Tires are frustrating me

[rwalterk]

I need to get some new tires for my 4/17 track day and am starting to get frustrated w/ the whole thing. 

At first I was just gonna get the Dunlop GP-As from Keith Code, until I found out they only come in a 190 rear.     Then I contacted Tige who keeps trying to push me into the BT-003 race tire, but that will be $380 out the door as he charges extra if I don't take the wheels off myself.  On top of that he's rarely in the shop on Saturdays.  The BT-002RS would be about $310 installed if I get them from him.  Frankly though, and no offense to anyone here that likes him, I don't feel good about his service.  It seems like he's more concerned with his own track time and making a buck, as opposed to his partner Dave who really seems like he takes the time to get your bike set up properly and get you on the right equipment.

So where does that leave me...

* I could get the BT-002RS if I can fit my schedule to Tige's.
* Get something like the Corsa III or BT016 at Cycle Gear and mount elsewhere (I have a coupon)
* Get the Dunlop Qualifiers, which I'm okay with but would like something better, for $200 from Keith code and mount elsewhere

Anyone wanna chime in w/ some common sense here?     Sometimes frustration will keep me from doing the smart thing.
 

[pshaw118]

I'm LOVING my qualifiers, and the price was right.  Although, I'm sure that your needs are pretty different than mine.

Can't say that I know enough about tires to say which I would prefer, but as far as price goes, $310 installed isn't a very far cry from going with Qualifiers.  I paid $215 ish for the qualifiers (including tax) and another $80 to get them mounted.  If the BT-002RS is a better tire, seems like the price isn't bad on those.

[Beefmaster_Mark]

What about the PP 2CTs?  That's what I will try next I think.

I've also heard good things about the BT-016s.  April, correct me if I'm wrong, which of the tires in the SR test came out with >90 scores?  I thought one was the 16s and one was the 003 or whatever that 3 compound rear one was.

I was glad to see the two I am considering - the Qualifiers, which I currently have, and the 2CTs - scored well.

[rwalterk]

* I had 3 straight sets of the Qualifiers... they're a solid tire but I want something a little stickier.

*  I currently have the 2CTs and never got comfortable with the more triangulated profile; I prefer something rounder.  Plus it doesn't help when a Michelin tech at the track tells you to inflate to 37F/34R, then you go out and set the world record for earliest trackday crash (granted I took a really bad line through that turn  ).  They have worn well though and still feel sticky.  FYI, Michelin customer service said 29/30 front, 28/29 rear.  F***ing tech...   

*  I have the Sport Rider tire test right in front of me and the BT016s did indeed do very well.  I've talked to a couple of Bridgestone shops and the BT002RS is a slightly more track oriented tire (it has a medium compound center while the BT016 has a hard compound center), but I'd be willing to try the BT016s at the right price.

I made a couple of calls and pretty much have it nailed down.  I'm going to buy either the BT002RS or BT016 from cyclesector in San Diego ($239/set for either one) and have them shipped here.  Mototecnica will install them and redo my suspension settings for $90, and they're open 7AM - 6PM on Saturdays.

[JimT]

Motorcycle Superstore. BT-002 front $114.99 rear $151.99 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/394/DEPT/Street-Bike-Sportbike-Tires-Tires.aspx#&&Back=71-0

Coupon code c309cpnpage20 $20 off orders of $200 or more.

I get tires from them all the time, free shipping and they always come within a week.

Cycle Depot will change tires on your bike for about $80. They work on Saturdays.

Tige has never impressed me. I had him set up the suspension on the F4i, he took no measurements. It was a waste of money.

I posted his at the same time you were posting about Cyclesector Ray.

[rwalterk]

Thanks for the info Jim... I pulled the trigger and bought from CycleSector since the price was right and they had free shipping.  I'll check out Cycle Depot for the installation & suspension setup though.

