The beginners guide to motorcycle track days bennetts insurance. It doesnt matter what or how you ride, a track day suits every biker. Ignore for the moment the manufacturers recommended pressures and aim for. This time im writing about the michelin tyre pressure monitoring system bike, recently launched by fit2go tmps ltd.
Whether youre a track day enthusiast or aspiring racer, faith in your tires is of the utmost importance. Motorcycle tire pressure for variable track temperatures. But when youre at the track, your only concern is grip. What are correct motorcycle tyre pressures motorbike writer. Ride days have been established by taupo motorsport park limited, owners of the bruce mclaren motorsport park to provide motorcycling enthusiasts with track days on a regular basis in a controlled, safe and managed environment. Theres so much misinformation out there about tyre pressure settings. Dunlop sportsmart tire pressure school questionsgeneral. Oct 25, 2019 100% ad free, offline and no dodgy permissions business. So how do you go about setting the correct pressure motorcycle tire pressure for a track day. Dunlop q3 recommended tire pressure kawasaki ninja zx6r. If your tires are rolling over past the tread pattern, increase negative camber, increase inflation pressure and reduce slip angle while driving to keep the work concentrated in the tread area.
For road use, the manufacturers tire pressure recommendation applies. Track day tyre pressures and how to set them trackdays. I have a 2012 zx6r and am going to put on dunlop q3s. I have not seen you ride, but in your particular case, with the pace that is typical of a noviceintermediate track day rider, you could go with either supersport streetoriented tires supercorsa sps, or race compound tires sc1 super softsc2 soft. My question is for the advanced sport bike riders and track riders. The faster you ride street or track the more important it becomes. Not sure if tire psi ai all tha different for geni or genii. May 21, 2015 in their 20th may 2015 edition, motorcycle news put the latest crop of track day tyres to the test against the revamped metzeler racetec rr k3. Awesome tyres you cannot beat michelin pilot power tyres at all. Read the top 5 track tyres guide to make sure you have the best black hoops on your machine. If you dont have a solid baseline to work from, as in the correct tire pressures, you dont know what to adjust, or you may adjust something that doesnt need adjusting because the problem is the tire pressures.
Track day tyre pressures and how to set them ahh the black art of tyre pressures. Grip and traction, the stability or handling of the tyre and the tyre life. Aug 09, 2012 if we run it that low, circa 1823 cold, itll feel all squirmy and horrible. You should check your tyre pressures every time you go out for a ride or it can result in bad handling, increased wear, fatigue cracking, and decreased grip and braking performance. If you have any questions or queries, please contact us via our contact form or by. This road legal race rubber is supremely grippy and will give 99% of track day riders what they want from track day tyres. They both offer quick warmup times and extended tire life so you can spend more time on your favorite tracks and roads.
The optimum hot tyre pressures are heavily influenced by the vehicle weight, driving style and weather conditions but regardless, grip levels and handling characteristics of the car will change during the heat up process. Tyre safety tips look after your tyres and theyll look after you. With so many different types of vehicles, and different tyre options on top of this, it can be difficult to identify the optimal tyre pressure for you. Check your tire pressure every day when you are on a long trip. I did my first track day and they made me set my pressure pretty low. Oct 20, 2014 but when youre at the track, your only concern is grip.
Track day ridin and slidin on phillip island australian. Faq ride days at taupo motorsport park bruce mclaren. Book the date itself, and a day off work plus the day before if you need to travel and stay the night. Trouble is, everyone gives different advice and the tyre manufacturers will give no info except the recommended pressures. A tyre which can achieve high mileage is an asset because a longer lifespan leads to lower costs. Courtesy of pirellimetzeler, bruce dunn lapped a sunny jerez circuit on a bmw hp4, with the abs disconnected on six sets of hoops to see how they compared. Typically, tire pressures for the track will be much lower than youre used to. Here we take a look at what you need to know to answer the question what tyre pressure settings should i. So what are the best pressures well, the lower the tyre pressure the more the tyre deforms.
