TYRE TALK WITH JAMES POWELL – NO LIMITS TYRE SUPPORT

COMPOUNDS… WHAT’S BEST FOR ME?

For a trackday, the real trick is to not over-complicate things too much. To me, a trackday is about having fun on your bike, with that fun being as safe and as cost-effective as possible. I’ve heard quite a few myths that surround tyres and compounds, but contrary to what you might hear down the pub, you really don’t need to be taking different compounds for different times. Racing, yes you could use a different compound through the day, but to have fun on a trackday needn’t mean five sets of tyres!

Let’s take Pirelli as an example, who have a range of compound choices: the ‘softest’ rear tyre they do is an SC0. The SC0 isn’t trackday material. These contain WSBK and BSB spec winning technology, which are designed for professional riders on a well-set-up Superbike to break lap records and deliver ultimate performance for one race. Repetitive use, on maybe a poorly set up bike, degrades the tyre at a faster rate. Buying a used cheap tyre at the end of a race meeting, regardless of what your wallet may be telling you, can quickly turn into an expensive mistake. Pirelli then go stronger, with the SC1, SC2 and an into their endurance spec slick, SC3. These compounds are where trackday riders may want to look at for their more ideal tyre. There is an overlap between the tyres, but if you’re running a fast pace and looking for solid speed, stability and good wear, the best combination to use would be an SC1 soft front and an SC2 medium rear. These compound choices will work well pretty much at all circuits, year round, both in the UK and Europe, for 95% of trackday riders. It has seen that combination be a favourite of club racers for years and is also what the Junior Superstock 600 riders use at BSB. We sell those in the Supercorsa V1 pattern for under £250 a pair now, which is really good value for money.

If you’re a little steadier though, or maybe use your bike on the road and track, there’s loads of options on the market which will suit you just as well. At the end of the day, hypersport road tyres are so good nowadays. If you’re not pushing for crazy fast times or maybe don’t use tyre warmers, you wouldn’t go far wrong with the likes of Metzeler’s M7RR, Pirelli’s Diablo Rosso Corsa II or a Bridgestone S22. They offer heaps of usable grip in a wider operating window, and will do you absolutely fine if you’re in the Lower or Middle groups, or not pushing for lap record times in the Upper group.

I always recommend for riders to go and see your tyre tech with any questions or concerns you have about tyre compounds, sizes and, of course, very importantly, pressures. Remember, every bike, rider, set up, track and weather combination is different, so we can point you in the right direction for whatever your needs may be, but as a general rule for a nice sticky set of trackday tyres, I’d recommend a set of the SC1 front and SC2 rear. I know they won’t let you down!