Which tyres?

[rockhopper]

I know this is going over old ground perhaps but new ones do come along!

I'll be looking for a new pair or my ST4 in the not too distant future. The current D208's (not RR's or anything fancy) have done about 4500 miles and are looking a bit past their best after four trackdays. The rear has still got its profile though which is good but its down to the wear indicators now. The front is oddly worn and also down to the indicators.

I plan on doing a similar number of trackdays next year but hopefully a few more road miles. I need a front that will give me loads of confidence on the track but not so soft that i'll need to change it within the year.

Oh, i'm a slow to very slow road rider and i was at the back of the inters group on my last trackday! And i tend not to ride in the rain unless i have to.

Any ideas?

[yeti]

Stick some decent touring tyres on your current wheels then look for a spare set of wheels and fit Super Corsa's for the track days. You tow to the track in any case. That way your touring tyres will do fine if it's wet or damp, and a quick change to the SC's if it's dry. Imagine you could pick up a couple of cheap wheels fairly easily.

Failing that, I have absolutely NO idea!

[chrisw]

I've just fitted some D207RR's to the ST4s and to be honest with you I preferred the Avon Azaro ST's that were on before. But as I dropped on the tyres for £75 the pair I will persevere. A pair of Avons will set you back £145 at BFM @ Saltaire and will give you the best of both worlds with the compounds used.

http://www.bfmmotorcycles.co.uk

[rockhopper]

Yeti's idea sounds like a good one because i tend to do most of my road riding two up so i dont need a full on sports tyre.

I've been very happy with the 208's but they did take a heck of a long time to warm up on monday.

Avons, well i've heard some very mixed reports about them, most going on about silly wear rates.

I know Rushjob loves his Diablos so maybe that a thought.

[Rushjob]

:devil::devil::devil::devil::devil:

You know they make sense!

:roll:

[rockhopper]

How many miles Andy?

[TP]

Originally posted by rockhopper
Yeti's idea sounds like a good one because i tend to do most of my road riding two up so i dont need a full on sports tyre.

I've been very happy with the 208's but they did take a heck of a long time to warm up on monday.

Avons, well i've heard some very mixed reports about them, most going on about silly wear rates.

I know Rushjob loves his Diablos so maybe that a thought.

Paul, Dunlops always take ages to warm up. Not for me.

Go the Diablo's I say!

[rockhopper]

Tony, Snetterton was the first time i had used them in anger when the weather was cold and it probably wasnt till after lunch that i felt totally confident with them. When they are hot though they are superb.
Should have invested in some tyre warmers i think!

[TP]

Originally posted by rockhopper
Tony, Snetterton was the first time i had used them in anger when the weather was cold and it probably wasnt till after lunch that i felt totally confident with them. When they are hot though they are superb.
Should have invested in some tyre warmers i think!

Paul, remember what you said about me moving around in the novices group at TA3? I was on supercorsa's and absolutely amazed at the level of grip they gave me in the wet and they warmed up quickly!

Confidence inspiring stuff!

The Diablo's have more silica than the corsa's/supercorsa's therefore grip better in the wet. They won't have the life of a Dunlop 208 because they are made of wood (IMO).

:D

But what would I know, I'm a joob .. :D

[PaulC]

A few suggestions:

- I have been running Michelin Pilot Roads on the ST for a while including a couple of track days and have found them to be pretty good. They need a bit of time to warm up but are then fine dry or rain. Rear is good for about 5k miles, front about 8k with some fairly spirited riding and some two up touring.

- on the 996, after the Bridgestone 010s it came with, I have been running Pirelli Diablos. Again with a few track days I think the rear should give me at least 4k miles. I tend to run towards the front of inters or back of fast on track days and have found absolutely no lack of grip, certainly not justifying going to more sticky Corsas. If you can't justify a second set of wheels I only noticed in MCN yesterday that Pirelli are now putting out the Diablo Strada for sports touring. If you can confirm compatible profiles it may be an option to put a Strada on the rear and a straight Diablo on the front. Would probably give you a good combination of traction but durability on the rear with excellent traction and similar durability on the front (i.e. they may well wear at a similar rate rather than the normal problem of having to chuck a half decent front away to keep your tyres matched.)

If you do try the mixed Diablo option would be very interesting to see how it goes as I am thinking along this line for my next change - probably mid next year.

[everton]

Diablos or BT012s, maybe 020s?

[rockhopper]

Cheers for that Paul. The odd thing is that i tend to wear fronts out before rears!! Normally the rears go square but this year with my new found trackday hobby the rear has stayed nice and round but is just worn out really. The front was down to the indicators on one side a while ago.

Lack of grip at the back has never been a problem, infact i dont really notice what the back is doing, its the front thats the problem. Must be the way i ride!

We have been thinking about another option though. A low speed drop on a trackday could easily cost £1000 to fix and for that money i could buy an ex race bike with spare wheels etc and use that for trackdays with no worries about crashing it. After seeing the way that the No Limits guys ride those CB500's i have realised that absolute power isnt important, it must be far more satisfying to outride someone on an underpowered bike than to just use the grunt of a big bike on the straight bits. All i need to do is learn how to ride!

As an example, i eventually managed to pass someone at Snett (one of the instructors on a CB500) I almost outbraked myself doing so and while i'm hanging on for dear life with the back of the bike all over the place this guy accelerates past me, sticks his knee right out and goes round the corner a good 30mph faster than i could. I was so gob smacked i nearly ended up on the grass!

[PaulC]

Yep, if you are not worried about lap times and your ego, it comes down to the simple fact that riding any bike towards its and your limits is fun!! Must admit having the 996 as a track bike is an expensive luxury but it just puts a smile on my face every time I get out on it, it is such a sublime experience.

[Rushjob]

Paul, on average 7k from a front & 3.5k rear.
Mix of commuting, scratching & eurotouring.
Andy

[Athelstan]

Guys
I have stayed with the factory fitted Pilot Sports as they have proven to be great in all weather conditions and on all types of surfaces. I get 3.5k out of the back and then it wants changing (by 4k it's illeagal and wobberly) and the front get a good 6k with another 500miles for reminding me to change. My advice to nay rider is to stick with what gives them the most confidence - (confidence leads to safer more enjoyable riding) - even if you get a couple hundred miles less out of a tyre than the next guy.

Oh and the other thing I've discovered after 35yrs riding all sorts of bikes is that folks have a habbit of claiming fantastic wear rates for things like tyres, brake pads, clutch linings etc etc :sing:

[rockhopper]

I keep a record of everything i do to my bike so i know how many miles stuff has done!

I think i'd be wanting to get more than 3500 miles out of a rear though especially if its only road use. As i said, its only on the track that i have any issues about confidence. Most of my road riding these days is two up so mileage is more important than absolute grip becasue i ride a heck of a lot slower with Lynn on the back.

I think the two sets of wheels idea might be the best one.