Tire life?

[nikeeric86]

Have a set of Bridgestone bt003s with 5 track days on them, how many days do you all get out of set?

[csmith12]

When I ran 003's, I got 10 or more track days + races out of them. If not, your running the wrong pressure or have suspension issues. Or... throttle control problems.

[nikeeric86]

I was thinking it was one of those issues haha, went out to Laguna Seca yesterday and low sided twice.

[csmith12]

I will be straight with you, 003's are awesome tires depending on your pace and surface, but you can overrun them. rosso II's are a better rear and an super corsa front is a better front if you have some serious pace. You will have to be the judge here. If you riding a 250 in upper I or A groups and getting feedback from the bike that something is up. Then.... it's time.

[csmith12]

Straight up... 003's are great for mid-pack I and up to mid-pack A group. Past that, your gunna need something more. Stop asking more of the bike/tire combo than it can deliver.

[csmith12]

Sorry, but I must be complete here. Some riders love the crazy amount of feedback that the 003's give and can ride them to the ragged edge at near lap record paces. Be honest with yourself and weigh yourself against those odds.

[nikeeric86]

Thanks for the replies. The first one i think was from cold tires, i let them warm up for a lap then crashed on the beginning of the second lap

[nikeeric86]

How about age of the tire? how long before you get a new set? bought mine aug 2013

[allanoue]

Originally Posted by nikeeric86

How about age of the tire? how long before you get a new set? bought mine aug 2013

5 years start to watch out

[BoBO]

Originally Posted by nikeeric86

How about age of the tire? how long before you get a new set? bought mine aug 2013

5 years is about right assuming that the tires are mostly stored indoor. The same goes for cars, but on a bike where there are more risk involved I would replace it after 2-3 years tops. I know some people who kept their tires for as long as 7 years but not for track purposes though. I used a 4yr old RT-615 on Laguna Seca last year and I would loose grip after a few laps which sucked because I remember the same set of tires being sticky throughout the day the first time I took it to the tracks.

[nikeeric86]

It's probably just in my head but i remember last year at chuckwalla they felt so sticky, after one lap warm up i would throw it into a turn and not even care then gas all i wanted. Even this year in February at buttonwillow, grip was the last thing i was thinking about.

Then at Laguna it was fine the first sessions except for the front not feeling planted going into the corkscrew. Then i remember the front feeling sketchy two times; once before the first crash as i was at the end of the exit of one turn throttling out and another time before the second crash i rolled off and turned in to the corner. In the 3rd session going into the second turn after one warm up lap i remember being leaned over getting on the gas and soon after the front slipped out. The second time i crashed the tires were warm and i was pounding out laps. i try to carry more speed through this one corner by braking less and a little after i get on the throttle the front goes away so gently there was hardly any impact and i'm sliding on my backside.

The only thing i changed different for laguna was i lowered the clip ons, maybe 1 or 2 psi more in the tires, and body position trying to keep my head lower

[csmith12]

I almost never blame crashes on the bike or tires, but 5yrs is a very long time for track tires Eric. Considering what we do on the track and the price of a new set vs. the "alternatives". ijs... It's cheap insurance or at least one item off the list that would worry the crap out of me. The time of sale is kinda pointless though, what is the date code on the tire?

For comparison, I did 44 track days and 22 races last year on my set of tires, rosso II rear with a SC1 front. Those tires are now almost 2yrs old, with around 6 of those months being on the shelf before I bought them. I bought a new set this Apr. even though the tires look like they still have life left in em.

Also, as there are soooo many factors, suspension is not a "set it and forget it" item. Some tracks require you to turn a knob to go really fast, others you can get by with no adjustments and sometimes... you just have a really good day and up your pace. Assuming if grip, tires, surface, temp, pressures, ect.. ect.. all stay the same, your pace can lead to suspension changes. If you feel that your loosing the front to easy, that is a warning and the bike is talking to you. LISTEN! I once send to my pit mate "I feel like I am going to crash in every corner." I had to drop my pace that day in order to not crash out, the bike/track/weather combo just wasn't working. How is your suspension set? Maybe your rear is adjust too hard or the front is too soft?

[nikeeric86]

I'll check the date code once i get back. I'm not really sure what i did the second time that caused the second crash?

It's the stock suspension right now with the rear preload at the # 4 setting, i had the tires at 27/27. I'm about 145lbs no gear. What can i change to get more grip at the front? lower tire pressure?

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by csmith12

For comparison, I did 44 track days and 22 races last year on my set of tires, rosso II rear with a SC1 front. Those tires are now almost 2yrs old, with around 6 of those months being on the shelf before I bought them. I bought a new set this Apr. even though the tires look like they still have life left in em.

LOL let me get that straight - you did 44 track days and 22 races in a single year on a single set of tire.

*Darth Vader Voice* "Impressive.......Most impressive"

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by nikeeric86

I'll check the date code once i get back. I'm not really sure what i did the second time that caused the second crash?

It's the stock suspension right now with the rear preload at the # 4 setting, i had the tires at 27/27. I'm about 145lbs no gear. What can i change to get more grip at the front? lower tire pressure?

Nice! Your racing sized! The stock bits in the front are wishy washy like that and at 145 + gear the rear shock might work out ok for a while longer. The standard answer to a 250 front pushing issue, is proper springs, oil and emulators/intimidators, but I have seen it's not always the case, just the easiest path.

First off, make a new friend that does good suspension work. Once he/she has earned your trust, then have them baseline your bike. You might need to order some springs or do nothing aside of change oil weight and cut some spacers.

Until then with just the stock bits, take a notch of the preload out of the rear so weight can move back easier. And yea... when I run COMPLETELY out of suspension adjustment in the paddock, I started playing with tire pressure. I lowered mine .5lb at a time until it was "somewhat" better. In the end, the front was lowered by 3.5lbs and the rear was 5lb's under what I normally ran. It saved the day... but it's NOT what one should do to address their suspension issues. AND.... ensure you have good throttle control, it's all for nothing if you're not putting the weight back with the throttle.

And to keep this thread on topic, a well set up bike with good throttle control is the path to max tire life.

[nikeeric86]

The tires are the 9th week of 2013 and went down a notch in the rear preload to the 3 setting. So too much weight on the front tire is less grip?

[csmith12]

Kinda, it's not so much that it takes away grip, it just doesn't use available grip as effectively or you simply run out.

You will get the best feeling and usage of available traction with your suspension working in its mid stroke range, both front and rear. And... think about it. Which contact patch is bigger? Front or rear? The rear of course, so which should get more weight mid corner? A 40f/60r weight distribution is what you're after.