How's my tire

[leclairk]

I'm getting ready for my first track day and they say your tires need to be at 75% or better. I don't want to get to the track and have them tell me my tires aren't good enough. These tires are PR3's with 4K miles. Lucky for me I saw the Bridgestone tire deal so I picked up a set for $177 just in case I need them. I would love to get through the track day and THEN put the fresh rubber on. This is the rear tire.

 

[leclairk]

Here is the front.

 

[HotRodZilla]

From what I know of PR3s, 4k is way beyond 75%, but I don't know how they measure or determine that. Your best bet is to look up the tread depth of a new tire and compare that to what you're showing.

 

[LKLD]

We used to use a penny back in the day. I would think they would have a minimum measurement of tread depth, as 75% is very subjective. For instance, how would they determine your tire is at 74%? I'm sure some tracksters will be here shortly to give correct info.

 

[ionbeam]

We used to use a penny back in the day. I would think they would have a minimum measurement of tread depth, as 75% is very subjective. For instance, how would they determine your tire is at 74%? I'm sure some tracksters will be here shortly to give correct info.

Penny: If part of Lincoln's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32" of tread depth remaining.

Place a quarter into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Washington's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 4/32" of tread depth remaining.

The coins provide a well controlled dimension gauge which is usually readily available.

 

[Pterodactyl]

Go to just about any auto parts store and buy a tire tread depth gauge for under $8. Get an accurate measurement in 32d of an inch or mm.

And before you go, mount your new tires, cause you are going to need them.

 

[juniorfjr]

Hell, compared to what I've seen others post he's got at least 3 to 4 thousand left in those.

 

[Twigg]

Hell, compared to what I've seen others post he's got at least 3 to 4 thousand left in those.

... or 30 laps, going slowly

It's hard to appreciate just how abrasive many tracks are until you have shredded a brand new set of tires in an afternoon.

Edit: Adding to this ....

Back in the mid-nineties I had an FJ1200A. Nice bike, just a few years old. Once a season I'd fit a set of sticky road tires and expect the rear to get 4 to 5000 miles ... and average year riding (short summers).

One year I had a new set fitted and rode the 60 miles to Brands Hatch, Kent, where we had a track day booked. I can't remember how many laps I covered. The day was split into two sessions, so maybe 50 laps total.

The point is that even me, a slow rider on my best days and not one to get maximum lean or perfect apexes ... even I was on either maximum acceleration or maximum braking much of the lap. Those tires would leave black lines on the road under braking even without any locking of the wheel whatsoever.

That set of tires was barely road legal for the ride home.

 

[El Toro Joe]

Those look fine...finish them off at yer track day. Besides...you won't be using the center, and there's plenty of tread left on the sides.

 

[TomInPA]

I think you'd like the feel of the T30 for the track day a lot better than a Pilot Road. The turn in and sticky confidence factor is really nice. PR tires are great for touring, but I think the Bridgestones stand head and shoulders above them for handling, not so much for durability.

Be sure to have enough time on the new tires they are not slick.

 

[Pterodactyl]

It does not matter how they look or what people think. The track guys will probably measure how much rubber is left. If I recall correctly, most new rear tires have about 9 mm of tread.

 

[art miller]

Tires likely vary slightly by brand. I run PR2's and they have 5/32 front and 8/32 rear. As previously stated, get a tire tread depth gauge. It will come in handy for all your vehicles.

 

[900gc]

I've seen bikes at track days with worse tires but that's no indication of what your track day host will think. You could always send them the pics and ask. I assume you bought the T30's and depending on how hard you ride and appreciate good handling, I'd mount those up, put a couple hundred miles on them and hit the track. Good, new tires will greatly enhance your enjoyment AND reduce fatigue by not having to muscle the bike around as much on 1/2 worn tires. Save the Mich's for when the Stones are toast and finish wearing them out.

 

[leclairk]

Looks like on a new set of PR3's the tread depth is approx. 7/32. My rear tire is 4/32, front is 3/32, so 60% tread left on the rear, 50% on the front. I think I will pull them off for the track day and throw on the T30's. I've got a 3K mile ride in mid-June so with any luck I can do the track day and that ride on the T30's. We'll see. Sounds like one day at the track will just about eat these up.

 

[SkooterG]

I would just do the track day on your PR3s. Good last use of them. They will be fine. Unless you want stickier ties for the track. In which case the Bridgestons go on.

 

[BanjoBoy]

I think you'd like the feel of the T30 for the track day a lot better than a Pilot Road. The turn in and sticky confidence factor is really nice. PR tires are great for touring, but I think the Bridgestones stand head and shoulders above them for handling, not so much for durability.
Be sure to have enough time on the new tires they are not slick.

^THIS^

I doubt you have 75% left on those, 'n as long as yer spend'in big money fer a track day, ya might as well do it right; w/ confidence.

 

[luvtoride]

More info on the Bridgestones for $177.00, please? Also, I may be too late... but a set of decent tires for under $200 is certainly for me! Where did you find them?

 

[El Toro Joe]

T30 GT...the tires I had at the camping meet last year...jakewilson.com or you can also try rockymountainatatv.com (one in the same) Heidi.

 

[Bugnatr]

Replace them with new tires, you are going to the track to to push your bike harder than the street -don't **** around with tires that have 4k miles on them. Besides if the track peeps don't let you run you are really screwed. Save the pr's for when the new ones are toast.

I've done 4 track days with 4 different bikes and all days were on either the pilot roads (the first ones) or on PR 2's. Never had any trouble with PR's but they were all almost or new tires.

Don't worry about new tires, just go easy the first few laps as they will be scrubbed in real quick