One of the most commonly asked rider questions is what tyre pressures should i run for insert bike and tyre make. Fit2go tpms michelin tyre pressure monitoring system bike. The recommended pressures are for circuit use only. What is the recommended track day tire pressure and street tire pressure.
Nov 21, 2019 scottish motorcycle show london motorcycle show. Jul 17, 2016 reduce your tyre pressures to suit the track around 32psi in the front and 30psi in the rear is usually about right to start with for roadbikes ensure your bike is mechanically sound before heading out for each session. As you drive a circuit at speed, your tyres will increase in pressure. Tyres with a harder carcass and sidewall require less pressure compared to a softer one. And while its all too easy to ignore your tyres, they can only give you their best if you take a little time to look after them properly. Follow our experts advice to make your trackday enjoyable and. Heres a look at the best motorcycle track day tyres that can be bought off the shelves today. Read this guide to help you better understand what you can do to find the best tyre pressure for you and your bike. Why is it important to have the correct tyre pressures. In circuit racing, the tyres build up from a cold pressure at ambient temperature, and then stabilize at the operating pressure hot pressure. Track day tyre pressure guide by performance driving coach colin.
Checking tyre pressures and finding the best place for the numbered sticker. How to attend your first motorcycle track day revzilla. Typically, if youre using a roadbiased tyre your pressures will be around 36psi front, 42psi rear cold. I suggested that track day organisers tell riders to drop tyre pressures by 24 psi and i got lambasted for posting crap. Tyre pressures are not arbitrary theyre worked out based on the loads on the tyres by the etrto. There has just been this almighty argument on pistonheads in the bike section about this. Track day pressure for the q3 is 30 psi rear cold, and no less than 32 psi front cold. Tyre pressure is a compromise between the footprint of the tyre on the tarmac and the amount of suspension in the side wall. The riders corner suspension and tyre pocket book is all you will need for your motorcycling track day or weekend ride. Generally speaking, a heavy, powerful bike will eat a set of the softest tires in one. Fastfit repairs are carried out at a customers work or home, including tyre replacement, puncture repairs, servicing, brake replacement, suspension replacement and diagnostic set up. Check your hot tire pressures as soon as you come off the track check your hot tire pressures. Read this if you getting ready for a day on the track.
Feb 08, 2018 learn the common motorcycle tyre wear types youll see at the track, and the causes of them. If the tyres are used on the road, please refer to vehicle manufacturers recommendation. Motorcycle tyres all look black and round, but you wouldnt believe how much difference there is between tyre genres. The thing with tyre pressures is that were always looking for the optimum balance of grip and tyre wear. However, if they are using street tyres even very sporty tyres pressures should remain the same as for road use. But, if i am going to get more aggressive ill drop alittle lower but stay above 32 usually front and rear. So, what pressures should you really run on a trackday. At the end of the day, if you are just on track to enjoy your vehicle and not put too much pressure on yourself then its best not to get to hung up over your tyre pressure. Optimal tire pressure on the track will vary depending on your. When i rode on the street yesterday, i went with 35 rear 37 front and it felt real good.
A few years ago when he was winning championships in formula vee he kept a little black book, not of phone numbers but of tyre pressures. Specialist racing or track day tyres are designed to run at a higher psi than standard road tyres. In the meantime, for pirelli diablo rosso corsa ii tire pressures on the track with a highperformance sport bike, we would recommend hot pressures of 32 psi front 28 psi rear, and. According to pirelli, if you really need to think about tyre pressures, youre at a pace that means you should be considering trackspecific hoops. Sixstar offers pretrack tyres and parts sales, trackside support and suspension services. Track riders say they lower their tyre pressures when they hit the race track. Best track day tyres the most important upgrade for your performance car. Tyre pressures and temperature heres some advice on tyre temperatures and pressures and how to achieve the best from our tyres when taking part in sprints, track days or racing. Ride within your capabilities, you arent marc marquez and wont be setting any lap records so ease into the day, learn a little bit extra in each session and make sure you enjoy the day. I used them on the track running fast speeds, and use them on the street for everyday commuting. Often this is a contentious issue, with a lot of halftruths and incorrect advice available from a range of source.
