I had my first track day earlier this year, and I was hooked too. As you get more used to the 14 you'll have tires that look more like Rook's. The first time my footpeg scraped the ground it scared me so much I almost lost my turn line and headed into the grass. But by the end of the day, I was riding on the peg, trying to keep up with a 1000 leaving me in the dust in turn 16, and still those tires held.

Take your time getting into it, but don't worry, that bike can do so much more than you think it can. The lessons I took were stay smooth turning in, don't jerk the throttle or the brakes, and listen to the bike; it will let you know when it's getting close to its limits.

C

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They let you ride with mirrors and lights... awesome.
I'm no expert but it looks like you can get on the throttle a little bit earlier. The PR3 are softer on the outside so the sides should be as worn as the middle. I give you props for doing a track day on PR3's! I will be doing my first at COTA, June 1st, that is if I don't have to rush my trip to Europe, if not NOLA, looks like a fun track. I will either throw a set of Rosso Corsa's on or get the R10's from Bridgestone. I hear tire warmers and sticky tires determine whether you can have fun the st lap or not.

Regarding taking it easy on the straight, I disagree. At a track day it is the responsibility of the faster rider to see where he can overtake you safely. If a guy on a liter cannot out brake you safely then it has no business riding in front of you and should work on his braking and corner exit. You there to have fun and that means going WOT for as long as you can in the straight providing you can slow down safely and make the turn.

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The PR3's seemed to be pretty good.. But that's coming from someone who probably only leaned a fraction of what the bike can.
I wonder HOW much more the track (DOT) tires are over the PR's. i just don't know these things. I never felt like something bad was going to happen on the turns even though it seemed as tho my Pirelli Stradas felt a lot stickier at the edges than the Pilots but that was a few years ago. I want to go back again soon but have to time my new tires to the next Class. I commute 40 miles a day on the bike so I don't want to get the softer tires unless its to use only for the track... Then I have to pay through my nose to have them switched and I'll probably overheat them down the middle on the 100 mile drive to the track on the freeway.
Something else to figure out..

Oh Dragking.. They didn't care about the headlights but I did have to duct tape my mirrors or remove them.

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Cool! less work more play. Wish I didn't have to do all that...
Even for street riding I had to lower the pressure of my PR3 (34-36). I used (36-38) with the Q2's and they were fantastic although I think they don't turn in that quick. For DOT, you're looking at $350-$500. There is this website called Viet...something they had sales on Bridgestone's. If you're on a budget you should try the Q2's. They are relatively cheap and sticky. Just set them to OEM pressure on your way there, then lower it before hitting the track. I got close to 4k miles on them and this is the tire I have been able to wear evenly the most. That being said it was my first 55 rear. The PR3 are good but I can't just take the liberties I took with the Q2's. You could try the Pilot Power 2CT, they can be had at a fair price or if you can swing it, my favorite the Rosso Corsa's. All three are 50/50 (track/commute) tires.

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HATSA good post, dk. Where is [drummer] musician man with the 1000rr that went trackday fanatic? He might have a selection of tires too. Still, that's a lot of mount'an'try on your part.

"I don't think they turn in as quick?" Interesting. I wonder if you stepped up the tire pressure it would stand up [V] rather and turn more [U] planted to say: be in a compromised situation? Unless you are running all those sets of tires with that lower than OE air setting, then yeah, sounds interesting how the tires still have the same aspect ratios.

And then if you are saying the 'turn as quick,' were we on the 50 or 55 at the rear? I'll exaggerate the stance. Say I run the OE aspects = this horizontal we'll call 0 or -

Say we set the 55 up at the rear. We went from this OE stance ----- to this or = \ rake/stance. See how the back end is kicked up? That's a faster turn in vs. a 50. If you eliminate grip, study steer, you can make the bike steer quicker if say you like the slower turning tire. I'm just taking a guess how it would feel different, because you did swap [those interesting] air to aspect changes.

