Looking for some solid advice on tires for the spring season. I bought Pirelli's last summer, and didn't relize the rear was a strada.(they were on clearance and I was a neewbie). I want the stickiest tire I can get, without breaking the bank!

Hi Paul,

We're going to need more info from you before we'll be able to offer potentially useful responses.

What kind of riding are you going to do, street, track, a combination of both? Do you ride long enough and hard enough on the street to get track-biased tires up to their operating temp, or do you want the stickiest street-biased tire that you can find that would also be adequate for a track day or two?

How big is the bank account that we have to worry about breaking? Are you comfortable spending , say, $600 every 1500 miles, every 2500 miles, every 5000, every 10,000 miles?

Did the Strada that you were using have problems maintaining traction the way that you were using it?

Previously paul williams wrote:

Looking for some solid advice on tires for the spring season. I bought Pirelli's last summer, and didn't relize the rear was a strada.(they were on clearance and I was a neewbie). I want the stickiest tire I can get, without breaking the bank!

I will be doing a combination of both street and track. I have only so far been riding on the street. The traction was only ok, on the strada. When I have had to stop ASAP, my back wheel chatters. I know I will be doing a couple of track days this year, my first. I am willing to spend $600 about 1500 to 3k miles. I am worried about a center flat spot on a super soft tire because, I get out on the streets just about any day it's sunny. But I do fear my rear tire because in the cold temps of late, it does not get to temp. I have considered buying a seperate set of rims, but the cost is outragous  for just for a couple of track days. I have one friend who goes thru a set of tires per track day, but he is very experienced, and from what I am told ,it will be quite some time before  will be allowed to ride at those(his)speeds. How long will a super sticky rear tire last until it gets a unsafe flat spot in the center? One thing I can tell you is I ride Hard!!! And my biggest concern is not putting my Girl Down on the pavement!!!!!!!!

Those are some legitimate concerns.  There are several myths that maybe I can clear up however.

First the chatter has almost nothing to do with the compound of the tire.  It has everything to do with the speed and firmness of the braking.  My guess is that you are using the rear brake really hard and the wheel is locking up.  Bad policy.  When you attend your first track day you'll quickly realize how little you actually need the rear brake.

Second, the Strada is fine but if you are in stopNgo traffic and it is already cold...ya not a good idea anyway.  A very sticky track/street tire definitely won't heat up in those conditions much less general street use.  The 'stickyness' or softer compound Pirellis never heated up on my 748 very quickly unless I was on the track and it took an entire lap or more even then.

A center flat spot is not going to happen unless you only ride in a straight line.  (which on the streets may happen quickly!)  Check in with your tires once in a while and take note of tread wear.  A flat trough won't be hard to spot.  And you'll notice it as soon as you dip for a curve...that nice smooth roll won't be there any more! (but you won't just fall over)

Personally I would recommend the Michelin Pilot Powers.  I've tracked both my bikes.  I've run both Pirelli Dragons and Diablo on the 748 and the Mik's on the S4R.  I have done nearly 10 track days in two seasons including a trip to Thunderhill.  I went through the Pirelli's in less than a season only using them on the track on the 748.  The MIchelin's were used on street and track (S4R) and I've only had to change the tires once in 15,000 miles.  They lasted way beyond the magical arbitrary 3000mi number.  I still ride in the Beginner class and I ride hard.  Tire use is subject to individual riding of course so your experience may differ.

Lastly, being 'allowed' to ride fast on the track doesn't carry a predetermined time span.  I know several folks who were ready for Intermediate after their first track day.  Then there are some of us who are in no hurry to move up or start crashing.  Ride at your own pace.  Learn at your own speed.  A track day is not a race.

Maybe one of our next meetings should be focused on Track Days and bike preparation.  What do folks think?

Rockstar.

Absolutely!! I need all the info I can get. I am totally addicted to riding, and all the info you much more experianced riders can pass on is priceless!!