190 v 180 rear tire on the track with a 600CC

[Yody]

I was told at T-hill the other day by the tire guy and some other very fast/experienced pro riders to go with a 190 rear on my F4I rather than a 180. The reason was that I would have more traction/tire patch. Also was told I would have less turn in, but the tradeoff was worth it. Even after hearing from these guys I am still thinking I would like to stick with the 180. I am thinking of buying some new track tires this weekend and am curious. I am looking at the Dunlop 209's. I have the older pilot races now, and I think they are through.

[Lester Green]

I run a 180 on my zx10 always have, but that's my preference, i prefer quicker turn in. never really had a problem with less contact patch (but then again i'm not racing either). If you run the 209 (190/60) you will have to change your suspension set up. It's a tall tire and will affect the geometry of your bike.

[Ratters]

Seems like it would be too wide for you rim to me.

[purluv420]

Last year when I was riding an 03 zx6r I was running a 195 Dunlop slick and the bike loved it. I had the rear jacked up as high as I could get it and the bike was super stable plus turned in better then the 180.

[#1Freak]

if you are not running sub 2:00 at t-hill, or close, i think it would be a waste of money....

B

[Yody]

Originally posted by #1Freak
if you are not running sub 2:00 at t-hill, or close, i think it would be a waste of money....

B
Yeah I was kinda thinking the same thing.

[Lester Green]

180 is also cheaper..

[Yody]

180 it is, just needed some confirming of what I already knew. Sometimes you gotta take fast guys advice with a grain of salt, because what works for them, might be overkill or counterproductive to you(if your as slow as I am :) )

[Lester Green]

don't feel like the lone stranger...

[afm199]

Yep. I like the cheap Dunlop DOTs. I will run then on my 636 till I start hitting 1:59s at Thill, then I will worry about better tires. I may never have to buy them. :laughing

[Yody]

so BTW I need some new tires and don't wanna spend $400+, I was advised that the dunlop DOT 208 GPA's would be perfect for somone as great as myself. I think I will go that way. Only thing I am worried about is that I am used to the michelin profile that gives that great turn-in, does the roudness of the dunlop profile really kill some of the turn-in?

[Lester Green]

Originally posted by yody
so BTW I need some new tires and don't wanna spend $400+, I was advised that the dunlop DOT 208 GPA's would be perfect for someone as great as myself. I think I will go that way. Only thing I am worried about is that I am used to the Michelin profile that gives that great turn-in, does the roudness of the dunlop profile really kill some of the turn-in?
I used to run those exclusively until i started getting racetecs on the cheap. I love that tire, except they don't make it anymore. You can still get them, and probably on closeout. try this place southwest moto tires. http://www.swmototires.com/. free shipping if you buy two tires.

[Yody]

I've found them for $280 plus install locally. Sounds good

[Lester Green]

that's a good price. only diff is that site i gave has soft and med compound for sale. makes me think they might be the european tire which is supposed to be a better tire than the U.S. made tire.

[Yody]

no, actually these are advertised as US tires http://www.sporttire.com/specials.htm

[Var]

i heard taller profile (190-60) will turn in better than the 180-55

[purluv420]

Originally posted by yody
Sometimes you gotta take fast guys advice with a grain of salt,

I got to say that I think that is some faulty logic at bext and when do you know when to listen and when to blow it off? When I started riding last year on the track, once I wanted to better my riding all I did was listen to the fast guys. The fast guys are fast for a reason and even though everything they say might not work for you the overall knowledge from trial and error from attempting there ideas will get you very far. The worst from attempting something is that you find out it doesn't work but the other side of that is finding something that you have been missing in your riding all together. I say try the 190 and work with Dave Moss or others to match the geometry to that tire combo, wouldn't you feel a lot safer out there if say you were doing the same times but had chicked strips on the sides of your tires instead of using every last inch of side grip available?

[Yody]

yes, and those are good points. But all I said was take it with a grain of salt, didn't say not to listen. But really you have to do that with any advice. I decided I am going to go with the 180/120 208GPA's. I'll try a 190 down the road.