Race Take-Offs: Is it worth it?

[indoMLA]

First off, i don't know if I posted this in the correct area, if not, mods, please move it to the correct section....

I post on a variety of other forums (both motorcycle and vehicle) and I have noticed that a lot of folks on the motorcycle forums always recommend race take-offs to someone that is looking for a tire. Am I the only one that thinks that race take-offs for a street bike is a waste of money and time? Race tires are soft as hell but they are only good for 2-4 track days, after they are spent, then what is the purpose of the tire?

I think the race take-off option was provided as a short term solution to a problem that many riders have, but they don't realize that the tire, for the most part, has lost its grip capability..... I mean, a race tire is meant for a track where they can reach operating temp quicker and can handle it, they are not engineered for everyday use, which should be the tires you should be using anyway...

I have seen race tires being sold for $40 to $100, why not just spend the extra $50 or so and by some tires that are designed for the type of riding you do? If you are going to spend the money on the take-offs and the mounting and then again on another tire and mounting, save yourself the hassle and get a real tire.... I mean the race take-off looks cool when you are posing, but if you are stopped long enough to pose with a tire that really ain't yours, then why ride in the first place?

I don't know... this kinda turned into a rant, but just wanted to know what your opinions are.... I just think the race take-offs is a bad idea for sport riders that are using them for everyday use... what is your opinion?

[indoMLA]

Found an article that kinda agrees with the point I am making (in case my opinion is not specific)....

http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/tires.php

[Patrick]

I'd definitely recommend going with a street specific tire over a race tire, take off or not.

However, not every one has the extra funds to be able to buy new rubber.
I used to run race take offs all of the time when I was younger because I couldn't afford anything else.
I'd just keep that fact in the back of my mind when I was riding, especially if I got caught out in the rain.

[houseofpaint]

as patrick has stated. it's more like a temporary solution to those without fatter pockets.

[Romeo36]

race take offs is all i run on the street. street tires suck grip wise. ive locked up the front tire so many times while testing bikes for the shop or riding with something that has street tires on it, i dont do it on race take offs. so +1 for race take offs. oh and in my opinion i think they make the bike handle better

[aznhero913]

I think its a waste. Your basically buying a used tire for nearly the same price as a new one and after you've used up 2-3 sets of take offs, the money from the mounting charges alone will equal the extra cash for the new tires. imho, you're better off getting a new tire so you dont have to worry about things like how tread is left, is it good enough to make this hard stop, go through the rain, etc...

[SecretAgent]

race take offs is all i run on the street. street tires suck grip wise. ive locked up the front tire so many times while testing bikes for the shop or riding with something that has street tires on it, i dont do it on race take offs. so +1 for race take offs. oh and in my opinion i think they make the bike handle better


maybe it's your riding style that is overpowering the street tires. it's funny that hundreds of thousands of people are really really fast on street tires, but you're not. either you're the greatest rider on the face of the planet (doubtful) or you're not riding properly.

[aznhero913]

maybe it's your riding style that is overpowering the street tires. it's funny that hundreds of thousands of people are really really fast on street tires, but you're not. either you're the greatest rider on the face of the planet (doubtful) or you're not riding properly.

:boxing:
ouch

[andre3k]

maybe it's your riding style that is overpowering the street tires. it's funny that hundreds of thousands of people are really really fast on street tires, but you're not. either you're the greatest rider on the face of the planet (doubtful) or you're not riding properly.nter

interesting observation

[Prodigy]

ive used race take offs for years. In my case it was cheaper than buying a new front pilot power every week:eek3:

[Japawhat02]

Alot of people dont ride in the rain.....So for them race take offs are a cheap alt. some people just give them away sooooooo free is always good.

[aznhero913]

Alot of people dont ride in the rain.....So for them race take offs are a cheap alt. some people just give them away sooooooo free is always good.

in that case its a good deal.