Say you 'package tune' and you are all done with the tuning. WOT's left to mess with? TIRES. So Paul, what is the wallet lite? We heavy in the petty cash we can run fresh sets out to willow or is the bike a budget ride, we swap tires around like the low budget club racers used to do and still do to this day AMA.

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Yep Hub, the wallet is a little lite at the moment and the last two weeks the credit card even got heavier. Had to get the rest of my gear (new helmet, bottom leathers and track boots)
Bike isn't a total budget ride but its my daily commuter and I need to keep replacement rubber to a minimum.
Got the PR3's installed and done for 430.00 so I think that's a great price for the mileage they can achieve.
I remember back in '08 I fried my 600rr's factory tires down the middle on a 100 mile freeway run so not sure how to have sticky tires and get to the track (without renting a truck and or trailer.
So I guess if I do buy a set of tires for just track use they will have to be some sort of dual compound to get me to the track... I think I have plenty of time to figure it out.. Next class at the SOONEST around here is September.

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Dragking, now that you mention it.. I think the class offered Q2's at a really cheap price.. Maybe I should just do those and just have them switched out before and after the class days.
After 20 years I'm finally trying to do things right.
Why go to all this trouble and then cheap out and run my commuter tires...
I will have to see if the local shop will give me a break to do mount and balance twice in a week.
I'm in an apt with a carport so couldn't do it myself even if I had the equipment to do so..
I miss my garage... Now more than ever...

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@Hub: My 55 Pilot Road 3 turn in faster than the Q'2s but I still have 3/4 on an inch of KFC LOL
I haven't been out on the windy road since my last off but I don't think I will be able to go pass a 1/4 of an inch unless I run low (track) pressure. The tire is not linear so it goes from giving you a little lean to a hand full without warning. I have a lot of room of improvement as far as throttle smoothness go but I feel more confident with the 34-36 setting in hairpin like turns. I went to the garage and took a look at both tires. The 55 Q2 look way bigger than the 50 Rosso Corsa and is also bigger than the 50 PR3! The front is more like a V while the Corsa is more like a U. At 40-50 mph it felt like the bike wanted to keep going straight. Going from one line to the next (zig zagging) was harder on the Q2.
@ItsPaul: yeah try the Q2's or go with the Pilot Power 2CT's, I hear they last a little longer. Beside you will be spending your time on the sides of the tire so your 100 miles commute should be fine.I was thinking about U-Hauling a van: Plenty of place to throw your gear, and you can even sleep in it if you're doing back to back. Also get on your local forum, there must be guys with trailers wanting to share costs!

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There was a class deal of 245.00 after tax / shipped for the Q2's...
That a good price?... It would be fun to play with a sticky tire.. Now I can really see if there's a difference as for feel (to me) while riding after a day on the PR3's....
I would love to go to a drag race school...
Never had a bike on the strip either....
I tell you guys... I CANNOT get enough of this bike!!
Never wanted to ride any of my other bikes so often or so far at a time..
I'm known by all my friends and family to never keep anything very long... This one's is a keeper!

* Last updated by: ItsPaul on 5/1/2013 @ 11:30 PM *

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dk, I think [LOL] you may have coined a better name for the "KFC's." On another note, I corralled two current types running AMA yesterday. This thread popped up in my head so I asked the question about their tire pressures F&R? They both turned around, looked at me as if this is some secret and so it is. A reluctant answer was given. So since this is a public forum, my lips are sealed.

I can reveal something interesting while the bench racing was going on. They had a suspension guy rebuild the shocks f&r; made all sorts of moves with the settings; fork drop and all that. Still, the front end would not turn in, but turn wide. They let some other AMA guy take a few laps on it and he comes back saying the bike won't turn in, goes wide for him too.

What cured it was the front tire pressure was too low. It was that simple is the hindsight. And now you know why those numbers remain close to the chest you be playing with a full deck of AMA riders all around you.

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LOL

What cured it was the front tire pressure was too low. It was that simple is the hindsight. And now you know why those numbers remain close to the chest you be playing with a full deck of AMA riders all around you.

