| Author | Message | ||
     Eboos |
I am planning on doing between 5 - 7 trackdays this year, and I wanted to know if I should start using tire warmers on street tires or just get dedicated track tires. I will most likely not be getting my racing license this year, will I have trouble getting race tires without a license? | ||
| Slaughter |
You can get race tires without a license - if you take your wheels to the tire vendor at the track you'll never get asked. Never heard about needing a license for slicks or race DOT's. You can have them sent to you directly from any of the vendors in Roadracing World. I wouldn't get race tires until you're sliding around too much on the street tires. You're only going to get 2 days out of a set of race tires. You can get 4-5 days (maybe more) on a good set of street tires. Tire warmers are a really good idea but you can always give it 3 or 4 laps to get some heat into your tires instead of warming them. Even with warmers, you're looking at 2 laps until you get the rubber warm. Check the racing BBS's - there are always some sets of tire warmers for sale pretty cheap. What tires are you running? | ||
| Eboos |
Pilot Powers. I do not have a spare wheel set right now, so if I could get away with multiple days on the street tires that would be best. Which warmers do you recommend? I was thinking of Chicken Hawk Pole Positions. | ||
| Slaughter |
Chicken Hawk are GOOD. Easier to put on/take off. Tyr Sox are CHEAP (and good enough) I don't think the Pilot Powers are going to be real sensitive to the number of heat cycles as compared to race DOT's. You might want to email the Michelin race tire guy in your area. Ask them some questions about specific recommendations - they are likely to recommend much different pressures and rubber selection than you'd be recommended to use for street. Out here, it's Dale Kieffer at Racer's Edge. http://www.racersedgeperformance.com/index2.htm Don't know what Michelin moto-race tire dealer is serving the Eastern US racing folks. | ||
| Eboos |
Not trying to sound completely unresourceful, but could you point me in the direction of a good road racing bbs where I might find a used set of warmers and possibly a link to the New England Michelin dealer? | ||
| Slaughter |
CCS and WERA both race in regions across the US and have Eastern Regions. WERA BBS: http://forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12 CCS: http://www.ccsforum.com/ The Moto-ST BBS isn't as well developed since it's so new but you can check it out: http://moto-st.com/MessageBoard/ I think you might have to join some - but don't hesitate to sign up. They're not spam-heavy. I've found all racing BBS's to be more helpful, far less pissy than sportbike boards. Post up as a "newbie" and you'll probably be surprised at the level of help and advice you'll be getting. Another thing to consider is taking the race organization's new racer school when offered. You can go out then on practice days for about half of what you'd pay for a track day. You'll see much better riding, better lines and technique than on most track days. (do some track days first though, get the bike handling sorted out, get your tire selection to work for you) ...and have FUN! | ||
| Gearhead |
With all due respect to Slaughter, a guy who has a great deal of racing experience and advice, I think you're putting the cart before the horse. I have had a fair amount of experience running Pilot Powers at trackdays on my street bike with absolutely no issues and no tire warmers. If you are a top tier trackday guy I can see why you want to make this move, otherwise it's a little more than what's necessary. The trackday vendors I've been associated with usually frown on full on race pace on lap one so the Pilots will have time to warm up. The Michelin vendors I've worked with have recommended 26psi in the rear and 31psi in the front which has worked without issue. My suggestion is to continue running the Pilots at trackdays and on the street, purchase an extra set of wheels when you can, then move up to DOT race tires if you feel it's necessary. Just my thoughts... | ||
| Slaughter |
Gearhead made the BEST point. The thing is that if you give the tires 3+ laps to get warm without warmers, you'll be OK. (assuming typical 2.5 mile track). With warmers on a warm day, you STILL cannot get a race pace til you have a couple laps into the tires. That is pretty true regardless of brand. The Pilot Power tire gets lots of miles and I don't think you're going to be disappointed as much as if you were spending $375 a weekend in tires for race tires. A friend who is a West Coast track day operator tried running Pilot Powers on his bike when giving instruction and DID say they didn't keep traction unless ridden hard constantly. They'd tend to cool when he'd start pacing a slower rider and then when he'd wick it up they'd start sliding for a lap again til they got heat in them again. Warm up slowly and after 3-4 laps, you'll probably have most of the heat into the rubber that you're going to have. If you haven't spent the money on tire warmers yet, you can be better off spending it on 2 track days instead. Meanwhile, keep shopping around, I got mine from a buddy for $100 (Tyr Sox) - I'd rather have Chicken Hawks but seem to keep spending my money on other stuff. | ||
| Jbar |
I just bought a pair of Med Soft Michelin Power Race for my XBRR - first time out...any suggestions for their use? (going to track day on Feb 10 at Spring Mountain at Pahrump, NV - air temps will range from 40 deg at 9am to 70 at 3pm). Will be running slow to moderate to break the bike in... Also, what's the diff between the Pilot Powers and the Pilot Race - any comments? Thanks! | ||
| Littlefield |
Tire warmers have 2 purposes 1) preheat the tires so you don't have to warm them up and 2) minimize the number of heat cycles. As previously pointed out, preheating the tires isn't that big a deal unless you're actually racing. It's hard to get a good answer on the heat cycle issue. Something in the rubber additive package gets consumed on ever cycle so eventually the tires start getting hard. For the average mortal I don't think this is an issue, we don't run them hard enough. Air the tires up so they have about 36 psi hot, 30 psi cold is a good starting point. Michelin race tires supposedly are a little stiffer and may not need as much air. Check with the tire guy. Pilot Powers are considered to be street sport tires, Pilot Races are race tires so they have better grip but wear quicker and are no good in the wet. As good as the current street tires (Pilot Powers, Qualifiers, Diablo Corsa, etc.) are they work fine for the track day rider. |
