Track Day Tyres

[RD500Marky]

What do folks use on original wheels for track riding?

Cheers

Mark

[MK]

Seriously?
I'd not rate anything suitable for "track" riding unless you're just about to ride on a track like you would at home. And in the latter case you're not talking about anything different like you'd use on road (like the Bridgestone BT45's).

In the past I was using ME33 CompK and ME1 CompK on the stock rims, but those tires are discontinued since the last ice age or so.

Conti offers the classic attack tires for the 350, but I haven't got in mind if they have the 120/80-16 for the front.

If you wanna go on track, buy a cheap old/accident 4 stroke, throw on a set of slicks and off you go. No remorse, no regrets.
My special recommendation would be a Honda VTR1000 F (Firestorm in Europe, Firehawk in the US). Quite similar to the RD500 in weight and performance, just waaaaaay cheaper to get and to repair. (got one myself and it's fun on track with that old dinosaur)

[RD500Marky]

Seriously?
I'd not rate anything suitable for "track" riding unless you're just about to ride on a track like you would at home. And in the latter case you're not talking about anything different like you'd use on road (like the Bridgestone BT45's).

In the past I was using ME33 CompK and ME1 CompK on the stock rims, but those tires are discontinued since the last ice age or so.

Conti offers the classic attack tires for the 350, but I haven't got in mind if they have the 120/80-16 for the front.

If you wanna go on track, buy a cheap old/accident 4 stroke, throw on a set of slicks and off you go. No remorse, no regrets.
My special recommendation would be a Honda VTR1000 F (Firestorm in Europe, Firehawk in the US). Quite similar to the RD500 in weight and performance, just waaaaaay cheaper to get and to repair. (got one myself and it's fun on track with that old dinosaur)

Why would I not be serious?

There are some great Classic Bike Track days in the UK and the RD500 will fit it just fine, where as my RSV4RF that I usually use on track will look a little 'modern' so in the spirit of the event I thought I'd ride a Classic bike.

Guess I could always take the RS250 or an LC..

Anyhow, thanks for your input and I actually have Metzelers on the RD at the moment still with the 'pips' on, but these are old and as you say the Comp K tyres are no longer available.

I have it in my mind that Avon do something suitable too.

Cheers

[MK]

I'm into track activities since 1989
Considering the quality of the RD500 suspension and available tires I wouldn't use it for anything else than a parade lap.
Especially considering the prices for restoration in case of unexpected ground contacts or theft I wouldn't even bring it to a normal track event.

Thus the sarcasm. Wasn't meant as an offense.

[RD500Marky]

None taken my friend, but I'd be quite happy to do a few laps on the RD.

People like to see these bikes too, so it's also a public service!!

[tacky1]

I would go with a set of Avon Roadriders over the BT45s, I love the 45s, but I think you will get more grip with the Avons, Bloody hard to find decent tires for the 500 with the odd front wheel size....

[podman]

None taken my friend, but I'd be quite happy to do a few laps on the RD.

People like to see these bikes too, so it's also a public service!!

I would certainly like to see it!

I've only done some parade laps on my 500 , had a set new-ish Avons fitted , in between the traffic, I gave it as much as I dared which just showed up how poor the suspension was BUT the main thing is I enjoyed it immensely, going thru Craner Curves with the pipes howling away has proved to me one of the most memorable experiences ive ever had on the bike.

As you know, the classic track days attract all types of bikes so you'll be in good company with like minded souls.

I think Andy Bolas is organising one to replace last Mays cancelled event at Castle Coombe, I shall be at that one..on the CBR600 thou!

[MK]

Well at least there's not many of the overly ambitious wanna-be-fasts that always steal your precious riding time by crashing first lap out of pits.

In Germany there's the Build Not Bought race & Twin Meets Classics training afterwards. I was there a couple of times and it was the only event multiple people complained about being overtaken too close/rude/risky.
Problem was that I couldn't remember ANY close calls during any of the runs, so it was just overly whimpy folk there. You obviously drive differently when you have a 40 year old bike that you restored on your own - my 1997 VTR belonged to the 20% younger bikes there
And most of them on profiled road tires whereas I was on slicks...

[silverstrom]

I would go with a set of Avon Roadriders over the BT45s, I love the 45s, but I think you will get more grip with the Avons, Bloody hard to find decent tires for the 500 with the odd front wheel size....

I switched from BT45 to AM26 and I am pleased with the results. I won't be going back.

BT45 is now BT46.

[RD500Marky]

I would go with a set of Avon Roadriders over the BT45s, I love the 45s, but I think you will get more grip with the Avons, Bloody hard to find decent tires for the 500 with the odd front wheel size....

Thx. Avon RoadRiders were in my mind as the ones to have.

[RD500Marky]

I would go with a set of Avon Roadriders over the BT45s, I love the 45s, but I think you will get more grip with the Avons, Bloody hard to find decent tires for the 500 with the odd front wheel size....

I switched from BT45 to AM26 and I am pleased with the results. I won't be going back.

BT45 is now BT46.

Good to know thank you.

[RD500Marky]

None taken my friend, but I'd be quite happy to do a few laps on the RD.

People like to see these bikes too, so it's also a public service!!

I would certainly like to see it!

I've only done some parade laps on my 500 , had a set new-ish Avons fitted , in between the traffic, I gave it as much as I dared which just showed up how poor the suspension was BUT the main thing is I enjoyed it immensely, going thru Craner Curves with the pipes howling away has proved to me one of the most memorable experiences ive ever had on the bike.

As you know, the classic track days attract all types of bikes so you'll be in good company with like minded souls.

I think Andy Bolas is organising one to replace last Mays cancelled event at Castle Coombe, I shall be at that one..on the CBR600 thou!

The really nice thing about the Classic Bike Track Days is that you can take/ride more than 1 bike. I plan to take my RD500 & RS250 for a bit of smokin'..

Craner Curves on the pipe would for sure be great!

[Luther]

I started racing on a 600 ninja and used hand me downs from the fast guys. Most were a bit wider than stock and not really an improvement to the handling. The last couple races on the Ninja I got stock size tires and thats when my lap times dropped a bunch. I relearned this when Rick Lance said no don't put a 120 on front with stock wheels it ruins the handling. A 100-90 or 110-90-16 is what you want. 130 on the rear.

[lost1750GTV]

Yeah, believe it or not there was a time when people raced production classes on tires designated as "sport", as opposed to touring.
Pirelli demons on my 350lc and ducati back then, slicks on the tz's.

[Luther]

I had lots of years in the dirt and it was a real eye opener how fast we were going on pavement. 391 Dunlops were my first favorite