Would you ride 500 miles on these tires?

[makenzie71]

both tooooooooooooo slow.  I've had both closer to 130 without any problems.  I know the Bandit is geared to exceed 120 by a ways so their bike must have been broken.  A stock Nighthawk won't reach very high because she's geared short...change the sprockets and she'll reach way past 120.  Both bikes will.  Hell my 36hp XS400 would do 118 (radar indicated).

[ashman]

Thats pretty much what I found from several sources over near a decades worth of data. But okay.

-Ash

[Cal Price]

Conventional wisdom is that if you set off on a 500 mile trip make sure your tyres are fit for double the distance. the fact that you are concerned indicates they are borderline at best, maybe OK for a straightforeward trip but not for sporty riding or anything being pushed to the limit.

[Egaeus]

I might ride to the gap on those tires, but I wouldn't ride the gap on those tires.

[SmartDrug]

I'm with Mak on this, I've been on worse at the Gap but if you don't feel safe, buy some from a dealership.

[nastynate6695]

go out and buy some preruns from the track....extra sticky..there still in good condition and have excellent tread on them.    thats what everyone does around here.

[SmartDrug]

go out and buy some preruns from the track....extra sticky..there still in good condition and have excellent tread on them.    thats what everyone does around here.

That's because 90% of riders in Daytona are squids... j/k.  Seriously though, get some used track tires, they're great for hard street riding but NOT race tires. Unless you're seriously cooking out there, race compound tires won't get hot enough to stick well.

[nastynate6695]

they do when its 85 to 90 degrees ouside and the road heats up after absorbing all that solar energy

[SmartDrug]

they do when its 85 to 90 degrees ouside and the road heats up after absorbing all that solar energy

Not even close to normal operating temp for race compound tires, those things cool down if you're not constantly wailing on them.  I don't care if it's 100 degrees outside.

[SmartDrug]

Read this write-up from Chicken Hawk Racing, they make Tire Warmers:
http://chickenhawkracing.com/page/7vc/Facts_Info/FAQs.html

What is operating temperature?

Almost all tire compounds (street legal and racing slicks) are working well at temperatures between 145 & 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Just because you are sweating and hot doesn't mean your tires are hot.  Some qualifying tires need to be as hot as 210 F

[Cozzy]

That is the model i Hate , . Take the Crap Fairings off and put a single or double lamp on it , it looks so rough like that!

Hey I just brought one, I don't like the fairing too but it is kinda good to have some wind protection.

Cheerz

[Jay_wolf]

Id rather get full force of the wind , and look gd , then have bulky fairing that doesnt even flow with the bike

ive never used any sort of fairing ,or anything , and it doesnt bother me at all , i carely even feel it , and how can little bits of crappy fairing stop wind hitting you at 100mph? it cant ,

im sure its about taste

[nastynate6695]

What is operating temperature?

Almost all tire compounds (street legal and racing slicks) are working well at temperatures between 145 & 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Just because you are sweating and hot doesn't mean your tires are hot.  Some qualifying tires need to be as hot as 210 F.




so you are telling me that if its 95 degrees out and the pavement is absorbing the solar energy unless im flying down the street at 90mph my tires arnt at the operating temp.

[SmartDrug]

Speed has almost nothing to do with tire temperature, they're not doing any work to speak of unless you're accelerating or decelerating when going straight.  to get tires up to normal operating temp, you need to be cornering very hard.  So you're correct, going 90mph straight on 95 degree pavement will not get street tires up to their optimal temperature, and they will be downright dangerous on race compounds.  Tearing up Deal's Gap at a constant 60 mph in 95 degree weather will absolutely get them up to the 150-210 degree range, but how often will you be doing that?  Would you rather have tires that are working at their best (street compound) 95% of the time but can't quite run as hard as race tires, or tires that are risky 95% of the time and kick ass when they're in their element (hot, twisty tracks)?  Safe bet is on nice quality street tires like the Pilot Powers or the Metzeler M1/M3.

[ashman]

Thanks for the info everyone! I decided not to risk it and what do you know Friday night my tires showed up, a day late and a dollar short. Its a pair of Metzler Z4's fyi. Anyway, thanks again.

-Ash

[nastynate6695]

get a shipping refund from the company..