That simple huh!? Yeah I imagine, just like suspension setting, tire pressure has gotta be a secret too! Even more so in event where factories have to deal with the same manufacturer. I think good suspensions guys need to be well versed in tires setting as well but it's rare that they ask about your tires when you getting a tune up!

There was a class deal of 245.00 after tax / shipped for the Q2's..

^^Best bang for your $$. If you're getting serious about track and strip... you know I have some wheels for sale . All you will need is some tools and the job is super easy. It's also a good time to clean the chain and sprocket and that hard to reach shock. Stuff you know the dealer isn't going to do. I pay $60 bucks to have my tires mounted and balanced and $70 for somebody to come mount them at my place
I would keep them but once you ride on light weight wheels, you can go back!

* Last updated by: dragking on 5/2/2013 @ 11:44 AM *

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I ride PR3 rear and PP2 front. I took it as is to the track and I rode that PR3 to the edges with no problems. I'm sure that at some point I would need better tires, but for now those tires, like the bike, can do a lot more than I can!

C

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DK...I'm pretty cleaned out money wise at the moment but I'd still like to know more about the wheels you have for sale.. That with the stands and I may have a chance to swap them myself at a friends house.
I'm assuming "rims for sale" means the stockers?.. Color? Condition?
My wife will kill me to have more stuff in the closet but I like the option of not worrying about the condition of my tires to dictate whether I go to a class or track.

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I ride PR3 rear and PP2 front. I took it as is to the track and I rode that PR3 to the edges with no problems. I'm sure that at some point I would need better tires, but for now those tires, like the bike, can do a lot more than I can!

yeah if you google PR3, there is a mag tester in England who put them on his ZX-10 and went to the track. He was actually impressed with them.
That being said, I think you could have been faster with the same or less amount of effort if you were on 50/50 tires. It's a question I ask myself for every mod that I do. For example, I will probably never tap fully into the BST's potential but I can ride faster with less effort so it's a win win for me. Also, I have been spoiled with the Rosso Corsa's and Q2's so even if the PR3 are fine, I noticed the differences from the get go. My Q2's were practically worn to the edge just street riding and I wasn't even trying! Also the 14 is heavier and I have a stiff/sport suspensions setting so that may also have something to do with it. The more you mod your bike, the more you make it sensitive to little changes.

I was trying to make it down to Nola before summer but I just got too much to do. When I do though, I'll let you ride my 14, I'm curious to see what you think and were the differences are.

DK...I'm pretty cleaned out money wise at the moment but I'd still like to know more about the wheels you have for sale.. That with the stands and I may have a chance to swap them myself at a friends house.

LOL, I hear you buddy but you know I have come to realize that they (wives) have a point (at least mine). I have too much $$ invested in the bike and I will never win professional races so what's the point?! Then again, as men we are over-haulers, we can't just leave something alone while women tend to not be interested with that kind of things.
Check the sale/trade section, they're listed there. There is one guy here that showed interest but it's not a sure thing so most likely, they will be in my garage. Rook has a wheel removal/install how to so you could check it out and see what you will need. Since you live in CA, we could work something out for shipping. I just hate having stuff laying around being wasted.
Most of the novice track dayers I know can use the Q'2s for 4 sessions but they're on liters and trailer to the track so your mileage may vary. As for myself, the plan is to kill the PR3 ASAP and mount the Rosso Corsa's that or I will get a set of R10. My first track day is June 1st at COTA!!!! After that I'm going to Nola for an encore and later getting a liter just for the track. Then Barber and Atlanta is on the list.

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Wow... Sounds like great fun!.. I think if I can ever swing a second bike for only track I'd get something pretty small to give my poor throttle control a little break while I learn to ride...
Fortunately I'm thinking the 14 is less sensitive than the liter bikes..
That will be awesome when you get the liter bike.. It will feel like a feather!

Let me think about the wheels.. Good price... I just have to weigh out the feasibility of swapping out stuff myself and the extra stuff/ tools and stands at the Apartment and swapping over discs, sprocket etc when I switch wheels or obtain a second set of that stuff too.. Or just pay for tire swaps...

