| Author | Message | ||||||||||||
     Aaron |
Blake: when you say "street tire", are you talking about DOT legal race compound street tires? Or your typical high performance street tire? I think it makes a big difference with respect to the answers to your questions. You can get race slicks in various compounds. Soft will need less warm-up time and tolerate less temperature, hard will need more warm up time and tolerate more temp. So in addition to the type of street tire you're talking about, your answers will depend on the race tire compound. Race compounds also have a nasty habit of going hard after a small number of heat cycles. And they don't have much of a shelf life. I don't know about motorcycle slicks, but with car racing slicks, they don't hold air worth a damn, they're generally flat in a week, due to their ultra lightweight thin casings. I can think of at least one other purpose for grooves in your tread: to see how much rubber is left. Car racing slicks have little rectangular holes spread out around them, though. I can't remember *ever* wearing out a slick, though, they were always hard and useless long before the rubber was gone. | ||||||||||||
| Loki |
Purpose of treads? The easy answer would be: the same reason they have rain tires and slicks to race on.  | ||||||||||||
| X1glider |
I read an interview with Otto (somebody) who designs tires for Metzeler (it's on their website). The article mainly pertained to the new M1 but he made correlations to other tires as well. From all the technobabble I read, I offer these answers. 1. Cold racing slicks will generally provide better dry grip than cold street tires. False. Tires have a heat range they prefer to be operated at. Track surfaces are different (I believe they add aluminum to the surface compound) so race tire tires need to be hotter to stick well. But even they can get too hot and start to slip. 2. Cold racing slicks will generally provide better dry grip than warmed-up street tires. False, see above. 3. Racing slicks being run on a track are generally run at lower pressures compared to street tires used on public roads. Don't know. Maybe when it's wet to get a larger contact patch. (speculation) 4. On the racetrack, a good racing slick can outlast a high performance street tire. Mileage wise? False. I think street tires are more durable for obvious reasons. The pro racers probably throw their slicks out after every race. Plus everytime a tire runs real hot and it cools down, thermoset compression happens, it gets harder and therefore less sticky. I saw it on a friends' Ninja. He picked up some used slicks at after a race and when he showed them to me and I touched them, they were hard and not tacky at all. 5. The tread in sport bike street tires is solely for wet riding traction. False, Otto says it also aids in cooling, keeping the tire in it's preferred temp range. Added benefit, no extra charge. | ||||||||||||
| X1glider |
Ever see those round electric blankets called tire warmers at the pits? They wrap around the tire and heat them to 185 deg. My boss races a 60 something Formula Ford (with a Lotus body) and has a set. 185? That should say something about a tire's operating temp. (more speculation on my part) | ||||||||||||
| Steveb |
About 10 days ago I sent two Dunlop tire contact submissions, here is the discussion in two parts. It seemed obvious I didn't know the correct questions to ask. If there are more questions, perhaps Blake could ask so we don't flood this guy with e-mails. Comments : Question: What is the best tire for traction in wet and dry weather? I am trying to compare the 207 ZR, RR, and 208 tires. Thank you for your time, your tires have worked well for me at a reasonable price. Steven, Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate your comments and feedback. Based solely on wet and dry grip, the Dunlop D207 RR outperforms all other tire models. The Dunlop D207 ZR would follow and then the Dunlop D208. We'll be happy to send a product brochure out with today's mail. To: awittmeyer@dunloptire.com cycle.com> Subject: Dunlop Tire Contact Form Submission | ||||||||||||
| Steveb |
