Yep great article!
Performance Bikes June 2012.. 2012 Best Sticky Hoops 3 different riders representing 3 vastly different rider capabilities 1 bike identical set up...
Have 2 agree Kel 10R defo worth a scan.
The boy Youngs disciplinary record this week has been nothing but deplorable.
12 650R Fully Juiced.
I like tyre tests like this as they can give you some feedback about tyres but they are not definitive.
You have to keep in mind the variables that exist especially as the tyres are very close in performance.
The ambient/air temp of the day can favour one tyre over others.
The change in temp from morning to afternoon over the course of the day can favour or hinder the performance of any one tyre.
Changes to air pressures (pressure rises due to heat) can vary over the course of the day.
Ultra violet light causes changes to the track over the course of the day causing oil to leech from the track hindering performance.
Riders get faster as the day goes on, then they get tired in the afternoon. (top level riders are more consistent, weekend warriors take half day to get back into it)
The mechanical grip and load varies from track to track which can favour one tyre over another or can even reverse the results.(especially due to construction)
Changes to suspension or tyre pressures will improve/hinder results.
All bikes are different with different Centres of gravity, weights, suspension configurations etc......what works on one bike won't work as well on another.
Green tyre performance vs used (bedded tyres)
Testing is boring and tiring and to do it right you have to change one thing at a time and reduce the variables to nothing if you can. Most importantly you have to think about the changing conditions and the affect it has on the results.
A tyre which wins a tyre test done in Japan in Summer at a Japanese track won't perform very well at Winton in winter.
I live with fear everyday but on weekends she lets me ride.
