PSA: Race Tires & Race Tracks

Settle down. I'm not bitching about the age of the tire. I was just surprised that it was not available in the US at all (Trackside had zero, waiting for them to show up from Italy, and Moto-D got some just in time), but the date codes showed that the hold up wasn't manufacturing.

I bought a bike and that was the tire on it. It wasn't until I started looking into slicks (later) that I realized it was not a common size. I'm not sure how I was supposed to be aware of that. I bought my 848 in late '21 on a whim after a 25 year break.

 

I see your plank of wood... and offer you this: https://www.pit-bull.com/pit-crew-tire-wedge-f0102-000

 

Ok no worries Sir. The trend for 10 plus years is racers (and most track-day peeps) are using the same sizes as WSBK and WSS. So it surprises me that some NA riders are still diving into a size that is 2 generations and years old, and don't you want to use something new/better? And sure some Kramers use this the 180/55 slick.
Understanding this I would guess for every 180/55 Slick or DOT sold Trackside (like most other vendors) sell around one hundred 190/60s as they are the latest MW race size. So how many 180/55 DOT track-day tires does a vendor stock if you they don't know you want a few
?
Reading between the lines in your notes it's clear to me that worldwide race tires are outselling DOT track-day product by a HUGE margin. There is good news here too, as if the market is asking for more DOT track-day tires the pipe line will get restocked but it's going to take some time. Jeezzz, I can ramble on can't I? Ciao a tutti

 

And the tires come from Germany

 

Thanks for the additional info. I don't spend much time thinking about tires (or WSS for that matter) so I had no idea it was uncommon or that something else was better. Once I burn through my stash, I'll move to a more common size.

My buddy has a tagged 998R that he raced ages ago and claims he's going to bring back to the track this season. I noticed it has a 190/50 on it!

 

Oh very nice thanks! Why didn't ibkniw about this lol. I love it!!!!

 

You don't know what you don't know. That's why we need each other. lol

They're very handy, and if you have a pitbull stand already (you do), they lock on to them so they don't scoot away.

 

I am ordering one today!

 

Exchanged my old leaky new tire at Daytona track today. Meet and spoke with Mark Tenn. Nice chat. Then got my SV650 seat shaved

 

And they you go a new DOT 180/60 V4 TD tire built in the fall of last year