New bike+stock tires+trackday=Bad Idea?

ezzywave · Aug 14, 2007

Hi everyone, new guy here. I tried searching for an answer to this but came up with nothing.

I have a new GSX-R 750 ('07) with 500(?) miles on it. I will probably put another couple hundred on it before the end of Aug. when we are talking about attending a trackday here in Portland, Or. This would be the second ever trackday for me (the first was in June).

What is everyone's opinion about using the stock Bridgestones for a trackday? Last June I used Pilot Powers on my old Yam. YZF-600 and they felt good. And how about the bike itself? How many miles is enough to be considered "broken in"?

I'm by no means fast, but not exactly a beginer(25 yrs on sportbikes). Thanx for any input!!!

Flounder · Aug 14, 2007

500 miles.. Its been broken in for a long time.. We dont know your riding ability but I dont know many that would say to push hard on the track with stock tires.. Even in novice group class you will most likely be pushing your bike harder then you ever have on the street.

Quig · Aug 14, 2007

If you've been riding for 25 years I'd like to think you're well aware of your limits and, in this case, the limits of the stock tires. Seems to me you should be just fine on them. Just don't go trying to set any lap records and you'll be fine.

However, if you plan on making this trackday thing a habit I'd strongly suggest upgrading to real race-rubber sooner rather than later.

:cheers

dJt3xtbook · Aug 14, 2007

anything is "possible," but that doesn't make it beneficial. even if you hit 800 miles before the track day, you're technically still breaking it in. as such, you really shouldn't be riding your bike that hard and won't be much of a track day experience. the stock bridgestones are bearable, but you would have a lot more fun on PPs. i say, save your money and get new tyres instead. then go on the next track day with your friends.

TOEJAM · Aug 14, 2007

-1.

Not to thread jack or turn this into a "break in" thread: but SVS bought his new K7 600 and took it immediately to the track for break in. I always perform the hard break in myself.

His bike is well beyond broken in with 700 miles on it.

As far as the tires, i don't like the Battlax at all...not even for street. I would say change them. You can get a new set for under 3 bills. To me, it is worth that to make sure i am riding on good shit. Plus you don't want to enter your track day with doubt and uncertainty about your tires.

dJt3xtbook · Aug 14, 2007

TOEJAM said:
-1.

Not to thread jack or turn this into a "break in" thread: but SVS bought his new K7 600 and took it immediately to the track for break in. I always perform the hard break in myself.

ok, i know martin knows his shit, but I still believe that the mototune break-in is the most appropriate. doing the break-in on a track "could" work, but the exact RPM fluctuations needed would be difficult to mimic on the track.

ezzywave · Aug 14, 2007

Thanx for the replies. In the past it was a no-brainer, put on decent rubber before you even rode a new street bike. I'll bet the front tire of my old FJ slid out just pushing the bike out of the showroom floor!

Lately though, I have read comments in the bike rag reviews saying how much better "modern O.E.M. tires are". I guess ya gotta read between the lines, meaning 'better than what'?

So what do you guys suggest for tires for the 750? Do the Pilot Powers work as good as anything else? I prefered them over the Dunlop 208's on my old Yam 600, but that was a way heavier bike with way less power. I ride lots of twisties with the occasional trackdays in my future.

Tyler600 · Aug 14, 2007

dJt3xtbook said:
anything is "possible," but that doesn't make it beneficial. even if you hit 800 miles before the track day, you're technically still breaking it in. as such, you really shouldn't be riding your bike that hard and won't be much of a track day experience. the stock bridgestones are bearable, but you would have a lot more fun on PPs. i say, save your money and get new tyres instead. then go on the next track day with your friends.

BULL!!! Everyone one of my bikes has had less than 500 miles on it when it was taken to the track. Not once have I had any motor issues.

