Track day Q's

[Slave2theAxe]

OK...for those guys who track thier street bikes...not dedicated track bikes.

1) How long does it take you to pretty much destroy a set of tires on the track?

2) Do you have a set of street tires and a set of track tires, or do you just run one set (street and track) until they're done and then change them?

I'm looking to do my first track day in a few months when the heat dies off a little, but I need to make sure I got all my bases covered since she is my daily driver as well...gotta make sure I got the funds for new tires if I'm gonna need them.

[mu71l4710n]

i dont know about your track but mine your tread has to be 75% left to pass inspection. so "destroying" the tires doesnt really happen.

[Slave2theAxe]

I guess what I mean to say is if I go to the track with a lightly used set of street tires, will they be worth a crap after a hard day of track time? I've seen some pretty nasty looking tires after a track day.

[varnaR6]

depends on the tires and the rider. In your case, since I'm guessing it's your first track day, you don't have to worry, you won't kill your street tires.

I used to track on street tires and could go for 3-5 track weekends before the track wouldn't allow them any more (limit is 50% here)

However for this year, I bought two more rims off of a part out of an R6 here - I put race take-offs on them which I get for just about free. I bought a rear sprocket and use my old rear disc which is still more than decent so it just a matter of switching rims for my track days. Might be worth it for you too if you can get someone to bring your rims or your bike (or do it yourself if you have the means) to the track for you - that was the hardest part for me.

[Slave2theAxe]

Originally Posted by varnaR6

depends on the tires and the rider. In your case, since I'm guessing it's your first track day, you don't have to worry, you won't kill your street tires.

First track day yes, but I'm pretty experienced in the twisties/canyons...I'm sure translation to the track will have a learning curve, but I'm not a total nub in the corners either...

Like I said, just want to make sure I've got a few sessions before I'll have to spring for new rubber.

[Agg2001]

Originally Posted by Slave2theAxe

I guess what I mean to say is if I go to the track with a lightly used set of street tires, will they be worth a crap after a hard day of track time? I've seen some pretty nasty looking tires after a track day.

Originally Posted by Slave2theAxe

First track day yes, but I'm pretty experienced in the twisties/canyons...I'm sure translation to the track will have a learning curve, but I'm not a total nub in the corners either...

Like I said, just want to make sure I've got a few sessions before I'll have to spring for new rubber.

i was worried about the same things. i was fast on the street and thought that on the track i'd burn through my tires (which already have ~3k miles on em). i passed tech and the middle isn't changed, and i can probably get one or two more track days on them. you WON'T burn up the sides. period. i know you probably don't think i'm being fair, but no matter how fast you think you are on the streets, you're not fast on the track. i didn't believe this my first time out either... but it IS true.

and if you need tires, bring cash with you b/c usually the tire guy at the track will have some smoking deals on tires installed/balanced.

[Chango]

Lightly used street tires should be fine. I usually get a new set of tires a few days before a trackday and then keep using them on the street until they are gone. I wish I could tell you how long they last, but the last two times I did it my bike got stolen within two months of the trackday... If you use good street tires like Pilot Powers or BT-016s they will not be toasted by one or two days at the track. They will still have plenty of life left, especially after a first trackday.

[mfrankpdx]

I put on some new BT-016s and did 3 track days on them in Intermediate group. They look pretty good, probably have 3k miles left in them.

And you will be slow as hell. Street pace is irrelevant to track riding.

[Agg2001]

Originally Posted by mfrankpdx

I put on some new BT-016s and did 3 track days on them in Intermediate group. They look pretty good, probably have 3k miles left in them.

And you will be slow as hell. Street pace is irrelevant to track riding.

[Slave2theAxe]

Cool...thanks for the help guys.

Unfortunately, it will be a few months before I can get her out on the track...next track day is in August and I'll be out of town...so I'm left with the end of September.

Seems like such a long ways away