[Romeo36]

maybe it's your riding style that is overpowering the street tires. it's funny that hundreds of thousands of people are really really fast on street tires, but you're not. either you're the greatest rider on the face of the planet (doubtful) or you're not riding properly.
__________________

bwaahhahaaaha your funny, well hundreds of thousands can kiss my ass. go try and run 51s at world on street tires. race take offs are just fine. the only problem is that some jack asses arent used to em and arent used to how they handle. i have no problem with traction in the dry or the wet the only street tires that ive ever ridden on that where actually worth a shit are the knew michilins. well we all know that im not the greatest rider on the planet. but if you think your so good why dont you come and show me how to ride properly

[Moody]

Romeo was riding pretty good on Sunday. :eek3:

[Romeo36]

^ thanks bro. what turn did they make you work?

[Moody]

^ thanks bro. what turn did they make you work?
CMRA T10, T12 to the rest of us. The high speed one heading to the late braker for the chicane. No wrecks there all day. Had one run off when a guy got bumped. He headed right off the track and to the NASCAR bowl then onto the straight. Crazy stuff! I did see Ty run off after the horse shoe but the way he rides you would think he just wanted to see how the tires worked in the dirt. He never got off the gas. :eek3:

[Romeo36]

hahaha yea thats a fun set of corners through there

[indoMLA]

race take offs is all i run on the street. street tires suck grip wise. ive locked up the front tire so many times while testing bikes for the shop or riding with something that has street tires on it, i dont do it on race take offs. so +1 for race take offs. oh and in my opinion i think they make the bike handle better

Can you explain what you mean by that? I guess i am confused....

bwaahhahaaaha your funny, well hundreds of thousands can kiss my ass. go try and run 51s at world on street tires. race take offs are just fine. the only problem is that some jack asses arent used to em and arent used to how they handle. i have no problem with traction in the dry or the wet the only street tires that ive ever ridden on that where actually worth a shit are the knew michilins. well we all know that im not the greatest rider on the planet. but if you think your so good why dont you come and show me how to ride properly

You are blurring the point I am trying to make... If you get the race take-offs to run on your bike while on the track, there ain't a problem as the take-offs are designed for the track... but guys running track tires on the streets, is what i just don'e understand... i see guys that are new, squids, whatever roll sport bikes with race take-offs that they don't own... they don't know what that tire went through or how many heat cycles the tire is on... when the tire degasses, the tire gets harder and thus loses it ability to grip... If there is anyone that can get a race tire up to speed on the highway, then that guy is a moron as you shouldn't be riding like that on the streets with other people...

I don't think anyone is questioning your ability to ride.... just the use of a tire in a purpose it is not intended for... I for one would not buy a used tire as i do not know anthing about it... I just think a lot of riders are risking their lives for the sake of saving a few dollars...

[spidermanfreak2]

:confused2ok. quick. can someone define "a race takeoff" does that mean a used tire or does that mean any track tire like bt002s. cuz thats what i got. and its expensive.

[spidermanfreak2]

and whos giving these out for free cuz i want some

[Moody]

:confused2ok. quick. can someone define "a race takeoff" does that mean a used tire or does that mean any track tire like bt002s. cuz thats what i got. and its expensive.
They would be talking about your BT002s or the like after a few races or track days on them.

[Red5]

You are blurring the point I am trying to make... If you get the race take-offs to run on your bike while on the track, there ain't a problem as the take-offs are designed for the track... but guys running track tires on the streets, is what i just don'e understand... i see guys that are new, squids, whatever roll sport bikes with race take-offs that they don't own... they don't know what that tire went through or how many heat cycles the tire is on... when the tire degasses, the tire gets harder and thus loses it ability to grip... If there is anyone that can get a race tire up to speed on the highway, then that guy is a moron as you shouldn't be riding like that on the streets with other people...

I don't think anyone is questioning your ability to ride.... just the use of a tire in a purpose it is not intended for... I for one would not buy a used tire as i do not know anthing about it... I just think a lot of riders are risking their lives for the sake of saving a few dollars...

And therein lies the dilemma for those riders. They may understand that they're not getting the best tires available. But economically, it's what's available to them at that point.

$20-$50 may seem small to you take on such a high level of risk of using take-offs. But that same $20-$50 is a lot of money to some people. And their risk tolerance may be high enough in deciding to run those particular tires.