As for the stock tires....take'um off and sell'um. You can probably sell your set for around 200 bucks and that is a decent start to a nice set of race tires.

fratellobp · Aug 15, 2007

All good comments above. Obviosly you're gonna get mixed opinions on this question. I'm with Quig...you should be fine until you are running mid-pack B group pace. Then I highly recommend better rubber (better than PP or Qualifiers...more like 2CTs or 208GPs).

My .02

chrisOH · Aug 15, 2007

ezzywave said:
Thanx for the replies. In the past it was a no-brainer, put on decent rubber before you even rode a new street bike. I'll bet the front tire of my old FJ slid out just pushing the bike out of the showroom floor!

Lately though, I have read comments in the bike rag reviews saying how much better "modern O.E.M. tires are". I guess ya gotta read between the lines, meaning 'better than what'?

So what do you guys suggest for tires for the 750? Do the Pilot Powers work as good as anything else? I prefered them over the Dunlop 208's on my old Yam 600, but that was a way heavier bike with way less power. I ride lots of twisties with the occasional trackdays in my future.

To give you an idea on how good stock tires are, I have run within 5 seconds of my best lap time what I consider my own track on my 01 GSXR 1000 on D207 ZRs that were past their prime.

If are going to track to work on some technique (body, throttle, braking) and have fun then the stock tires will be fine for a second trackday. Heck I did 4-5 trackdays before I made the switch to race tires (then crashed on the last session due 100% rider screw up).

Now with ToeJam's thoughts I agree I have not liked the BT street tires since my first set of BT-56 on my 98 CBR 900. The stock set on my 01 had a habit of falling in past a certain lean angle, they gave no feedback on the brakes especially, and seemed to lack grip. I could generally carry 5-10 mph more Corner speed and feel just as comfortable when I made the switch to Dunlops.

Now I have not tried the BT-002 street/trackday tire, but I race on BT-002 soft front/ medium rear and like them.

If you will have 700-800 miles then I say your motor is fine. I usually spend the first 1000 miles learning the bike with very few burst past 8k RPM before 500 miles. Then I progress up as I become comfortable with the bike. It is not necessarily break in of the motor, but come to terms with for me. I know my 01 Gix 1k broke in with a very strong motor.

Ryabusa · Aug 15, 2007

500 miles? no problem!

I say upgrade to race rubber (or hybrids like Dunlop Qualifiers, Michelin Pilot Powers, Bridgestone BT-002's), set your pressures, change your oil, tape up those lights, get rid of the mirrors, switch coolant out to waterwetter and go!!!

I tracked my K6 1000 after 500 miles myself and no problems at all. I've found the engine to accelerate harder the more I track her. But everyone is gonna have different opinions about this. I think 500 miles is more than enough break-in time and right around now, your K7 wants to go WFO.

flip1199 · Aug 18, 2007

i did my first trackday on the bt014's, and they held up fine until my last session. but that was pretty much a back to back session and everyone in the other groups had pretty much packed up and left.

Here's a pic i like to throw up when everyone says the bt014's suck on the street and the track... also it would be a good idea to get your suspension dialed in.

edls · Aug 19, 2007

I gotta say that I did 3 track days with the stock bt014's and I had no problems. I set the pressure to 30psi front and rear. So many people really hate the stock tires :confused. I would just leave them on for one or two track days and see how you like them for yourself. I would just pace myself and don't go balls out especially on your brand new bike.

It's not a bad idea to put your new bike on the track right now (500 miles). I did my first one at about 800 miles and no problems so far. Bike runs great.

Make sure the bike is prepped for the track cause even a little get off on a stock new bike can get really expensive. Don't ask me how I know :sad Not to mention the hard time insurance company will give you :thumbdown

I would start with frame sliders, track plastics, extra parts like clips ons, and rear sets and pegs, and levers. Those are the things that break first.

Good luck and have fun!!

New bike+stock tires+trackday=Bad Idea?

ezzywave

Flounder

Quig

dJt3xtbook

TOEJAM

dJt3xtbook

ezzywave

Tyler600

fratellobp

chrisOH

Ryabusa

flip1199

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