My first experience with race tires

[Vtec44]

Well, I thought I posted this already but I guess I didn't so here it goes. Keep in mind that this is strictly my own opinion, as in an opinion of an average rider who probably doesn't really need race tires anyway LOL.

Moving from M1s to Bridgestone 002 is a huge step up for me. The 002 is about as wide in profile as the M1s, but it has the natural V shape right out of the box which suppose to give you more contact patch at full lean. From what I felt, the turn in is about as quick as the M1s but a lot more planted once it is leaned over. Going over bumps was a breeze since you don't feel like you're on the edge of your tires. I was able to move around and change my line with confidence. One thing for sure these tires gave me is the ability to get on the throttle a lot earlier, without breaking the rear loose. With the M1s, you always have to anticipate the rear to step out when you're accelerating out of a corner. So, as slow as I am, the tires had a huge impact on my confidence at Pahrump because the way they behaved. :D

[mark]

The 014's are nice.

[Slowestrider]

I will try those 002 next. When we went to Willow on last trackday, my new 208GP-A worn so much that I decided to not ride the last two sessions. My friend had the 002 since last trackday and its still looking better shape than my 208. :(

[TrackPimp]

try the 208GP-A's.. I personally don't use them anymore becuase I'm running the Dunlop Slicks.. but I always liked the 208's.. In fact.. before switching to Slicks in October I was running the 190/60 rear 208GP-A.. Very nice tires! If you like those brickstones, you'll love the Dunlops.

[Vtec44]

I heard a lot of good things about the GPA's.... but my pocket is not that deep! The Brickstones were only 240 shipped :D Plus, at the rate that I ride, I can get at least 4 trackdays out of those tires.

[Marmalade Dad]

More if he sits out for half the session. ;)

With regards to "race" tires, can just anyone order the soft-compound Supercorsas?

[Vtec44]

More if he sits out for half the session. ;)

With regards to "race" tires, can just anyone order the soft-compound Supercorsas?
Now why would you want to do that?

[Marmalade Dad]

Now why would you want to do that?
Just...curious...yeah...that's it...curious...

[Vtec44]

You probably want to try the medium compound first.

[aweather]

I just paid $260 for set of 208GPs mounted and hand balance from sport tire services at the december WSMC race. They are cheaper bc they are manufacturing them here in the US. The Made in England ones are still pretty steep.

[Vtec44]

Yeah, I saw the ad from Trackdaz.com a while back. How are those tires anyway? I've heard bad stories about them before... :dunno:

[aweather]

Yeah, I saw the ad from Trackdaz.com a while back. How are those tires anyway? I've heard bad stories about them before... :dunno:

Really what did you hear? I couldn't be happier but I should clarify: they are the first race tire I have tried, still pretty new to motorcycle racing. Going from the 208ZR (street compound) to the 208GP was a huge difference. Dropped seconds of my lap times and I felt over all more confident in the bike. I was very impressed with the feedback I was getting from the tires.

[Vtec44]

I heard from people that the US made version of it doesn't hold up under some racing condition, and wear out a lot quicker than expected. Some guy claimed he crashed in middle of the session because it didn't know. I've never tried it, but that's what I heard.

[aweather]

There are a couple differences between the US + English versions, one of which is supposedly you can flip the English versions which could drastically improve your tire life at a track like willow where you wear out one side of the tire much more than the other.

Are you saying that a guy crashed on a new set of tires halfway through his first session?

[Vtec44]

Yep, he claimed that. And a few others complained about excessive wear on the US version.

[oldmancka]

I dunno about the whole crashing on the tires, I can't get those things to slide like a regular street tire. The only complaint I have with the 208gp's are that the front seems a little twitchy but hey i ride a twitchy bike. I have some 209's in my garage just waiting for the 208's to be used up. Has anyone rode on the 209's yet?

[Earl]

I'll be switching to Bridgestone slicks for next month's race, I've read and heard some good things about those tires.

I was a little leery about the aggressive V shape, but can see where the contact patch at full lean would make good use of that profile.

[Vtec44]

I'm trying Pirelli Diablo Corsas.... and no havent' tried 209 yet.

[Jayfooey]

Diablo Corsas, are what I've been using since I started doing trackdays...

I havent had an incident yet. I am an fast intermeditate at pahrump. they give me plenty of confidence in them and frinmly planted. I know quite a few of the instructors for Cal-Sportbike track days like to use them also.

they Last pretty long too, on my rear tire I did 4 trackdays and about 2000 street miles on them. on the front 7 trackdays and about 4000 miles.
to me that's pretty darn good for a track/streeet tire!

I just ordered me another set so I'll be ready for Big Willow Spring come Labor Day.

[oldmancka]

Who else is gonna tackle Big Willow? I'll be there and I see Jayfooey will be too

[Vtec44]

I won't make it this time, although I'd like to :( The last time I was there, man it was fun.

[Jayfooey]

Who else is gonna tackle Big Willow? I'll be there and I see Jayfooey will be too

1st sorry, don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but...

what group are you riding in? also what are you riding?
see you there, :D

[oldmancka]

I'm riding in the race group and I'll be on a green zx-10 with green leathers can't miss me

[javawhz]

I'll be there.