rosok

Well, it's still pretty barren, with only porta potties and a snack truck when she shows up. But the track makes up for it. Smooth pavement, not chewed up by the 4 wheelers yet. And it has like a mini corkscrew that's fun. Not quite like the real one down at Laguna (much slower and tighter), but still a blast. I believe this photo of me from June22nd is turn six, the carousel. What a great corner, I look forward to it every lap! This is from a "2-Fast" weekend, Jason Tanaka photographer.

Funny, I was a broke student back then too! Or maybe I was just broke, can't remember. Ok, here is a before and after on my wheel swap

Ah yes, all good points Eirik. I think it all would be in my head . and i just realized that a little of my thinking too is that a 170 looks cooler than a 160. Not as cool as a 180 or 190, but the best I could do. Does using the word cool age me? But I also realized there was one other important reason for me using a 170/60, and that was overall diameter, which is greater than a 160/60. Because the bike originally came with a tall tire on an 18inch wheel, switching to the 17inch affected my geometry and rear ride height. Playing around with the mounts on a slightly newer stock shock i was able to regain that ride height, but only if i use a 170 tire in conjunction. Ah the trials and tribulations of customizing a bike.........

Hey thanks Hotfoot. That's a good link.I did some measuring of my own, and my 170/60 Q2 on the 5" wheel measures out at 7" wide (+- 1/16"). The 160/60 Michelin 2CT on my wife's Ninja 650 4.5" rear rim measures 6.5" (+- 1/16"). When you consider how small a contact patch is on a motorcycle tire, that extra 1/2" of width probably makes a difference. But I guess it's probably a moot point if the 170 width is no longer available. I'm probably making too big a deal over it, a 160 would probably work fine for my few track days. It's just a confidence thing, you know. And being confident in your tires is huge in riding a bike at elevated speeds around corners.

I've thought about doing what you've suggested, but I stayed with just doing the rims.......for now. Money, or lack of, being one reason. But another being I just didnt want to change the bike that much. And as it stands now i can go completely back to original very easily. I'm not racing, but i still wanted to upgrade to wider radial tires so i could run at a decent pace on the track. And I've found I can do that with what Ive got right now. My suspension is non-adjustable as well except for preload. Skinny fork legs, 37mm if you can believe, with no fork brace! Small unfloating front discs, rear shock with virtually no damping left. Its great!! My only saving grace is that "The Ridge" is so nice and smooth, I don't think I'd be able to run the bike on any of the rougher tracks, definately none in western Canada. By the way, I really wanted one of those FZR's you got back when they came out, they received rave reviews on thier handling. But I couldnt give up my RZ350. I'm secretly hoping Dunlop man Steve Brubaker will pipe in on this..........

Thanks Hotfoot. I guess I should also measure the Q2 170 series tire I currently have mounted on my 5" wheel. And do some comparisons to different tires mounted, though I think I'll have a hard time finding the actual measurements as mounted on a 5" wheel. That doesn't seem to be a popular size among sportbikes anymore I'm guessing. And of course I imagine the actual width will vary with rim size. Anyhow, I have some time to figure it out, since the Q2's I have mounted should hopefully last me 3-4 more sessions at least. These photos show the amount of tire I'm using front and rear. You can see there is a little edge distance to go still, so maybe a 160 would still work for me? Though to get that extra edge usage I may have to pull off my footpeg feelers that are dragging slightly at this point (stock pegs). I'm running 30 psi F/R cold per local track guys recommendations.

Thanks Hotfoot. I guess I should also measure the Q2 170 series tire I currently have mounted on my 5" wheel. And do some comparisons to different tires mounted, though I think I'll have a hard time finding the actual measurements as mounted on a 5" wheel. That doesn't seem to be a popular size among sportbikes anymore I'm guessing. And of course I imagine the actual width will vary with rim size. Anyhow, I have some time to figure it out, since the Q2's I have mounted should hopefully last me 3-4 more sessions at least. These photos show the amount of tire I'm using front and rear. You can see there is a little edge distance to go still, so maybe a 160 would still work for me? Though to get that extra edge usage I may have to pull off my footpeg feelers that are dragging slightly at this point (stock pegs). I'm running 30 psi F/R cold per local track guys recommendations.

This might be a question for a vintage club. But here goes anyhow, a little background. I've got an 86VFR750F that I'm recently now just using as a track bike. Yeah, yeah, I know, it's old. But so am I, so we just work well together. Obviously I realized that the stock pre-radial tire rim sizes just wouldn't cut it, so I pulled them off and threw on a set of 17" wheels. A 3.5" front off an early 90's F2, and a 5" rear off a mid 90's F3. Some machining was required, but nothing beyond my capabilities. I'll find a couple photos to post. I took the bike to the track last year for the first time. The Ridge Motorsport Park in Washington state. Two thumbs up!!! I'm running a 120/70 up front and a 170/60 out back. Dunlop Q2's. Love the tires! After a bit I'm now running in the mid-to-quicker intermediate pack and having a blast. It's kind of fun running the old girl past all the newer iron on the track. I know, I know, it's not racing, just track days. Anyways, to finally get to my point, I've noticed now that the Q2 is being replaced by the Q3 that the 170 rear size has been dropped. Only a 160 or 180 and bigger are offered. The 170 fits my 5" rim really well, and still clears my swing arm and chain. I cannot go to a 180 since I think it will be too wide, and anyway it would be too wide for a 5" wheel I believe. And I'd rather not go down to a 160, as I'd like to keep as much rubber on the road as possible, if for no other reason than to maintain confidence. But I really want to stick with the Dunlops, they are very confidence inspiring, and I imagine I'll like the Q3's even more. Any thoughts on what I should do? Besides going out and buying something more modern . I really want to stick with a 170 out back if possible. Thanks guys

A twist of the wrist. That book taught me a lot back in the 80's. When I saw this site/forum the other day I just had to join! I spent a year racing at Westwood racetrack up here in British Columbia in the mid 80's. Lots of great memories. The track is long gone. Houses were more important. A friend talked me into a couple track days last year at a real nice new track on the Pacific Northwest, The Ridge Motorsport park. A beautiful track compared to anything else we have up here in canada. Me and my old 86 vfr750 had a blast, and we're up for more this year. I'm envious of you guys down south with your weather and tracks, I'll have fun reading through all your posts, and throw my 2 bits in here and there. Cheers guys!