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Track day tires

2744 Views 28 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  Otto Man
Not much in recent search in here. So I run both B and A group and warmers may not be in my wallet this year. I finished up a set slicks that were lil old . Whats a good slick these days. I always ran Dunlops
and am open to other brands. No racing just track fun no street.
Thanks
Lau
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Use whatever floats your boat. Without using warmers your not using the tire anywhere near its potential so it's just a matter of what you'd like to use. All slicks should be used with warmers or you're wasting rubber.
I'd get a cheap set of warmers. Your tires will last longer and perform better. I prefer Michelin Power Cup Evos. I really want to try some of the new Pirelli's
If you're going to run slicks without warmers there is a chance you will be flirting with disaster. Slicks MUST operate at a certain temp to be effective. Tire warmers keep them at this temp when you leave the paddock. If you go out on cold slicks and "warm them up" through your pace there is the possibility that you'll push a bit too hard and loose grip. We've seen this happen COUNTLESS times. "Ill just take it easy for a couple laps and get some heat in the tires." You see them coming back on the crash truck.

Also something most people won't talk about is can your pace generate enough heat to keep the tires up to the proper operating temp? If a rider is not fast enough the slick will self destruct and cause other issues.

Best advise, work with your local track tire vendor and go off their suggestion.
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If you're going to run slicks without warmers there is a chance you will be flirting with disaster. Slicks MUST operate at a certain temp to be effective. Tire warmers keep them at this temp when you leave the paddock. If you go out on cold slicks and "warm them up" through your pace there is the possibility that you'll push a bit too hard and loose grip. We've seen this happen COUNTLESS times. "Ill just take it easy for a couple laps and get some heat in the tires." You see them coming back on the crash truck.

Also something most people won't talk about is can your pace generate enough heat to keep the tires up to the proper operating temp? If a rider is not fast enough the slick will self destruct and cause other issues.

Best advise, work with your local track tire vendor and go off their suggestion.
Just git gud
If you are not using warmers I would recommend you to get a street/track tire like a Bridgestone RS10 or Pirelli Super Corsa SP. Both of those tires are heavily track oriented.
Use whatever floats your boat. Without using warmers your not using the tire anywhere near its potential so it's just a matter of what you'd like to use. All slicks should be used with warmers or you're wasting rubber.
When I got this bike recently it came w a few sets of wheels.
One set were w slicks for the track days my friend did. So my last 2 track days felt real nice pushing hard on those things and no slips or anything like i got w my Q2's in past. Thats why I figured id buy the slicks again. But like i said i cant afford warmers presently but may get them. So IYO its not worth it without proper pre heating so to speak? I can try the Q3's, im a dunlop guy so I am quite unexperienced w other brands.
Why is it wasting rubber without warmers? educate me
I just read post #4 . Good info. So no slicks w out pre heat. Understood. Now to start pricing everything.
Or look for good sticky street tires as recommended. I have some time yet ,all winter so Ill prob get the warmers,'
W that being said any Dunlop slicks recommendations or just avoid dunlop. Fuck ,that means a generator ,yeah the hits keep coming.

if non slicks hit me w recommendations in addition to the other responses. Thanks again
Lau:eek:ccasion1
whats the scoop on GPA dunlops?
Im not one of the fast guys and dont really have much track time at all, but for tires, talk to Mike at Ridersdicount. Hes a site sponsor and his prices usually beat out anybody. Thats been my experience. Plus his customer service is brilliant.
When I got this bike recently it came w a few sets of wheels.
One set were w slicks for the track days my friend did. So my last 2 track days felt real nice pushing hard on those things and no slips or anything like i got w my Q2's in past. Thats why I figured id buy the slicks again. But like i said i cant afford warmers presently but may get them. So IYO its not worth it without proper pre heating so to speak? I can try the Q3's, im a dunlop guy so I am quite unexperienced w other brands.
Why is it wasting rubber without warmers? educate me
You end up wasting rubber because as was said earlier, slicks are meant to operate in a certain temperature range. Riding outside of that will cause premature wear (cold tearing).

