How far will sport-touring tires go?

[Jackal79]

Well, I did my 3rd trackday (really it was the 2nd - the last one I had a bunch of tech. problems), and I started touching the knee sliders on the ground. Thing is, everytime I did that the rear would slide out! People were saying I would "wobble" in those turns. I wasn't power out of the corners hard, just steadily accelerating.

So have I reached the limit of my D220 tires, or am I just doing something wrong/have the bike setup improperly? I know that when I feel the knee touch, I don't glitch the throttle or anything crazy like that, just business as usual but the bike just goes to shit. Could it be my suspension is setup improperly? In bike magazines I read of journalists doing alot on sport touring tires.

I would like to keep sport touring tires because, well, I like to sport-tour. Is there a tire that gets at least 5000 miles that is considerably better than a D220?

[jeeps84]

Not likely to find a tire to do much better job than the 220's on mileage.

My suggestion is to get a better suited compound for track days and deal with the loss of mileage or chang them for those days.

[Jammin_Johnny]

What tire pressures?

Do you use tire warmers?

Proper sag and suspension settings?


Just a few.





EDIT: Outside of tire compound

[jeeps84]

Oh Yea;

It's most likely the tires. I had the same problem on my Monster.
I just put Diablo's on it. more tread on the side for corners and softer compound (sticker)
I only get around 3500 to 4000 miles out of them.
The 220 I took of last time had about 5500 on it. The center was only about half way worn with sides bald al the way to the edge.

[Jackal79]

Tire pressure - street pressures. Just went out and checked them - 35psi in front and rear - so it must have been that during the track day. I know thats more than most bikes, but it is a heavy bike.

Don't use tire warmers - I just do warm up laps.

I couldn't tell you if I have proper suspension setup. I have no one to ask but this board. All I know is I have knobs sticking out of the triple clamp that adjust my forks - I dare not touch them as I don't know what I'm doing.

[Jammin_Johnny]

First of all............Tire pressures for the street should stay on the street.

The pressures should be less to allow better compound-to-track adhesion and tire expansion.

Best advice........Talk to the Dunlop Tire rep at the Track Day the next time you go and ask what tire pressure they recommend for use at the track.

Typical track pressures should be around:
Front: 29-31 psi
Rear: 30-32 psi


Hope This Helps.

[nig]

I don't know how far you're going to go on the old school suspension, but you should at least set your sag:

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9508_tech/

Metzeler Roadtec Z6 is the touring tire you should look at next time. Lowering your pressure should definitely help a bit.