Retire the tire?
- Thread starter chaveezy
- Start date
See the wear bar on the right side? That is getting pretty close to the surface, so I don't think you'll get another whole track day out of it. It would be fine for the street, but it is in the last 15 - 20% of life for the track. Either flip it and get another day out of it, or at least be sure the bring or buy another tire for the next track day.
clandestiny
New Member
:agree:
Also, whoever set up your suspension looks like they have it damn near spot on.
Also, whoever set up your suspension looks like they have it damn near spot on.
chaveezy
Member
You know who setup my suspension? ME! MUAHAHA... actually it's setup in accordance with Sport Riders recommendations for rider weight.. It does feel very, VERY good, as a matter of fact, I can really feel when it's at its limit and I can drift it just a bit when I do exceed that limit, but it's very forgiving. The crossplane crankshaft engine also gives me a little leverage when it comes to rear tire "feel", it's not like my old GSXR 600, that was a little less feeling. Maybe it's just my imagination, but I dunno.
I did lose control one time but I upset the suspension mid turn, full lean at 90mph, I was doing something I shouldn't have been and I about kicked myself in the arse as soon as I stopped flipping/sliding..
I did lose control one time but I upset the suspension mid turn, full lean at 90mph, I was doing something I shouldn't have been and I about kicked myself in the arse as soon as I stopped flipping/sliding..
EngineNoO9
Member
Flip it... Short of the wear on the right vs left side that tire barely looks used to me. If it were mine I'd flip it and keep going. Only thing that'd stop me if the tire felt real hard but after only 2 days I'd doubt it. You using warmers?
chaveezy
Member
I'm not using warmers because I was advised that it doesn't do anything for street tires, these are Bridgestone BT016's, and I did 7 sessions on Saturday and 6 sessions on Sunday, so if you consider these were all heat cycles, that's 13 over the weekend! It doesn't feel hard at all, you can leave an imprint of your fingernail if you push it into the rubber and I was also told that's a general "rule of thumb" no pun intended.. LOL
I thought that these tires were only supposed to be run in one direction, as stated on the side of the tire with the arrow and rotation stamp. It's true that VIR South has pretty much all right turns! Darn it! Premature right tire wear! I'll probably just replace it.
I thought that these tires were only supposed to be run in one direction, as stated on the side of the tire with the arrow and rotation stamp. It's true that VIR South has pretty much all right turns! Darn it! Premature right tire wear! I'll probably just replace it.
Heat cycles are not a concern with a street tire. No warmers are needed. Street tires will actually be warm enough sooner on the track than race tires. You still want to be careful for the first lap or so.
Pretty much all tires have the directional arrow. I think that is more to show which way the tire is supposed to be mounted to take advantage of the siping (grooves) for wet weather use. Most manufacturers do not officially condone flipping. Yet, there are lots of track riders that have flipped just about every tire out there without incident. If you want to flip a tire, you need to make sure that you do it before one side is completely worn. Another thing to consider is whether the curve from edge to edge is still even enough. It is no fun to ride on a tire when the profile is shot.
Replacing it is a good idea. It really doesn't have that much life left, and it is nice not to interrupt your day with having to mess with your tire. Also, you need to develop the ability to adjust your riding style as the tire wears. You can't drive out of turns the same as you get down to the last 25% of wear.
If you care to get more life out of a rear on the track, be gentler on the drive out of turns. No power drifting out of turns, that beats up the tire life. But that can take a bit of the fun out of it!
Getting a new tire is a great idea. The other can be sold or given to someone who rides the highways or street, since it has so much good tread in the center. Even for the street, it feels best to have a nice even curve profile from edge to edge, though. For someone who doesn't hit a lot of curves, it would still be fine for the street.
A fresh tire will keep your mind on having fun, and not on nursing the tire, so I say, go for it!
Pretty much all tires have the directional arrow. I think that is more to show which way the tire is supposed to be mounted to take advantage of the siping (grooves) for wet weather use. Most manufacturers do not officially condone flipping. Yet, there are lots of track riders that have flipped just about every tire out there without incident. If you want to flip a tire, you need to make sure that you do it before one side is completely worn. Another thing to consider is whether the curve from edge to edge is still even enough. It is no fun to ride on a tire when the profile is shot.
Replacing it is a good idea. It really doesn't have that much life left, and it is nice not to interrupt your day with having to mess with your tire. Also, you need to develop the ability to adjust your riding style as the tire wears. You can't drive out of turns the same as you get down to the last 25% of wear.
If you care to get more life out of a rear on the track, be gentler on the drive out of turns. No power drifting out of turns, that beats up the tire life. But that can take a bit of the fun out of it!
Getting a new tire is a great idea. The other can be sold or given to someone who rides the highways or street, since it has so much good tread in the center. Even for the street, it feels best to have a nice even curve profile from edge to edge, though. For someone who doesn't hit a lot of curves, it would still be fine for the street.
A fresh tire will keep your mind on having fun, and not on nursing the tire, so I say, go for it!
barry38
Member
If YOU are having any doubts about whether to change this tire or not, change it. I don't care what anybody says, you can't tell if a tire is done by looking at it. YOUR the one who has been riding on it, YOU are the one who knows how it feels. So don't be swayed by what others are telling you. YOU are the only person who knows if YOU want to ride on this tire again.
Rant over.
Rant over.
chaveezy
Member
Roger, thanks for the tips, I like the flipping it idea, I just can't believe I'm going to be going through tires like this. Looks like I'm going to have to re-budget! Maybe I'll start buying those tire deals where you get 1 front and 2 rears as my front is still plenty good! Thanks again!
Brandon
Brandon
chaveezy
Member
Yes that is a 2009 R1, here's some evidence of the damage in action!
http://www.vimeo.com/13218616
http://www.vimeo.com/13227623
http://www.vimeo.com/13218616
http://www.vimeo.com/13227623
noobinacan
Member
just buy a new set for the track dude.
is not worth it...
specially given that you're on a R1.
get some track rubber BT-003 or Dunlop209 GPA are good deals these days.
sell those BT-16's on some street forum.
is not worth it...
specially given that you're on a R1.
get some track rubber BT-003 or Dunlop209 GPA are good deals these days.
sell those BT-16's on some street forum.
chaveezy
Member
I ordered a new rear 190x55 BT016 just because my front is still good but my next set will be the 211's, but with those I guess I have to buy tire warmers. I will still ride this on the street a bit but not too much, maybe just to and from work you know.
After full I'm doing either South/South on the 21-22 August or South/North 22-23 August, and these tires should be good for that.
After full I'm doing either South/South on the 21-22 August or South/North 22-23 August, and these tires should be good for that.
FaceRace98
New Member
If I were you, I would change it, if you have any doubts it'ss better to be safe and drop some $$ for fresh rubber than to bring your bike back in pieces from your next TD. If you do eventually switch to DOT race tires, you may want to consider getting an extra set of wheels if your still riding on the street. Have your street set on one set of rims and your race tires on another.
This is only the beginning; the faster you get, the faster you go through tires... Once you get going pretty good you will probably switch to race tires and the life span will be even shorter... On a 1K you'll probably get 2 days out of a rear.
This is only the beginning; the faster you get, the faster you go through tires... Once you get going pretty good you will probably switch to race tires and the life span will be even shorter... On a 1K you'll probably get 2 days out of a rear.