Sticky Racing Tires?

[LoHo]

If one wanted to buy those gummy racing tires for an extra bike that one didn't plan to put a lot of miles on, where would one access those? I know they are probably racing-specific, but I can't imagine them not being for sale somewhere if one wanted to waste some money on really sticky tires. I see those guys leaned way over on the track and I like the idea of that, but I don't think my Dunlops have that sort of hold.

[motoman]

If one wanted to buy those gummy racing tires for an extra bike that one didn't plan to put a lot of miles on, where would one access those? I know they are probably racing-specific, but I can't imagine them not being for sale somewhere if one wanted to waste some money on really sticky tires. I see those guys leaned way over on the track and I like the idea of that, but I don't think my Dunlops have that sort of hold.

Most of the tire manufacturers have a track specific tire, Avon, etc. You could go to Americanmotorcycle tire.com and check out the variety,,,,,and to get that far over and not drag hard parts, your gonna have to be on something besides these ole' 11's.

[crazy steve]

Try a 'indy shop' that specializes in import bikes. But there's a couple of things you should know first. One, most race tires have mileage measured in hundreds of miles, not thousands. Two, they're designed to be used on clean racetracks, so trying to use them in the 'real world' means that the term 'road hazard' becomes a biggy; they won't stand up to the random crap you'll sometimes find on a road. Three, they use very specialized compounds; try them on a surface they're not designed for and you may end up with zero traction. Most are slicks (no tread pattern at all) and the slightest bit of moisture is the same as greasing the tire (and the lack of tread will probably get you ticketed). Four, these are designed for lightweight race bikes; putting them on a heavy street bike may exceed their load rating.

And even if all that doesn't scare you off, you'll probably find a very limited size selection with little or nothing that will fit older bikes.

Stick with the 'Sport' street tires; that's about as close as you can get and be safe...

[LoHo]

Good to know...probably a little stickier is better than all the way to racing slick. I wanted one bike that could do the lean-over safely without too much worry about the mileage.

Thanks, guys!

[crazy steve]

It was interesting when I was looking at new cars when I bought the Mustang. Both Ford and Chevy (Camaro) offers a 'street/track' suspension but what isn't mentioned very prominently is the tires used with these options are 'summer only' (not a likely problem in CA, but definitely one here). They warn of tire failure if exposed to low temps... that was a new one on me.

So it pays to check what you're buying these days.

[fredintoon]

Good to know...probably a little stickier is better than all the way to racing slick. I wanted one bike that could do the lean-over safely without too much worry about the mileage. - - -

Hi Lawrence,
today's street tires are much grippier than the 1978 tires were.
Betcha the bike will be dragging it's mufflers way before the rubber runs out of grip.

[LoHo]

Probably True, Fred...although, whenever I drag a peg, I then drag a muffler, then a grip, a mirror, elbow, knee...you get the idea.

[fredintoon]

Probably True, Fred...although, whenever I drag a peg, I then drag a muffler, then a grip, a mirror, elbow, knee...you get the idea.

Hi Lawrence,
all the times I've fallen off I always wore a helmet and always landed on my arse.
Must be the aerodynamics of my pear-shaped body that lands me fat end first like a space capsule.

[Crusty Snippets]

Gumballs

I put a few miles on gumballs years ago.
That is the way to get track times down especially on tight tracks like Westwood in BC.
When they are hot the rubber will stick to your hands.
They do not last very long and cost a bunch. So much so that we ran them backwards, against the direction arrow, to be able to wear off the other side.
Way back when, treaded tyres like Dunlops TT100s were safe at extreme tippy.
They got their name by lapping the IOM at a 100 plus MPH average.

I am careful with tippy angles on Yami mostly because of the mass. On my 417 pound Suzuki I switched to hard centers and soft side tyres. I like these.

The XS bikes are limited to tyre width and as others have said a lot of tyres will not fit. But I think there is still plenty of selection. I would not use gumballs on anything but a bike for the track. And only on warm dry days.

Unkle Crusty

[DiverRay]

LoHo, check with some other sites like BARF and see what the knee draggers like. The tires are always changing, and what was good last year has been left behind by the next tire company. You will need to see what size, and load rating will fit. as stated, some of the "best" tires will not take much load, but you CAN get a good tire that will.
As for Steve's comment, I have a friend who has that type of tire on his Miata. He has had to replace all 4 tires after a run over 17, as the road temp was at 36, and the air temp about 30. The tires just came apart!

[crazy steve]

One other thing I should mention... there are 'street legal' 'race' tires available through some manufacturers (for specific classes that require that type of tire), but if you read the fine print many times they're just the 'standard' tire with 1/2 or more of the tread ground off at the factory to reduce heat build-up and 'squirm'.