Tire pressure

[TGriffith]

Every track day, there's always several people asking what pressure they should be running.  I did a little research, and was able to find recommendations on several popular tires.  Please feel free to add your tire to the list if it is missing...

(*note: these are all recommendations for track only*)
Avon Azaro II    36 front, 38 rear
Avon Azaro Sport II    33 front, 34 rear
Avon Super Sport II    34 front, 36 rear
Bridgestone 010    33 fron, 35 rear
Bridgestone BT56ss    Road: 36 front, 42 rear (no track specs)
Bridgestone BT001R    36 front, 36 rear (*hot pressures*)
Dunlop D207F Sportmax    32 front,  30 rear
Dunlop D207RR     32 front,  30 rear
Dunlop D208GP A  31 front, 32 rear
Konkorde Dual Compound    34 front, 40 rear
Metzler ME21    32 front, 30 rear
Metzler ME23    32 front, 30 rear
Metzler ME23 Race    32 front, 30 rear
Metzler RennSport    31 front, 28 rear
Michelin Pilot Power    32-33 front, 30-31 rear
Michelin Pilot Sport    31 front, 29 rear
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup    31 front, 29 rear
Michelin Pilot Race    31 front, 29 rear
Michelin Power Race 31-33 front, 22-24 rear
Pirelli Diablo     32 front, 36 rear (same PSI for street, too)
Pirelli Diablo Corsa    32 front, 35 rear  (Ian's bike)
Pirelli Diablo Corsa 3  32 front, 34 rear
Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa Pro (SC1/SC2)  28F/25R COLD, 32F/28-29R HOT
Pirelli Evo Corsa    31 front, 30 rear        Street: 35 front, 39 rear
Pirelli Evo Super Corsa    31 front, 28 rear
Pirelli MTR01/02 Dragon    34 front, 30 rear
Pirelli MTR21/22 EVO    31 front, 30 rear

[oneal]

Great work Tom.  One popular tire I noticed missing was the Michelin Pilot Power.  I've heard people using 30-32 front, 28-30 rear for those.

Maybe we can create an "Info" section on the site for this.  We could also add Pauls trackday checklist and your "gluewire" how-to 

[prudolf]

I think we need to make an official "Glue-wire" sticky

[prudolf]

So generally most street and DOT tires are recommended 30-32psi front, and 28-30psi rear (cold) for trackuse.  Only tire I've really heard running different pressures are for guys running Pilot Races, needing much lower pressures. 

It's been a while since my last STT day, but Monte and the crew always provide good info on tire's.  Helps too that they're a michelin dealer and can test them till they turn blue...no pun intended ;-)

I've been hunting for a more up-to-date list on the web, but haven't come across any yet.  We really need a list with the latest generation tires on it:  Metzeler M1's and now M3's, Pilot Powers, D208's and Qualifiers, BT-012's, and so on.

[oneal]

So what tires is everyone using this year?  I'm sticking with the Diablo Corsa's.  Any updates for the tire pressure list?

[TGriffith]

I love Pirelli - and, as long as the price is right, I'm sticking with them.  But, I heard good things about Michelin - and if they are much cheaper than Pirelli - I'd consider them.
FYI: NESBA switched over to Pirelli for 2007 - and I think a lot of people are very happy about that (I'd be too).

[teacoach]

I'm running Pilot Power Races this season (Med Compound)

Any word on the tire pressure for these?

[TGriffith]

I highly recommend you do some extensive research.
AND - be very cautious - as some people mix what's supposed to be used on Pilot Power Race vs. Pilot Power (not race).

My GUESS, is that you want to run 29f and 24r (maybe even 22r).  I know it sounds insanely low - but those are the pressures I've read about... that being said - I would recommend you double-check (and even tripple-check) what pressure you should be running.  I think if you run them too high, they will wear out too quick (the opposite of Pirelli Diablo's).

One good guide to keep in mind: measure the pressure cold... then after your first session, measure the pressure again... you should see an increase of about 3 pounds.  (although, Dave Moss - the suspension expert - recommends 5-7 pounds from cold to hot is good)

[prudolf]

STTGuy would know...STT are the michelin experts.

sshhhh...don't say that I mentioned WERA or STT forum on the site 

[oneal]

Found this very informative page on Michelin's
http://sportbiketrackgear2.homestead.com/michelin_tire_data.html

I'm completely confused with the "Power Race" section.  Teacoach, do you know which tires you have?

[teacoach]

Found this very informative page on Michelin's
http://sportbiketrackgear2.homestead.com/michelin_tire_data.html

I'm completely confused with the "Power Race" section.  Teacoach, do you know which tires you have?

I do not have the PR series tires.  I have the standard Pilot Power Race tires.  Both of my tires are Medium compound.

[oneal]

Well, the article seems to agree with what Tom's saying... 31-33 front, 22-24 rear.
They did give those pressures for a 180 or 190 tire.  Yours is a 160, right?

I'd start right in the middle, check the pressure when they're hot and keep a close eye on the wear.

[teacoach]

So I contacted the tech guy at Sportbike tracktime

he suggested 31F and 22-24R

[prudolf]

wondering if anyone has found a 2008 update?

[oneal]

wondering if anyone has found a 2008 update?

That's a good question... I'm still running on Diablo Corsa's, so I'm not sure what other tires people are using.  If anyone has new info, I'll add it to the "pressure list".