Planing on going with slicks

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RODOLFO

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As the tópic says

planing on going on slicks for the next trackday

the questionwhich ones do you recomend

Pirelli

Dunlop

bridgestone

michelin


SPECIALY HOT WEATHER

TARMAC is not very grippy

los of bumps

Maybe planning on going Pirelli SC1 front / SC2 rear

but have been hearing, there could be better options
 
cant go wrong with Sc1 SC1 combo.
The TD tire has a load of grip, they just overheat when you push them lap after lap.
 
If you like changing rear tyres frequently, Pirelli is four times better than any other brand.

Bridgestone feel very similar to Pirelli.

Dunlop feel comparatively wooden/stiff.

I haven't tried Michelin.

I felt the front tyres of the three brands that I tried felt very similar, and all gave good confidence. I also generally preffered the 'medium' specification front tyre, over the soft.
It's not just the compound that is different, but the construction of the tyre, and the stiffer construction gives a more consistent feel when entering the corner, and at the apex.

The Dunlop rear is very different to the Bridgestone or Pirelli. It's not as 'feelsome', but probably has the highest grip level, and good endurance. Very consistent.

The Bridgestone rear is very consistent to, and offers similar grip levels to a new Pirelli, and maintains high grip levels until worn out.

The Pirelli rears performance drops off after six or seven laps, and continues to do so until it ends up with very low (relatively) grip. Which, can be more fun. Feels the best/nicest when fresh, but doesn't maintain grip or endurance.
 
RickD996 said:
If you like changing rear tyres frequently, Pirelli is four times better than any other brand.

Bridgestone feel very similar to Pirelli.

Dunlop feel comparatively wooden/stiff.

I haven't tried Michelin.

I felt the front tyres of the three brands that I tried felt very similar, and all gave good confidence. I also generally preffered the 'medium' specification front tyre, over the soft.
It's not just the compound that is different, but the construction of the tyre, and the stiffer construction gives a more consistent feel when entering the corner, and at the apex.

The Dunlop rear is very different to the Bridgestone or Pirelli. It's not as 'feelsome', but probably has the highest grip level, and good endurance. Very consistent.

The Bridgestone rear is very consistent to, and offers similar grip levels to a new Pirelli, and maintains high grip levels until worn out.

The Pirelli rears performance drops off after six or seven laps, and continues to do so until it ends up with very low (relatively) grip. Which, can be more fun. Feels the best/nicest when fresh, but doesn't maintain grip or endurance.
Click to expand...

thanks man

what compounds or model of bridgestone slick, did you try out

kind of interested, normaly They are cheaper, and if they last longer it is great
 
The track temp and surface will dictate the compound, esp with the rear. I run a sc1 rear at cota but run a sc2 at barber but by last session of the day its gone. Front is down to what feel you prefer sc1 or sc2.
 
A friend of mine runs a brand new R1 and he’s a beast on track . Current formula 40 leader . He swears by the Pirelli SC1 . I like the Michelin slicks. Great performance and wear
 
V02 medium front
V02 soft rear

But, the best thing to do, is buy three sets of slicks (one from each manufacturer), and try them all. Bear in mind, you must adjust your bike according to the differing heights!

The investment is worth it....
 
SPECIALY HOT WEATHER

TARMAC is not very grippy

los of bumps

My response was based on condition above mentioned by OP.
I would definitely stay away from Dunlop, now keep in mind when I rode on Dunlop tires few years ago their sidewall was very stiff thus not very confidence inspiring when not up to temp, and over bumps. One thing about Dunlop was, you have to work them hard and harder you work them the better they work. Also they would not give a warning, they just let go!
Pirelli on the other hand have softer sidewall and are very responsive, give lot more feeling on the edge of tire and you will get warning slide before BOOM. SC1 compound is perfect for your “specialty hot weather”. I don’t know your pace but SC2 is definitely not tire for “specially hot weather” which again may not be an issue due to your pace…
Word of advice, don’t try to save money on tires. Always buy best tires available because they can make difference between crashing or not.
 
If you're asking the forum for advice your pace probably isn't at a point where the brand you pick is going to matter. Pick one and try it. Pick the next one and try that next time. Keep doing that until you find something you really like. Most setup stuff really comes down to personal preferences.

That said, you are riding a bike that was designed to be run in a single tire vendor championship. It will always make sense/likely be the least effort on your part to go with that vendor.

