Tire life on a 600

[firefighter81]

I'm seriously considering picking up some kind of late 90's 600 over the winter as another track bike. Probably a Suzuki GSXR600, they are easy to find here, and seem to be the lightest of the Big Four.

My RS250 is very easy on tires, I can keep one set of tires for four full trackdays. How is tire life on a mid-weight 600?

Also, does anyone here who does trackdays use race-takeoffs on the track on their 600's? I've never worried about the cost of tires since my bike is so easy on them, but the thoughts of a new $300 set of tires every track day makes me cringe. I'm not talking slicks, just some DOT race tires (H2's,Supercorsas,etc).

Thanks!

[BMF136]

My last bike was a track and street duty 2000 GSXR600. It was a really fun bike, not as light as the newer ones but I liked how well it held up despite how hard I ran it at times. Back then, I usually ran high end street tires (Michelin Pilots, Bridgestone
BT-012SS, sometimes race take offs in near new condition). My brand new street tires would last about 2 track days before I'd finish them off while riding around on the streets. If I wanted to wear 'em out a little more I might be able to get another 1/2 to full day but might be showing cords later in the day on the 3'rd day.

They're good and fun track/ race bikes but will (obviously) be much diferent than the RS250 that you're used to. Despite its hard mileage, mine never broke down or gave me any problems and when I sold the bike it had about 23,500 miles on it. Also might be worth mentioning, I sold it for more than I paid (after riding it for 1.5 years, many track days, 13,500+ miles)!!

[Tony824]

Originally Posted by firefighter81

I'm seriously considering picking up some kind of late 90's 600 over the winter as another track bike. Probably a Suzuki GSXR600, they are easy to find here, and seem to be the lightest of the Big Four.

My RS250 is very easy on tires, I can keep one set of tires for four full trackdays. How is tire life on a mid-weight 600?

Also, does anyone here who does trackdays use race-takeoffs on the track on their 600's? I've never worried about the cost of tires since my bike is so easy on them, but the thoughts of a new $300 set of tires every track day makes me cringe. I'm not talking slicks, just some DOT race tires (H2's,Supercorsas,etc).

Thanks!

All factors depend on your riding as well as course you're riding at. My R6 goes through a set of take offs every 2~3 trackdays depending on the track as well as tires. I run nothing but take offs, but before I purchase a set, I make sure I know how the previous owner rode on them, and whether or not he used warmers. Are you using tire warmers? That can also contribute to the life of your tire. I personally run Supersorsa's, SC1/SC2 as well as Metz RS1/RS2 combos, and Dunlop GPAs.

Slicks will usually last longer than a standard set of DOT race tires. The grooves on a DOT pirelli SCs, RS, and S2/M2s create tread "blocks"; those blocks tend to squirm when subjected to a force (such as cornering). That squirming creates heat, and we all know what heat eventually does to a tire...

The squirming can also cause a loss of traction feedback compared to a slick when ridden at the limit.

If you're looking to pick up a strict track bike, I say go w/ the SV. A set of good take offs can be had for under $70 usually. Unless I'm competing in a race, I don't see any advantage from running brand new rubber on a each trackday.

[Paz]

I typically get three track days on my R6 on a new set of Michelin Pilot Race II tires. I generally use an H2 Rear with an M2 front with tire warmers.

How hard you ride and your suspension set up has alot to do with the wear you will see.

[Squid Killer]

I have four or five track days and 6000 miles on my R6 tires and only the rear is nearing replacement. I dont think this is a real issue for the average rider.

[whitman]

Heat cycles have a great deal to do with wear...... also how hard you are on the tires, are you riding hard or going at a moderate pace? all these things have a big effect on the life of a tire. Someone once said your tires are the
only thing keeping you on the road.......so think twice before riding on shagged tires, six hundreds are better than thousands but still wear tires, so better safe than sorry, you are not getting paid to ride so be carefull.
whit

[firefighter81]

Wow, HI2U 3-year old thread.

[OreoGaborio]

Originally Posted by firefighter81

Wow, HI2U 3-year old thread.

WORST THREAD BUMP EVER!

[MOKE1K]

Originally Posted by whitman

Heat cycles have a great deal to do with wear...... also how hard you are on the tires, are you riding hard or going at a moderate pace? all these things have a big effect on the life of a tire. Someone once said your tires are the
only thing keeping you on the road.......so think twice before riding on shagged tires, six hundreds are better than thousands but still wear tires, so better safe than sorry, you are not getting paid to ride so be carefull.
whit

PLUS 1. TIRES ARE CHEAPER THAN BODYWERK!

[flyboyzx]

Just wanting to get some of your opinions.
I have around 2k street miles on my Pilot Powers and I have a two day track day coming up in June at barber on the 9 & 10th. Providing I do not ride but roughly 200 miles or so more. Will my tires be good enough for Barber. Probably 3/4 of those miles were ridden moderately/hard pace on the street, but my front hasn't been put over on the edge of the tire yet. The rear has. I am running Intermediate first day and Advance the Second day.
My thinking is that I go ahead and run the tires the first day. Check the feel and judge if they can go the distance again. I believe the fronts will be fine, but the rear may be gone by the end of the first day.

I did run Pilot Powers last year there with around 400 previous miles and experienced not hiccups and was able to get another 6k miles out of them on the street.
Does any one have any input on my situation or have any experience running tires with some miles on them at the track?

[OreoGaborio]

i put about 5k miles and roughly 6-7 trackdays on my pilot powers... that's at a smooth advanced/racer group pace... and at least one of those days was a day I was guest instructing, which means I rode in many more sessions than your normal paying customer...

Those tires are currently in my basement waiting to be re-mounted in case i need them again. there's still life in em.

I'm sure you'll be just fine.

[flyboyzx]

Thanks for the input. I would estimate that the rear has ~60% left and the front probably ~70, give or take 5-10%. I shouldn't have any problems, just to be prepared for another save off the knee...

[fiveninerzero]

honestly it depends on how you ride. if you are going to buy take-offs, make sure you get them from somebody reliable, everybody always claims their take-off only has one heat cycle on it

[OreoGaborio]

my tires probably have hundreds of heat cycles on em & I was winning my last race until I was taken out.... Heat cycles make little difference at anything below the top levels of competition.