[pshaw118]

Polo's prices aren't bad, but John will tell you that Mototecnica's screwed up one too many times for him to go back there.  Polo adjusted my suspension for free, but I gotta say that I'm happier with the settings after I got them readjusted at streets.  Last time John had his tires replaced there, they left out the wheel weights.  

[rwalterk]

Polo's prices aren't bad, but John will tell you that Mototecnica's screwed up one too many times for him to go back there.  Polo adjusted my suspension for free, but I gotta say that I'm happier with the settings after I got them readjusted at streets.  Last time John had his tires replaced there, they left out the wheel weights.  

Dang... thanks for the heads up.

[rwalterk]

Jim... thanks for the referral to Cycle Depot.  Checked them out on Yelp and they have a great rep.  Going there tomorrow AM to have them mount the tires and do an oil change.

Re: the tires, I ordered them on Friday (late afternoon) from Cyclesector and got them Tuesday.  $239/set for the BT002-RS.  They also sell the BT016 for $239/set if anyone's interested.

[pshaw118]

What time are you planning on heading out there tomorrow?  I was thinking of going there to get my engine cover replaced.

[rwalterk]

I have a 10:00 appt.  Let me know if you're gonna head out there.

[pshaw118]

Didn't know they took appointments.  I'll try to be there around 10.  We can grab breakfast across the street.

[rwalterk]

Tires mounted, oil changed, good service.  Tommy was very cool and took care of me.  Pat and I had good breakfast burritos across the street.   

On a side note, there was a tall, middle-aged, Dunlop hat-wearing, sort of lanky white guy there (not sure who he is but he has a desk inside the office) who basically ridiculed me for using a 180 tire.  He came over while Pat and I were standing next to my bike, interrupted our conversation and started going on about how 180s are obsolete for the 600s and that I should be using a 190.  He called the 180s skinny/scary/wobbly, proclaimed that now the 190s are made for 5.5" and 6" wheels, kept going on about how all the 600 riders are on 190s now and seemed like he was trying to make me feel stupid for using a 180.  When I went inside to pay later on, he was sitting at his (I assume it was his) desk.  I introduced myself and wanted to see what else he was going to preach to me.  He actually apologized for going on about the 190s, but then started on about how he's been putting 200s on the literbikes at WSMC and that the 190s are now obselete for literbikes.  He said if I see him at the track that I should try a 190 for a few minutes and that my mind would be changed. 

I don't know if he's the owner/part owner/manager, but that dude is weird and could use a better approach to convincing 600cc riders to switch to 190s if that's what he truly believes is the better setup.  When he first started talking to us, I asked "why would I want to stuff a 190 onto a 5.5 rim," which almost seemed to offend him.  That was when he said the 190s are being made for both 5.5" and 6" rims.  I'm thinking, how the f*** is that possible, because the tires will have totally different shapes on wheels that are .5" different in width.  Whatever... I'll still use that shop but will avoid talking to him again.  If he happens to be at a WSIR on one of my track days, maybe I'll take him up on his offer of trying the 190s.

[pshaw118]

Yeah, the cycle depot guy I talked to on the phone (Mr. I-drag-my-knee-on-Malibu) gave me shit about using 180 on my bike too.  Maybe he's right about the 190, but I don't think it really matters for me at my current level.

The breakfast burritos were pretty good.  I wanted to check out Oinkster, but there was only one red, A shaped building.  And that was a Tommy's.

It was nice to have some company while waiting for my engine cover to get put on.  It warmed up a lot in the afternoon.  I was pretty glad that I have mesh panels on my street jacket.

I was so tired on my way to cycle depot that I was pretty much on autopilot.  Blew by the exit and didn't even realize it until I hit the 210.  Then, I ended up taking one wrong turn after another.  I really had no business riding this morning.  I just totally crashed when I got home (after taking care of some stuff in the office).

[JimT]

That is interesting. Apparently, Dunlop shares his opinion, because they don't make a 180 race tire. But the new Michelin Power One tires come in a 180.

I think the 190 will drastically change the handling of the bike.