What kind of tires....and how to tell?

[tommyj]

I bought some used tires from Emmick for my kart and I had no idea what kind of tire I needed (and I still have this issue) for the clone class. So, I took the salesperson's advice and I now have a set of fine used Bridgestone tires.

Neat. But, I don't think they are the right tire. Just my luck.

From a little poking around on this board, it looks like the clone class runs (or may- might- proposed to run) a YHC tire.

OMG WTF is a YHC tire? One of my tires looks like it has a KHN, one has KHA, one has KHR, one has KHE and all have YJL - I may be on to something here... YJL. Hmmmm. Sounds like the wrong tire.

Would someone post a link or take a moment to share the different compounds and abbreviations for them?

Do the letters indicate a durometer range?
Temperature rating?
Construction type?
Speed rating?

I really have no idea and I think that is blatantly obvious!

I'd like to race on Sunday and, well, I'd like to verify if I do/don't have the correct tires sometime before tech! The clock is ticking...

Thanks,

-Tom
#927

[Simon]

Emmick charged you for used tires Most places just want them gone and are only too happy to give them away. I'm not sure what the other clubs are doing, but the Dixon rules say Bridgstone YKC is the only legal tire.

YJL is a different tire.

[tommyj]

Thanks, Simon.

[karlznet]

Tommy,
Your YJL tires are a bit harder compound than the YKC/YHC. I'm only guessing the other 3 digit numbers you made reference to are mold or batch numbers. Here is a link to a Bridgestone tire chart that includes your tire. Click on "view all products" to see specs on the YJL.
www.bridgestone-karttires.com/product.php
This chart doesn't list the durometer (shore) for YKC but I've seen both them and YHC's listed elsewhere as 53. ~Karl

[tommyj]

Thanks, Karl. I appreciate the info.

Here's a link to the durometer chart:

www.cometkartsales.com/store/tires/images/bridgeduro09.jpg