Let's talk about my Dunlop Q3+, opinions?

So, first track day in 10 years at Tally yesterday. Riding Honda NC700X parallel twin 51 hp and something like mid 40's tq. Freshly mounted 160/60/17 rear amd 120/70/17 front Dunlop Q3+.

The bike doesn't have corner exit power like 600/1000's, so I wasn't sure what psi to set the tires. I didn't bring an air compressor or tank so didn't want to start out too low, although I know borrowing an air source probably would have been no problem. Anyways, began at 29 psi rear and 30 psi front. Ran first session in Novice - guided single file, 2nd session was turned loose after 2 laps, began pushing the bike and was surprised at how well it handled. I was a little apprehensive going in.

After 2nd session, we had lunch and then another 40 min before novice ran again, so bike sat in shade for an easy 1.5 hours, then I checked psi before going out for the 3rd session after lunch. The front was at 31 and rear was at 32 psi, so I let them back down to the original 29/30. I ran the next 3 sessions and never checked psi again as it felt really good and predictable through turns.

Now on to my questions.

1.) The wear on the front of the tread grooves is significant. This tire literally only has 5 track sessions on it, 1 of which was guided single file. Watching some Dave Moss videos and reading some, looks like rebound being too slow can cause this, and so could not maintaining throttle through the turn to keep suspension loaded. I'm definitely guilt of going into turns a little hot while still slowing down then getting back on the gas as I'm already entering the turn (but usually plenty before apex). I will try to work on that next go-round, but I do feel the rear shock is inadequate. It is only preload adjustable and I'm around 220 lbs. On the banked turn coming off the front straight, there's a minor raised part (patch maybe) on the inside and I could feel the rear get upset a little crossing it. A bit too bouncy. Ohlins, Cogent, and several others make rear shocks, also it is common to swap in an Aprilia RSV4 shock, but I think they are a bit taller than oem, so idk if I want to go that route.

Basically just looking for more experienced riders opinion looking at the wear on front of tread grooves.

2.) Does this tire look overly melted? I was carrying a solid pace, probably more in line with Intermediate pace through turns (used to ride ZX10R in Intermediate and Advance back in the day), but the tire just looks like it was punished to me, for a street/track tire. So I'm wondering if it might have anything to do with tire pressure. Before one of the afternoon sessions after the bike had already sat in shade for 30 min, I felt the front tire and it was still hot enough that I couldn't leave my hand on it very long at all. Kinda surprised me, I figured more heat would have dissipated by then.


One thing about it, I've always been a Michelin fan boy, but damn those Q3+ rubbers stuck like glue and held lines amazingly well for non-race tires.

 

Well I couldn't get pics to upload due to file size being too large. And my photobucket is full and won't allow any more uploads unless I get a 2nd mortgage and sell my soul for a subscription plan, ghey.

Will try to figure something out with that.

 

Here's a pic. Same file, don't know why it wouldn't upload from my phone.

 

That's the info I wanted to hear. I'm ok with parameters out of my control eating the tire, so long as it's nothing major that I am doing wrong. 220 lbs, 100 degree heat, AND on a bike that weighs near 500 lbs. LOL

Also, I was under the impression that the Dunlops needed less air because they were stiffer tires than the Michelins? I've literally read the same thing about both tires, but more credible sources seemed to lean toward the Dunlops being stiffer than Michelins, thus capable of peak performance at lower pressures.

I almost pulled trigger on the Power RS tires but a thread on here and some other material I'd read really spoke highly of the Q3+ over the Power RS. I can't run the Dunlop Q4's because I don't think they make a 160/60 rear in that tire yet. But they do in the Power RS.

Either way I was really impressed with the Q3+, just kinda surprised by the wear on the rear tire. Last time I rode Tally was in 2009, so I'm sure the track surface is far more abrasive now than it was then.

Thanks!

 

Sounds like it may cost the same or more to go to Tally as opposed to Barber after factoring in shredding tires! I was planning on going back to Tally mid Sept, but may skip and hit Barber in October instead!

 

Haha you have a point.

Just a question I have pondered lately. Back when I used to trackdays on a ZX10R in 2008-2009, I ran pilot powers til I got comfortable with the tracks and started getting faster, then switched to dot race tires. Back then, it was Dunlop D209GPs and Michelin Power Race softs. I ran both and never ran tire warmers and had zero problems, only allowing 1-2 laps before riding at full pace. I have been out of the loop for 10 years on tire technology. Since now they have tires like the Power RS and the Q4's being super sticky track tires but categorized as non-race tires and not needing tire warmers, would it be dumb to run a set of modern dot race tires without warmers now? Basically I'm curious which would last longer between the 2 types if you did not run warmers on either. Obviously the PRS and Q4 would heat up faster than dot race tires, and you might get some cold tearing on dot race tires until they are up to temp. Maybe it would depend on weather as in ambient temps outside? As in it would be more difficult to keep heat in dot race tires without warmers during colder months?

 

All good info, thanks a lot! I may slap on some Power RS tires next just to compare. Regardless I know the Power RS will not disappoint, so it would be nice to try them out too.

I'm hoping I get at least one day at Barber and one more day at Tally on that Q3+ rear before it is officially shagged. And maybe some road riding in between.