Fort Worth Motorcycle Riders

So is the only downfall of running track pressures on the street reduced tire life?

I'm back to absolutely hating my 2CT's, if I hadn't paid so much for them I'd go buy some power pures and trash these things.

No. Running low pressures will affect the handling. The reason you run lower pressures at the track is because the tires get so hot that the pressure builds faster/higher then on the street. So in theory, the "really" hot pressure while on the track, is pretty close to the same "normal" hot pressure on the street.

So what if I bump it back to in between track and street?

The issue is when I'm "in between" riding, let me explain.

Highway, no problem
Track, after they get hot, no problem
Street where I'm not leaning all the way to the edge, they don't grip for sh!t, I'm getting sick of sliding around at moderate lean angle, its making me gun shy. Those sport touring tires I had on the katana did better than these for around town riding.

Keep in mind this isn't high speed either its as simple as turning left on to a street from a stop sign with only moderate acceleration. The front and rear keeps sliding, it's not omfg I just lost the ass end type slide its like the micro slides I bitched about before so I just kept ignoring it figuring it would go away after scrub in but its still doing it. Makes me feel like I'm running at the edge of the tires capability just putzing around town, it sucks.

When I get a lot more aggressive on them they start to stick, I guess either due to heat or increased lean angle but I can't be using the edge of the tire around town.

I take the wifes 250 out and it sticks better than mine for around town type lean angles.

I did some googling around and found a diagram that shows the 2CT's soft rubber is only the very edge of the tire, the pure's have a much wider soft area and smaller hard center so I want those next as I love the profile of the tire. The other thing I found is other people bitching that the 2ct's are squirly when your close to the compound swtich from hard to soft on the tire.

I hate these tires, I either have to ride like I'm taking grandma out for a sunday ride or like I'm running from the cops.

Those tires just take a bit, to get warmed up. Once they are warmed up they are fine. But with just putting around town, your not going to get them warmed up good.

Play around with various pressures. I don't remember what tires I have now but I know there was a huge change in handling when I bumped the pressure up. What ever it is I have seems to like higher pressures, I typically run in the 38 range, these feel better around 40 to 42.

If they are gripping good at the track AFTER they get hot, yes the tire getting hot helps with grib, but the increased pressure could also be playing a factor. Try running on the street at a higher pressure.

On my 750 when I ran 2CT's on the street, I typically kept them around 32-32 on the street. Didn't have any issues with pressures. On the track I typically ran 28-28.

Firewa11 wrote:On my 750 when I ran 2CT's on the street, I typically kept them around 32-32 on the street. Didn't have any issues with pressures. On the track I typically ran 28-28.

You think 30 - 30 would be too low for the street?

DarcShadow wrote:Play around with various pressures. I don't remember what tires I have now but I know there was a huge change in handling when I bumped the pressure up. What ever it is I have seems to like higher pressures, I typically run in the 38 range, these feel better around 40 to 42.

If they are gripping good at the track AFTER they get hot, yes the tire getting hot helps with grib, but the increased pressure could also be playing a factor. Try running on the street at a higher pressure.

I'm running 36 rear now, well, now that its 100 out I may need to down it a little bit now that I think about it, 36 in my garage is probably going to be like 40+ outside

fixxervi6 wrote:

Firewa11 wrote:On my 750 when I ran 2CT's on the street, I typically kept them around 32-32 on the street. Didn't have any issues with pressures. On the track I typically ran 28-28.

You think 30 - 30 would be too low for the street?

Give it a try and see how it feels. Personally I think that's going to be low, I'd try upping it to 38.

fixxervi6 wrote:

Firewa11 wrote:On my 750 when I ran 2CT's on the street, I typically kept them around 32-32 on the street. Didn't have any issues with pressures. On the track I typically ran 28-28.

You think 30 - 30 would be too low for the street?

I wouldn't go any lower than 30-30 on the street, but you're definitely going to wear the tires quicker than at 36. It really all depends on the type of riding you're going to be doing. If you're just commuting, I would run higher pressures to limit the wear (I run 42 currently on the street). If you're going out for a spirited ride, I'd lower the pressures to keep the heat (and grip) up. It's just a matter of getting the feel for it. Every tire brand and model is going to be different, so you'll have to experiment in order to find your 'sweet spot' for pressures.

