That's what is called tire shaving. Its an old well known technique used by car racers. Simply put it works. On street car tires an unshaved tire will chunk badly but shave it to about 2/32" of tread left and the tire can survive a whole track day of abuse. Come with a new street (treaded) tire and a morning of abuse will have it chunked and done. AND, the shaved tire will be more stable and provide more usefull feedback.
BTW Watch the movie, "The World's Fastest Indian" that's what Burt Munro is doing in the motel room with the meat slicer.
So what you guys are saying is that contrary to popular belief sometimes I actually DO know WTF I'm talking about? There is a God. :wink:
I actually have that movie (Great Movie)! I thought cutting the tread off because he couldn't get slicks. I remember when he was doing it, I probably just couldn't understand what he was saying with that heavy Aussie accent. lol
I just had my 3rd track day on my Bridgestone BT016's. I've projected them to last around 5000 miles at their current wear rate. I'm running 1.46 at Barber and 1.15 at Nashville, not sure what my Tally times were. I do a LOT of street commuting on these and center wear is nearly non existent. The tires have never given up as the Pilot Powers have. (2 near high sides at Nashville). Pressures are 31 front and 31 rear on the street and the track.
Pilot Powers although I am going to try the 2CT's this weekend. Why? Excellent grip, can ride and coach in the rain, last forever, are inexpensive, don't have to hassle with my tire warmers and I just really like the big white fat guy and his little dog!
You are only the 2nd person I've ever heard that had anything to say bad about Michelins :lol: Nothing meant by that statement, just stating a fact. "Diff'rent Strokes for Diff'rent Folks!!!!!"
Not really saying anything bad about them, just that I've found the BT016's seem to do better for me. Could be my riding style or many other factors but currently they are my preference. I had BT014's and the grip was nice but 3000 miles and they were toast in the middle. The 16's have the best of both worlds because the rear is tripple compound and the front is dual. Perhaps if I was spinning the rear more around turns the Michelin wouldnt have scared me, but on a 600 with my skill (or lack of skill) level, that just aint gonna happen. So for ME it's the BT016's.
I understand how it is LOL. I've never ridden anything but michelins except for a dunlop d208 (few years ago) Which was already on a bike I bought and a set of oem dunlop sportmax qualifiers (oem when I bought my zx10r new). I am definitely a loyal michelin fan and have never had anything bad to point out about them. In the end, different things work better for different people, I was just giving you my Michelin story LOL, have a good day.
Pirelli Corsa III for me. I run them at 31/31 cold, but check them again after warming them. Try to keep them around 35 hot pressure. I've never had an issue with the Corsas. They stick well given my limited skill, heat up quickly, and respond well to warmers even though they aren't required. The only time I've ever spun one up on my 600 was in turn 10 at Jennings, and that tire was on its 5th track day, so it was slightly baked. It wasn't a big slide, just a little "blip" in the RPMs as I rolled on the gas. Of course, I could probably spoon on a Krispy Kreme doughnut and be fine given my pace.
Bridgestone YCX 120/600R17 and YCY 190/645R17 slicks are awesome for the big bikes. Friendly profile with good wear characteristics that heat cycle very well.
Identifying tire wear As of lately, the biggest interest I have with any tire is understanding the wear patterns, and how to identify a remedy; riding technique or suspension adjustment. I use Pilot Power Race PR 1 Front (31psi cold) and PR4 rear (23 psi cold), and use warmers. I've been working on tipping into the corner, faster, dropping the shoulder and "kissing the mirror, " and getting faster on exit with more throttle. Although, My times have greatly reduced, I noticed my rear tires were starting to shred in a patch about 2" from the edge, and the front was showing delamination. I assure you, I am leaned over, but I am a bit confused, and need to know the mechanics of it. History: Tires were used for Four Track Days; two with warmers, and two without. How does one decipher tire wear patterns to adjust for suspension, or riding ability? Thanks, In advance.
That is the million dollar question ...... I can look and tell were you get on the gas and were the bike is hooking up .... but its harder w/o looking with my eyes. Sorry if this did not help but.... Its an black art. You may want to start playing with the suspentions settings and keep a log what you do. Each time you go out get a feel for what the bike is doing and write it down. Then change your settings.. Work on the front then the rear never both. Hope this helps
yeah, that does help actually. An instructor did say that I wasn't leaned over as far as I could be, for the type of speed I was carrying IN TO the turn. From my (INT) perspective, since I am somewhat 'new' to this corner strategy, I think I am unconsciouly easing off the thottle, to that built in "safety" margin...then probably hitting the throttle, when the tire may be at "the spot" mentioned. I dunno... But I do know suspension plays a major role, but...the bottom line appears to be: ask an instructor to watch me in the corners, and ask for thier feedback. I don't need to shred tires, and waste $$$$. and I am also thinking this may actually be slowing me down. (hence my own 'safety margin', if it's still kind of new.) :?: at this pace...I am gonna be draining cash in tires, but...after seeing the delamination on the front...I was like "HOLY CRAP!" ..grateful I didn't get to know what THAT catastrophy felt like...
Bike: 1000RR Track only Tires: Michelin Power Race....29F..22R Since my pace has significantly improved since I first started doing track days in '05, I decided to go with a tire that would provide excellent grip, good feedback, and still be able to purchase relatively inexpensively. I run either Pilot powers or the 2CT on my street bike, so that is another reason for me to use the PR........basically the same profile on the tires for both bikes. I finally broke into the high 1:06's at Tally, the 1:12's at Nashville, and my best time at Barber has been a 1:49, but that was my first time at the track......ever! I feel very confident on the Power Race tires, so I'm sure that helps to build my confidence in going faster each time out.
I've had a recent similar experience on the 2CTs at Road America - basically mid point between tire center and endge looks like someone took a cheese grater to it, anyone else see this, and yes I did play with the suspension, had it set well for RA at least for my experience and feel - as it's my first set of 2CTs I'm wondering if that's just normal wear at the compound transition (2003 CBR 600RR, 165lbs rider 30/30 psi front rear cold)
I had the similar look on my 2ct's at Mid-O. Over two sessions, I softened compression 3 clicks. 2 clicks the first session, 1 click the next session. By the end of the day, you could not tell the ware had ever been there. The bike is an 06 R6 with stock suspension running 30/28 front and rear cold. The suspension had originally been set up by DOS. Hope this helps.
Last couple of years i've just used Pilot Powers but this year with the addition of warmers to my track equipment I'm wondering what I should start out with. Any suggestions?