Posts
51
Joined
1/8/2014
Location
CA
Edited Date/Time
5/1/2014 2:17pm
I've always wondered how often the factory teams change tires (for wear not tuning reasons) on a typical SX race day. I know they use special compound tires that are softer and less durable than what's on the shelf but it would still be interesting to know.
I'm guessing they run a fresh set for the main but does anyone have any idea of how long they will actually use a set for?
I'm guessing they run a fresh set for the main but does anyone have any idea of how long they will actually use a set for?
As far as changing tires throughout the day, I'm sure its rider preference but I bet they put on a fresh tire for the main (the factory guys).
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
After two races they would be garbage to me too.
As for how often they put on a fresh tire when it comes to practices, heats, etc....I'd like to hear this as well.
Do they throw on a brand new tire for a six lap heat race and then another new tire for the main?
I really don't know any more than what I can read and hear in interviews and that's what it sounds like to me.
Here's an article I found on the subject...
http://www.motorcycle.com/products/dunlop-geomax-mx32-geomax-mx52-review
"While prototypes of the new tires garnered 62 AMA Supercross and Motocross wins in 2013, Dunlop officials will be the first to admit that the MX32 and MX52 are not exact copies of what the top-level pros are running today. There are substantial difference in rubber compound between the production tires and those used by the factory teams–racing is a big part of the R&D process after all. However, privateer pro Weston Peick cracked the top five in the Anaheim III and San Diego rounds of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Series with off-the-shelf MX32s and MX52s, so they must perform well. After spending the day with Dunlop at Milestone MX Park in Riverside, California, to sample both models, we can say that they are impressive indeed."
As far a 5lbs per tire...no way! If that's true than it's crazy!
If you saw how busy the Dunlop guys are all day, you'd know what I mean. They are always changing out tires that the mechanics bring over.
The tire sponsor always had a technician in the start staging area. They had a list of all of the bikes they had their tires on and each time they came through the staging area the tire technician did a quick visual inspection on the tire condition. The tech kept notes on each rider as they passed and if he saw something he didn't like he would let us know to come back to their rig after exiting the session.
After race day, I would put the race day tires on the wheel set for the practice bike, and then put the worn out practice tires back on the race bike wheels for transporting and then to be disposed back to the tire sponsor on the next race weekend.
I imagine for 90% of the racers with a tire sponsor, their situation is similar to this. Obviously the big name guys are getting more attention and have access to all of the "special" tires. The bigger teams are sending over Mules or wagons filled with wheels to have tires installed. It's not anything to see a big team have a rack of 10-20 wheel sets ready to go with different tire combos.
Riders like Thorpe would use new rears for every session and probably new fronts for each moto. However I really couldn't see the point in that. Using a new rear tyre just in practice seemed like a waste and fronts really didn't wear to a degree that I could feel.over the course of a weekend. But, if the tyre sponsor is saying that you can then I guess why not?
If conditions were changing or we weren't sure which tyre would work best then that number could double.
is that for WSB about 12 yrs ago
if you weren't on 'factory tyres' you could never crack better than 7th or 8th
no matter the rider or bike
Pit Row
yes.
less durable?
not a chance.
quicker wearing for sure.
The five pound claim...not even close! (To get a five difference you may be able to take the largest desert 6-ply desert tire and compare that to one of the lightest 110/90 race spec tires from a few years ago and maybe then you can come up with five pounds.)
In knobby tires, weight mostly depends on the pattern and size of the tire; meaning how many knobs and how big those knobs are, i.e. more material rubber translates to more weight.
In much lesser amounts, the construction can affect the weight but that usually stays within a one-pound variance.
Rear tires, comparing equal sizing, vary about 1.5 pounds covering all patterns regardless of whether it is a race/development tire or production tire.
Many years back and a few product cycles ago this variance was possibly as much as a three-pound range but it is not that way now. For example, the new MX32 and MX52 tires are basically the same weight in all specifications with a few race specs actually being a little bit heavier than production because of a stronger carcass.
The real light weight rear tire that some may be speaking of was a rear tire that was used for quite a few years but 95% of why it was so light was just that it did not have many knobs, so it had far less material. Again, less material = less weight.
The latest tire technology has improved a lot, and the performance differences of race tires vs. production tires is likely far less than it is now.
Stamp it. (Please don't give me the flick)
You must be incredibly stupid to think you could run a sight lap and not have all the fuel in the bowl sucked up...
http://racerxonline.com/2014/04/30/3-on-3-questions-in-supercross
Why are you calling JT a liar on the internet? I suppose you have had access to and weighed the factory tires vs production ones?
The one thing he could have meant is he could have weighed them as a pair so it's roughly 2.5 lbs per tire but don't come on here like you run the place
Jees have you been drinking this week? First your posting dumbgeon material in the Moto forum now your calling ex champions like JT$ a liar on the internet....
Shame on you....
Lay off the booze
2: after practice...after heat. New tire everytime the bike hits the track I'd say.
Tell Chad I'm sorry! haha
Post a reply to: Factory teams and tire changes