Part Two: 1) Rumor has it that Race tires are more slippery than street tires until they warm up. True or false, please explain. 1) Not completely true. Many factors involved when discussing temperatures (internal, atmospheric, etc) and grip (conditions, street, track, etc). 2) Rumor also has it that after a race tire heat cycles a many times it looses its grip. True or false, please explain. 2) True. As a race tire goes through multiple heat cycles, it becomes more rigid and brittle and begins to lose performance and grip. 3) me not being an agressive rider Are there tire temperature considerations determining traction between the D207ZR and RR?, Say I leave dinner on a 50 degree night and my bike and tires are stone cold. Which would grip best for the first 5 miles? 3)m D207 ZR and D207 RR will provide the roughly the same performance levels and grip under the conditions described. Shoot, to get the right answer, ya gotta ask the right question, but I tried. | ||||||||||||
| Jasonl |
Best tire prices on the web? I'm thinking of D205's or the Bridgestone 020's. | ||||||||||||
| Blake |
Jason, Check the specials in the back of a current moto mag, then call Dennis Kirk. They'll beat the price by one $ including the shipping that the advertiser would charge. | ||||||||||||
| Buelliedan |
Jason, I would suggest you go with the BT 020s. they are MUCH better than the 205s in my opinion. Chapparal has them for only $75 fronts, $91 rears for Buells plus $8 a tire to ship. Best prices I have found but. Blakes idea is good but Dennis Kirk will not honor web site prices, only catalog/mag prices for that deal. here's the website. http://www.chaparral-racing.com/ Do a search of this number Item # 330-S0502 | ||||||||||||
| Aaron |
Well, as it turns out, the mistake was mine. When the 010's and 020's first came out, my interpretation was that the 010 was the new super gumball to replace the BT56SS, and the 020 was the sport touring tire to replace the BT57. So for the M2 & S2 I got 020's (which I really like) and for the S1 I got 010's (which I really hate). Well, now as I've gone shopping for something different for the S1, I realize that my interpretation was wrong. The 020 and 010 basically slice up the "sport touring" category into smaller pieces, the 010 being more sport and the 020 being more touring. They kept the BT56SS. The 010 is a notch below it in stickiness. So my dissatisfaction with the 010 is not a case of a crappy tire, it's a case of a misapplication. Not the right tire for that bike. Damn. What to try next? I'm thinking of trying the BT-012SS's ... they really are the BT56SS replacement. I liked the BT56SS's a lot, they just wore out quick. I could still find a set, but might was well go with the latest & greatest, right? | ||||||||||||
| Ralph |
Jason, for what it's worth, Dunlop is replacing the 205 with the 220. I've got a set on order. bighairyralph | ||||||||||||
| Bluzm2 |
Ralph, I put them on my M2 a couple of weeks ago. I like um. They have a bit more tire whine than the 205's but they stick better. You can hear them once in a while on the right type of pavement. Brad | ||||||||||||
| Blake |
BuellieDan, Jason, May Cycle World, page 146, Chaparral advertisement:
That is a helluva deal. Call DK 24/7 at 800-328-9280 | ||||||||||||
| Loki |
look at www.discountmotorcycletire.com my Sportecs came to a whopping $203 to my door. Four days later they arrived and they ship airborne express. | ||||||||||||
| Ralph |
Thanks Brad, that's what I like to hear  I know I can get the tires cheaper through a discount house, but I don't. Have you ever ordered over the phone at Chapparel? The two people I talked to didn't know a kick stand from a clutch lever. I would rather support the local independant shop that charges me a somewhat discounted price and gives me a good deal mounting the tires. That way they're around later when I want something. bighairyralph | ||||||||||||
| Bluzm2 |
Ralph, I'm with you regarding the local guy. We have a place up here called Shade Tree Powersports. They have a catalog business for ATV's, sleds and bikes. They have decent prices and quick turnaround on mounts. Although you have to bring in your wheels as they won't R&R them, it's still no beg deal. They do them while you wait. Last year I got bad front tire on my Honda, it had tread squirm no matter how you mounted it. They switched it on the spot, no questions, no hastle. That's a bit tough to do via mail order. Also, when I got my 220's, The $$ for just a mount and balance at a couple of the local shops was crazy. One place wanted $45!!!! per wheel  YMMV!!! Brad | ||||||||||||