Forget that on the track, if you let your pressure down to far the tread will compress and the tyre may not disperse water as effectively as its designed to. Back protector hire can be easily added at the same time as you book your trackday. If is worthwhile repeating this procedure again in the wintersummer, fully loaded and with a passenger if you regulay carry one. And i should have added that short of careful testing, finding out what that number is part guesswork and part what feels right.
In short, you need to follow the recommendations of the tyre and motorcycle manufacturers. In motor racing circles, up at the sharp end where championships are at stake, tyre pressures are a closely guarded secret just ask our cofounder, stephen kershaw. The thing about manufacturers recommended tyre pressures is that you set them cold in the morning, and then do not bleed them off when the tyres build up pressure in the heat of the day, or with running on the road. Always check the pressures at the start of the day, with cold tires. I ended up running something like 29 30 psi front and 32 psi rear. For more track related advice and to pick up your free track riding ebook, head here.
Pressures set based on the rear tire hot tearing from previous day. In almost all instances, youll set far lower pressures for the track than for the road. That generally means a tire pressure that strikes a balance between grip and tire wear and will probably range anywhere from 32psi to 42psi. I only have one day at the track, but they suggested i start out much lower then my street riding pressure. Dont bother hunting through website after website and hundreds of youtube videos just to find the right answers. Street use tyres are not designed for pure track use only and therefore it may only be appropriate for beginners to intermediate experienced riders. Stable equilibrium running pressures are reached after approx 58 laps. Kevin, tires are a big source of stress even for seasoned track day riders. Dunlop q4 sportmax tires motorcycleracetires dunlop. Ask the track day organizers to find out the best setup. I obviously dont push on the street like the track so temps between 32 and 36 make me feel comfortable. Road vs track tyres road tyres are typically designed to run at higher pressures than track tyres because they are not expected to heat up as much. At the track i dropped the pressures to 30f29r on the stock battlax bt015 tires and that seemed good, though i might try 31f29r next time.
You can see bridgestones advice for track pressures by clicking here. Thats why racing motorcycles run higher tyre pressures, as the air in the tyres heats up and transfers this heat to the tyre, which in turn makes the tyre grip better. Interestingly, ive found that for every 10c change in temperature, the tyre pressure will typically change by 1psi, which as a percentage of the overall pressure is significant. If there isnt one, speak with the instructors or gauge opinions from other riders running the same tyre. Motorcycle tyre pressure continental motorcycle uk. What are the correct tyre pressures for your motorcycle and do they vary for any reason. The tyre pressures you run on a race track will have a massive impact of your car s handling and its tyre wear so its worth spending a little time getting them right. Top motorcycle track day tips for beginners bennetts bike. With track tires approved for the road, or road tires for occasional track use, it is essential to ensure that tire pressure is returned to the correct level for road use following use on the track. The manufacturers recommended tire pressure is probally what you would need on the street as you are riding in a much rougher enviroment then a track. I think that with rcompound track tires the pressures on track are.
Always a hot topic of discussion among racing drivers and enthusiasts. Every time we go to the track we will spend one, maybe two, sessions just working on tire pressures before we adjust anything else. To find out the optimum pressure for your tyres its always best to check with the manufacturer or an expert. With the ability of the app to operate without any internet. I get 8,000 miles out of the rears on my 2002 zx6r, and change the front at 16,000 miles. Two sessions later psi went up 6 pounds in both tires. As a business entrepreneur for over 22 years, which included, providing race tire trackside service for the south west region, being a premier dyno tuning facility, complete motorcycle service center, and hosting private riding instruction events as well as track days. The other benefit of road legal track day tyres is that you can drive to and from the event without having to change your tyres over. The dunlop q4 sportmax tire is track day tire without the need of tire warmers and brings unparalleled levels of grip and tire stability. We set the pressures the same as the tds 33 psi front25 psi rear. The more the tyre deforms, the more friction there is between the tyre and the road. As you can see, there are many factors that come into finding the best tyre pressure for your. On the road, as opposed to racing, we are working from a cold pressure and the design of the tyre characteristics are such that. Best track day tyres the most important upgrade for your.
