tires, what should i run?

TomC

TomC

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Hi, I'm coming back this season after a one year hiatus. I was running on warmers and dot scrubs before, but I sold off my warmers and genny last year, and I would like to hold off on buying those items again for now, just a pain in the *** running them sometimes...that and I don't think my skill level warrants their use. I'll mainly be doing grand bend and tmp this year, and was running 1:23s at TMP before, but I expect myself to be significantly slower/rustier this year. I've heard good things about the the pirelli superbike pro trackday tire and I'm looking for more input regarding them. Either that or should I continue running takeoffs?
 
also...can someone elaborate on the cost/benefit ratios between buying new tires and running takeoffs? I mean, running takeoffs is certainly cheaper than buying tires new, but you'd have to get them switched more often, and also suffer an overall loss in performance. sorry if these questions seem odd, but there's a tendency to just do what everyone else does instead of laying down solid information backed up by facts etc...
 
Well if you're going to be buying take-offs that generally means DOT race tires or slicks, not something like the Superbike Pro. If you're going to be buying take-offs you really need to be careful who you're buying from, I have seen people selling 10 lap pro take offs for $150/set and I have seen people selling torn up junk for $150/set.

Everyone is going to have a different tire recommendation. I think either the Superbike Pro or DOTs would work for you. In the long run it'll probably cost you less to run the Superbike Pros.
 
I don't really know the answer to this, but it seems like there are not a lot of people running either DOT race tires or slicks without warmers - there must be a reason for that. So if you really can't run warmers then maybe a street compound (which includes the Superbike Pros) is the way to go. Honestly though, 1:23 is a red group pace at TMP and it really seems like warmers and DOTs might be in order unless you are willing to reduce your expectations substantially.

I got 10 track days out of a set of Superbike Pros (at a MUCH slower pace than you) so that would be pretty economical. However, the 9th day was half ***** and the 10th was pure terror. Once they drop off they really go away fast, and it happens when there is still piles of rubber on them (others have also testified to this - it is not just my experience). After much consideration, this year I am going to be running Q2s. From everything I have read it seems like the best option in a street tire. Maybe also a bit less spooky if the track is a bit damp?
 
I run the superbike pro's for trackdays. IMO they are the ideal compromise between cost, stick, and longevity. The feedback is fantastic, they feel very similar to the supercorsa's and superbike's. Very forgiving deep in a corner. When they start to slip, they tell will start to warn you without a sudden loss in traction which is nice. This is running mid to upper red group.

Here's the down side, they say you can run them without warmers, which you could, but personally I would not want to. They take longer to heat than street tires, you'll waste enough time and rubber getting them up to temp. When they are hot they are fantastic, but they can be a bit slippery (as expected) when freshly cold. I'd also watch the heat cycling of a race tire w/o warmers, you will harden the tires before wearing them out, especially if your not running them aggressively.

The superbike pro's are my favorite track tire by far. It takes a certain pace on the track to actually need a race slick. I used Q2's up until lower red group which are a fantastic tire at a very competitive price, heat up fast, don't need warmers, etc. Diablo Rosso Corsas are another favorite street tire on the track, but I'd have to give the edge to the Q2's in the price category. I'd consider the performance street tire route instead. Race slicks will add extra safety margin when your running a quick pace, but can be hazardous when cold or harden prematurely not using warmers.

I don't buy race take offs, so I can't help you there.
 
had the same experience. Got 5 solid days out of a set. It looked like I could get 1 more day out of them. On day 6 the driveline of the tire coming of corners was downright terrifying. It went from great to 0 in a hurry. Corner 4 drive on SMP long track became a drifting zone. Would still buy them again in a heartbeat, but watch for hardening of the driveline on the rear (front was still great, and edge grip was still pretty good)

YellowDuck said:
I don't really know the answer to this, but it seems like there are not a lot of people running either DOT race tires or slicks without warmers - there must be a reason for that. So if you really can't run warmers then maybe a street compound (which includes the Superbike Pros) is the way to go. Honestly though, 1:23 is a red group pace at TMP and it really seems like warmers and DOTs might be in order unless you are willing to reduce your expectations substantially.

I got 10 track days out of a set of Superbike Pros (at a MUCH slower pace than you) so that would be pretty economical. However, the 9th day was half ***** and the 10th was pure terror. Once they drop off they really go away fast, and it happens when there is still piles of rubber on them (others have also testified to this - it is not just my experience). After much consideration, this year I am going to be running Q2s. From everything I have read it seems like the best option in a street tire. Maybe also a bit less spooky if the track is a bit damp?
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The bt 003rs is also another great track day option. They last forever and give tons of feedback.
 
Mr.Azim said:
Dave Noble @ Competition Cycle has great deals on take offs/scrubs throughout the season.
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Yep and he can school you on it too, just bring him a large timmies 2 creams 1 sweetener :)
 
If you don't wanna run warmers, Pirelli Superbike Pro trackday slicks. Caboose is right.

Cheap, 90% as sticky as the tires guys running 10 seconds faster than you race on, and last forever. Best bang for the buck period. And they are engineered for trackday riders without tire warmers.

Gary Harrison did 6 days at Calabogie on a set, and gave them to us. We used them for two full endurance races afterwards. And we flipped both the front and the rear for our 2nd endurance on them, and had zero ill handling effects. They aren't quite as sticky as some others, but they are smooth and predictable. Our set is only about half worn thru the tread so far, but grip level has fallen off and I wouldn't wanna ride a sub 1:20 second pace on them.
 
