1000cc M-G tire question

[07R1LSR]

I feel like I have read 1000 pages of info and the rule book 100 times and still have questions about tires.  I'm running speed week this year....1000 M-G class....current record is 185.250.....with that said, can I run a ZR tire?  Does it have to have the W designator or will any ZR tire pass tech?  I have search this forum 100x so please dont tell me to search the topic.  I just need someone with experience to give me some advice on tires for the bike.
Thanks

[trimmers]

Good question!  Tire speed ratings initially only went up to the "Z" rating, which (at the time) was just "In excess of 149 MPH".  Additional ratings [W= 168MPH, Y=186MPH, and (Y)= in excess of 186MPH] ratings were subsequently added to further define the ratings.    There really isn't any such thing as a "Z" or "ZR"  speed rating anymore, but you may find it as part of a tire size (e.g. 245ZR-18)   However, the rule book (Section 2.F in the 2020 edition) continues to list  "VR" (the "V" speed rating is actually 149MPH) and "ZR" tires as being good for "Up to 200MPH".   I'm guessing the "R" stood for "radial".  I submitted a rule change on this topic a couple of years ago, asking them to adopt the actual, current ratings, but it didn't happen.  So, if you go by what the rule book says (Section 2.F in the 2020 edition), VR and ZR are still good to 200MPH, and (since they're not listed) tires with W, Y, and (Y) ratings are unacceptable for anything.

Jeff in Boise

[maj]

Just about all of the current tires available for your R1 will be suitable , good choice would be sport tires rather than touring or full race
something you can use on the road after helps justify the cost of getting that bit better tire , just watch the first few street miles after,ex salt tires are slippery   

[07R1LSR]

Thanks guys!  I spoke with Russ O'daly today on the phone (Chief motorcycle inspector)  Super nice guy with lots of info..he told me what you guys have said, any ZR rated tire is good to 200mph.  The rule book statement "ZR or ZR-W" was throwing me off a bit.  Thanks to those that helped me out..love this forum!

[biker4Christ]

07R1LSR, did he say anything about the W or (W) rated tires? The (W) tires are rated for 270+, depending on the source.

[Stainless1]

Yo Biker... I thought you were in PA... have they gone metric? 
Yes W are 270 KPH but 168 MPH, however any ZR, ZR-W, ZR-Y and ZR-(Y) allows you to do up to 200 MPH at Bonneville during SpeedWeek, WoS or WF.
 

[Rex Schimmer]

I have a set of Pirelli ZR rated 17 inch tires that George Johnson gave me. George ran these on the rear axle of his front wheel drive lakester when he set the record at over 275. They were approved by SCTA after he shaved the tread down to about 1/16 inch. They are a very "aero" tire in shape and also compared to the 22x4x17 Goodyear front runners (which are 300 mph rated)certainly appear to be a lot stronger but also heavier which can be a problem.


Rex