Fast tyres

Previously robert_tuck wrote:

Reading a recent article on the world record holder Super Nero, It appears that with the motor producing 130 bhp on Dope a run was made at 190 mph. For this attempt the best tyre availiable was a standard road Avon SM !!. Makes you think a bit.

Also, watch The World's Fastest Indian for Burt Munro's take on 'suitable rubber'! :-O

It takes nothing away from the achievements of Brown and Munro to point out that they were not attempting to go round corners in the rain (indeed, one might say that an essential part of their activity was ensuring that they did not deviate from a straight line).

Also, their tyres only had last for at most a few minutes at a time(a few seconds, in Brown's case).

So I think I will stick to modern Roadrunners for the time being.

Previously Kevin Bell wrote:

Previously robert_tuck wrote:

Reading a recent article on the world record holder Super Nero, It appears that with the motor producing 130 bhp on Dope a run was made at 190 mph. For this attempt the best tyre availiable was a standard road Avon SM !!. Makes you think a bit.

Also, watch The World's Fastest Indian for Burt Munro's take on 'suitable rubber'! :-O

I think SM is an acrynom for Slippery Mileage

The SM Mk II is an under-rated tyre. It looks archaic but it outlasts and has better wet and dry grip than a K70 (not difficult). You can still scrape footrests with SMs fitted. At least I do. Don't forget they now have modern rubber compound.

Hi Robert,

Are you sure the tyres were standard Avon SM road tyres ? I haven't seen any pictures of the bikes with standard tyres fitted and it sounds a bit dodgy for an experienced racer to go with low speed tyres, plus getting the bike through the scrutineers.

Regards, Richard.

Previously robert_tuck wrote:

In those days there were no special very high speed tyres and for that sort of record attempt no scrutineers , just timing gear and an official to work it. Nanny state not thought of.

I think that was 1906, not 1960 !!

I had Avon SMs on my BSA single and never came off whilst riding in all types of weather, but watched others on Japanese machines come to grief often on the same bends and on Ice and snow, not sure I would repeat some of my antics now, but when young we usually consider ourselves invincible!