Track Tires and size question

[tooblekain]

Hey all,

So I am trying to do as much research as I can regarding tires for the 2008 Ninja 250r for track use only and I have a few questions.

Size:

The OEM size for the front is 110/70/17 and the rear is 130/70/17. Can you go with the common 120/70/17 front?

What is the biggest size rear tire you can fit on. I know I have seen many 140s, but is it possible that a 150..or even a 160 rear would fit?

Availble Tires:

Most of the tires I see available are bias-ply and for street use. I heard that radials is the way to go...but I really dont see many options. So far the only set I see that many track/racers use are the Bridgestone BT003RS....but to my knowledge that is being phased out and I didn't see any R10s available for 250s. I know Jonathon (Nemesis') B Race bike has the BT003RS but I can't recall what Bridgestones he has on his A Race Bike. Are there any DOT race or slicks available for the 250s? If so what brand and what tire?

Since the BT003RS was the "racing street" compound and not the "racing" (DOT) race compound, I did see other tires available that are mostly street witht he occasional trackday. I saw Pirelli Diablo Rosso II. Has anyone used these for track and/or racing? Your thoughts?

So far its the the BT003RS and the Pirelli Diablo Rosso II in radials only available worth of track and race duty. Are there any other tire brands available that I should know about?

[Alex]

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ighlight=tires
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ighlight=tires
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ighlight=tires
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ighlight=tires
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ighlight=tires
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showt...ighlight=tires

[Shawn3210]

Hey matt,
Jonathan and darren both run the bridgestone slicks 90 front 120 rear. I think they're only 280 from tige. The 003rs are good tires, Brian did a 2:11 on them his first time on the 250. I just heard the front tire suck balls. Steve runs the hybrid pirelli. Sc1 front and Rossi 2 rear. 110 front 140 rear and has been killing on them.

Keep in mind that bridgestones that pay out way more contingency. Darren and Jonathan seem to love their slicks and Darren just a 207 on them.

Pirelli also make slicks....I believe 100 front and 140 rear? Steve hasn't ran them yet so no feedback thus far. Another tire that is also available is the dunlop q2 unbeatables as well. I believe Tim Weigs on scm ran these up north.

[Rexbo]

It's pretty hard to find info on the moto3 slicks that are available, its strange. But yeah, what Alex linked. The bridgestone slicks seem to work out great, Jon and Darren ran 2:07s on them, I use the pirellis street tires like Shawn said, and have a set of the 100/125 slicks waiting to get mounted up. Dunlop apparently has some killer tires they use in AFM and MRA and michelin has a 110/150 combo but those are getting phased out.

You can get all the tires at the track, just call the vendors ahead of time to make sure they bring enough!

[Shawn3210]

Those dunlops look really promising, they had them out during round 2....Jim Cox racing does dunlops right?

[jasle]

Originally Posted by Shawn3210

Those dunlops look really promising, they had them out during round 2....Jim Cox racing does dunlops right?

We run the Dunlop Sportmaxx gp unbeaten 02. They are the "Race DOT Tire" developed specifically for the 250 class. Our endurance partner thinks they are WAY better than his Bridgestones. this is our first road race bike but we went Dunlop because we had a Dunlop ride on the dirt. We are snagging top 3 in the endurance and been 1,2,3 on the podium in sprints.

[Shawn3210]

so many choices, pirelli slicks look promising.....but dunlops look awesome.

[Rexbo]

This has the makings of a tire test!

I know what times I can do on the pirelli DOT tires and how they feel, I previously used the michelins (but not recently), and I've got a set of pirelli slicks on hand to try next.

Maybe if we hit a track day, and do a ton of wheel switching we can figure out what the differences are!

[Dmented]

Originally Posted by Rexbo

This has the makings of a tire test!

I know what times I can do on the pirelli DOT tires and how they feel,...

honestly... I can say i feel EVERYTHING with my 'stone slicks!
i feel when it's giving loose and i feel when it has lifted entirely off the ground. these tires grip till they can't and then they grip some more. PLUS the side walls LOVE to be ridden hard! I honestly can't imagine another tire giving any more feedback than my current choice. I've ran them in 110 and 90 degree temps and it gripped well in both. after three rounds i can say these tires still have grip and life left in them.




next review here:

...

[walk_n_wind]

We run the Dunlop Sportmaxx gp unbeaten 02. They are the "Race DOT Tire" developed specifically for the 250 class.

Jason - where are you able to find those Unbeaten 02s? I've found a few announcement posts from Pro Cycle 6 Inc. about them, but I haven't found anyone selling them.