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YellowDuck said:
I don't really know the answer to this, but it seems like there are not a lot of people running either DOT race tires or slicks without warmers - there must be a reason for that. So if you really can't run warmers then maybe a street compound (which includes the Superbike Pros) is the way to go. Honestly though, 1:23 is a red group pace at TMP and it really seems like warmers and DOTs might be in order unless you are willing to reduce your expectations substantially.

I got 10 track days out of a set of Superbike Pros (at a MUCH slower pace than you) so that would be pretty economical. However, the 9th day was half ***** and the 10th was pure terror. Once they drop off they really go away fast, and it happens when there is still piles of rubber on them (others have also testified to this - it is not just my experience). After much consideration, this year I am going to be running Q2s. From everything I have read it seems like the best option in a street tire. Maybe also a bit less spooky if the track is a bit damp?
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1:23 better not be red group pace. stick to yellow. if your not running 1:20 or less stay in the yellow group. As far as tires go, take offs still need warmers if you want them in the temp range they need to be in the first three laps and if you dont have warmers with them then you will put them though more heat cycles then they are meant to go though. get a street tire or a trackday tire that can take lots of heat cycles
 
Snipes20 said:
1:23 better not be red group pace. stick to yellow.
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I disagree with this statement. Anything under 1:25 and you're tripping all over people in yellow group, and end up having to make passes that will spook people. If you're running sub that, run consistent lines and have no issue with people passing you close enough that they can reach out and touch you i see no issue with being in red group.

I run low 1:2x's, see you in red ;)
 
Bridgestone R10

/end thread

-Jamie M.
 
dricked said:
:confused:
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subtitle_battlax_60.jpg

A flagship brand of BATTLAX was reborn. It was aimed at only winning in a race, and it was trained well thoroughly.



Jaimie has no clue what he's talking about. Maybe just /end him trying to contribute

49over said:
I used R-10's last year. Nice tire good grip took about 3-4 laps to feel ok(when I didn't run Warmers) But 2 days at TMP, 1 day Shannonville back tire was down past wear bars.. That part sucked.
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its a race tire. It should take 3-4 laps sans warmers to feel even remotely descent, you'll never get it fully up to temp that way and TMP absolutely destroys tires. Why is any of this a surprise?
 
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FriendlyFoe said:
I disagree with this statement. Anything under 1:25 and you're tripping all over people in yellow group, and end up having to make passes that will spook people. If you're running sub that, run consistent lines and have no issue with people passing you close enough that they can reach out and touch you i see no issue with being in red group.

I run low 1:2x's, see you in red ;)
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I would rather you be tripping in yellow than you getting hit because of the speed difference of someone running in the 1:15 or 1:16 range. If you cant pass safely with someone in that group without spooking them than u are not that much faster then them. I stick with what I said 1:20 or less. that is not that fast on TMP anymore
 
49over said:
I used R-10's last year. Nice tire good grip took about 3-4 laps to feel ok(when I didn't run Warmers) But 2 days at TMP, 1 day Shannonville back tire was down past wear bars.. That part sucked.
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Thanks for the feedback. I was planning on running the R10's after my S20's are done (no warmers). The distributor said they warm up fast, don't require warmers and give great grip. Sucks they take a full 3-4 laps to come in :(

Just worried I'll melt my S20's to bits on a hot day, I got em pretty melty and it was like 12 degrees that day :(

-Jamie M.
 
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toysareforboys said:
Thanks for the feedback. I was planning on running the R10's after my S20's are done (no warmers). The distributor said they warm up fast, don't require warmers and give great grip. Sucks they take a full 3-4 laps to come in :(

Just worried I'll melt my S20's to bits on a hot day, I got em pretty melty and it was like 12 degrees that day :(

-Jamie M.
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Then run the 003RS. The problem with race tires is if you are slow then you have tons of grip right up until you fall on your head. My experience with race tires is that they only give you predictable feedback if you are pushing them hard enough to be making them slide. I'm only just starting to get to the point at grand bend where i'm starting to get feedback out of the race tires i'm using and thats going faster then i ever thought possible. Until you start to compete, as in just doing track days, you should stick to a track day tire.

they last longer anyway.

Snipes20 said:
I would rather you be tripping in yellow than you getting hit because of the speed difference of someone running in the 1:15 or 1:16 range. If you cant pass safely with someone in that group without spooking them than u are not that much faster then them. I stick with what I said 1:20 or less. that is not that fast on TMP anymore
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Getting hit? The difference between a 1:22 rider at tmp and a 1:18 is mostly in the slow bits. The really fast guys have zero issue going around you if you are predictable, which in my mind is the requirement for red group. I've never run a sub 1:20 at tmp mind you i was on an SV (so lap times aren't good markers because theres kids on 250's who run red safely) but hopefully this year on my lost era kawi i'll be around that mark. There are also very few guys running 1:15's, most people are barely sub 1:20 in red.

Who are we kidding anyway, unless you're there on a long weekend there is usually only enough people to run 2 groups at tmp anyway.

Hope to see you out there.

EDIT: for what its worth when i go to the states and there are AMA riders at a track day id stay the hell out of red group. The amount of people at a TMP day running that kind of pace are slim to none.
 
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toysareforboys said:
Thanks for the feedback. I was planning on running the R10's after my S20's are done (no warmers). The distributor said they warm up fast, don't require warmers and give great grip. Sucks they take a full 3-4 laps to come in :(

Just worried I'll melt my S20's to bits on a hot day, I got em pretty melty and it was like 12 degrees that day :(

-Jamie M.
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How would you melt tires? you must be the fastest person ever to ride a bike. can you explain this to me please
 
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