I am in need of a new rear tire for my 2009 track days. I am using Pirelli Corsa III's. The front tire to me looks to be in great shape. My rear has just worn down(flat instead of rounded) from track days and street miles. The tires only have 1900 miles on them but they do have 5 track days on them. I started as a novice and have moved up to intermediate but on the slower side of the class. My question is should I buy a new front when I replace the rear? I am planning on doing atleast 5-6 track days this year and will be comuting to work everyday. I e-mailed Pirelli and of course they recommend replacing the front due to the heat cycles. I would like to just buy a rear but if it's safer to buy both tires I will. What do you guys think?
Tires are incredibly cheap in comparison to body panels, gear, or worse YOUR BODY. You could get a track day or two out of a set of streets tires (maybe more) if riden with in their limits. I suggest buying the front when you buy the rear (we normally will not do single tire sales). It's NOT worth the 100.00 or 125.00 bucks you save if you crash due to something that can be easily solved. Also, if you arrive at the track and have a good rear and a rough front odds are you won't get through tech. You'll have to buy a front and a rear anyway(since we don't sell singles at the track-normally) and then you'll have to deal with last minute tire changes.
If you ever have to ask "should I replace my tires?" The correct answer is almost always "yes." In your case, however, the answer is not yes... It is "hell yes."
I think my front looks like it's new. It's not squared off or wore down. That's why I thought I could get away with just a rear. If I do need a new set does anybody have any recomendations? I have been looking into the Conti Race Attack streets. I just need a tire that will work good on the track and still be able to comute back and forth to work.
we do not normally break sets however, we will sell rears or fronts when we have extras. IMO it's not worth risking the rider, the ride, or the loss of a track day for a 150 dollar tire
I am still on the fence guys. I am not planning on doing my first track day until April or May. So I have some time to decide. Does anbody know where to get Pirelli Corsa III'e? I am also looking into Stones bt-016.
here is one for stones Just do yourself a favor and swap them both out, especially if you have had it sitting all winter long it might have flat spotted. http://www.ridedirect.com/showCategory.php?id=45
this should go without saying, but I'd avoid mixing brands of tire as far as front/rear. if you're keeping that DC III front, buy another DC III rear. NESBA is a Pirelli distributor, and their prices are hard to beat. otherwise, the 2CT's are the Michelin equivalent, and are a true 2-compound front. I believe I've read that DC III front really isn't... you can't beat the STG prices on a pair of michelins - especially if you pick them up at the track and avoid the shipping.
There's a new tire test in April 2009 Sport Rider Magazine. The 2CT was the top tire, but the Dunlop Qualifier, DCIII and BT016 were all rated very good. There was actually very little difference in lap times between the tires. It came down to a subjective "feel". I've run several sets of DCIII's and really like them. Excellent wet grip, so a wet track day won't stop you. I didn't like the 2CT's as much, maybe because the combination of heavy bike (BMW K1200S), high horsepower and 100+ F. day made the soft shoulder compound get greasy. I ran several sets of regular Pilot Powers and didn't have that problem. In this 2007 Superbike magazine test, the DCIII was rated the top tire: http://www.zinio.com/express2?issue=206338267 I think all the top sport tires are very good. They each have slightly different feel and temperature-related performance. Re the front, "if in doubt, swap it out". That said, a liter bike can destroy a rear tire in 2 track days, leaving the front in pretty good shape. In that extreme case I might swap just the rear, but I generally replace front also. If you go down one time on worn tires, you might spend enough for several years of tires (if not more).