[cbinker]

i run a 150 Metzlar M5 rear. kind of over kill for right now till i get rear sets:

[Shawn3210]

I think I'm gonna order a set of pirellis in a week or so.....I get 40 bucks off with my new racer school certificate lol

[KazMan]

We ran the Pirelli 150's last year and are on the 140's this year. I think the big benifit from the 140's is that as in the picture above, you can see with the 150 profile, you cannot get to the edge, which I believe hampers some of the tires ability to let the sidewall work.

With the 140's, I am on the edge of the tire now and have a bit more feel and stability and as Rexbo has shown, these things can get you a track record.

Another advantage I am still exploring is that I have a set with 7 trackdays doing 2 to 3 sessions each hour (I ride with Z2 Trackday providers) and 1 race weekend and although switching them out for a new set at AFM's last round, I am going to throw the old tires back on for every trackday as I want to see how far I can get this set to last.

$$ for $$, the Pirelli setup is king by my wallet thus far.

[walk_n_wind]

Found an online retailer of the Dunlop Sportmax Gp Unbeaten 02:
http://stores.racetireservice.com/-s...Categories.bok

[sharky nrk]

Everyone running warmers on the slicks? What about on the more street oriented offerings like the 003RS?

[675Raisinator]

do you have to run warmers on the Dunlap gp unbeaten 02s?

[alex.s]

i see you are racing cvma next round... in that case might i suggest a 130/200 combo? LOL

[Rexbo]

Originally Posted by 675Raisinator

do you have to run warmers on the Dunlap gp unbeaten 02s?

You don't NEED to, but they offer a bit of insurance on warm up laps and help you dial in hot tire pressure in a more controlled manner, as well as (supposedly) extend tire life. Not that 250s go through tires that fast anyway.

[htdub]

Any one compare the supercorsa's vs dunlop unbeatens? Feel, grip, wear?

thanks

[Rexbo]

Originally Posted by htdub

Any one compare the supercorsa's vs dunlop unbeatens? Feel, grip, wear?

thanks

I know that time-wise, they're comparable. They both have put down similar times at CVR, so I'm pretty sure its really just a matter of feel/preference.

[Peanut_EOD]

Aren't some of you guys at CVMA using slicks?

[dino74]

Originally Posted by Peanut_EOD

Aren't some of you guys at CVMA using slicks?

Yeah. Nem and Darren are using the Bridgestone Battlax 125cc GP Racing Slicks. I don't know which compound (YDC, YCX, or YCY)

[Rexbo]

BTW there's a sale going on at motorcycle superstore right now... Just picked up a 140 rear Diablo Rosso 2 for $117 shipped, using promo code "M320-Pirelli-5"

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx

Cheapest I've seen by FAR

[dino74]

Originally Posted by Rexbo

BTW there's a sale going on at motorcycle superstore right now... Just picked up a 140 rear Diablo Rosso 2 for $117 shipped, using promo code "M320-Pirelli-5"

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx

Cheapest I've seen by FAR

Wow, That is a good price!

[Zombiphone]

I think I'm forever cursed to buy things right before they go on sale T_T

[mgentz]

Originally Posted by Zombiphone

I think I'm forever cursed to buy things right before they go on sale T_T

It's only $5 off. Don't stress. However, I'm with you on the cursed thing...

[Dmented]

Originally Posted by Rexbo

BTW there's a sale going on at motorcycle superstore right now... Just picked up a 140 rear Diablo Rosso 2 for $117 shipped, using promo code "M320-Pirelli-5"

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx

Cheapest I've seen by FAR

whatchew running in front?

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Dmented

whatchew running in front?

soft or hard

[Rexbo]

Giggidy

[JBinSD]

I (think) Dale Keiffer told me had had a 140 Pirelli Slick in his trailer at the trackday I did last week, shoulda bought it then. . . not listed on his website. Would love to see 110/140 slicks. . .

[Rexbo]

He's got 100/125 slicks that he usually stocks. There's no 140 slick that I know of...

The front SC1 slick/rear 140 rosso 2 combo is REALLY good, and is what I'm currently running.

[JBinSD]

Hmm, mebbe it was a 125 he showed me. . .

[r6boater]

Originally Posted by sharky nrk

Everyone running warmers on the slicks? What about on the more street oriented offerings like the 003RS?

A run warmers on Draik's.

[bitaria]

Also interested in this;
Trying to pick the right track-only tire for next year. Tire warmers are going to be used.

So far thinking Unbeaten or Bridgestone slicks.