Thanks Dragking

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It depends of what I will get, I can't set my mind. One day I'm thing Gixer, the other S'tho etc. With the BST wheels, I'm thinking it won't be as big as a difference. I should be pretty close to an R1 as of now and it's the wheel base I'm more concerned with. It takes less distance to point a liter or a 600 toward the apex...

Not a problem take your time. I should have held on to the rotors but a gentleman was in need!

* Last updated by: dragking on 5/3/2013 @ 6:54 PM *

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"I'm sure that at some point I would need better tires, but for now those tires, like the bike, can do a lot more than I can! "

I hear you there!.. I know the bike is much more capable than myself. That being said, I still like to have as much cushion as possible so little mistakes don't put me on the ground lol..
I just don't know things like how much I can do on the track (comfortably).. On the canyon roads (water and sand aside of course) or even if I get caught in rain... When it rains and I'm on the bikes I ride like I'm on ice.. Then I see the pro's putting a knee down on the first turn in the rain..

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^^^Same here I like to put the blame fully on me. I don't wanna start sliding and ask myself if it's the tires or my throttle input. I have witnessed it first hand with the suspension. There was this downhill turn I use to be scared off and right after I upgraded the suspensions, I took that turn 15 mph faster, now I can add 10 mph to that, and with the BST's I'm sure another 10-15mph. Some riders are sensitive some aren't. I guess you could call me Valentino Rossi LOL jk

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That's crazy!.. All foreign territory to me.. I can answer most questions about car suspension.. Clueless about bike suspension... The previous owner was near my size but who knows if he even adjusted the suspension with so few miles on the bike when I got it.. I wanted to get help with adjustments at the track but kept forgetting to stop long enough to go through it. Your not the first person to tell me how big a difference upgrades or even adjustments make.. As far as I know the bike is easily outperforming my confidence.
And my sense of lean angle is off... I thought I was about to run my left mirror on the turn 3 and probably never even hit 45 degrees. Lol...
One step at a time I guess..

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Mine is too, everybody does it! Here is an article I found about mods and the track. It was posted by another member in my ZX-14 Upgrades thread...Good stuff.

Your text to link here...

* Last updated by: dragking on 5/3/2013 @ 7:37 PM *

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Cool article.. Thanks!... Not sure if I'm more or less confident on adjusting my own suspension tho.. Lol
Not a big fan of losing the front to make adjustments but it is motivating to read up on suspension setting tips..but your tip on getting stickier tires sure rings true.. I still need to read the PR3 article you mentioned.. I probably should have run less pressure too.. I think I set my tires at the track that day around 31-33 front and rear.. Kept getting different answers like "Michelin says to run street pressure" and a heavy bike like that means you need more pressure.. Who am I to argue.. Rook mentioned 28/28 but I figured the ST tires may need a little more especially after all the higher pressure comments.. Next time.. Better tires and lower pressure!

My big debate for tonight is if I ride with my friend tomorrow in the canyons with the fire nearby and ash all over the road.. Not sure how much the little soft ash flakes make for traction loss vs sand or whatnot... Camarillo "springs fire" is killing us right now...

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Your text to link here...

Ask and you shall...

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Thanks for the link Dragking.. I read it late last night after you posted it and again a little bit ago.
Good article.. Kind of covers everything about them. I think I picked the perfect commuter/canyon tire.. Now I just need some Q2's for the class/track.
A knee down in the rain just makes my palms sweat thinking about it..
Made it out to the canyons today and it was clear sky and almost no signs of ashes so fortunately I didn't have to learn how much traction loss ash makes.

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Awesome It's!! So now no doubt you are addicted to track days. If you're like me that will lead to contemplating and then racing. I raced on a TZR250 and man was that fun! Small stiff chassis, moderate power= FUN, FUN, FUN!!!
But if you decide to limit it to track days you'll still keep that stupid smile on your face. Congrats!!!

Mad

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How was the instuction they gave you, Paul? What all did they cover?

Thanks in adavance.

* Last updated by: ZX14MAN64 on 5/7/2013 @ 9:25 PM *