Personally I use Dunlop and always have. I would use whatever is readily available and has support where you ride.

Keep an eye out for used warmers, they come up often for reasonable prices. I'll have a set up for sale soon. Generator is a bit of an investment. I've been using the Champion 2000W inverter for 4 seasons without a hiccup. It's quiet and fairly cheap. Quiet is good!
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One lap and they're hot. The missing ingredient is confidence but that involves many variables.
Confidence is there , I just am looking for tires and w only 2 days experience on slicks ,looking for info. Both track days i did the chill 1-2 lap and then pushed and never had a slip. Thats why im asking,
i dont know all the info on heat cycles, tearing etc. Just trying to decide on a purchase because I may or may not have a gen and warmers. the po of this bike had these slicks on and doesnt use warmers. And he is a fast competent rider. But they are tired now and looking to replace.
Long story short , without warmers on 90 degreeplus days I had zero issues. But i dont want to have future issues if my season starts in cooler temps vs after memorial day.
Long story short , without warmers on 90 degreeplus days I had zero issues. But i dont want to have future issues if my season starts in cooler temps vs after memorial day.
Pirelli "Diablo Superbike Pro" slick is a "beginner slicks" for trackday people and Pirelli says they can be used without warmers. Having used a set of them myself (with warmers thou) I can say that they are cheaper and last longer than "real" slicks.

Slicks without warmers are hard like plastic and offer less grip than a street tyre.
I imagine using slicks without warmers only if ground is hot to touch with hand.
Other than that, it takes many-many laps to heat them up properly and on colder day you cannot bring them up to temperature (at least 170F for rear). If you can, then cold tear has destroyed much of your expensive item in progress.

+1 for warmers.
Pirelli "Diablo Superbike Pro" slick is a "beginner slicks" for trackday people and Pirelli says they can be used without warmers. Having used a set of them myself (with warmers thou) I can say that they are cheaper and last longer than "real" slicks.

Slicks without warmers are hard like plastic and offer less grip than a street tyre.
I imagine using slicks without warmers only if ground is hot to touch with hand.
Other than that, it takes many-many laps to heat them up properly and on colder day you cannot bring them up to temperature (at least 170F for rear). If you can, then cold tear has destroyed much of your expensive item in progress.

+1 for warmers.
Too bad they stopped making the Pros. Was a good endurance/trackday tire.
One lap and they're hot. The missing ingredient is confidence but that involves many variables.
No, just straight up no. There's a reason why EVERY SINGLE RACER uses warmers and it's not because we have no confidence or enough "loop" experience.
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Too bad they stopped making the Pros. Was a good endurance/trackday tire.
Indeed, I asked my tyre supplier and he said Pirelli has now SC3, but it is not replacing PRO. It is cold whether and endurance tyre, but more inline with SC2 and needs warmers. However Metzeler CompK slick is pretty much same as Pirellis PRO.
Thanks for info fellas. I just read the shit out of some blogs etc on the Pros and they sound like the tire for me esp until warmers and gen are in the budget.
So they still sell them or no.? I will start seeking a source.
And as i read and said ,Im a lap or 2 always before i hammer down
just for safety.
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Metzeler CompK is still avaliable in Europe.

Warnings (personal experience):
a) First time out with completely cold tyre/rim, there is no margin for error and you can lose it before knee down.
b) Don't use front slick in cold whether without warmers, because it just stays cold.
c) Lapping fast on street tyre dangerous and lapping slow on slick is dagerous too.
d) To heat up tyres do not cruise, brake and hammer hard, just use less lean angle.
Thanks for info fellas. I just read the shit out of some blogs etc on the Pros and they sound like the tire for me esp until warmers and gen are in the budget.
So they still sell them or no.? I will start seeking a source.
And as i read and said ,Im a lap or 2 always before i hammer down
just for safety.
You might be able to find some leftovers, but they have discontinued making them.
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