Pirelli tire selection

When?

 

Can't believe I forgot that... I'll be there end of May.

 

From my experience there's a few facets to this conversation: the empirical , the technical , and the feel.

• The empirical: you can go really, really fast on a DOT tire. Not that I've done that. I've been witness to just how hard you can push a DOT tire during the 2 up rides I took during Champ School. It's really hard to explain how much load a properly loaded tire can take by a rider who knows how to properly engage the bike with the correct techniques. All on a bone stock MT-09. My aspiration now is to get inside of 10 seconds for each track I ride. Once I'm there consistently, I'll consider a move (back) to slicks.

• The technical: if you're 10+ seconds off pace, you're less likely to keep the slick in its optimal operating temperature window. DOT tires have a broad operating temperature because they have to adapt to varied conditions. Slicks are pre-heated and meant to be ridden inside a narrower window to allow for maximal traction. Remember, creation of grip is chemical reaction (as well as an abrasive one) between the tire and the track surface. The rate of a chemical reaction is largely impacted by either temperature, pressure, or both. Ipso facto, if you're not generating sufficient temperature in the slick, the chemical reaction (i.e., grip) is not happening optimally and you are potentially riding around at a performance deficit.

• The feel: the argument is that riding on a DOT within that 10 second lap record window, and feeling the tire get greasy, spin, or squirm is a learing tool for gauging the limit of adhesion. With today's modern electronics this is largely marginalized. However, it could still be a tool for enhancing your craft as a rider.

As for tire selection for COTA in May. Most of the guys I ride with run:

• Front SC3 or SC2 superbike slick.
• Rear: I've seen the guys run everything from the SCx to SC3. Most guys are on SC2 or SC1.

At your pace, I'd say the SC3 front and rear combo is a safe bet. If you wanna run a slick. And if you're coming for a track day w/ Ride Smart they usually have a tire vendor there so you can bring your tires and have them mounted at the event. I'd email them directly to find out who will be there.

 

https://www.scrcracing.com

Chris (I think) is the Pirelli vendor at RideSmart days.

 

In May I ran SC3 front and back, but in July I run SC2 front and back.

 

Thank you for the feedback fellas. I am one to overthink things and I shouldn't....

Buuuuuut with my overthinking, am I reading this right? Found this from a few different sources.

Hot track temps: harder front, softer rear
Cold track temps: softer front, harder rear

I thought the compound selection would be the same for front/rear but it looks like it's opposite of each other.

 

Then there is the Metzler TD slicks which are somewhere between the 2, I haven't tried them but
they claim to be usable without warmers

 

A bump, a bump, a big ol' bump. and someone please continue to do the same

 

In my experience with the TD slicks, I'd say you're better off using warmers. Especially if you're riding on a cooler day/track/etc. I've had a few front end tucks w/ the TDs on days where the ambient temp was 50ish degrees F even after a couple of laps. Now, if it's a boiling hot afternoon in the middle of the summer, I may roll w/ out warmers when using the TD slick. But even then, if you have them, why not use them?

The only tires I really don't use warmers with are true DOTs like the Supercorsa TD or the Metzler Racetec RR.

 

Yep I'd do the same, I'm actually going to try the Pirelli Endurance/TD slicks using warmer, as I'm wanting something that will tolerate lots
of heat cycles

 

In my limited experience the sc3 last longer than the td slick.

I’m not that fast, but at a decent clip the td slick just sheds rubber at an alarming rate, vs the sc3 which is a bit more resistant to wear.

 

That's a bit of a surprise to me, maybe I'll go sc3.

 

So that I don't have to re-read all 29 pages, what is the Pirelli TD slick option?
I am aware of the Metzler TD slick and the fact that Pirelli and Metzler are co-joined companies.
Thanks.

 

Could be I just suck. Idk I’m not exactly easy on rear tires.

 

Sc3

 

SC3 Endurance race slick

 

Technically, the "track day" SC3 is a grooved SC3 with a DOT stamp, but it's very much a track tire. I run this tire on my R6 and have done so w/out warmers. The other option you have is to go w/ the superbike slick in the SC3 compound. The SC3 is marketed as Pirelli's "endurance" compound. I've run these in the past and have always used warmers with them. People refer to these as a track day slick simply because they're the endurance compound, but they're not specifically marketed that way by Pirelli. It's just a lore thing w/ guys that ride Pirellis. At least in my experience.

This hasn't been my experience, but that doesn't mean you're wrong. I've found the Metzler TDs to wear well, but in my use, they do like a couple PSI more than their Pirelli counterparts. At least at the tracks that I ride.

 

Thanks for the responses.

 

Anyone know what tire pressure you would like to see when getting off the track? Assuming as soon as I get into hot pits, I have my accurate pressure gauge ready.

Tires are Superbike slicks, SC1 front and SC2 rear.

Getting ready to drive out to Austin this week to ride COTA!

 

at 80c or 176f I run 32psi front and 23-24 rear is my baseline