Dunlop’s idea, which changed the way the world rides, was born in 1888, Ireland. Today, the brand has been on the market for over 120 years. Their passenger, performance, sport and SUV tires are an essential to motorsport heritage. The company understands that each bike has its unique specifications. They have created a wide range of tires so that you can pick one that fits your bike best. To give you an example of the type of motorcycle tires that Dunlop has, we picked the Elite 3 Radial Tire.
Not very powerful- A moderately powerful bike is one of the most important criteria for novice and intermediate track day riders. Even advanced riders will benefit from a low horsepower machine. I raced a 48hp MZ Scorpion as an expert and had a blast. And it cost me $2500.00. Just sayin’. See the article on the detriment of too much horsepower. See more below.
Shinko 244 Series tires also stand out for how easy they’re to mount. So, even if you're doing it for the first time, you can easily do it on your own. From other users’ experiences, you can easily tell that the tire’s performance can match or even outperform some other highly priced tires. Some users indicate that the tire can hit up to 8,000 miles.
Which motorcycle racing tires do you want to outfit your track bike with? We carry motorcycle race tires from all the industry leaders, including Pirelli, Bridgestone, Shinko, Dunlop and many more. Racing tires are a critical component in giving you that extra edge on the track, and if you have any questions picking out the right motorcycle tires for your bike, please don't hesitate to call us or shoot us an email.
The new Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires, which are manufactured in Germany, will have a “TD” tire sticker on the sideway to differentiate itself from other tires—presumably, TD stands for Track Day. So far, Pirelli is tight-lipped about what is new about the TD compound and what specific advantages is will offer. However, former AMA Superbike and AMA Formula Xtreme racer Jake Zemke has been working on the Supercorsa TD.
Some people think that they need a dedicated track bike to do a track day. But, this simply isn’t true as long as you have a motorcycle that has a reasonable amount of cornering clearance. This includes most standard, sport, sport touring, adventure, and even touring machines. Cruiser motorcycles are probably the only machines that are not really appropriate for fast cornering and spirited riding.
The Roadtec 01 is what Metzeler describe as their Sports Touring Tyre and we wouldn’t disagree. The name of the game here is fast and dependable performance. A Ducati Multistrada 1200 has 160 bhp on tap and we know how they’re ridden – their owners want a tire that can keep up when the throttle is pulled back and maximum power is applied as well as when the rain comes. This tyre excels at both.
Verify the brakes on the tow vehicle and trailer are operating correctly. Remember to inspect them on a regular basis making the necessary adjustments to any damaged or worn parts. For instance, how much brake pad material remains? The start of the warmer months is a good time to replace them if they are getting close to the end of their life expectancy.
Continental Tires holds several records in the tire industry. First, the brand has been on the market for 145 years, which is no mean feat. Up to date, the brand still holds that they have the “Future in Motion”. The brand has seen it all and has a commitment to keeping pace with any tire tech changes. Secondly, the brands hold a record of consistently releasing tires that keep drivers in their seats. Continental Tires ensures that their tires are designed with consideration of every performance and safety aspect.
CBR600RR, ZX6R, R6, GSXR600, 675 Daytona, 675 Street Triple, and other 600-class bikes– The 600 class of bikes are the most prevalent bikes at a track day. They offer a good balance of power with very good suspension and brakes out of the box. These bikes aren’t the cheapest thing to run. They can eat up tires and crashing them can get expensive. Older CBRs, R6s, GSXRs and ZX6s can be had cheaply. Note, that if you want a track-only bike with race bodywork, premium suspension and bike protection, it’s often cheaper to find a bike that is already prepared and outfitted for track use than to take a street bike and converting it to a track-only machine. Just be aware of their condition.
While all tires are (hopefully) circular in shape, there are a lot of differences, most of which being differences in design. A tire has four main parts, tread, bead, carcass, and the sidewall. The tread is the part that meets the road and has a lot of impact on the tire. Tires with smooth treads are best on dry and smooth surfaces. On the other hand, chunky treads, are best on off-road surfaces. There are other carefully designed treads, which make them great on variety of surfaces. The bead joins the tire to the wheel while the carcass is the backbone of the wheel.
While all tires are (hopefully) circular in shape, there are a lot of differences, most of which being differences in design. A tire has four main parts, tread, bead, carcass, and the sidewall. The tread is the part that meets the road and has a lot of impact on the tire. Tires with smooth treads are best on dry and smooth surfaces. On the other hand, chunky treads, are best on off-road surfaces. There are other carefully designed treads, which make them great on variety of surfaces. The bead joins the tire to the wheel while the carcass is the backbone of the wheel.
Not precious- Many new track day riders suffer undue stress over the anxiety of crashing their beautiful, high-dollar, chrome and carbon laden street bike. Thankfully, it’s easy not to crash at a track day if you ride within your ability. So, if all you have is your pride and joy, go ahead and bring it to the track, but at some point when you start pushing harder, you may want a dedicated track bike that has less sentimental value.