Another thing to keep in mind, especially in Texas when it's above 90 degrees, the streets are going to be more slick (particularly on chip & seal surfaces), as the oils and tar in asphalt and from cars dripping it, the street heats up and the stuff rises to the top. It can be as nasty as ice.

Firewa11 wrote:

fixxervi6 wrote:

Firewa11 wrote:On my 750 when I ran 2CT's on the street, I typically kept them around 32-32 on the street. Didn't have any issues with pressures. On the track I typically ran 28-28.

You think 30 - 30 would be too low for the street?

I wouldn't go any lower than 30-30 on the street, but you're definitely going to wear the tires quicker than at 36. It really all depends on the type of riding you're going to be doing. If you're just commuting, I would run higher pressures to limit the wear (I run 42 currently on the street). If you're going out for a spirited ride, I'd lower the pressures to keep the heat (and grip) up. It's just a matter of getting the feel for it. Every tire brand and model is going to be different, so you'll have to experiment in order to find your 'sweet spot' for pressures.

Another thing to keep in mind, especially in Texas when it's above 90 degrees, the streets are going to be more slick (particularly on chip & seal surfaces), as the oils and tar in asphalt and from cars dripping it, the street heats up and the stuff rises to the top. It can be as nasty as ice.

Ahh, I didn't think about that, I figured it would get extra sticky when it got hot.

I'll take them down to 32 32 for the ride this weekend and see how they do, I'm not too worried about them wearing out faster than normal because I really want some power pures

Yeah, you especially have to watch out for the black "snakes" in turns.

I was typically running 36 for commuting in my 2CTs and and 32 to 34 for club rides and 28 to 30 for the track.

WillK675 wrote:I was typically running 36 for commuting in my 2CTs and and 32 to 34 for club rides and 28 to 30 for the track.

If you dont feel confident on them try a different model or brand, until you find a model you like. No one says you have to buy PP2ct, everyone's bike and everyone is different and there is no right or wrong answer, its more of a preference.

Trust your "butt dyno" if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't right.

Dragonfly wrote:

WillK675 wrote:I was typically running 36 for commuting in my 2CTs and and 32 to 34 for club rides and 28 to 30 for the track.

If you dont feel confident on them try a different model or brand, until you find a model you like. No one says you have to buy PP2ct, everyone's bike and everyone is different and there is no right or wrong answer, its more of a preference.

Trust your "butt dyno" if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't right.

As an interesting side note, I spoke to the Michelin vendor during lunch at the track today. When I asked him about his suggested tire pressure on Michelin PP 2CTs on the track, he recommended 34/34 PSI.

On the street, I run mine at 38/38.

NickS wrote:On the street, I run mine at 38/38.

same here

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A Cranberry's moment

IMO some tires slip when they are too low. I think it depends on the compound/carcass as well. If the compound/carcass is not made to be ran at lower pressures it can be just as bad. On my battlax bt0016s I feel unsafe if they get too low and have had the front slip on me when the pressure was too low. Just my opinion, I don't have any data to back it up other than personal experience.

Another concern that I don't think I have heard anyone else voice is potholes. I would rather hit a pothole with a stiffer tire and let my suspension absorb it than hit it with an under inflated tire and end up bending or breaking the rim.

Holy thread resurrection bat man.

I started this thread because of those POS 2CT's I was running. Those tires are long gone.

I was bored

fixxervi6 wrote:Holy thread resurrection bat man.

I started this thread because of those POS 2CT's I was running. Those tires are long gone.

What are you running now?

MattR1 wrote:

fixxervi6 wrote:Holy thread resurrection bat man.

I started this thread because of those POS 2CT's I was running. Those tires are long gone.

What are you running now?

I've run

Diablo's
Q2
Q3
2CT's
BT016
BTsomethignican'tremember
PR3

Running Q3 now, my favorite all around tire, for long rides the Pilot Power 3 is hard to beat, for sane street riding it's as sticky as you'll ever need. It's just a little heavy.

I havent run on the track, but on the street I run around 38 rear and 33 up front. Stock pressure when cold calls for 42 rear and 36 front. If you are running around 30 on the rear for around town your tires will never get the grip they can. The sliding feeling I have gad when my pressure has dropped to around 30. The side wall tends to flex and gives way to a small sliding feeling. Just my expiece.