Motorcycle Tire Recommendations

[Scottie J]

I was just curious what tires and wheel sizes different guys are running on their bikes for the salt.  Also any tips/experience as far as hooking up/spinning on the salt you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Scottie

[sabat]

A lot of folks like the Bridgestone 003 DOT race tire. You might have luck with the search function for more details, this has been discussed here a few times. -Dean

[donpearsall]

Scottie, I have used Bridgestone Battlax BT-023 and the BT-003R tires most of the time. These are hard rubber tires that have Z speed ratings which you need for your project goals. Although I have had one rear tire shaved, another set was not and still has held together for many runs.

Don't use a soft compound tire whatever you do (like I did for one run). It will melt and explode.

Don

[Scottie J]

I have to ask about the blow out Don, how did that run end?

Scottie

[donpearsall]

Well it was not exactly a blowout at speed, but the tire delaminated, melted, flew apart, whatever and was flat at the end of the run. Here is a pic of it.

I thought I was OK to use an actual drag racing tire since they are made for these speeds and racers do burnouts with them. Wrong. What I failed to realize was that drag racing tires are in use for only a few seconds, while LSR tire must withstand heat and speed for a few minutes.

Don

[maj]

Scottie what bike and intended speed

 

[Scottie J]

Scottie what bike and intended speed

 

1959 Royal Enfield/Indian Chief MPS-PBF.  I plan on doing 150mph+.

Scottie

[JimL]

Simpler answer here, if you built an A bike you can use late model components.  It would work for BUB or SCTA.  Proper tires fit up just fine.

JimL

[Sumner]

Simpler answer here, if you built an A bike you can use late model components.  It would work for BUB or SCTA.  Proper tires fit up just fine.

JimL

Jim I liked the original longer answer myself before you edited it down to the 'simpler answer'  .  I didn't understand it all not being a bike person but could see that it was a good overview of maybe not boxing yourself in and sounded like a well laid out plan,

Sum

[JimL]

I apologize, but it was kinda long and rambling.  I get too stuck on one idea, sometimes, and other folks have their own plan.

JimL

[Scottie J]

Damn!  What did I miss?  I enjoy long detailed opinions.   

Scottie

[JimL]

You missed the jaw flapping in between "if you...." and "it would work for..."

I have had mediocre luck with M class speeds using my pushrod engines.  I think that trying to compare an M class Hayabusa, or whatever, to an M class pushrod or Classic is not apples to apples.

Read through the build diaries on various A bikes for some interesting ideas.  It would probably save you money and time.

JimL

[Peter Jack]

Jim L, you have a lot more credibility on this site than you give yourself credit for. Your long involved answers always have some very useful information and they promote thinking. That's a good thing. 

Pete

[grumm441]

Jim L, you have a lot more credibility on this site than you give yourself credit for. Your long involved answers always have some very useful information and they promote thinking. That's a good thing. 

Pete

Yep
What he said
G

[wobblywalrus]

No can find Jim's rambling response.  Hopefully this does not duplicate what he said.  Tubeless tires run cooler, are lighter, and are more resistant to sudden pressure loss during a blowout, as compared to tube ones.

Right now I am running a British bike with tubed tires, spoked wheels, and traditional tire sizes.  The setup seems safe with BT-023's and speeds in the 140-150's.  Would I run this arrangement at 200 mph plus?  No.

It would be a good idea to build your chassis around rims that use tubeless tires of sizes where plenty of rubber is available for the speeds you plan to go.