Pirelli tire selection

So you like to go 2 or so seconds a lap slower than the other guys? But that's cool if it works for you...

 

Sorry to hear that.

But I'll assume the rest of my post is still relevant regardless if you were responsibly reporting facts and seeking out help and information for a brand you support or ... otherwise.

 

Shoot me a PM here or email me at [email protected] if you have any specific questions I can answer.

 

Its fine to flip front or rear I do that to my old tires to get me by on half a track day. I wouldnt flip a tire for a race event

 

Why wouldn’t you flip for a race?

 

Depends on your pace and what you're trying to achieve. After a certain point, if a tire has to be flipped (regardless of brand), its lost enough of its capable grip that it's detrimental to race on.

 

Sc1 tires dont last long! 1 race and tire gets worn past wear marker on one side. So, I flip it for half a trackday.

 

I think that's a very subjective statement.

Your SC1, on your race bike, with your suspension, ridden by you, on the race track you race on, with pressure set by your tire gauge and using your warmer practices lasts you one race.

Meanwhile, in WSBK, racers are using production SC0 and SCX rears on factory superbikes over WSBK race distance (≈100km).

And Moto2 bikes are doing the same (also ≈100km).

 

Word

 

Hey how's it going at NJMP and Barber? Y'all doing ok?

 

I might actually try Pirellis next year. Destroying tires is getting old. When the entire stack of tires at the Dunlop vendor looks terrible, it’s not my setup that’s the problem.

 

Come to the light...

 

It could be that the vendor never brings the right compounds for new pavement. I had a customer up there with one good looking tire, and one bad. The good tire came from me. The other, he got from a guy from Ohio that was working an event there.

 

Aprilia Cup? 3.5" front, 4.5" rear.

I was thinking 120/70-17 SC2 front and 160/60-17 SC2 rear. Light bike. <60hp at the wheel. I'm on the faster end of the Advanced group at NJMP (they run 4 groups - advanced is #3) on my 848. I'm not hard on the front - maybe the SC3 front would be smarter, especially early in the year.

 

Caveat: not a tire guy, didn't sleep at a holiday inn.

For compound choice based on this post, you'd want a soft front and harder rear for colder temps. Additionally, my own sleuthing has lead me to conclude the following generalization which are also supported by this video.

• For colder track conditions, the suggestion is to run a softer front tire compound (SC1 or K1) and a harder rear compound (SC3 or K3).
• For warmer track conditions, the suggestion is to run a soft - medium front compound (SC1 or SC2) and a softer rear compound (SC1, SC0, K1, or K0).
• For cold conditions, the objective seems to be to run the hardest rear tire compound that prevents tearing while providing the needed grip.
• For warm conditions, the objective seems to be to find the softest rear compound that will tolerate the surface abrasion that you're riding on.

As for width, a 4.5" seems to narrow for a 160. I believe you'd want at least a 5" tire for a 160. Perhaps a 140?

 

You should shoot me an email and I'll help you out. You're getting fed bad information.

[email protected]

 

I freely admit I don't know anything about anything. You probably just shipped me an SC2 and SC1 for my 848.

 

Hey! I wanna know too?

 

The "problem" with answering questions in gen pop is that I'm either forced to fish with a big net and give very generic information (see also the chart that Pirelli provides regarding temps, pressures and compounds everyone is always referencing) or get more information directly from the person with the question and answer their question specifically and accurately. His answer might not be your answer. Or it might be.

Think of the compound chart for Pirelli race tires sort of like the "recommended" sag numbers you see circulating around. If you know absolutely nothing about a particular motorcycle and the springs or geometry or a myriad of other variables, up to and including the rider's skillset, set the sag. If you know all those things, you can do much better and you don't worry much about sag.

So if you have no access to any better real world and track specific information and historical data, use the chart.

As always, feel free to email me.

Edit: When Vasiliy Zhulin set the lap record at Nelsons in 2019, it was pretty cool out. High 40s or low 50s, if I'm remembering correctly. He was on an SC1 front and an SC0 rear. Probably running different pressures than some other guys out there, though. Chart says we were wrong.

https://www.roadracingworld.com/new... the impressive lap,1 and A Superbike classes.

 

I'm slow (like really slow) pace A group with a outdated '08 CBR600RR looking to get a set of Pirellis. I'm making the transition to slicks and would like a set that offers good all year riding. Most of my riding will be in California with some trips to Arizona and Texas (COTA in May). Though not local, my supplier would be CT.

What would you guys recommend? SC2 front and SC3 rear?

Do I make that jump to a 190/60 or stick to 180/60?