Hey guys, I picked up a dedicated track bike this year after getting addicted to the track last year on my Supermoto. The bike I picked up has a brand new set of SC1 slicks on it, so I got a set of warmers as I know I will need them. However, since I am a Novice rider, I am a little worried about having slicks and the pace to keep them hot. Will I be okay running slicks as long as I'm using a set of warmers to get them to temp? Since they came with the bike and they are brand new, I would prefer not to have to change them but ultimately want to make sure I will be safe. To give you an idea, I would consider myself a front pack novice rider. I am by no means fast, but I wouldn't consider myself the bottom of the barrel either. Thanks for your input!
you'll be fine. the point of the warmers is really more to keep the slicks from heat cycling and not getting destroyed more quickly. They will help preserve your investment in the tires and also give you good feeling out of the gate. Cold tire crashes can be a definite reality but I don't think you will be at risk of that at Fast Novice Pace. To stay on the safe side, take a lap or two to get rolling (build some heat) before you give it your all and you will be cool. (My 2 cents for what its worth (maybe 2.5 cents).
I am of the other opinion , I believe that not only are slicks / warmers completely unnecessary in Novice. I personally believe that due to pace of even a fast novice rider you are not generating enough heat in them to keep them at the correct operating temp for them to work properly... generally race rubber needs to operate in the 180 -220* range.. this is significantly higher than street/ track tires that do not require warmers.. as such to maintain that temp you need to be a decent pace. Warmers are truly to get the rubber up to around 170-180* so that you can hit it FAST right out of the gate. again to MAINTAIN optimal temps.. then of course to keep heat cycles down when coming off track for a spell... running warmers then cruising 2 laps lets the tire cool back down significantly then you need to slowly build heat back in over the next lap or so completely defeats the point so back to the point.. are you, or generally many novice riders quick enough / consistent enough to keep good heat in a race rubber tire .. NO not usually... that said the rubber will stick on a nice warm day.. you SHOULD be fine at about any pace with said tire. but running a race rubber and not keeping heat your going to cold tear it no matter what... and you would just be pissing money down the drain every single time you get a set as they wouldn't last as long as they should based on the pace... now in cooler temps... race rubber / wamers and no pace.. for a novice rider with out the skills needed could easily end up on their face...
Whether you are fast enough or not, in the morning, the classes you have, plus you aren't going fast while on the track either.
I think you'd benefit from swapping tires and selling the SC1s to someone, if only to fund that new set of tires. You will have a better experience on something more street oriented like Q3s or Power RSs anyway. They last longer and really are a lot more tire than most would need up to and including a bottom to mid-pack advanced pace.
Guys, thanks for all the honest feedback. Again, I didn’t buy these tires but they came on the bike and are new so wanted some feedback as to whether or not I could use. By no means do I think I NEED them but would prefer not to have to swap tires if I didn’t have to. I think I’m going to go ahead and get some different tires and sell these to someone who can use them. Thanks!
You honestly will be fine on a good day they will grip you will get good feel and everything will be fine properly preheat them make sure your pressures are set correctly and have fun my only recommendation is that they are not necessary at that pace I wouldn't say dangerous
Keep the Tires for when you get faster. You will love them. Pirellis are probably the 'best' slick for cold/slow riding, and of all slicks the best chance I'd give for holding would be Pirellis, but I tend to agree with Rabbit that you won't be building much heat in them (which means they will only be COOLING) when riding in Novice most likely.
My 2cents. I’d replace them with a decent set of street tires. Novice days are busy enough why complicate them with warmers, genny etc. Plus if you forget to turn on the warmers then you are out on cold slicks . Also up north on a cool morning you’ll never keep them up to operating temp. Hell I lose heat in my front slick on a less than 60F morning & I’m reasonably quick in “A”.
Take the tires and store them in a warm place. (top shelf of a closet works well) Put on a set of street tires like others have mentioned. Theres so much going on being in novice with class room and drills. Asking a lot to come in get the bike on stands and warmers on. ( I am a coach and normally use street tires for my novice days). It is so easy to come in need to go talk with someone and forget to put the warmers on. Once you get to I you will have a great set of slicks to ride on.