When to switch to race tires?

[Trackho]

Originally Posted by Zippy I've been getting a lot of cold tearing these days. As I have gotten faster, I notice that I am tending to go out pretty hard right away. My tires are just not lasting anymore. Hmmm, maybe 1+1 does equal 2. I think I need warmers now. Before this, it was working out fine to gently warm them on the track. But I have no patience for that anymore. I go out almost as hard as those who run warmers do. So I think I'm seeing more cold tearing. So I am getting some warmers. I'll probably save money by doing it. In the mean time, I will give my tires a little more warm up time.

Has NOTHING to do w/warmers, has ALOT more to do with the track surface, tires(Pirellis are the worst) suspension set up and ambient temps---and it ALWAYS effects the faster guys first.

On a cold day, if they tear w/o warmers, they will tear w/em. We used to have an insane problem w/cold tear at ThunderHill for the past 3 years, then they resurfaced the track and it dissappeared. Everyone has a cold-tear theory--I have never seen a consistant fix for it

[Zippy]

That's what I'd love to find, a real fix. A real shock might help too.

I just ran though a new Supercorsa rear. It was obviously developing tearing by the end of the second 20 minute session. Got some great (for me) lap times that session, but I was rather concerned about wrecking the tire too quickly. I made a couple of adjustments to the suspension to try and control it. It seemed to slow down the damage, but certainly didn't stop it. I finished the weekend on it, doing 14 sessions total. But by even the start of the second day, it was giving some big slides.

Once that tearing starts, it seems to self-perpetuate. I'd love to find a reason why it starts.

[02FBlade]

I thought the cold tearing is from pushing the tires hard at first before they get warm? If the tires are shredding when hot I'd guess it's a chassis/suspension issue. For the most part tires should be smooth from edge to edge...granted some tracks are more abrasive and will booger the tire more but its should be relatitively smooth/constistant from edge to edge. I see lots of trackday riders that haven't really done chassis/suspension work and their tires are really ate up...and usually bitch'n about grip!

[Zippy]

Mine are no longer smooth from edge to edge. Instead, they have been quickly developing a 'wear stripe' on the sides. As I've taken my times down the last few seconds, it has gotten much worse. I don't think I'm so much driving out harder as I am entering turns faster. I have always driven out hard, compared to other riders, but now I'm finally learning to run it in faster. My front tires show this, as they are also wearing more than twice as fast as last year. My stock shock is probably just completely worn out. I had replaced it at the beginning of last year with a newer stock shock. I just swapped my original back in, thinking that it is now the better of the two. I haven't hit the track since doing that, so I don't know yet if it will help.

I definitely have a problem to solve for the rear. I probaby need a better quality solution.

[fst929]

Originally Posted by Scratch **** I guess we're all in kinda the same boat. Got bumped to "I" on my 2nd ever track day, and then of course low sided on my 3rd. I asked Matt Drucker of MD racing this same question 2 weekends ago. He said that street tires are called that for a reason, they get to a point and then just kinda let go. He said that "premium" street tires (Power's, Corsa's etc.) are all well and good, but if you're ready to push yourself and the bike to the next level you'll definately benefit from the added grip of race rubber. Not really the best answer but then again it's not an easy question to answer for someone else. I think I'm going to make the switch just for a little added insurance. Might have to wait a little while since tire warmers are a good idea if you're gonna make the switch and they're not cheap. Then again neither is race rubber, but if it keeps you from landing on your ass then I guess it's all good.

Matt's a fast guy and knows the deal...shell out the extra$$ and run race rubber. After I made the change...I never went back

[firestorm]

Most street rubber is sufficient for the occasional track day rider. Even if you advance to the point you're sliding out of corners, I'd look first at your bike's suspension setup and your riding style before swapping tires. Good riders can be faster on street rubber than an inexperienced rider on slicks. Running race rubber can give you a false sense of security and land you in a world of trouble. Practice being smooth and learn the lines before shelling out the extra cash for race rubber. After you're comfortably smooth, have your suspension setup correctly, and run proper tire pressures, you could look at lowering your lap times via more grip and other go fast goodies.

Also note, not all race rubber is created equal. Some provide better grip, shorter warm up time, longer life, etc.... Slicks provider better traction than DOT race tires and tend to give you a bit more warning before breaking loose. There's no set formula for choosing a tire (ie. the different compounds used by different racers in the same race) it's basically about your riding style and your racing plan (ie. what part of the race you want the most traction from your tires). Just be smart when you're out there and push your limits gradually.