Tires

[H-man]

Thank you SD.  You've given me some info to toss into the decision algorithim.

I suppose if we run out of things to talk about we can talk about this briefly this Saturday.  Hope to see you then.

  H-man

[Super Dave]

I'll be there. 8)

[PJ]

I suppose if we run out of things to talk about we can talk about this briefly this Saturday.  Hope to see you then.

  H-man

For more info on Bridgestone, you should look up Gary Palmer at the banquet. He ran 'Stones on his Ducati 800 all season and was turning :16s and quicker at BFR. He swears by them and their contingency program, which I understand pays more for wins, but doesn't pay as deeply as other brands.

[Chuck]

Bridgestone DOTs need a bit of work in the R & D department IMO...

I raced 001's at the beginning of last season, then went to the 002's around mid season.  I'm not by any means "one of the faster guys" but have run a wide range of tires.  My personall opinion of the 001's is not very good.  I thought they started lacking grip after the first session or two, they would start spinning excessivly and you would start losing drive, the 002's seemed to last a bit longer and offered decent grip right up until the end.  For an amature club racer I thought they where a decent tire and I was willing to sacrifice the difference in grip from say the Michelins to save some $.

Guys like SD and Johnson (front running experts) would probably out ride these Bridgestones and would not be willing to trade grip for $$, hence why Johnson probably went to Michelins towards the end of the year.

Bridgestone slicks seemed to be on par with the others but that's a whole nother topic...

[Super Dave]

Ok, since my name is brought up...

Someone said, I'll paraphrase, if you're slower you can probably ride on a "less" tire than someone faster.

I didn't agree at all.

After spending $100k's of thousands of dollars of my money, time, and effort...I learned how bikes work, and I learned how to ride, and I learned how things feel.

A slower rider probably doesn't have the knowledge or feel to have enough cushion to ride on a tire with "less".  Afford one's self something reasonable.  

[Chuck]

A slower rider probably doesn't have the knowledge or feel to have enough cushion to ride on a tire with "less".  Afford one's self something reasonable.  

That is something to think about...

I guess it would make sense that a lesser rider should be on a better tire.  

Personally I have changed tires, and corrected for the changed chasis geometry and not run any faster on the Michelin Pilot race tires than on the 002's, so for me it seemed like a good idea to try and save cash in that area.  Same with the slicks...but that's just been my experience.

[ekraft84]

Try them all and pick the one you like best H.

[Sunny]

H, I am going to try Michelin slicks this year because Pirelli's price is going thru the roof (been increasing every year).  At similar or less $$$, Michelin becomes a natural pick for me plus everyone says it's got more grip.  I'll let you know how Michelin slick is if you care to find out.  Of course, I am not sure if I'll have the chance to find out how it is when it starts spinning with my underpowered 400...........but I can tell you that Pirelli definitely drives sideways when it starts spinning.   ;)

[H-man]

with my underpowered 400....but...

Oh no! :o  Here we go again ::) :P





Just messin' witcha Sunny ;)

[H-man]

Seriously though, I plan to compete in...er... make that be in Thunderbike, F40LW and V7MW over in WERA (still debating Senior SBK since WERA doesn't break up the SSBK by age or size).

Slicks aren't allowed for Thunderbike or on a F2 in F40LW.  So I'm looking exclusively at DOT race buns.

[H-man]

Try them all and pick the one you like best H.

You're probably right Eddie (and once again, but from over on this BBS, CONGRATS!).

I'm just trying to ease my way on up the learning curve through the experience and advice of others.

I've got a pretty good lead on SC take-offs ;).  I was just looking at fresh buns and Stick has the Stones avail at a good price and offers contingency.  From what I hear, the grids for V7MW aren't large enough to qualify for the Pirelli continency.  Maybe Pirelli doesn't even offer contingency for vintage.  I hadn't looked at that.

[Sunny]

In that case, I like the Pirelli DOT better than the Michelin S2/M2.  However, I never rode these tire on the same bike (Pirelli on my 400 and R6, Michelin on 748/996).