I have a Yamaha YZF 600R that has a 160 rear tire. I need some suggestions about tire options. I plan on doing 1 or 2 track days this year and the rest of the miles will be commuting back and forth to work. I looked at the Michelin CTs but they dont make a 160 rear. I dont really what to buy two sets of tires and switch back and forth so I need a tire that is a good compromise. Any ideas?
Sounds like you are new to track riding - don't worry about your tires, just use whatever you are already using on the street... modern tires are so good that you will not even approach their limits until you are well into the Intermediate ranks. FWIW - if I remember correctly, even the bikes in Freddie Spencer's Pro Race School ride on street tires.
Regular Pilot Power street tires are available in a 160 rear, & they work surprisingly well on the track.
+1 on the pilot power, they are affordable and last a while, they also perform very well on the track
+2 on the pilot powers. you won't be out riding them until you're ready for A group- you can always run a 2ct up front and a pilot power rear, too- that's the hot ticket, I'm told. that said, stick with the regular Pilot Powers for the time being. they're great tires and they last forever (almost). Cheers, Lance
Is there any reason to run the 2CT on the track? It seems to me wasted $$$$ since you're not really riding on the middle of the tire much on a track. They make sense for street riding, but I don't want a harder compound on the track.
bryer, it makes more sense to run them on the track than the street. it's not that they have a harder compound in the middle- they have a softer compound on the sides. Perfect for keeping up with JAS... :wink:
Does he still ride? I'm currently running Pirelli Dragon Super Corsa's on my '01 gsx-r600. I've got a few more track days left on them, but I probably won't get another set. They were brand new and given to me with the bike. I'm probably too slow to really use tires like that. What would you recommend for a novice rider turning 2:10's at CMP?
JAS? I'm not even certain he's still alive. he hasn't posted on BMWforums.net in months. Pilot powers are great tires, they're relatively inexpensive and they last forever. STT has great deals on them, as does SW Moto tire.
for the money and for novice group, yes. I think for a mid pack Intermediate group rider, the 2ct may be a better choice- although I don't have any experience with the 2cts, that's just what i've heard.
FWIW, I've pushed Powers pretty hard in the Advanced group. Managed a 1:40.48 on Powers my first time on the freshly repaved Mid-Ohio last Summer, & only dropped down to 1:39.83 on PRs. I'm telling you, for street tires they're just Sick! An STT Staffer from the Chicago area, Nick Desomethingorother (aka Grasshopper), won several CCS races one weekend last Summer on the same Power rear & PR front.
I was just waiting for your standard "1:28's at Grattan on Pilot Powers" post. you threw me for a loop with the Mid-Ohio statement. Are you calling me a :shock: I gotta stay ahead of bunny boy, you know... :wink: actually, it's winter and I don't have much of a life outside of bikes. :?
That's pretty sad when we have to "Race" (Trying to get the first post :lol: )in the forum because we can't get on the track!!! :lol: :lol: Hey, Lance at least we can both say that we are going absolutely NUTS!!! Not being on the track! :wink: Hey, Lance are you going to be at Beaverun on Memorial day weekend?? I'm planning on being there. It's just a curiosity question.