Trackday Tires for a 696 -- What tires should/can I get?

[ducnymph]

I was wondering if anybody would have any suggestion on a good tire choice for my 696. Right now I'm still using the OEM tires and will probably be at about 8,xxx miles around the time of my trackday in May, and so will need some new tires. I'm looking forward to getting some fresh rubber for the 2 day Novice School, but am a little limited on what choices I have.

The front is a 120/60 and the rear a 160/60 and I'd like to get something spiffy. I'm a C group rider and have no delusions about being uber fast, but I'd like a tire that I can push beyond the level of a street tire. I was originally thinking about Pirelli Corsa 3's, but they don't come in my size. The Rosso's come in my size, and are the best I've come up with.   

Are there any tires comparable to the Corsa 3's that come in my size?

Has anyone used the Avons, Continentals, Shinkos??

Input is much appreciated, Thanks! 

[Porsche Monkey]

I believe they make Michelin Pilot Powers in that size.  I had them on my M900 for aggressive street riding and they were great.  You won't get 8,000 miles out of em though.

[Roscoe]

Michelin Power Race comes in a 160, medium, medium-soft, and soft.

[ducnymph]

I believe they make Michelin Pilot Powers in that size.  I had them on my M900 for aggressive street riding and they were great.  You won't get 8,000 miles out of em though.

I was thinking about the Michelin PP, but if I'm gonna gonna go that route then I'll just get the Rossos becasue they're newer technology. And I've heard of people going from the PP to the Rossos and liking them much better.

Michelin Power Race comes in a 160, medium, medium-soft, and soft.

Those look like they'd be great track tires for someone like me (not slicks), but I worry that they won't last at all after the track day. These will be my only track days this year, so I'd like some tires that perform somewhat durably on the street too.


What about these Continenals, has anybody tried these?

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/themes/motorcycletires/sport/sportattack/sportattack_en.html

[Roscoe]

It's always tough to have your cake and eat it too. Do you want sticky buns, or a compromise for mileage?

You could look for the local SV racers and find a nice set of race take offs. The faster guys will practice and run heats with one set (or more) and a fresh set for mains, leaving plenty of life in them for a C group rider. Further more they will most likely be using warmers which means they haven't been cycled too much. Around here these can be had for less than $100.

I have never road raced, but rather supermoto, and found the most costly expense for practice track days, or races, was always tires.

[ducnymph]

It's always tough to have your cake and eat it too. Do you want sticky buns, or a compromise for mileage?

How bout a nice in-between'er? 

I'd prefer to purchase some new ones cause the I'd like to keep them after the trackday. Half the fun is having the fresh rubber, watching it peel off and then having your tracked tires on your street bike 

[Ducnial]

If its its your first set of tires AND you are new to track days then I'd hedge sticky over durability. 

++ Michelin Pilot Powers - sticky, very predictable on the edge, good wear and quick to warm-up. 

Stay away from the race version (what I've heard, no first hand experience) as they can be unpredictable until fully warmed.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I'd just go with a set of Pilot Powers-they should do everything you'll be trying to do.


Check out super tire guy-one of the better places up in the bay area for tires.

[ducpainter]

I'd stay away from race tires on the street...regardless of brand.

You won't be disappointed in the Pilot Powers.

[hypurone]

My vote and all time fav (the Diablo Corsa III's and Rosso's are built on their technology as Pirelli owns them):

http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?categoria=/catalog/moto/supersport/none&vehicleType=MOTO&product_id=230796&uri=/metzeler/en_US/browser/xml/catalog/moto/SuperSport_SportecM3.xml&menu_item=/products/catalog/supersport

They have done a hard track day (B+, with several stints in A as B was hella crowded) and are still running awesome and handling the abuse on the street currently on my RS (135rwhp, 81.1ft lbs).

The unique thing about these is that they use steel belts in em and now the fronts are using it too. Truly awesome to ride on (their M1's had steel in the rears only). I converted my stalwart wingman from the Mickeyland PP's to these! You ain't gonna get 8k out of them but on a smaller bike and with less abuse  I could see them going 5-6k.

[ducnymph]

My vote and all time fav (the Diablo Corsa III's and Rosso's are built on their technology as Pirelli owns them):

http://www.us.metzelermoto.com/web/catalog/moto/moto_catalogo_schedaDescription.page?categoria=/catalog/moto/supersport/none&vehicleType=MOTO&product_id=230796&uri=/metzeler/en_US/browser/xml/catalog/moto/SuperSport_SportecM3.xml&menu_item=/products/catalog/supersport

I was wondering about these. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll consider them!



But seriously, I was wondering has anybody used these Continentals? They sound good and I really dig the tread pattern...

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/general/home/csa_testwinner_en.html

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/themes/motorcycletires/sport/sportattack/sportattack_en.html



I know everybody loves the PP's, and I probably wouldn't go wrong getting them, but I want to look at all my options.

Thanks for all the feedback everybody.

[NekkedChic]

Great thread, btw, thanks for posting this. Ironic, in need of new rubber AND for same purposes as you in fact.

My So is SCREAMING sport-tourers btw, over and over here......   feel free to respond anyone

[Turf]

I run through tires like no one, the rosso's are a new fav of mine

a nice tweener may be the bridgestone bt-016's aimed a little more at the serious riding than the rosso's but they are awesome tires.

[krista]

I'd stay away from race tires on the street...regardless of brand.

You won't be disappointed in the Pilot Powers.

A big +1 from me. 

I've done race times around willow springs on normal Pilot Powers and absolutely love them. You can't buy better performance for your bike. Only when you have a heavier bike, ride much much faster, or a lot more power would you need more tire than that.

Based on what I've heard from some track day instructors, the street/track pirelli/metzelers are also very good.

No matter what, as a new track day rider, don't run take off's, slicks, or DOT race tires. Just get good street/track tires: they're better than what I raced on 5 years ago!

Chris

[w7ck7d]

Im up for a new set of tyres for m696 mostly canyon runs and might be hitting up track this year.what should i get?

A. Michelin Pilot Power 2ct?
B. Michelin Pilot Power?

Any comment will be appreciated..thank you guys