| M2blue |
Can any one tell me were i can find the NSK bearings? Thanks FrankText | ||||||||||||
| Henrik |
Tat at American Sportbike have top quality wheel bearings (I bought from him but forget the brand). Great people, top notch service from Buell knowledgable people - give them a call. Henrik | ||||||||||||
| M2blue |
Henrik, Thanks for the info. Im happy to support a sponser of this great board. Frank | ||||||||||||
| Blake |
M2 Blue just earned a free sticker! | ||||||||||||
| Jasonl |
Thanks for the suggestions fellas. It sounds like Dennis Kirk or the local shops. I think I'll try the 020's this time around. | ||||||||||||
| Bomber |
jasonl . . .. let me weigh in with Mr Hairy . . . . the folks at chapperal are idiots, and not very nice idiots at that! if I can't source something locallay, I usde dennis kirk, whose employees at least seem to know something about scooters, and, again, seem to understand that the voice on the other end of the phone is their meal ticket . . . .. . i'll climb down off my soap box now . . . . . | ||||||||||||
| Icepick |
Russ - sorry it took me so long to get back to you - I was in the UK for a few weeks. Just got the Dragon's - you were right, nice tire - here's to hoping they last!! Thanks again for the suggestion and happy biking! Icepick | ||||||||||||
| Ara |
Icepick, I hope you enjoyed the UK and get a lot of enjoyment from your Dragons. If you're not completely satisfied, I'll buy you a beer! Russ | ||||||||||||
| Icepick |
Russ - What an offer - I may become dissatisfied just for the free beverage! Quick question for you - I tried to send you an e-mail, but I noticed on your profile you created a "home grown crankcase vent" I assume beyond the factory vent to the airbox - would your application work on my X1? Cheers, Icepick. | ||||||||||||
| Ara |
Icepick: Replying to your Excite address. Russ | ||||||||||||
| Josh |
Top of the page lists: Front Brake Upgrade to 2000 rotor/carrier H0201.R Buell Rotor Carrier assembly 3655A Qty 5 needed, Pan head Torx Screw EBC HH brake pads My local indy ordered the parts for me but said the H0201.R has changed #s (but he didn't get the new one) anyone know the story? XB9R EBC HH brake pads: FA345HH per his catalog Josh | ||||||||||||
| Ken01mp |
you guys talk a lot about dunlops, bridgestones, and metzlers, anyone have any kinda luck with avons? i just ordered an Azaro II for my M2. spendy (180 from the dealership, but i got this crazy hog cash that i gotta blow on something) ive always had good luck with avons on harleys, and my father who owned a shop for 15 years swears by them, but this is my first avon sport tire. i got a little over 5K on my stock 205, and thats fine and dandy when you consider the way i ride, but if theres more miles to be had, i want them, but i dont want to buy some hard ass metzler just to gain a couple thousand miles. my front (stock 205) is almost cooked after 5K, and i find that rather unsettling, im used to getting 10K or better out of a front. just as well i guess, so i can match it up to the back one asap. i used to be a mechanic (on cars) and the general rule almost always holds true. you get what you pay for im a poor, construction working college kid, but some things are worth the money. good tires are. show of hands in here, who has actually cut a buddies bald tire? i know i have. Ken | ||||||||||||
| Jmartz |
After the stock rotor/carrier wore out on my '96 S1 I opted for the Ferodo unit. I liked its design, low weight and general looks. The old factory unit rattled at idle and pulsated when braking. After just a few 1000 miles the new Ferodo is pulsating when the brakes are applied. I also makes noise but it is not the rotor but the Ferodo pads that fit looser in the PM caliper than the OEM parts did. Maybe PM makes a spring of sorts to prevent this. | ||||||||||||
| Henrik |
Ken: can't say I've cut a friends tire, but I did like the Azarro II's on the SV. I ran them on track all season and during a 1500 mile trip in NC last year. Went through 2 sets, but they handle and stick well. A more gentle turn-in because of the more rounded profile. But then I always liked that about my MeZ3 & 4. Henrik |
