what to run on a first track day?
 

Ok folks, i have a dilemma.

A week ago i got a puncture in my rear tyre. Ive had this plugged (against my better judgement) and tbh it seems to be fine, im commuting on it as we speak. Now im off to the AR then down to Devon for the following week on the bike. Minimum 1k miles im thinking. As soon as i get back im on the raf track day! Having never been on a track day (on the bike) before not only am i unsure as to whats going to go off but i am unsure as to what to do about my tyres. Now ive spoken to a member on here who has a set of used tyres he is willing to “rent” to me for the track day! Top bloke and im happy about this. However just thinking about it im wondering if this is a good idea? As im wanting to use the track day to improve my riding/see what my bike can do would i be better off on the rubber i use every day? So i can find out how much grip/lean i’ve got on the actual stuff im going to be using? As i don’t really have any experience of this i wouldn’t mind some other peoples input. The flip side is i could screw my road tyres (but seeing as i still have the whiskers on the sides after 1500miles i doubt i will actually use the sides on the road.) and i cant afford to replace them after the track day... so in summary,

a) Stick with the road rubber and rent the used rubber for the day (this is what im thinking is the best option, and it just means rebalancing the wheels when i get home)

b) Spend the money i’ve saved (not a lot ) from not renting and buy a new rear tyre (roadsmart) before the ar so its run in for the track day (and whack another 100 notes on the cc :( )

c) Stop being a wuss and run the plugged tyre on the track after all whats the worst that could happen?

Your thoughts please?

Re: what to run on a first track day?
 

B
A
Definitely not C

Re: what to run on a first track day?
 

Buy your new rear tyre and ride it till the track day,then use it on the track day.
You still have the tyre you will have taken off to replace it when worn out,done your track day on the rubber you normally ride on,it hasn't cost you any extra cash,you have piece of mind over the rubber you are using.
May be costing a few bob up front but definately the better option

Re: what to run on a first track day?
 

Non of the above!

Re: what to run on a first track day?
 

get a new tire or look round for a partworn

Re: what to run on a first track day?
 

constructive there dizz, what would you suggest based on your experience?

Re: what to run on a first track day?
 

Don't use the plugged one! Especially if you are lowering pressures on track. Get a new tyre on that you can use on road afterwards. If its your 1st t/day you probably will still have plenty life on it afterwards as most wear occurs on sides (If you are riding properly).So plenty in middle to kill off on boring road rides.

Re: what to run on a first track day?
 

I ran a plugged tyre on two trackdays with no bad effects, but I only ran it because I'd forgotten it had a plug in. I wouldn't have taken that tyre on track had I remembered

Buy a new tyre, not worth the risk of the plug failing and I wouldn't bother with the faff of swopping tyres around unless they were already on wheels I could use.

Re: what to run on a first track day?
 

to be honest, it's a good idea to do one of the RAF day's as they aren't as intense as a normal trackday, I still do the Northolt one.

I would say it's all about confidence, and although a plugged tyre maybe fine, do you want to be worried about it all day ?, I wouldn't be looking to use any tyre you don't on the road, as it'll give a false sense of what the bike can do, making it less relevant to the bikes road manners, the golden rules still apply however, know your own limits and push gently or pay the price.

Cheers Mark.

Re: what to run on a first track day?
 

Get a set of part worn Diablo Corsas and use them on the road too for the errrr summer.