Prepare Your Bike for Track Days - What Tyres Do Fast Riders Choose To Ride On

[@tienofthesouth]

I love my Metzler Racetec TD slicks. They're grippy, predictable, cheap, longevity (2-3 days for rear) and the best thing... Warmers are optional. One time down at PI I forgot to turn on my warmers so I just went out cold. By the time I finished braking into turn 4 all the grip I need is already available.

[@TheBikeStig]

Thats awesome, I haven't heard much about these from my riding buddies so to hear your thoughts is fantastic. I will definitely be testing a set.

[@tienofthesouth]

I'm not sure what happened. Now all my rears last just a day, from Metzeler TD, Pirelli SC2 to Dunlop KR109. And my lap time is only 1:48 at PI. Is this normal? Or there's something wrong with my riding?

[@Alexander-gl2bl]

@@tienofthesouth I used them last year to, and in my opinion because they give a pretty good feel you become more confident and ride harder... I had them on a superduke first time I tried them they went for 8 track days, now when I go with the TD's they last about 1 or 2. Try the racetec RR's they don't have amazing lifetime but the grip and feel is amazing when you can keep the heat in them.

[@shaunwhitfield112]

Great vid 🙌spot on to hear different people’s views on tyres 😎🙌

[@TheBikeStig]

cheers mate, yeah I though that would be more interesting than one persons view

[@stevechampion7938]

Great video George!! Now I just need the budget to try them all….. 🤣🤣 I’m really interested in trying the Metzler TD slick. Have you checked them out yet? Know you love metzler so was hoping you’d give these a run to show us mortals what you think….

[@TheBikeStig]

Me too, I haven't tried it yet but when they open the track in Townsville I will be giving them a run for sure. I can't help feel they might be like racetecs without grooves, I wonder.

[@chrisgoes9610]

My take away from this is there aren’t many bad tyres out there (from the big brands) and ride what works for you. The nice problem is we are a little spoiled for choice. I am fairly new to track and coming up the ranks. Moving from stock Bridgestone S22’s to Pirelli’s SP’s then a SC really brought me along. But this I am convinced was a confidence thing, not for actual grip (for my riding) but physiologically knowing I could lean more and have more traction for corner exit. To be honest I don’t lean on the traction control an can see I have heaps more performance even in the S22’s. When asking my tyre provider (who is a racer) when do I know when to upgrade from the S22 he said as soon as you feel it sliding. So for you newbies out there my experience has been stock tyres can work great and give excellent durability. I have just bought a 2021 S1000RR and plan to run the Metzeler track slicks. I’m still finding my way through this fog, thanks for sharing 100 years of experience.

[@TheBikeStig]

haha, 100 years ay ... getting close :-). I agree, all tyres are very good today. One thing to remember is that you need to upgrade as you build your skills for rolling on throttle at greater lean angles and trail braking further and harder into the corner. The racing tyres simply perform better at those two extremes so your mate is right about the 'sliding' bit b because that is a sign, assuming your technique is good, that you are putting more pressure on the tyre at lean angles. Enjoy

[@XtremeCoke]

It's interesting to hear the lady coach saying pirelli offers consistency throughout it's lifecycle which my experience felt otherwise. I agree pirelli tends to slide a bit and great when new but the grip level drop quite fast to me. I'm no racer, I'd prefer KR106/108 and V02 offers more consistency and insane grip all the way. Tyre technology is so amazing nowadays.

[@TheBikeStig]

its funny that I had a similar experience last year in the Phillipines. the SC2 rear was great until about half worn and then started sliding much more.

[@Biker_world]

Good video thanks for that

[@TheBikeStig]

No problem 👍

[@steverielly]

What guidance would you give someone who doesn't race, goes to track days and is wondering when they should make the move from track dot tyres to slicks?

[@TheBikeStig]

Hard to answer you as I don't know what you ride like and what your lap times are. I would get some advice from the tyre folk at the track you ride at, they would be in a better position to assess your riding and tyre needs mate. Bottom line is if you are riding fast and the tyres you use won't allow hard braking or more throttle at lean, then you are probably riding hard enough to generate sufficient temperature and get benefit from slicks. Might be worth measuring what your tyre temperatures are at the end of a track session and take that info to the tyre people.

[@steverielly]

I have been trying to find some sort of graphic that represents that, without much success. Plenty out there on what compounds are suitable for what surface severity and temperature, but nothing on the tyres temperature operating range. In saying that, pretty much working out I'm still within the range of the dot-track tyres.