You've got some valid points. But it seems it's mainly an economic issue for those that use them.

Personally, I wouldn't use race take-offs on a street bike, especially those that came off someone else's bike. Those two contact patches are primarily what's keeping me upright on my own bike. I would need to have the utmost confidence in them.

[ysr612]

when I was racing endurance the race take-offs went on my street bike because the center was not worn and I don't even lean the street bike.

[RACER X]

IMO no, bad idea. and if nobody;s told ya, motorcycles aren't cheap.

[BlackWidow]

Umm..Some very nice observations.

First of all:

indoMLA - i hear your points, i had the same issue and have discussed it with many people. I got different opinons from different levels of racers/riders.

I think Frank (Red5) pretty much nicely writes it when he points out that every one has their own level of $$ and depending on that every one is willing to take certain risks.

I agree with him completely, and would probably never track tires aka (race take offs) on my street bike.

I would however buy race take offs, from a fellow racer and use them on my track bikes on the track only.

Romeo - your just a dick dude, everytime I or someone else has posted some question or something for sale you've always been a smart arse about it with your cold, shrewd comments. Once or twice is fine, but i've noticed you do that alot lately and your really starting to be a dick in my opinon.

Yea sure you can ride fast (can you?) around the track - but that does'nt give you the right to be dick to everyone and challenge them.

If you do read this and want to reply, send me a PM - let's handle it like adults, instead of whoring it. (which you already did when you challenged the other guy's opinon).

[Inspiredm3]

Umm..Some very nice observations.

First of all:

indoMLA - i hear your points, i had the same issue and have discussed it with many people. I got different opinons from different levels of racers/riders.

I think Frank (Red5) pretty much nicely writes it when he points out that every one has their own level of $$ and depending on that every one is willing to take certain risks.

I agree with him completely, and would probably never track tires aka (race take offs) on my street bike.

I would however buy race take offs, from a fellow racer and use them on my track bikes on the track only.

Romeo - your just a dick dude, everytime I or someone else has posted some question or something for sale you've always been a smart arse about it with your cold, shrewd comments. Once or twice is fine, but i've noticed you do that alot lately and your really starting to be a dick in my opinon.

Yea sure you can ride fast (can you?) around the track - but that does'nt give you the right to be dick to everyone and challenge them.

If you do read this and want to reply, send me a PM - let's handle it like adults, instead of whoring it. (which you already did when you challenged the other guy's opinon).

:happy1:

please dont take it to PM's let the whoring begin:keke:

[marlboroman71818]

:werd: :happy1:

[dbuck]

I have run take offs plenty of times in my days....for the limits that I ride within on the streets, take offs do the job. Take offs generally only last me 3,000 miles or so and I use them because the centers are not worn. Coincidentally, I don't know of one HOV lane that has a killer radius and no traffic that would allow me to go overboard and lowside due to no traction. For some, it saves them $$$ and when you are young and don't have a lot of money, take offs can be the way to go.

For the record, I put brand new shoes on my ride for the first time in a long time since NW Cycles has offered free installation with new tires. How can you pass that up?

[Scorpio]

bt-002 street,
best of both worlds!
but yeah, depending on the condition of take offs, you can get away with street use as long as your careful and don't use em for daily commuting. Race tires either take forever to come up to temp, or never come up to temp at all on the street.

[Inspiredm3]

ebay is your friend!

[Romeo36]

Romeo - your just a dick dude, everytime I or someone else has posted some question or something for sale you've always been a smart arse about it with your cold, shrewd comments. Once or twice is fine, but i've noticed you do that alot lately and your really starting to be a dick in my opinon.

Yea sure you can ride fast (can you?) around the track - but that does'nt give you the right to be dick to everyone and challenge them.

