I've been running nothing but q2s and 3's since I started track days last year. My pace has significantly improved and I am starting to feel uneasy with the lack of grip I am getting from them. I run a mid to high intermidate pace and my bike is setup for me. I also have no rider aids ether and I use warmers. Is it me or is it time to bump up to a slick? Appreciate any feed back!
what temp are you setting the warmers to? Neither of those tires need warmers so there is a good chance your over heating the tire causing it to lose grip. gpa 211's ,slicks if you have warmers why would you not have track tires
Well they are one temp warmers(cheap ones). I dont think I am over heating the tires. I get good wear and don't feel a "greasy" feel out of them. I get more of if I push it anymore I'm going to crash feel. If that makes any sense
In my experience street tires DO tend to get hotter than their optimal operating range after a number of laps at a fast pace. Starting from cold I can get about 5 laps at a pretty good A pace out of a high performance street tire before they start to slide all over. What you might be experiencing is that because you're using warmers the tire already has a head start toward getting hotter than it wants to be. I will 2nd R/T's thoughts: Any of the tires you have mentioned, including the Pirelli track day slicks, do no need warmers. You didn't mention the pressures you're using. Have you tried to go up or down in pressure? Could you talk further about what you're feeling? Front or Rear? On turn-in? On transition to throttle? We will try to help! -Tom
I have tried all sorts of different pressures the one that seems to work best for me is 30 front and 28 rear. My two biggest problem areas is the initial tip in as the front tends to slide out and then the transition from braking to gas mid corner same thing. I just never feel I have traction and also the last few track days I have that "feeling" that I can't push the tire anymore or I'll crash because the lack of grip I feel through the bike. Also what might be a big factor is my bike is very heavy for what it is I believe around 450 pounds give or take. I guess the biggest question is am I ready to go to slicks. I always hear people running the Qs in A I just don't feel comfortable pushing the tire more then what I am now and need a bit more confidence.
If you are upper I pace, then you shouldn't have a problem running slicks. You also already have warmers which is a good thing. If you aren't comfortable with your Q's (I LOVED them), then make the switch. It was actually cost effective for me to switch to slicks.. On my bike (GSXR 1K), I would get one weekend out of a rear, 2 out of a front with Q2's and 3's.. With slicks, I doubled the life I get and they are not twice as much as street tires.. So, overall, I pay less money for slicks and get WAY better performance :thumb:
I Ran take off Dunlop 211's all summer 3 rears 1 front and I did 8 trackdays @ grattan and 1 mid ohio...previously I was running Bridgestone s20's I would need 5 rears and 2 fronts and I got the take offs all for 200 bucks and will be riding the 4th rear and 2nd front in spring
That's pretty much the same wear rate I had with the Q's. I am going to purchase slicks for my next set and see how it goes.
:thumb: that's how I convinced the wife. "Honey, it's LESS money and WAY more tire. Same stuff the AMA guys run"... It was a win/win for both of us
For future reference where are you guys getting these slicks/higher grade trackday tires and does the vendor multiple brands
I have bought take-offs once from a guy local to me which worked out well.. When I bought a new set, Race Tire Service is the place for anywhere in the South. They are out of nashville. http://stores.racetireservice.com/
I would look at something like a power cup or super corsa sc's if your only doing track days. If you run slicks and it rains your day can be over.
To be honest I won't ride in the rain so slicks as an option wouldn't bother me. Getting another set of rims wouldn't be an option ether. Can't seem to even find a used pair.
I use these and like them. I get to 5 or 6 weekends a year and run a fast intermediate pace. I replace them every year to be careful, but they have life left when I do. I use warmers. I wouldn't run them in the wet (I have an extra set of wheels). Happy to answer questions if you want to PM me.
Wow, nothing against you but as expensive s trackdays are for me,I have,learned to ride in the rain. I just do not have $450 laying around that I am willing to throw away. I just ride slower and learn to be smoother. I figure it is a win win for me. Helps me when the track is dry and helps me when my street ride turns into a wet one. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I ran Q2s for many track days as an intermediate rider until I actually began to experience sliding. Then I moved up to Michelin Cups... with that being my only change, I shaved 6 seconds of my PB when I returned the following month and a consistent 4-5 seconds per lap (at Barber). That was 2 years ago. I eventually moved up to slicks and actually this season have experimented with Bridgestone R10's (dot) and amazingly have beat all my personal bests at every track... a newer bike could have had some say in that though; but point is, all these tires work! I also will not ride in the rain
100% agree. You really miss a opportunity when you skip the rain. When you slip and slide all day you really get a good feeling for lack of grip!