Hey everyone, So I had Q3s on at Autobahn and loved em, great grip at 30psi, too early to rate wear but so far pretty good, anyone else running Q3s? I had GP-As on before but never tracked em so I couldn't tell how it compared. I would say they are a great tire especially if you get them on sale (I found a 4th of July sale that had em for $140 and $110.)
I've got a set that I will install on my new bike, whenever I get the new bike. I've got one of the new Yamaha FZ 09's ordered, but they aren't due out until Sept sometime. I'm sure they'll be good enough for a nekkid streetbike that will see a lot of time at Deals Gap, but for the track............Power Cups all the way!
I probably should get the Q3 front, right now I have a pilot road on there, it worked out ok at 29psi, but if I get faster I will need to change that out.
Hmm not trying to start a war here, but I have been told I run an intermediate pace when I was at ACC earlier this year and I ran Dunlop Roadsmart II's for two days with no slip issues except at the Bus Stop in the wet ( rolling on the gas ). The trip at the end of the month will be on the New Dunlop Q3's. I understand that people want and sometimes need the stickiest tire, but the New sport touring tires these days offer exceptional grip for a touring tire. They just do not offer the same kind of feel or feedback that a track specific tire will give you. But then again, that is my take on it.
no I agree, and apart from my foolish decision to panic brake and visit the gravel area off turn one of ACC North, I had no noticeable issue with my front tire. I just figure it would be nice to have a matching set of tires, not to mention bumping my front from 160 to 170. the tire worked quite well with 29psi.
For you guys that are setting your Q3's to 28-30 psi cold...What was ambient temp for the day? How much pressure gain are you getting immediately coming off the track for a 20 min session? Are you checking to see if your getting an optimal 5-7psi gain from cold to hot, or are you just setting and forgetting?? Are you getting any cold tear at these pressures?? The more feedback, the better for everybody. :thumb: From the info ive been collecting (Dave Moss),on a 600cc motorcycle.. 25 rear 27 front cold, with an ambient temp in the high 80's, track temp 125F, was generating carcass temps in the 150's with a 4psi gain on the front, 4.5psi gain on the rear..... I will be trying these out for the first time labor day weekend, I will be logging my own data and posting my findings with tire pressures in the future.
I kinda went Ron Popeil at the track, you know 'set it and forget it'. I know, bad, but I did not have any cold tears, or hot tears for that matter. Temp was about 75 in the am, and jumped to about 85 midday. I was in novice 2, so we werent too crazy in the morning, and by the time we started ratcheting up speed, it was midday so all was well. next time I am going to scrutinize more.
Keep a closer eye on them pressures, and invest in a good psi gauge like motion pro. I have the digital one its pretty sweet!!
I just did my track weekend this past weekend on the Q3's and all I can say is WOW. I have been running sport touring tires for so long for mileage I forgot how good a sport tire really feels. Pressure in the morning was set at 27 front and 25 rear. Temp in the morning was around 79-80 if memory serves me. Coming off the track after 20 minutes in (I) I was only seeing a 3-4 psi gain on a CBR1000. In the afternoon when I checked pressure the tires were roughly 30f and 30r with the temp in the 90's I adjusted them back down to 25f and 25r. Still only saw a 3-4 psi gain coming off the track. Tires performed great no slipping.
At ACC a couple weeks ago I had them set at 30psi cold. Came in after a session and noticed they had jumped to 34-35psi. So the gains you mentioned above seem accurate. Outside temp was about 80 degrees. Set them back down to 26 and they ran at 30psi all day after that. Plenty of grip at intermediate A pace.
This is a way old thread, but I wanted to give a shout out to Dunlop for their 212GP tires. I was on Q's before that and never had any complaints. But, it was time to replace them (seven seasons later . . .) and after some research, I decided on the 212GPs. I wanted something that had a nearly slick tread pattern (just enough to be street legal - I do not ride in the rain) and the 212GPs seemed to be the fit for what I was looking for. I was BLOWN AWAY by the difference. I drag my knees around freeway on-ramps because that is the only place on the road where you don't have oncoming traffic and are completely by yourself in a turn tight enough to do that. And it was apparent the first time I put any lean into those tires that they were a significant upgrade. I always felt myself drifting wide and figured that was just the limit of the bike and thought nothing of it when leaned over in an on-ramp turn. Not with the 212s on. Wow, what a difference. Not only did I no longer drift wide, but I could actually tighten my radius mid-turn. Also, there were occasions where I would experience a slight (just enough to notice) wheel spin on certain corner exits. I have yet to experience that with the 212s. And I have tried. Granted, I'm no pro and I'm not capable of testing the limits of these tires, but I have found that the limits of the 212s is noticeably different from the Qs. The Q is a great tire, but those 212s are way better than I expected. They aren't going to last 7 seasons, but that's OK. I'll be happy if they last one season as good as these things are. I think I'm running 32 psi front and rear (I found out recently that race setting is 17 - 19 on the rear; have to try that next). As for me - I don't think I'll buy any other tire - outside of tinkering with racing slicks someday (or not - as my riding level can't exploit slicks anyway, so why bother?).
I like the Q-3's and they wear well. Tire pressure is important with any tires and usually will need slight adjustments as the temps rise or fall so I won't give recommended settings as it's subject to too many variables but I do recommend that you read Dave Moss's article on "reading your tires" on his feelthetrack.com site.
I was all ready to get some Q3s for my ZX6r (I have Diablo Supercorsas now) but then 3 bikes that went down at NOLA this weekend all had Q3s. All lost the front. I understand this is probably just because the Q3 is hugely popular but it doesn't instill much confidence in them. My Pirellis have never given me any problem. I was also interested in trying the Michelin supersports but they are $100+ more expensive than the Q3. But are they worth it? Decisions, decisions.