn off...

[Super Dave]

Dunlops work better for the Stunta's.

Really, there is something about the way Michelin does their cording.  We've been doing stuff with D-Aces for quite a while.  The Michelin never has that big pop sound.  It might loose air, but it's very slow.  You can get the big pop with the Dunlop.

[duc995@aol.com]

That's funny SuperDave..."You can get the BIG POP with Dunlops."

I'm sure you didn't mean it the way I interpreted it, but I think Jamie Hacking/Mat Maladin/etc. know exactly what you mean!!!! ;D

[Super Dave]

LOL, I did mean it literally...for the stunta's...the pop at then end is a nice creshendo to the finale, right...  When the D-Ace's guys used our Michelin take offs...they could never "pop".  They might flop around and all, but never explode.

I wouldn't wish anything like that on anyone at the race track.

I don't think Dunlop makes a bad tire.  

I use Michelin's.

 8)

[spyderchick]

I don't think Dunlop makes a bad tire.  

I use Michelin's.

 8)

That just made me giggle. Don't know...been working almost straight since the monday before last and I have a day off...sort of. Things are jsut hitting me different since I'm not in "work mode".  :D

[Super Dave]

LOL, yeah, I guess like that...

I'm funny today.  

Better go and buy a lottery ticket or something. ;D  Lord knows that I need some $$.