First time using DOT track tire recommendation?

In terms of balancing front vs rear height, is there a method for measuring, or it's all by eye and feel (and maybe some approximate calculations, e.g. actual height difference if going for, let's say 190/55 to 190/60 => 190mm * 60% - 190mm * 55% = 9.5mm higher)?

When I recently put Bridgestone slicks on, essentially moving from 120/70 & 190/55 to 125/60 & 190/65, I raised the front all the way up possible on my bike (forks flush with the upper triple). Just wondering if there's a more proper way of determining how much to lower/raise the front in order to preserve the same geometry. Thanks.
 
Careful with Bridgestone slick measurements. If it's a 190/650 (yes, 3 digits) it means total diameter is 650mm. It's not a contact to sidewall ratio like traditional measurements.
 
Yeah I had to look it up when I switched from D211's to BS slicks. I measured my Dunlops before taking them off and wanted to know if I had to adjust the shock before putting the wheels back on. I measured the BS once mounted and it was something like 4mm larger diameter (2mm taller ride height). D211 190/60 vs BS 195/650 (IIRC). I didn't make any geometry changes and the bike handled perfectly. Better turn in with the BS slicks vs D211's, and much quicker transitions.
 
doozerdave said:
Careful with Bridgestone slick measurements. If it's a 190/650 (yes, 3 digits) it means total diameter is 650mm. It's not a contact to sidewall ratio like traditional measurements.
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Well, this is something I didn't know, thanks for pointing it out! My tires are indeed 125/600 and 190/650.

PS. They have just one more day left anywa. Will move to DOT race by Dunlop after that.
 
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Corsara said:
In terms of balancing front vs rear height, is there a method for measuring, or it's all by eye and feel (and maybe some approximate calculations, e.g. actual height difference if going for, let's say 190/55 to 190/60 => 190mm * 60% - 190mm * 55% = 9.5mm higher)?
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I know that Dunlop publishes their sizes, for example the D211GPA:

190/55/17 D211GP-A
Recommended Rim range (5.50-6.00), Best Rim (5.50)
Width (188.5mm/7.42″), Diameter (647.3mm/25.48″)
190/60/17 D211GP-A
Recommended Rim range (5.50-6.00), Best Rim (5.50)
Width (191.3mm/7.54″), Diameter (657.4mm/25.92″)


So the /60 is actually 2.8mm wider and 10.1mm larger diameter. Significant enough to warrant a change, to be honest these tires (the 55 vs 60) don't evenfeel like the same tires, different compounds as well.
 
Thanks for the info.

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Now this brings me to another question mark, especially since I'm striving to always get the best possible given the circumstances at any particular time, and I was about to order a set of D211GPA's:

They list "best rim 5.50", mine (and I guess all litre bikes) are 6.00, does it make the GPA's less perfect than competitive DOT race tires when it comes to 6.00 wide rims?
 
Is the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V2 considered a DOT tire? If so what are the comparables from other manufacturers?

My understanding is the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC can be ordered in different compounds and the Pirelli Diablo Superbike line is the slick tire here?
 
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awyala said:
Is the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V2 considered a DOT tire? If so what are the comparables from other manufacturers?
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It's DOT, but it's not a DOT race tire. I believe you want the SC, not the SP.
 
Corsara said:
Thanks for the info.
They list "best rim 5.50", mine (and I guess all litre bikes) are 6.00, does it make the GPA's less perfect than competitive DOT race tires when it comes to 6.00 wide rims?
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NP. That was actually clipped from race tire service's website, if you go to the actual Dunlop site they clearly state this tire is for 600-1000cc machines and actually says the 6in rim is recommended - http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire-catalog/sport-trackday-race/road-race/d211-gp-a/

No problem on a liter bike.
 
Corsara said:
Well, this is something I didn't know, thanks for pointing it out! My tires are indeed 125/600 and 190/650.

PS. They have just one more day left anywa. Will move to DOT race by Dunlop after that.
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That's exactly the tires I ran last Thursday. They both looked great, but I killed the front! The rear still looks good.
 
doozerdave said:
That's exactly the tires I ran last Thursday. They both looked great, but I killed the front! The rear still looks good.
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If you don't mind me asking, what pressures did you run? I found out 29 rear/31 front hot off the warmers was good for me. Also, do you know if these tires are OK to turn around? I know some are, some not, depending on how they built the tire.
 
Corsara said:
If you don't mind me asking, what pressures did you run? I found out 29 rear/31 front hot off the warmers was good for me. Also, do you know if these tires are OK to turn around? I know some are, some not, depending on how they built the tire.
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29/29 hot all day worked perfect for me. I think they are okay to flip. HOOPSALES, what did Dave @ Ripp tell you?
 
doozerdave said:
29/29 hot all day worked perfect for me. I think they are okay to flip. HOOPSALES, what did Dave @ Ripp tell you?
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I've only talk to Dave about the Battlax rains. Haven't asked him about the drys yet.

I can call TJ in engineering tomorrow and try and get an answer from him.

Hard part is. Most manufactures won't give a straight answer bc of the liability involved, etc.
 
HOOPSALES said:
I've only talk to Dave about the Battlax rains. Haven't asked him about the drys yet.

I can call TJ in engineering tomorrow and try and get an answer from him.

Hard part is. Most manufactures won't give a straight answer bc of the liability involved, etc.
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If you learn the answer by any chance, please share. For me it would mean an extra track day before they get retired!
 
Corsara said:
If you learn the answer by any chance, please share. For me it would mean an extra track day before they get retired!
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Just spoke to Dave at RIPP

Like I figured its not recommended by him or the manufacture to run opposite direction but everyone has done so. Both slicks and R10's but rear tire only.
 
HOOPSALES said:
Just spoke to Dave at RIPP

Like I figured its not recommended by him or the manufacture to run opposite direction but everyone has done so. Both slicks and R10's but rear tire only.
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Thanks a lot. Personally, safety comes first. And money is just money...so yeah :)
 
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