Slicks - what to get?

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Slicks - what to get?

Postby bishboy » Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:23 pm

I'm in the process of getting some slicks for the ZXR and the R1, just have a few newbie questions. :roll:

I can change the tyres myself but I imagine they would then have to be balanced?

As I see plenty of 2nd hand slicks for sale on various forums are they worth while or new tyres better. Obviously 2nd hand are cheaper and would get less days/races out of them but would the cost per race/day be less due to the lower initial cost? Is there a simple way to (eye) check how much rubber is left?

What brand and probably more importantly, which model tyre within the brands? Also, hard vs soft (or is this designated by the model?) As the races/track sessions are short so would soft be better or would a harder rear compound be better for the R1 given the higher horsepower? (a huge 141HP at LAE Racing :lol: )

What about second hand (control) cut slicks as used by FX and supersport? (LAE racing have some at the moment). Are the compounds the same as slicks but just with grooves cut out?

I realize higher profile rear tyres give higher ride height and therefore quicker turn in due to steeper fork angle and does it follow that they can give less high speed stability? And is the profile number a % of tyre width (as per cars) eg: 190/55/17 the side wall is 55% of 190, but what about tyres stated as 190/645/17 and 120/600/17?

So many more questions but I think this will do for a start :lol:

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Re: Slicks - what to get?

Postby robracer » Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:43 pm

OK first thing is slicks have about 5 heat cycles before they might start to become questionable, mind you I have had ones that have had a heap more & still work fine so the question would be what are you buying & not knowing the history would keep me from going second hand & just getting some fresh rubber.
Road tyres are constructed differently & therefore can go through multiple cycles.
Using tyre warmers at the track enable you to have one continuous cycle for the day ;)
There are quite a few brands & different compounds available so it would be down to what you are using them for & what time of the year it is. Obviously in the middle of summer you would go for a medium - hard compound & in winter a soft, but this will be up to personal preference as well.

Andrew, I might come back to this thread later whan I have more time to go into more detail........ next!
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