Planet Minis

Heretic

Hey guys I'm just mulling around the idea of running Dunlop KR Rain slicks (meant for a 125gp machine) on my NS50F for all the time track day tires, and wanted to hear some opinions.

Just curious if anybody here has done this. I know rains slicks are really soft, have very short warm up times, but get greasy and wear out very fast if overheated. But these are very short track sessions (10-15 mins) done on a very low powered NS50F. I'm also considering getting the normal KR Dry Slick, but I'm worried by the time they get up to temp, the track session will be over.

Any ides? Will all 7hp of Honda power over heat rain slicks in 15 mins?

Thanks,
Joe

Wets


Drys

schofell84

can you not attain the dry slicks?

Pierce

Rains won't give you the performance you are looking for. Go with the normal dry's they will work very well. I have used them on my derbi for a couple years and they work great.

Heretic

I can easily get either the dry or the rains.

I actually talked to a few vets from this track over the last few days, and thay have had really good luck running rains on mini bikes. It's a small kart track with only 10min sessions, I'm told the 50's won't overheat the tires, and grip right from the go. But they don't last more then a season. The Normal Dunlop KR's don't even really get to temps. Plus this track can be a bit dusty at times. In a race situation, going as long as 30-40mins. The rains would over heat, but only DOT rubber is legal for 'Spec' class anyways. Pirelli's MT75 is the stickiest DOT rubber in a skinny 17" (NS50, Derbi, RS50, CBR125 etc) so that's my only race option.

The Slicks are allowed in 'Formula', but then so are big bore kits up to 64cc, and unlimted mods otherwise. I'm running a bone stock 49cc bike.

reefmuncher

Have you looked for Bridgestone BT39's? Just cause I've also used MT75's and I'm sure you'd be impressed with the 39's.

Heretic

I'd have to order out of Europe or Japan, North America doesn't get the BT39. The MT75's are easily sourced, and run about $150cdn a set, so very affordable too.

Are you in North America? Where are you getting the BT39's from?

reefmuncher

Okay yeah same issues I have then, cause MT75's aren't in the same league as BT-39's after using both types for racing years back. I just order the 39's from Japan when it suit's, first cost isn't bad, it's the shipping which is expensive.

I have a new set of MT75's on one of my NSR's and new Bridgestone Exedra's on the other so kinda comparable and cool for road use. I like the Bridgestones better as the front tire has a more pointy shape and they feel softer.

So I think if you want sticky will have to pay more for sure, cause $150 is a deal for tires really!!

johnson05

What pressures are you running? Your nsr should be heavier than any 125gp bike so you should not have a problem getting up to temp. As mentioned these are commonly used on the Aprilia RS50 and Derbi 50's which are about the same power and weight as your nsr. Depending on your track surface you can usually get away with slicks on a damp track and they will still come up to temp with lots of grip.

Heretic

Not so much a weight problem, but a time to warm up problem. The mini's only get on for 10mins at a time. Even a B compound would barely have me warmed up by the end of it.

But we'll see how it goes.

If I race 'Spec' class I'll need to get some DOT rubber anyways. If I ever big bore the bike, I can run slicks. In which case I'll run the KR normal slick. My complaint with the Big Bore kit, is yeah it's only $300 for the Kitaco kit, but you still need a carb, exhaust, and CDI box. Carbon reeds wouldn't hurt either. So it's well over a $1000 to bring the motor up to that class.

Rubber wise, I'll probably order a set of dry slicks and a set of wets. See which one works better for the track days.