Tire Grip?

[MikeRR]

This is my first year running multiple track days and I'm trying to figure out how long my tires will last.  I currently have Dunlop Qualifiers on my bike.  I know it's based a loy on skill level, track temps and etc.  I went to Jenning's GP earlier this year for two days (first time doing two days back to back).  The tires had only a few hundred miles on them before I went to Jennings.  I ran the intermediate group that weekend.  The third session into the second day, I had a "little" bobble (front tire slipped) in turn 1.  The next lap I had something similar happen in turn 8.  First thing that came to my head was my tires were about done.  I'm getting ready to do two days at VIR in August.  I can remember doing California Superbike School and when I rode their ZX6R's with Dunlop's I didn't have have issues.  They run their bikes all day long with no problem.  Of course my skill level has inceased since then.  So I guess I'm asking, should I upgrade to a "track" tire that may last longer and work better for my skill level or should I keep the same tires?  Or both?  I'm trying to gauge where my $$$ should go. 

[Jason748]

When you start hitting the track, you will start going through tires at a much more rapid pace....
There are a lot of factors that will really dictate what's the best tire to use.

1st - Are you going to continue to use your bike for dual duty (both street & track).  If so I strongly recommend staying away from race tires, even DOT rated race tires.  you're best best bet is to stick with the "high performance street & track tires" (also call hypersport tires) like the Pirelli Rosso & corsa III series, Michelin Power series (especially the Power One-street & Power Pure), Bridgestone BT-016 or BT-003RS, and yes even the Dunlop Sportmax Q2 & qualifier...  These tires are all designed to endure both the street & track.  I recommend staying with a "street" rated tires over a DOT race tires as you're not going to get a DOT race tire up to temp on the street and all modern race tires are designed to be used with warmers...  However the harder you push these on the track the shorter time they'll last...

- But If you're going to be doing Track only, I would recommend going with a full spec race tire, and to get the most out of them you'll need warmers as well.  Track only tires like Pirelli supercorsa Pro & Diablo Rossa Corsa,  Michelin Power One-race, Bridgestone BT-003, and yes even Dunlop GP209-A, GP211-A, or N-tec series, these tires will last longer on track (when used with warmers), offer more grip and more consistent feel.  Also you could even step up to slick, Pirelli has actaully introduced a "track day" slick that is designed to give good grip with excellent longevity called the Diablo superbike Pro.

Best of both worlds would be to get an extra set of rims... then you could get a solid street tire for one set, and proper sticky rubber for the other.

All in all there are way too many variables... but at an average "intermediate group" pace  with new tires, you should be able to get 2-3 track day weekends (4-6 days).  The faster you get, the sooner they wear.  Also suspension set-up has a significant impact on wear rate, the better the suspension/set-up - the better the tires wear.

If you can't tell, I'm really NOT a fan of Done-slop tires...especially the GP2xx-A series... I feel that both the Pirelli & Michelin tires are superior in pretty much every way.

Don't know if that really answers you're question or not...

[MikeRR]

Thanks Jason....thats what I needed to know.  My bike is now a track only bike so I'll checking out what you recommended.  I'm not perticular on what brand I go with, the only tires I've ever ridden on have been Dunlops, but I have a feeling I'll trying the Diablo Rossa Corsa. 

[cosmo]

^that's a great tire, much better then the stock. i've yet to make it slip unintentionally, where the qualifiers were very "happy" with a little bit of hamfist. sides, looks great with the red corsa on the side, it's like born on a red RR

[Jason748]

Honestly - if you're going track only, and what to try out the pirelli's I lean towards the supercorsa Pro in a SC2 (green) compound.  The one thing I noticed about the Pirelli's (when I switched from Michelin) was that the carcus is a little softer and there was more "movement" in the front under hard breaking.  But once I got use to it and trusted it, I found that they were actually a more predictable than the Michelins with every bit as much grip.

FYI - Currently I run Pirelli suberbike slicks...

[cobes]

So Jason you like the Sliprelli's?

[ABE75]

So Jason you like the Sliprelli's?

That's like us in the UK sayin' Dunslips  Personally I like Michelins - Power Race homoligated treads an' Slicks  I've tried Metzerles and Bridgestone 001/002's . Ain't tried Pirelli's , but they own Metz's , so there isn't much difference from what Ive heard . 

[Jason748]

So Jason you like the Sliprelli's?

vs the Doneslops GP-A's... hell yea.  The rear slick is great, the front I'm still up in the air about.. I just don't trust the front 100% yet.

[cobes]

Yeah just kidding Pirelli's are great tires.  I trust the n-tec front with the 211GPA rear.  The rear is not bad, I can throw quite a few laps on one.  They spin up fairly predictable.  I've had some big slides with the 211 GPA front.....

[Jason748]

LOL... I know.  I actaully got a couple sessions in this year with a n-tec as was presently surprised.