Slicks - what to get?
Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:23 pmI'm in the process of getting some slicks for the ZXR and the R1, just have a few newbie questions. 
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
)
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
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
)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
