First we have to establish what a trackday tyre is. There are three types of motorcycle tyres used on track:
- 1. Race only non road legal tyres, like slicks and wets
- 2. Track-focused road tyres that are treaded and road legal
- 3. Normal road legal motorcycle tyres
The tyres in option 1 are not road legal, even the treaded motorcycle race wets or intermediate rain tyres which look like they have more tread than a typical road-going tyre but these are not road legal. If in doubt, look on the tyre’s sidewall for any sign that the tyre has been approved for road use.
The tyres in option 2 are road legal and are often the tyres supplied on high-end performance bikes, like the Honda Fireblade, BMW S1000RR or Triumph Daytona 675R. While these tyres are great on track, they are not always the best option for road riders, especially if you ride on the road in all seasons or conditions. A typical tyre in this category is the Pirelli Supercorsa V3 SP which is a standard fitment on some superbikes. The Supercorsa V3 SC a slightly more race-focused version which is still road legal but not a great road-only option.
All the tyres in option 3 are road legal and offer varying degrees of effectiveness on track. You don’t need a track-focused tyre to ride your motorcycle on a trackday. What’s more important is the condition of your tyres. If they are near the wear markers or squared off, they won’t offer the same grip as a fresh pair of tyres nor will they help your bike handle as well as it could. A talented rider could lap a race track on a touring tyre such as Bridgestone’s T31 with enough pace to warrant a place in the Fast Group, so don’t worry too much about the tyres you have on, focus more on their condition.
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