I see conspiracies everywhere - question regarding tyres wear and safety

**Bassmatt** · 18th February 2011, 10:42

So racers use slicks for maximum contact with the track which gives maximum grip (when dry)?
Does a worn, i dont mean completely worn out, treaded tyre have more, less or the same grip as a not so worn treaded tyre on a dry track?
The reason I ask is:

" All treaded tyres must be worn no more 2mm above the minimum tread-depth indicators at the beginning of the day (if subsequent inspection during the day shows the tyre to be on or below the tread-depth indicator, access to the track may be denied)."

This is for Hampton Downs track days.
Seems like a good way to sell some tyres.
Flame away!

**bogan** · 18th February 2011, 10:48

Treaded tyres are designed to wear out when the tread is almost gone, so the thickness and construction etc isn't designed to offer premium grip after that point. I had a sport demon start delaminating before the tread was completely gone. Not what you want to happen on the track.

**imdying** · 18th February 2011, 10:49

This is just your inexperience mate, it's not a conspiracy

You go try taking a bald tyre to a track, do some laps. You'll probably get halfway through the first session before canvas starts showing through. The track is super hard on tyres.

**BMWST?** · 18th February 2011, 11:08

not to mention the compound on a road tyre is harder than a slick,and or the compound has deteriorated somewhat from the original formulation

**Bassmatt** · 18th February 2011, 11:08

But there is still tread left even when the min tread indicators are reached. I thought that we be more to do with water dispersal, isnt that what tread is for? Should they be called " tyre is now fucked indicators" because the tyre may start failing at that stage?
I could come up with another conspiracy there.

I did say i see them eveywhere, and just because im paranoid doesnt mean they arent after me!:

**bogan** · 18th February 2011, 11:10

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

But there is still tread left even when the min tread indicators are reached. I thought that we be more to do with water dispersal, isnt that what tread is for? Should they be called " tyre is now fucked indicators" because the tyre may start failing at that stage?
I could come up with another conspiracy there.

I did say i see them eveywhere, and just because im paranoid doesnt mean they arent after me!:

Minimum tread indicators, mean it's the minimum tread you need to have a safe tyre. Thats sounds exactly like a tyre is now fucked indicator to me doesn't it

**Bassmatt** · 18th February 2011, 11:14

Originally Posted by bogan

Minimum tread indicators, mean it's the minimum tread you need to have a safe tyre. Thats sounds exactly like a tyre is now fucked indicator to me doesn't it

No. I see a big difference between not much tread and a tyre beginning to delaminate.

**bogan** · 18th February 2011, 11:17

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

No. I see a big difference between not much tread and a tyre beginning to delaminate.

you won't if you take yours to the track

**imdying** · 18th February 2011, 11:21

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

No. I see a big difference between not much tread and a tyre beginning to delaminate.

That's because you don't know what you're looking at.

**BMWST?** · 18th February 2011, 11:24

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

No. I see a big difference between not much tread and a tyre beginning to delaminate.

not much tread left=wear indicators visible=worn out=less than desireable performance

**Bassmatt** · 18th February 2011, 11:26

Originally Posted by imdying

That's because you don't know what you're looking at.

What? Im looking at tyres.
So I should expect to lose at least 2mm tread on a track day? My current tyres have about 5mm tread on them, two track days = a new set of tyres?
Bugger that puts it financially out of reach for me then.

**BMWST?** · 18th February 2011, 11:28

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

What? Im looking at tyres.
So I should expect to lose at least 2mm tread on a track day? My current tyres have about 5mm tread on them, two track days = a new set of tyres?
Bugger that puts it financially out of reach for me then.

you will literally see the tyres turning to rubber dust if you are pushing the limits if tyre performance.If you are going att lesser speeds the tryes wont disapear so fast but will likely wear faster than on road rates

**Bassmatt** · 18th February 2011, 11:29

Is HD harder on tyres than other tracks? I cant find anything about how much tread you should have on the motott site, for example.

**imdying** · 18th February 2011, 11:36

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

So I should expect to lose at least 2mm tread on a track day?

Piece of cake, I'm as slow as a wet week, so if I can shred a tyre out there, so can you.

It's the sustained abuse that kills them, your average road tyre just wasn't designed to do laps.

Besides, a tyre with no tread left makes even the top of the line bikes handle like a bus. Change them out for that reason if none other.