Standard Dunlop D220's + Trackday = ?????

[G]

Would this be a bad idea?

I have read alot of bad things about them and then some ok things. The question is 'would these tyre be a very bad idea for a trackday that is likely to be cold, potentially wet with 20 minute sessions?'.

I have had these tyres from new and they have plenty of life in them even after 3500 miles so dont really want to start swapping them.

It the only factor stopping me from booking something that is all.

Thanks in advance.

[SoulKiss]

Originally Posted by graemepaterson

Would this be a bad idea?

I have read alot of bad things about them and then some ok things. The question is 'would these tyre be a very bad idea for a trackday that is likely to be cold, potentially wet with 20 minute sessions?'.

I have had these tyres from new and they have plenty of life in them even after 3500 miles so dont really want to start swapping them.

It the only factor stopping me from booking something that is all.

Thanks in advance.

Let me quote from the Book of the Squid.

"In these times, there are not really any bad tyres, they are all good.

Some, however, are better than others.

I would not replace a set of BT220's with another pair, but neither would I throw away a pair with life in them just to replace."

And now from the Tablets of Soulkiss

"If you dont trust the BT220's then you will doubt them, and your ability. If this is the case, change them. Think of the film "Days of Thunder" when the driver is able to drive better due to "special, matched tyres" which were nothing of the sort, but because he thought the car was more capable, he was able to push it more."

Personally I ran BT220's until I needed to change them at about 7k, then went over to Pilot Road 2's

[G]

I trust them and have never had a problem 'on the road' or indeed 'in the dry'

On a non road surface potentially in the wet then I'm not sure as I have never really been at speed in the wet whilst cornering in the 220's.

Why are you going on a track day? Answering that first will determine the answer to the next question.

If you are going to learn how to ride smooth and find the limits of the D220's then you won't need to change.

If however, you want to find the limits of *yourself* and the *bike*, stick something else on. Need not cost a lot, buy some race scrubs from Ebay and head down to ATS and they'll change them for you for about 20 quid.

Its horses for courses. D220's are an average tyre, not meant for anything like track days. They are really a commuter/tourer tyre. However, that's not to say you couldn't have fun on the track with them. You'd certainly find their limitations and that in itelf could be fun. Just don't go past the limits.

When you feel them starting to let go, there will be a sense of satisfaction, you'll have found exactly how far they will go. You may even find you are faster or the same speed as someone using far stickier rubber. Again, very satisfying. However, this will be a lot sooner than something designed for the track.

When I first started biking I couldn't afford sticky rubber but could still keep up with the guys using them whist riding the buggerance out of Continental TVK11 and 12's. They couldn't belive it but it *was* possible. I was always closer to the "edge" though.

Next, health. If you fall off, you could die. Unlikely, but possible. But you may well break something or hurt something. If you fit stickier rubber and ride at the same rate as you do on your D220's you'll have a much larger safety margin ensuring the above doesn't happen. Or, if you ride the Stickier rubber to it's limits, you're likely to be a *lot* more committed when it does go wrong so the damage could be worse! Not good. But then you have the choice not to.

Me? I'd change them (I do) Stick some race Scrub Supercorsa Pro's on and feel confident that the tyres are better than you ever will be. One less thing to worry about on the day.

If it's wet, (or likely to be) go for a sports oriented Sports touing tyre. (Conti Sport attack, Pilot Sports CT2 type thing) or even a Pilot road CT2. You can then use them very happily on the road afterwards.

It could cost as little as ?70 to have some Very Sporty rubbe ron for the day. Worth it? You decide.

cheers,
Carl

[G]

To be fair, with it being the first time on a track on a bike i doubt very much i will be near the capabilities of any tyre whilst bimbling along in the novice group.

What you could do, is buy the set of part worn michelin race tyres I will sell you, and use them for the track only. Then go back to your D220s when back on the road. Then you wear them out, get some better ones.

I now have some avon vipers which are fine for my track day skills so really don't the michelins any more. Pm me if you are interested!

Actually, if the track is likely to be cold, then maybe it isn't a good idea. They are **** when cold.

Thor,
As long as it's dry, you'll be able to get the Michelins up to temperature no problem, regardless of track temp.

Yes, but perhaps it would be better to give them to someone with more confidence. I struggled with them at Silverstone in november.

What pressures were you running them at?