Scrubbing in new tires at the track

**Recidivist** · 03-02-2012, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by Tonto

Real men go out with the stickers still on the tires!- the gospel according to Reciprocity

+1 lol. believe it or not, we actually leave the stickers on so they dont pick up saftey wire clipping in the pits with the glue residue. I've seen a picture of Kenny Reidman leading a race at Shannonville, where you can read the dunlop sticker on the front tire. A tire is never better than when it is absolutely brand new!

**toastman** · 03-07-2012, 09:00 AM

I watched a guy save a near crash when he was in the pits on new tires. He hit the front brake and the sticker was on the ground at the moment he put the brakes on. The front slid for a bit and he caught the bike in time.

Originally Posted by Recidivist

+1 lol. believe it or not, we actually leave the stickers on so they dont pick up saftey wire clipping in the pits with the glue residue. I've seen a picture of Kenny Reidman leading a race at Shannonville, where you can read the dunlop sticker on the front tire. A tire is never better than when it is absolutely brand new!

**kneedragger88** · 03-07-2012, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by toastman

I watched a guy save a near crash when he was in the pits on new tires. He hit the front brake and the sticker was on the ground at the moment he put the brakes on. The front slid for a bit and he caught the bike in time.

I must be the luckiest racer ever. I have always just left the stickers on for just the reason that Dave said. Never had an issue. Straight from the warmers to the track. Years ago when they were using release agents we used to scrub new tires with sandpaper or steel wool if we couldnt get a scrub lap in to clean them up but I think those days are long over as I know it the hot moulds use a shot of cold water to release the tire from the moulds.

**YellowDuck** · 03-12-2012, 08:22 PM

Pretty sure Pirelli still uses the mould release, at least on some models. My red stripes were slippery as snot the first few laps. Quite spooky, actually.

**Wingboy** · 03-12-2012, 09:53 PM

I think i'll try the Q2's this year.Can anyone compare them to the BT003's?

**Serialize** · 03-13-2012, 08:41 AM

Tried a few different tires, Metzler, Pirelli, Dunlop and Bridestone on the track. Out off all of them didn't need much scrub in. Half way through your outlap riding smooth and the tires are good to go.
Like Dave metioned tires are never better then when they're new. Unbelievable grip in the first 15-20 laps, even much more if suspension setup nicely and using tire warmers. Although for trackdays I've left the warmers and genni at home and just did an extra warm up lap each time out there and had no issues.
They all have thier characteristics, Pirelli is a softer tire, VERY grippy but they tend not to get as many laps as the other brands. Dunlop N-Tech are all around top scores but a little more expensive then all the rest. Bridestone R10 I felt it offers amazing feedback and long tire life and even cost less then the other brands.