Tyre wear on a bucket

**hmurphy** · 11th August 2009, 01:40

Hey I just have a general question about tyre wear on buckets. I ran a search on the bucket forum and saw this hasn't come up yet. So I am the one to bring it up because I am super cheap. From peoples experience, how long does a second hand 125gp front and rear slick generally last on a bucket? I know a large factor in this equation would be how thrashed it was before it was put on a bucket. So maybe I should ask how quickly do ex 125gp slicks last on a bucket in A grade, e.g. FXR150.

Basically I don't have bundles of money to keep buying tyres and the new front slick I have seems to be amazing. I just want to know how long it will stay amazing because I have read how tempermental slicks are with heat cycles.

You can see what I am getting at here. How long would someone like Glen or Fish or Andrew keep the same front slick on for at the speeds they are going? (No I am not comparing myself with them. I imagine they would wear tyres out faster than most is all).

Cheers!

**SS90** · 11th August 2009, 05:23

good question.

A bucket is considerably heavier than a 125gp bike (and the rider also, generally)

It's common knowledge that slick life is dependent on heat cycles, as well as wear.

HOWEVER......

The reality of it all is that the likelyhood of an FXR150 being pushed ANYWHERE near the level of a (even mid pack) modern 125GP bike is "slim/none......"

Granted, buckets have come very very far in the last few years (in terms of performance, both handling and power), however, just look how fast a moder 125GP laps around any circuit in NZ...yes, power down the straight has a big part to play, but look how fats those little buggers corner..... the tyres are subject to tremendous heat and stress......

I am of the opinion that an old 125GP slick should last more than a season (assuming the bucket suspension set up isn't so bad it damages the tyre).....Just keep on eye on your pressures and race!

I know for a fact you can "borrow" a mates totally knackered rs125 front slick, and spend the whole weekend riding the Blenheim Kartsport track with out incident,..... then give it to an up and coming 125GP rider who rides on it all the next season......and tells you it was the best tyre he had to date........but he was from Invergargill...........

**Buckets4Me** · 11th August 2009, 06:49

Originally Posted by hmurphy

You can see what I am getting at here. How long would someone like Glen or Fish or Andrew keep the same front slick on for at the speeds they are going? (No I am not comparing myself with them. I imagine they would wear tyres out faster than most is all).

Cheers!

well the fast guys up here seem to keep there slicks on till they can get newer ones or they fall off more than 5 times a race ( Karl Gary )
I think Tim brought a new set of brigstones and they lasted a year till he neaded more (or so he says I think other people are going faster now)

the slower guys use slicks that a years old (but Dave was saying that #14 could do with a new frount slick)

so ride it till you dont like it and see what happens (I think the realy good grip goes away within the year but you still have heeps left after that for buckets )

**Sketchy_Racer** · 11th August 2009, 07:37

It'll last for at least a year, and then when it craps itself, just dope it up!

**Buddha#81:Me** · 11th August 2009, 07:52

Yup old slicks (free) and dope works well and my tyres get a hard time with the weight......value for money you will find it hard to beat.

**Trudes** · 11th August 2009, 08:52

Who's got the dope?? And why are you wasting it on tyres?

**phoenixgtr** · 11th August 2009, 09:04

That reminds me. I need to chase my dope dealer. He's holding out on me!!

**hmurphy** · 11th August 2009, 11:26

Oh ok cool. Definately something to think about. I am glad someone explained to me not too long ago what 'dope' is for tyres. Otherwise buckets could become very expensive if you had to smear the real stuff on your tyres.

**Buddha#81:Me** · 11th August 2009, 11:34

Originally Posted by hmurphy

Oh ok cool. Definately something to think about. I am glad someone explained to me not too long ago what 'dope' is for tyres. Otherwise buckets could become very expensive if you had to smear the real stuff on your tyres.

Next time you are Kaitoki, ask the cart guys, I think its illegal for them now so you could get it off them cheep cheep?