When Should We Change Motorcycle Tyres on Track?

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In this video we go over some points for consideration around when you should change your motorcycle tyres on the track, and how to know when the right time is for YOU to change them, outside of what others might be saying.

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[dezib]

I use Dunlop NTEK on track, i use a tyre pen and mark each heat cycle/day on the sidewall after every track day so i at a glance I can see how many cycles each tyre has on it.

[Pstaines]

Great video! I've done lots of miles and a few track days on a set of Supercorsas. I'm amazed at how well they have lasted, and I put it down to being easy on the throttle and having a bike that has less than 100hp😂

[giodc]

Oh well, where do i start. First of all, great video. Even amongst experienced track riders there is a lot of confusion and bad practices. I have used brand new tyres and takeoffs and had good days with both. I also did a full trackday with a Pirelli Superbike with no wear indicators on the RHS on a RHS track and i was fine and no harm was done (i am not too fast though) . I also used 4 year old and 50% SC0 in high heat and they worked amazing giving me plenty of condifence. So yeah, doubt that a tyre will just give up all of a sudden but surely you want to have fresh rubber whenever possible. If you have two sets of wheels, bring both and fit different compounds to them so you can adjust to the conditions of the day. Wrong pressures and wrong compound will surely lead to premature death.

[UnknownSund]

This is one of your best Dan. Good advice based on real world experience. Covered everything really for the track day rider. Well except to warn owners not to be a tight-ass on their tyres. I've heard many a rider say 'oh, that will last one more trackday...'...then down the road a session or two later. I just tend to find the less experienced riders don't have the discipline to slow down when grip has diminished.

[quinnfable]

You’re videos are superb quality man! Life at Lean is also a great channel name 🤙🏼

[mrmaniac]

Can you do a video on slicks vs road tyres and time differences in times.

[satzawesome]

Great content . One more item . My sv650 came with brand new pilot power ct. I did 5 track days and in cooler condition there was a drop in grip and some slip. I learned about date stamps and realized the tire was 9 yr old. Put some new Q3 plus and what a change in grip level. Only one track day but I am still getting used to the change. The stamp is on the tire .

[rcggijzen]

About the heat cycles; is it possible to 'over-cook' a tyre? I remember cases where I had run my tire at too low a pressure for the temperatures that day and therefore it overheated. After cooling down there was blueish-haze on the surface. I was told the rubber had now changed properties because of the extreme overheating and should not be used again, or at least with great care. Is there any truth to this?

[nikos.kouts]

Very nice video! What pressure would you use on a 20-25celcius trackday for a pirelli diablo rosso corsa 2 and what on a 10-15celcius yrack day?

[bimoraharjo]

Wow your video blowing my mind. At least i know the "heat cycle" is almost just a myth among rider.

[abansari]

i am interested in a vedio with subtitles

[sk]

You didn’t mention flipping the tyres? A lot of us do it if the track is heavily biased one side, no loss of grip in the dry

[marktebbutt]

Great video Dan, but would the tearing seen at e.g. 1:59 make you change the tyre? Or is that ok? Will it disappear with another session at correct tyre pressure? (I ask because my tyre looks exactly like that!)

[MrYeshood]

Is it safe to take to the road on the tyres you just used to go around brands hatch for the day they are a bit chewed up thanks

[Showmetheevidence-]

Depending on how hard or fast you ride... those heat cycles are definitely an issue. When racing I could definitely feel a “drop” in grip after a few really hot sessions followed by the tyres cooling down completely.

However, you’re right. People panic a bit too much... grip slowly gets less vs just suddenly not being there :)

[zoltanfrast]

What if you have a track tire that's been used for 2 sessions, then left for almost a year and developed a hard "shell" should I throw them out? Or can I still use them?

[whiteboiwyatt]

After low-siding back to back on my Dunlop Q4s i can definitely say I’ve lost all confidence in them, but I honestly think it was me and not the tire, either way I have a trackday this weekend and im just gonna go ahead and fork out the extra dosh for slicks, i really want to run Metzeler slicks but there’s no tire vendor offering them at any track near me.

I find it strange though, I managed a second place finish on this set of Q4s, yet right after that I low sided twice in a row, its taken a toll on my confidence (and my wallet lol), hoping i can get back to where i was with a fresh set of rubber. Thanks for the vids man I can’t begin to explain how much of a help this channel has been to me.

[Golub_]

Don't use em more than 2 track days and 2 heat cycles!

[mr.crankdat]

Can you please start making videos again, I’m trying to get better