So I need a new set of tires, and I've come into the idea of buying a couple sets of race takeoffs from ebay: You can get a set for like $70. When I say race takeoff s I am talking like a pirelli supercorsa, no slicks obviously.

So I can either buy a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Powers:
-$230 shipped
-Good street/track use
-Good wear for a high performance tire (lets say 2 riding seasons)

OR I could buy like 3 sets of race takeoffs:
-$210-230, about the same as one new sets of the Pilot Powers
-Great track use/???street use (need some opinions here)
-Poor wear more than likely (maybe 1 season per set) but I get 3 sets!

I don't ride much in the rain at all...but I occasionally do some cold weather riding, as low as 60 degrees.

What's everyone's opinion?

 

Race takeoffs have gone through several heat cycles, so their performance will be much less than if they were new.

If you're doing trackdays, buy your tires new. If you're doing street, takeoffs are ok.

I use my own takeoffs on the street.

As for buying them off eBay, have you tried checking some of the racing forums? I think WSMC has one. Possibly cheaper than eBay.

Metzeler M1s can be had for only $195 (with shipping, probably still less than the Pilot Powers). I'd recommend Diablos if you want a tire that lasts.

 

I ride only on the street, with the exception of doing one 'edge racing school' this summer. is it just wsmc.com?

Edit: nope, wsmc.com is west michigan speed skating, haha. Link me if you could

 

where can u get pilot powers shipped for $230, i dont like runnin take offs on the street.... its very difficult to heat them up to a good temp on the st... and they as stated about are designed to go through a couple heat cycles... everytime u heat them up and let them cool, the rubber becomes harder....... a nice set of street tires is a better way to go.. BTW.. do u really wanna keep mounting and balancing 3 dif sets of take offs every 1500 miles? just food for thought

 

The balancing issue came to mind, but I have a hook up for mounting and balancing. I actually found a place online that will sell the set for about $230 shipped, or some ebay store has them also.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spankjelly &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The balancing issue came to mind, but I have a hook up for mounting and balancing. I actually found a place online that will sell the set for about $230 shipped, or some ebay store has them also.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, there is a vendor out there who will do it for about that if not less. no names since i'm not sure how it works but i can provide a name in a pm. if you can afford a new set of tires; id do that. if you are strapped for cash, run the takeoffs until you can get a new pair.

 

I can afford a new set, but I figured if buying more sets of take-offs would give me better performance and longer wear (because of having more sets) I should just go that route.

How would a race take off compare to a set of pilot powers on the street?

 

The takeoffs would take more time to heat up (assuming they're SuperCorsas) than the Pilot Powers.

Mounting and balancing isn't that much each time - only about $20-30 depending on who you know. If you plan on going this route, it might even be a good idea to get your own tire changer/balancer.

Oh, and this is the WSMC website

http://www.willowspringsracewa...e.htm

HOWEVER, I just realized there isn't a forum on there. My bad.

 

I checked wera.com and there seem to be quite a few takeoffs on there, actually a couple sets with only 1-2 heat cycles on them. I'm not actually looking to save money here, just looking for superior grip.

 

Superior grip? For the street or track? The problem with the SuperCorsas (or any other similar DOT racing tire) is they take awhile to heat up (unless you use tire warmers). Street-type tires (ie, Diablo) heat up faster, even though they have less ultimate grip. But definitely enough grip for street-riding.

My solution? Two sets of wheels. One for commute/street, one for trackdays. That way, I use my new tires for trackdays, and my own takeoffs are my street tires.

 

i would stay away from more track oriented tires if you want better grip; i ran bt002's on the street and warmup time was on the slower side. made for some fun powerslides though... i have normal diablos now which heat up superfast and i love them. pilotpowers next though just for comparison.

 

usdmPC3 - no Diablo Corsas?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">usdmPC3 - no Diablo Corsas?</TD></TR></TABLE>

haven't racked up enough mileage in CA to get past 2 sets of tires. have you tried them?

 

The DCs are AWESOME compared to the M1s. They took some getting used to, but they've lasted two trackdays and look like they're ready for two more. I don't commute on them, though. They heat up as quick as the M1s (quick).

 

If I decide to go new, I will definitely probably do the pilot powers.

I do most of my riding off the track, but the majority of it is spirited riding. I will be making one long trip to Laguna this summer, with one track day. I just want good performance that will last me this year and next.

 

Motorcycle tires (of the sporty-type) just aren't made to last very long. I don't know that you could do two seasons on one set of tires, but then again, I live in SoCal, and we don't really have a non-riding-season...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Motorcycle tires (of the sporty-type) just aren't made to last very long. I don't know that you could do two seasons on one set of tires, but then again, I live in SoCal, and we don't really have a non-riding-season...</TD></TR></TABLE>

a set lasts me about 2-3 months depending on how much i get out; my 1-2 mile work/school commute doesn't really put a dent in anything so i know its all fun runs...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by usdmPC3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">a set lasts me about 2-3 months depending on how much i get out; my 1-2 mile work/school commute doesn't really put a dent in anything so i know its all fun runs...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, I've never run a full set from start-to-finish. I usually pick up a flat, need a new tire for a trackday, or buy a new bike. Hopefully 2005 will be a new beginning for me.

 

I get to ride 3 or 4 months out of the year MAX. My 2002 954rr is just approaching 5000 miles. Meh...I hate the midwest.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yeah, I've never run a full set from start-to-finish. I usually pick up a flat, need a new tire for a trackday, or buy a new bike. Hopefully 2005 will be a new beginning for me. </TD></TR></TABLE>

10k or bust this year.

 

I have race take offs from last year I just put on and just so I can get enough grip to pop a wheelie I have to sit and burn out for a couple seconds....normal street riding doesnt even warm them up enough

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by usdmPC3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i would stay away from more track oriented tires if you want better grip; i ran bt002's on the street and warmup time was on the slower side. made for some fun powerslides though... i have normal diablos now which heat up superfast and i love them. pilotpowers next though just for comparison. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes it does

 

damn I didn't realize it toke that much for warmup. Maybe race take-offs wouldn't even benefit me on the street.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spankjelly &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So I need a new set of tires, and I've come into the idea of buying a couple sets of race takeoffs from ebay: You can get a set for like $70. When I say race takeoff s I am talking like a pirelli supercorsa, no slicks obviously.

So I can either buy a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Powers:
-$230 shipped
-Good street/track use
-Good wear for a high performance tire (lets say 2 riding seasons)

OR I could buy like 3 sets of race takeoffs:
-$210-230, about the same as one new sets of the Pilot Powers
-Great track use/???street use (need some opinions here)
-Poor wear more than likely (maybe 1 season per set) but I get 3 sets!

I don't ride much in the rain at all...but I occasionally do some cold weather riding, as low as 60 degrees.

What's everyone's opinion?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

if your getting 2 full seasons on a set of pilot powers, you must be riding 1500 miles a season...

i LOVE my powers... however, they wear quickly

my .02

 

I ride somewhere between 1500-2500 miles a season.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">usdmPC3 - no Diablo Corsas?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I want to try them but they dont make a 160 rear