Advice on bike size

We just got back from Jennings this past weekend. 75 and sunny.
It was -5 here Tuesday night. Tires cracked all to hell just from being in the trailer.

Stop debating it, and buy new tires. There is a certain amount of preventative maintenance that can be done to you and your bike to help ensure a positive outcome during a weekend on the bike.

 

Just so others can know.... what type of tires were those as well as the dates, condition and compound... Even at -5 that sounds bad.....

 

It wasn't brand specific. Dot race tires, slicks, street tires, track day tires...

My theory is from bikes being strapped down...tires being pretty much worn out beyond future use of course....sub zero temps....and the bouncing and compressing of the bikes in the trailer simply cracked them. I've received brand new cracked tires before, but haven't had this issue after transport....Hell, I haven't experienced a winter this frickin' cold period.

 

I don't discount your opinion and experience, but there is a way to make one's point without the sarcasm. What use is that?

Again, I'm taking your comments to heart, but consider where I'm coming from when the manufacturer of my tire (who has an interest in selling as many tires as possible) tells me not to discard a tire based on heat cycles but rather tread depth.

Before reading the piece from Dunlop, I always subscribed to the same school of thought as you, so please don't treat me like an idiot. I was looking closely at the bikes you sell with a possible interest in eventually purchasing from you and now... probably not.

Thanks for your valuable time.

 

Also, the irony is that in past years I've posted this same question before the beginning of the season and the response has overwhelmingly been "run the tires you have" from seasoned riders and instructors alike.

Again, I agree with the notion that tires heat cycle and that a fresher tire is always better, but the fact is that there are differing opinions out there, with statements from tire manufacturers (those guys who like to sell tires) to back those opinions up, so there is no need to condescend.

 

Bigger is Better! Get You the new 1400cc KS!!!

 

I think it is Brand Specific to be honest with you.... I have only seen Dunlop Tires Crack in the cold.... On many occassions too... New and Used...Were they Dunlops? Inquiring minds would like to know....

 

Tire discussions are always fun. Everybody believes something different. I always run the tire I ran at the end of the season the next one as well. Given that the tire is still in good shape. Sitting in a climatized garage/basement the 6 month will have no negative effect on the tire. That is just my observation and the way I do it the last 20 years.

 

I "feel" like my tires will still be good, but honestly...there isn't a single part on my bike I can fix for the cost of a set of Q3's. I'm def not throwing these ones away, but maybe they're relegated for street use where I'm not pushing their grip. Bike has been in an unheated garage for this nasty Chicago winter...and they're Dunlops - the brand called out by name above

 

I've seen many cracked Pirelli's. They'll all do it.

 

Just buy my gsxr 750 and live happily ever after...:thumb:

 

Marc, I have seen Michelins do the same thing. stored cold all winter w/ pressure on them, or mounted cold and cracked when the bead was set. The race tires don't have a lot of silica in them and they are pretty brittle and sensitive to temps.

 

Good thing that Dunlops run such low pressures So no need to worry about storage cracks under pressure at low temps!

Haha

 

Buy a 600, learn to use your skills to pass the slower riders. Once you have moved up to Advance group and are comfortable, then it would be a good time to move up to a 1000. A 1000's rear can be a handful with a newer rider, very easy to end up on your lid. twitchy throttle hand + a lot of lean angle + 1000cc = a ride in the back of the meat wagon.

 

we've had michelins crack from cold as well.

 

I remember a time when I was passing an R1 on the outside of turn 9 @ ACC N; as I was making the pass the guy on the R1 must have tried to apply more throttle to avoid me passing (or something) and the rear broke loose almost high siding him and taking me out! So yes, 1000 can be a handful. I like 600's for most tracks, they teach you tons and are pretty razor sharp, is fun passing bigger bikes too

I did have fun on 1k bikes but felt I learned most when I went back to the 600/750 bikes.

 

I cant even fathom a 600 being too slow. lol.
1000's scare me.

 

You'll never have to worry about that! Like 99.999% of everyone


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Honestly, I never really understood the predeliction for people to want something with the kind of power a modern 1k produces. Most of us mere humans can't come close to handling that kind of performance. Even if I had the kind of experience that would make me comfortable handling that much power, I think I'd still have more fun on my 675. It just feels like I can come that much closer to really using the performance of which my machine is capable. I'd need to be a much better rider to handle a liter.

Plus, it was a load of fun to pass the big bikes when I was in I group

 

It's not that hard. Just because it has all that power doesn't mean you have to use it. I need to work on exit speed this year, because I think I'm too timid on the throttle. Once I'm on the straight, though, it takes off like a rocket! It makes my SV650 feel like a scooter. I think a power wheelie is more fun than passing slow guys on big bikes.