Track day tyre pressures

[stevecbr]

Booked in for track evening coming Monday.
I have a new set of Michelin Pilot Road 3's fitted recently.
Just wondered whats the best pressure to run these at?
Was thinking around the 32/32 mark

 

[Fulfilled-09]

Hmmm, interesting. I've a 3-day session coming up, so would be keen to hear too.

 

[boro]

Booked in for track evening coming Monday.
I have a new set of Michelin Pilot Road 3's fitted recently.
Just wondered whats the best pressure to run these at?
Was thinking around the 32/32 mark

Seem to recall someone mentioning 28/28 as I had cold tear on my track day.

 

[Fulfilled-09]

That seems very under-pressured?

 

[Patrick]

there is no definite answer. Only a ball park average. Unless you go by the 6.5 psi rule which is effected by both air and track temperatures. If you are riding multiple days and the weather stays the same try a pressure you think might work. ride the bike till the tires are as warm as you think they are going to get and measure again. Try to aim for a 6.5 psi rise in pressure. If your over than you need to run higher pressure cooler tire. If it's lower than you need a lower pressure warmer tire. I don't remember where I got this info. It's been years. You will see that the front and rear will be at different pressures. Typically lower in the front and higher in the rear. Do not adjust the pressures while the tires are warm. Allow them to cool down. If you have a ir temp gun it makes it much easier, and you can have it all worked out in a couple of hours.

 

[Fulfilled-09]

As you say, track temperatures and tyre choice will play a huge role in right pressure. Personally, I'll see what knowledge the instructors at Circuit de Catalunya are keen to share for the 3 days.

 

[Patrick]

Tires as you know react drastically different to pressure. By finding a baseline and going from there. You are better able to decide which characteristics work best for you. No one can tell you what pressure to use. The 6.5 psi rule is for that purpose to give you a point to go off of. Have fun, and tell us how it goes.

 

[Fulfilled-09]

Tires as you know react drastically different to pressure. By finding a baseline and going from there. You are better able to decide which characteristics work best for you. No one can tell you what pressure to use. The 6.5 psi rule is for that purpose to give you a point to go off of. Have fun

Good call

 

[stevecbr]

Hmmm, interesting. I've a 3-day session coming up, so would be keen to hear too.

Ended up running 32f, 34r and it was fine, no issues whatsoever. Evening was warm and sunny
Video clip below, camera was rear facing, notice Aprilla (I think it was an RSV) running of track first 5 seconds, and crash at 2 minute mark, looks like he lost the front
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ1Yb3L8CrI&feature=youtu.be

 

[Fulfilled-09]

You pretty much had the track to yourself. Looked like a nice evening for it too. I need to get some track practice in so I know what to expect and get a feel for it. Where's the track you were at?

 

[motorcycleboy]

The rider (on a gsxr600 maybe?) that you overpass from inside lane at 2:36-2:42 doesn't has his feet on footrests properly..
The otherone near 2:00 was lowsided obviously... wrong turn-in and throttle closed are the causes.
Why there aren't any supervisor/insructor to learn the unexperienced riders how to sit on bike and use the gyroscopic manner to turn?
P.S.
Steve, your angles became better when you trust your tires!
What gears did you use?

 

[stevecbr]

Track was Snetterton, run by MSV, was only £39.
There were a couple of instructors, but what tends to happen is people on sports bikes get upset when a naked bike on sport touring tyres is ahead, and the red mist descends!
Track was fully booked, I'm only posting the videos when I'm not held up. If you do a track evening MSV only run 2 sessions, so its 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. You get quite a bit of track time
Another clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc1-GisplUA

 

[Fulfilled-09]

Looks like MSV operate at Brands. Think I'll book in an evening session. At those prices, it's worth it.

 

[valvestem]

28 28 is a good pressure, Gives good ride and remember this is a light bike. Not a 650 lb. plus sport tourer.
Take a ride, then check tire heat.

Ride safe U All
valvestem