A cold tyre will gain around 26psi depending on your pace through use on the track because it will heat up and so will the air inside, meaning the pressure will increase. Motorcycle track day tire pressures what should you set your. Pressure gauges should be regularly checked for correct calibration. Make the most of your motorbike trackday with these tips from a. The pressure noted on the sidewall of the tire is a maximum for that tire and may not match the recommended pressure for your motorcycle.
Reg pridmore once said at a class track day that he spent a day or more testing various tire pressures on the track multiple riders, same bikes and tires and nothing improved on 32 psi front and rear. And that information does not come from your owners manual. Testing the pirelli supercorsa td on track for a tire not designed for racing, the td tire performed brilliantly on the kawasaki. On a race track your tyres get hot, when they get hot the air inside them expands which inturn increases the tyre pressure, the hotter the tyre, the greater the pressure. The tyres presented are for use only on vehicles for which motorcycle tyres were originally specified by the manufacturer. Boxster spyder and checked tyre pressures after a few laps and the pressures had risen to about 36psi from 30psi. Motorcycle track day tire pressures what should you set.
If your pressures are off, you wont be getting the best out of your tyres or your track day youll be wasting money and track time. Honda recommended tire pressures seem crazy i bought a 2012 cbr600rr at the beginning of this summer, and did my first track day yesterday now im hooked. Motorcycle tyre pressure in the second part of our sixpart series tyre tech talk in ride magazine, we looked at the relationship between pressure and grip. These pressure recommendations are given for track use. Incorrect tire pressure is easily 50% of all tire woes. Go hell for leather, but always leave a little in reserve unless youre being paid to. A host of parameters have a profound affect on a tyres ability to deliver. The german publication auto bild have just tested five 23535 r19 track day tyres using a ford focus st, and included a normal maximum performance road tyre as comparison. What to expect on your first motorbike trackday mcn.
The mileage attained by motorcycle tyres and in particular that by the rear wheels of performance bikes cannot be measured in the same way as that of car or truck tyres. Tyre pressures for the track will vary thanks to rider ability, tyre. Its a marketing related thing, it is not a ntec race tyre, its a road tyre. I ran the stock bridgestone bt16s at 3030 track and the user manualsticker on the bike said 3642 for the street.
Dunlop motorcycle tire pressures may vary based upon current track conditions but these are base recommendations. Luckily, here at kwik fit we have created a tool that will identify the recommended tyre pressure for your vehicle. I dont have the right kit okay, youve got us here youll need onepiece leathers, or twopiece that zip all the way round not just a short zip at the back. Too soft and the grip goes away, but a bit soft will give you an edge. I know this has been asked before but what tyre pressures should i use for track days. During normal day to day riding on the road, your motorcycle manufacturers recommended tyre pressure should give you a good mix of grip and stability, but in certain circumstances you may need to vary them slightly as the two factors of load and temperature are linked. Tyre manufacturers often list track pressures on their websites but if yours isnt listed then ask the onsite tyre fitter. This so called expert, had zero knowledge of the brand and model of tyre i was using. This topic has probably been beat to death, but please listen to the specifics of my question before answering. That generally means a tire pressure that strikes a balance between grip and tire wear and will probably range anywhere from 32psi to 42psi generally with higher pressures in the rear tire. When youre on a track, youll want to air your tires down a bit 35lbs to get as much grip as possible. As you can see, there are many factors that come into finding the best tyre pressure for your bike and tyre combination. Be afraid to request a change of pace group to suit your level on the day. And of course plenty of practical jokes away from the track.
1069 729 997 1553 1514 178 148 1002 1467 96 665 165 691 334 1283 321 1646 1248 337 1549 1380 1183 507 556 1215 459 855 1186 1322 303 199 150 22 951 72 837 1211 1149 1105 938 324 474 768