Track Tire Pressure Recommendations

[the_rukus]

I'm about to do my first track day and I was wondering what tire pressure to run.

My bike is a 2001 M600, tires are Pirelli Diablo Rosso (stock sizing) and I weigh 200lbs.

Any suggestions?

[desmoquattro]

There will likely be tire guys at the track. They'll have the best input for that particular track, day, and conditions. But it'll be lower pressure than you usually see on the street.

[Triple J]

+1 There should be a Pirelli guy at the track who will have the best recommendations.

If there isn't (and be sure to check), I'd try 30psi front, 28 rear for the Diablo Rossos.

[The Architect]

I had those on my monster.  I lowered the pressures, as I normally would.  They were squirmy.  They (the tire people on track that I bought them from, told me to bump them up, 36/38.  DO NOT QUOTE ME ON THIS!  TALK TO A PIRELLI REP.! 

[gm2]

if there isn't one there, find one and call him.

[Spidey]

told me to bump them up, 36/38. 

 

[the_rukus]

Thanks for the help

[Jester]

+1 There should be a Pirelli guy at the track who will have the best recommendations.

If there isn't (and be sure to check), I'd try 30psi front, 28 rear for the Diablo Rossos.

+1 

[The Architect]

My bad.  The tires were Diablo Corsa III's.        Who can remember all this stuff!!!

Under hard breaking the front felt like jello.  When crossing transitions in the track (road course onto nascar oval) the tires would wiggle.  The increased pressure helped, a little.  But at no time did I loose traction. 

[koko64]

I.m running Pirelli SBKs on my gixxer, soft front medium rear. 32-33 front, 27 rear and thats to be measured hot after 30 min on tyre warmers. But that is irrelevant. You could damage a lot of street rear tyres at that pressure. It's very important to get the correct advice from mfr regarding each type and make of tyre. The construction of some track tyres allows crazy low pressures for them to work (Dunlop Ntech for example). The same pressure in the wrong tyre could put you in the ER. You would be surprised at the different pressures required depending on the design.

The old rules of thumb we used to use are getting harder to apply nowdays. I remember when it was 32/30 for the track and 34/36 for the road for radials.
It seems more specific nowdays.

Consult the tyre experts who distribute the particular brand. The tyre guys  at the track for the brand are a good reference for sure.+1

[tufty]

Just remember that Pirelli pressures are quoted HOT unlike just about every other tire manufacturer.