If you do read this and want to reply, send me a PM - let's handle it like adults, instead of whoring it. (which you already did when you challenged the other guy's opinon).

first off when have i ever said anything to you. please enlighten me. and please point out all these cold shrewed comments, i would like to see em. and if your smart ass goes back and read my post i asked him to come and show me how to ride properly not race me.

and about the last part i stated experiences with street tires nothing more in my first post and here it is so read again

race take offs is all i run on the street. street tires suck grip wise. ive locked up the front tire so many times while testing bikes for the shop or riding with something that has street tires on it, i dont do it on race take offs. so +1 for race take offs. oh and in my opinion i think they make the bike handle better

this is what he said
maybe it's your riding style that is overpowering the street tires. it's funny that hundreds of thousands of people are really really fast on street tires, but you're not. either you're the greatest rider on the face of the planet (doubtful) or you're not riding properly.

thats why i said that he should come and show me how to ride properly

[Romeo36]

You are blurring the point I am trying to make... If you get the race take-offs to run on your bike while on the track, there ain't a problem as the take-offs are designed for the track... but guys running track tires on the streets, is what i just don'e understand... i see guys that are new, squids, whatever roll sport bikes with race take-offs that they don't own... they don't know what that tire went through or how many heat cycles the tire is on... when the tire degasses, the tire gets harder and thus loses it ability to grip... If there is anyone that can get a race tire up to speed on the highway, then that guy is a moron as you shouldn't be riding like that on the streets with other people...

I don't think anyone is questioning your ability to ride.... just the use of a tire in a purpose it is not intended for... I for one would not buy a used tire as i do not know anthing about it... I just think a lot of riders are risking their lives for the sake of saving a few dollars...

i understand what you are saying but like i said i have never had a problem with take offs being to hard or haveing a lack of grip. most race take offs are worn on the side and not in the middle. most street riders dont need that extra grip on the sides because they dont drag their knee around corners and push it like on the track.

oh and what i meant about lockin up the front wheel when testing thats when i come to a stop and get hard on the brakes.(harder than most street riders would) but thats just my opinion

[Romeo36]

sorry for whoring the thread bro.

[AliceInChains02]

I'd definitely recommend going with a street specific tire over a race tire, take off or not.

However, not every one has the extra funds to be able to buy new rubber.
I used to run race take offs all of the time when I was younger because I couldn't afford anything else.
I'd just keep that fact in the back of my mind when I was riding, especially if I got caught out in the rain.
+1 50$ extra is a lot to me:sad7:

[level5]

Knowledge is power. If you inform everyone about that take offs are bad then I won't be able to sell it to support my track habit.:crying:

J/K

Take offs are good for drag racers and poser because they don't lean.
Plenty of meat left for up right riding and it only cost half as much. Let's not forget about stunters too. Wait, that's almost everyone.

[m27]

i think most people couldnt even used what was left on a race take off
properly to justify it being bad. +1 on the center is not worn, and how
many people actually use the edges anyways.
personally i think 100$ set of tires that cost 350+ is a great deal. if you
are paying more then no its not.
and i dont think we are talking about slicks right?
cuz those mich race 2ct are amazing street or not

[knee_dragger]

FACT: Race take offs do not grip very well in WET weather!

[ownage]

take off's for the win! i'll take any tire as long as it doesn't have 3 or more holes, cords showing and any weird wear

[maskale]

cuz those mich race 2ct are amazing street or not


the 2ct is a street tire, not a race tire.

[Romeo36]

FACT: Race take offs do not grip very well in WET weather!

they work fine in the rain. there are some occasions when we have to use em on the track in the rain. you just cant lean very far.

oh yea for those that say the tire doesnt get up to a good operating temp on the street. yall are wrong my tires on the rc heat up fine and grip fine

and i remember 2 years ago when it was in the 30s at oakhill those tires wouldnt gethot and still worked pretty good

[FireMalt]

If you can afford new street tires... not chance it with a race take-off. You already have enough odds against, by just riding on the stret to begin with.

If you are broke, or just need it for a week or two... I'd said go for it, just be gentle for the first 5 minutes of riding. And pay attention to the weather forecast! But get a street tire back on there ASAP.

Take-off's for some who has does atleast a half dozen trackdays or so, and are looking to start a racing career/hobby... :icon_thum