[Chuckster]

Well, I think you're at or above the pace I'm at. I was destroying the Q's. I got with the guys from Turn One Racing and they said I needed to move to a more track specific compound and put me on a set of R10s. Those lasted 2-3 days until I got my suspension setup correctly. Even dropped my lap times. Now I'm running the Michelin Power Cup 2. I'm getting 4 days out of a rear now and a full season on the front.

I'm running at Putnam and NCM. NCM is pretty smooth, but Putnam is still green. Guys running softs or with a garbage setup can shred a tire by lunch.

 

[koth442]

How much does a set of Power Cup 2's run Chuck? I'm looking to optimize the dollar to tire life ratio. Kind of makes me consider going back to a Q3+ rear and keeping the Q4 up front.

 

[Chuckster]

I paid $373 for the set I have now. I think the B-stones were about $335. But, the B-stone dealer became unreliable. Being that I'm on a 180/55 rear, my choices were pretty narrow. It was down to the Michelin or Pirelli. I've heard good and bad for both, but I knew the Michelins got better wear at Putnam, so that's the way I went.

 

[koth442]

Thanks for the info Chuck. The Michelins are about the same price as Dunlop race tires. Not sure which I'd prefer...

Has Michelin been developing & pushing their tires more and more in the past 5 years, or has Michelin always been prevalent in this area?

When I was racing AFM in NorCal, most people were on Pirelli, some on Dunlop, and basically nobody on Bridgestone or Michelin. Sometimes the B-stone van wouldn't even show up to race events.

 

[Chuckster]

Usually, it's the dominant dealer in the area. STT has the hookup with Michelin, so that's what you see at their events. MTD has Midwest Track Support, and slings Pirelli. Turn One shows up at Putnam and they carry stones. I know a couple stupid fast guys that race on that team and all love the stones. I liked them really well. I never got on Dunlop race tires, so I can't compare.

But it was a huge leap in feel from the Dunlop Q to the Bridgestone R10 and then R11. Now the Michelin feel even better. I used to feel the front of the b-stone working and the rear spinning. I feel like I'm on rails with the Cup 2. Even Dave Moss tried the Cup 2 and said the front took everything he could throw at it and was really impressed with it.

 

[koth442]

Which Q were you on Chuck?

 

[koth442]

I'm eye balling NCM first weekend in May. My buddy from MO might come out. He's never done a trackday before, doesn't have the gear for it. I'd let him use my bike in novice, but I gotta find a pair of leathers for him to rent. Anybody know a place that will rent him a pair near Bowling Green or St. Louis? He's 5'10", regular build.

 

[Chuckster]

Q3, then Q3+. Switched to the stones before the Q4 got released. If I'm going to be completely honest, I sort of lost trust in Dunlop. Lots of tires developing deep cracks and delaminating. Not just track tires either. The Harley crowd has been having issues for a few years too.

Contact Powersports Stuff. They usually come to MTD events and I think he has a limited supply for rent.

 

[koth442]

Gotcha. The Q4 is a step above the rest. It also costs almost as much as race tires too.. grumble grumble grumble.

 

[Chuckster]

So I've heard. Isn't the Q4 on the same level as the Pirelli TD (they've changed that name...again)? Billed as an 80% track, 20% street tire or something like that? I remember the Q3 marketing said it was performance tire ready for the track. There's a market for guys on the street that want the best tire, so the manufacturers are challenged to give them one that won't kill them. And then there's guys like me that want a tire that can take race like abuse, but last long enough not to get on a first name basis with the tire guy.

 

[koth442]

That's what I'm still trying to figure out. The Q4 sticks like a GPA-211 (the last race tire I used) and seems to last like one. But a 8 year old race tire is ancient history no?

 

[tigerblade]

But a 8 year old race tire is ancient history no?

I think it's all about how it's stored but I probably wouldn't chance it myself.

 

[Chuckster]

As far as technology, yeah, there's been a leap or two in compound technology.

 

[koth442]

@Chuckster there's a pretty solid rebate on a set of R10's right now. I think I could get a set for $180. Think they're worth purchasing?

Edit: Wife talked me into purchasing. They're too cheap to pass up trying.

 

[Todd_Sails]

@Chuckster there's a pretty solid rebate on a set of R10's right now. I think I could get a set for $180. Think they're worth purchasing?

Sorry to chime in, but do you have a link? Is it online or at the track? R10's for $180, even if the 190/55 was a little more, still a great deal!

 

[koth442]

Sorry to chime in, but do you have a link? Is it online or at the track? R10's for $180, even if the 190/55 was a little more, still a great deal!

Here ya go. They're $230 before rebate. Same rebate applies for the RS11's but RMATV didn't have a 180/55, only a 190/55 in the RS11.

Bridgestone Battlax RS10 Racing Street Hypersport Front Motorcycle Tire

In terms of construction, the Bridgestone Battlax RS10 has been revised to upgrade cornering, add stability and provide a smoother ride. The front tire's mono-spiral belt is made with stiffer steel which improves the rigidity of the tread area. The rear tire also has a softer sidewall...

www.rockymountainatvmc.com

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/tires-and-wheels/bridgestone-battlax-rs10-racing-street-hypersport-rear-motorcycle-tire-p3

Spring 2021 Promotion-USA

www.bridgestonemotorcycletires.com

 

[Chuckster]

So, I ran the R10 and R11. The RS10 and RS11 is the "streetable" version.

 

[koth442]

Alrighty then. I'll go easy on them till.