Hey guys, I am in the market for a new track bike, and I had a few questions. Basically am I crazy if I go with a 1000cc sport bike like an R1? Is it going to make me bankrupt with tires, brake pads, and maintenance? I've got an SV650 race bike but was looking for a bigger bike to take out at track days also. So basically I'm used to getting 7-8 days out of a set of slicks on my SV. I've heard nightmares some guys on 1000's go through a set a day, is it really that bad? Or should I just wait for a nice 600 to pop up? Thanks!
The 1000cc will generally be the most expensive to run, but there's a bigger running-costs jump from the SV650 to the 600cc than the jump from the 600cc to the 1000cc. Your suspension setup, riding style, and pace will all dictate your tire consumption more than choice of bike. If you want to have some fun with a liter on the occasional trackday, I say go for it. It's not THAT much more expensive than the 600.
I went from an SV650 to a CBR1000RR. In novice with my SV650, I got fed up with people slowing me down in the turns then pulling away on the straight. Now, in intermediate, people on 600's get fed up with me. I was looking for a 600, but found a deal on the CBR so I ended up with that. I haven't regretted it, but nothing wrong with a 600. I think. I just bought one for the street, but haven't had the chance to ride it yet. Using Pirelli Diablo Superbike Pro slicks, I haven't had a problem with excessive wear on tires or brake pads. It seems to use at least twice as much gas as my SV, though.
I just got back from Jennings....I took a '12 GSXR 600 and 07 GSXR 1000. After 1 session (expert) on the 1000, I parked it until the last 2 sessions on Monday. I simply wasn't going to have any tire left. 3 sessions, and the rear was gone. (DOT GPA's) Looking back, I should have gotten slicks for the 1000, but I didn't know what bike I would be running the most, and I wanted to be able to switch tires back and forth if needed. I don't like running 200 slicks on the 600 rim. A 1000 will at the least, double your tire costs...probably triple. I raced SV's in the WERA endurance series for years, and yeah, the bridgestone slicks wore like iron.
I've been using the same tires for about a dozen track days. I'm not sure if my tires are lasting longer because they aren't a real race compound, I'm not pushing them hard enough, or Ken did a great job setting up my suspension. Maybe some combination.
Damn. That's great. Also concerning though. I wouldn't keep rubber around that long even if they look great. Too many heat cycles. $400 tires are way cheaper than a $40k broken leg or whatever. I have Traxxion AK-gas forks and Penske triple on the 1000.
I read somewhere that my tires handle heat cycles fine and don't require warmers. I think they're basically slicks made from a street compound. Seem to handle better than my PP3's. Any warning signs to look out for? I have Ohlins 25mm cartridges and an Ohlins HO515 shock.
From dunlopracing.com: "How many Heat Cycles can I get out of a tire? Heat Cycles is not an issue with Dunlop racing tires as it would be with other brands. The more important factor is how much tread is left on the tire. Stable fact: thicker rubber has more grip and develops more heat, thinner rubber has less grip and runs cooler. After each session you have less grip. As the tire wears out, you have less and less grip. It could be slight or it could be large. Some riders call it heat cycling, but, in actuality, its the rubber getting thinner and thinner. It truly depends on how much the tire is worn out, and your specific demands for grip that determines when the tire is not usable for you."
Just thought that could be useful info for some. I have some Dunlop Q2s on the bike right now with seven days on them. They have a fair amount of tread on them right now so I plan to run them at Barber in a few weeks. My intent is to run a lap of each session cautiously and see how they feel. Tires are a personal thing and they should be. YMMV
I refer to heat cycles as using a tire, not putting them on warmers all weekend, and going home. Then those tires sit for a month or longer in whatever the climate may be until used again, then the tire temps go to the high side again, only to be brought back down to current temps. I always thought warmers were used to preserve the rubber during a weekend and not just to get as much grip as possible going into t1 of a race. I hate learning shit 25 yrs later. Anybody wanna buy 6 sets of warmers? Heat cycles are just a myth.
"Some riders call it heat cycling, but, in actuality, its the rubber getting thinner and thinner. It truly depends on how much the tire is worn out, and your specific demands for grip that determines when the tire is not usable for you." I doubt that anybody with a completely shredded tire would call that tire a victim of heat cycling. It would be called, 'that tire is wore the f#¥£ out.' I wonder if RTS would recommend the use of warmers or storing tires inside if variances in temperatures aren't an issue? -yes , im rolling my eyes.
Understand that my horse in this race is not to call out anyone as "wrong" but to assert that we each have different needs and results from our gear. I personally don't think I am yet fast enough to justify discarding a set of Q2s with plenty of tread on them because they sat (on stands) in a garage for the winter. Like others I feel that those Q2s have *probably* lost *some* grip, but for my speed and riding style I'm going to give them a shot. YMMV
Hmmm yea sounds like I'll pass on the 1000, as I don't want to get a second job just to feed my bike tires LOL...thanks guys.
There's also the peace of mind factor with new tires. If there's one shred of uncertainty with an older tire, it can play on your mind. Heading into a turn a triple digit speeds and wondering if your old tire will adhere can't be good. When in doubt, throw them out.
I have been playing out this winter tire debate in my head as I think about the coming season. My Q3's have 3 trackdays and about 150 street miles. Had there been no winter, I'd hop on those things at the track in a heartbeat...I'm just not sure if I should expect them to be in the condition they were parked in or if cold temps have taken a toll.
Right on. And to the non-believers, how about this scenario...What if you're the slowest guy on the track, and you get ran wide in the fastest turn of the track and you have to decide to throw the bike back into the turn at a lean angle that you've never experienced before or run into a wet saturated field where you're gonna fall for sure?......WHOOOSH there goes the front. At the very slowest pace on the track, on a beautiful sunny day, a rider may be ok with old ass tires. But what if said rider has to make some evasive move and put the bike on a decent lean to avoid a crash, a rider, a turtle, or whatever. Thought this stuff was so elementary.