| Author | Message | ||
     1125rcya |
I'm wanting to buy some racing tires. I was directly looking at the Dunlop gpa, but they only come in 190's..so now lets  so now are 190's ok to use with the 1125. Will the 190 rear affect handling...what other racing slicks should look to use. I'm currently using pirelli diablo rosso corsa. Love the tires but i'm riding to hard on the track not to buy into the safety of racing tires and warmers. Where should I look to buy these racing tires? Thanks mike | ||
| 1125rcya |
It's kind of spooky and violent to see the rear end of the bike coming around. | ||
| Nillaice |
you'll be fine running a 190 rear. you may notice the steering lighten up and turn in may be easier. ... or you may not notice it. for some track rubber; check with your trackday organization. some offer tire deals, and it is pretty handy to show up and have your tires allready at the track. if your trackday organization has a forum, that'd be a good place to browse and ask the guys in at your events/your area. you might even make a freind or two cycle gear, and STG sometiemes have specials. and you never know what you'll find on ebay and craigslist | ||
| 1125rcya |
Thanks! I was hoping someone would answer! Any tires work better than others on the 1125? | ||
| Cherry_bomb |
try bridgestone r10 (medium rear), you can use them without tirewarmers, they heat up quickly and grip perfectly. i use them with tire warmer, they're longlasting and good tires. had them 2 days on with no problems at all.  i tried fullslicks bridgestone, they're more tricky to heat up and they wear pretty quick. and they react hefty to wrong suspension setups. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
the dunlop full slicks will not fit with the belt drive swing arm. they will rub the center of the tread. the dot's i think will fit ok though. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Any reason you want to go slick? I only ask because a DOT race tire will stick almost as good, and with the (minimal) tread makes it a little easier to tune your suspension. (read the tread wear) I've ran Continental Race Attack DOT the past two seasons racing, been very happy. Excellent life. Decent priced (far cheaper than the Dunlop) I currently have been running a soft front and a medium rear in 180, but I think i'm going to try the 190 for the next set. I get mine from www.conti-race.com (full disclosure, we (IFM Racing) is also the trackside vendor for Conti in the midwest region of CCS, but my info above is non-sales related) | ||
| Jdugger |
Slicks = longer lasting, overall lower cost per lap. If you want a very long lasting tire, try the Pirelli Superbike Pro. It's really a "trackday" slick, and technically doesn't need warmers. It's not a really fast tire, but it's faster than a street tire, and they wear like nails. Teaching on them, I'll get 8+ track days out of a set. Racing on them, we easily do an 8 hour endurance race on them and then still get some practice out of them. For $400, you can't beat it with a stick. If you run the Dunlops, you need to raise the front a LOT, and lower the rear some. It's a very tall tire compared to the 180 that's OEM, and will really mess up steering geometry. I run Michelin 190 slicks now on my 1125r track bike, and it works fine. I can send you some starting geometry numbers if you will send me an email and remind me. I've been meaning to do this, anyway, so I'll take measurements this weekend. My numbers should be a decent starting point for the Dunlops, too. They will be a couple of mm off here or there for your preferences, but get you in the neighborhood for the UK 211 N-Tech dunlops. | ||
| Stirz007 |
+1 Pirelli Superbike Pro, aka "Red Stripes" - Like JD sez - less than $400 a set, designed to be run without warmers (even though I keep them on warmers anyway), and they last long time, G.I. They have more of a 'rounded' profile, rather than a 'vee' profile like Dunlop Q2's, so the turn in is smoother(?), especially on chicane sections...at least it seems that way to me... (running 190's) | ||
| Skntpig |
+2 Pirelli Diablo Superbike Pro slicks. I use warmers and they wear like iron. I have 4 track days on them and plan on a couple more. Not a full on race tire but WAY better than any other trackday tire out there. $380 shipped if you look around. Predictable when they do slide and you can beat them up pretty good with little wear. Google them. There's a few tests from the big magazines. | ||
| Cfboss |
I'm running Michelin Sport Cup DOT race tires. I've had good luck with the C compound rear. It has 6 days maybe one more left, but I'm running warmers. Jdugger, I just bought a new set of Sport Cups, but I was contemplating the slicks. I just wasn't sure about the life of them. How much life do you get out of the slicks and what compound are you running front and rear. I'm a Michelin guy or I'd be running the Pirelli's too. Lot of track day friends swear by them and don't run warmers. | ||
| Kruizen |
+1 Pirelli Diablo Superbike Pro slicks. | ||
| Jdugger |
I run the hardest thing the Michelin guy has in the truck usually! On the front I'm running the Power Slick, and I think it's a B compound. I like a hard front -- the tracks in Texas a tough on tires, and I'm hard on the brakes with the Buell. I run a harder rear for durability and I'm having some tearing issues with the Michelins I didn't have as bad with the Dunlop NTec UK tires. The front on the Michelin is the BEST FRONT TIRE I have EVER RUN! Holy shit that tire is awesome. You can commit mortal sin on that front tire. | ||
| Mackja |
I have been using the pirelli Sportbike Pro slicks this year and all I can say is WOW, they grip great, have great feel, and wear like iron, I have six track days on them and they still look like new, probably will get the whole year on one set of tires. I run intermediate class with my XB12. Last year I ran the Bridgestone 003 DOT race tires, while they performed great, I went through 4 sets, 1 set or 4, hmmm, I will take the one set please! Word of warning, take it slow until they are scrubbed in, release compound is really slick. | ||
| Rodrob |
Jdugger, I was told by a Pirelli rep that their DOT race tire has better grip than the Sportbike Pro slick. What do you think? | ||
| Jdugger |
Rod, There's not question about it. The DOT race tire is a RACE tire. The Superbike PRO is a trackday tire. If offers good grip and incredible longevity, as well as broad tolerance for operating temperatures. We use the Pro for endurance racing since we have 4 riders of different pace, weight and skill levels. It's a good "compromise" tire, even if it won't perform like a proper race tire. | ||
| Stirz007 |
FWIW - my local Pirelli guy said pretty much what JD says. The DOT race tires have to really be worked to perform to maximum. Unless you are pushing to that level, they won't likely meet your expectations. Plus they cost more and don't last as long as the Red Stripes. Opinions and ability level vary. | ||
| Rodrob |
Thanks | ||
| General_tso |
I've run both the DOTs and the SB Pros. The DOTs are significantly sticker however, unless you ride at a pace that generates enough heat they cold tear shortening their life significantly. The good thing about the Pros is that they slide predictably eliminating any pucker moments. Like the DOTs and will keep using them. Wish I was fast enough to get heat into the DOTs. To add perspective, 1:43's at Barber, 1:46s at VIR | ||
| Jdugger |
1:43 at barber ain't slow... | ||
| 1125rcya |
Thanks guys, I appreciate all of the personal input shared on tire selection. I have decided to go with the Pirelli Superbike Pro for my track days. Next i need to invest into tire warmers.. | ||
| Skntpig |
Let us know what you think. Warmers will increase their life. | ||
| Jdugger |
> Warmers will increase their life. Race tires, sure. Superbike Pro -- no way. I've never worn out a set, I either just get tired of looking at them or I've done so many days they just don't grip as well anymore. Main advantage of warmers with the pro is consistent pressures. (Message edited by jdugger on August 09, 2012) | ||
| Kicka666 |
I tried the superbike pro's not a fan, I love Pirellis but the front slid when pushed to hard & rear feel was OK. I now run SC1 front & SC2 rear awesome tyres. |
