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

[Stu]

I ran D220's on my first trackday (Hot August day) THey were fine & my crash (front wheel lock) I will accept as rider error rather than tyre choice.

I can't remember, but blue was there so I did what he said. Didn't seem to make a difference.

Part of problem was my confidence. It was a viscious circle where I couldn't trust them enough to get the heat into them. Hence, a more experienced rider would have had no problem, but for a newbie like me it was a bit too much.

Thor,

This is actually a good point.
I've not tried the Michelins so can't say but it sounds similar to the SC Pro's.

If you ride them with trepidation, (so they stay cold) they act like an awkward teenager. You have to say "Oi! *I'm* the boss here" and take control. As soon as you do, they shine.

You have to push the tyre before you get the rewards. You don't have to push it much, but you'll know how far this is as soon as you do it.

Lowering the tyre pressures helps because the extra deformation aids in the heating process.

Carl

Yeah I understand. They were just a little too "expert" for my level. I tried them once in the middle of summer at rockingham and they were awesome. Felt like the bike was welded to the road!

[jambo]

Having done trackdays on Bridgestone BT020s, Pirelli Diablo Stradas and Dunlop 207s, I would say that for your first outing a tyre such as the D220 will be fine. Sticky race ruber is probably overkill for you.

Several people were running D220s at Lydden and had plenty of fun. That said if they're nearly shot, replace with a Z6 / Strada / PR2 or similar before the trackday rather than just after so you get the best feeling you can from the bike, squared off rubber doesn't help this a lot.

[Balky001]

Tyres are the last thing you should be worrying about on your first track day, by which I mean if you have doubts then get a tyre you know has a good reputation for track days, like a basic Diablo - you can use them on road and track, no real heat up worries and good in the wet. The you can forget about whether the tyres are OK, make sure you do a few laps to warm up then concentrate on the riding, no niggling worries in yor head

Keep your D220's for when the Diablo's are worn (bet you wont want them back on though).

I done my first trackday on them with a puncture repair in the ****ing rain. I found them fine on the track but not so good on the grass .

If your old avatar pic is anything to go by you'll be fine.

I'm nervous as hell if that's any consolation.

Originally Posted by SoulKiss

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

Some, however, are better than others.

(He stole that from Animal Farm, the swine! (No, not that one!) )