Edit: Oh yeah. Look for the vendor that's going to be there to support you with information about compound selection, pressure, and bike setup so you can get the most out of the tires. If the vendor doesn't know your tracks and can't give you advice on how to get the most out of the tires in your ambient/surface conditions you might want to look elsewhere.
 
Last edited:
RickD996 said:
If you like changing rear tyres frequently, Pirelli is four times better than any other brand.

Bridgestone feel very similar to Pirelli.

Dunlop feel comparatively wooden/stiff.

I haven't tried Michelin.

I felt the front tyres of the three brands that I tried felt very similar, and all gave good confidence. I also generally preffered the 'medium' specification front tyre, over the soft.
It's not just the compound that is different, but the construction of the tyre, and the stiffer construction gives a more consistent feel when entering the corner, and at the apex.

The Dunlop rear is very different to the Bridgestone or Pirelli. It's not as 'feelsome', but probably has the highest grip level, and good endurance. Very consistent.

The Bridgestone rear is very consistent to, and offers similar grip levels to a new Pirelli, and maintains high grip levels until worn out.

The Pirelli rears performance drops off after six or seven laps, and continues to do so until it ends up with very low (relatively) grip. Which, can be more fun. Feels the best/nicest when fresh, but doesn't maintain grip or endurance.
Click to expand...

I have to agree with this assessment regarding Pirelli and Dunlop slicks and add this; I had to dial out a lot of rebound front and rear when I switched from Pirelli slicks (SC1F, SC3R) to the Dunlops. I was battling chatter at corner entry. The tires stuck like glue at my old man pace. The chatter hurt my confidence. I run custom fixed and have setup notes for both brands. I've got Bridgestones that I haven't tried yet. I destroyed the SC3 rear in only 1.5 trackdays which is kind of odd given this is supposed to be the hardest tire. The SC3 does spin a lot which probably explains how I wore it out so fast.
 
I can add a few things. I'd rate general carcass stiffness like so Pirelli/Metzler(softest) -> Michelin -> Bridgestone -> Dunlop/Conti(hardest).

Dunlop and Pirelli are the only options if you want tires that are close to the OEM geometry. Bridgestone and Michelin don't offer a tall rear. With a Michelin slick, I'm not able to adjust the '18 V4S shock far enough to run the rear ride height I'd like. I haven't tried the Bridgestones on my V4 yet.

For trackdays I've been happiest so far with Pirellis: 125/70 SC2 front with 200/65 SC3 rear. I run an OK pace, (2:05s at NCM, little over 10s off lap record race pace) and get about 4 days out of the rear there. For me the SC3 slick lasts about twice as long as the treaded Q4/TD trackday tires.
 
bp_SFV4 said:
Track noob question, is it common to get more life out of slicks than treaded tires?
Click to expand...
Generally yes but too many variables. From my own experience I did get more life moving from DOT’s to slicks than again with more grip comes more confidence and speed which decreases life of tire! Vicious circle isn’t it!?:)
 
wortdog said:
I can add a few things. I'd rate general carcass stiffness like so Pirelli/Metzler(softest) -> Michelin -> Bridgestone -> Dunlop/Conti(hardest).

Dunlop and Pirelli are the only options if you want tires that are close to the OEM geometry. Bridgestone and Michelin don't offer a tall rear. With a Michelin slick, I'm not able to adjust the '18 V4S shock far enough to run the rear ride height I'd like. I haven't tried the Bridgestones on my V4 yet.

For trackdays I've been happiest so far with Pirellis: 125/70 SC2 front with 200/65 SC3 rear. I run an OK pace, (2:05s at NCM, little over 10s off lap record race pace) and get about 4 days out of the rear there. For me the SC3 slick lasts about twice as long as the treaded Q4/TD trackday tires.
Click to expand...

Bridgestone has a 200-65-17 rear now that at least visually appear to be the same height as the pirelli. I am by no means fast or even moderately slow. I ate an SC3 rear quickly. What tire pressures are you running? I run what Pirelli says right of the warmers 26psi. You are getting much more life out of a tire then me. I run the TC on the lower side 2 or 3 which probably doesn't help.
 
bp_SFV4 said:
Track noob question, is it common to get more life out of slicks than treaded tires?
Click to expand...
With Pirellis I burn through rear TDs faster than I do SC1 slicks. Odd how that works considering the slicks have more feel and I have more confidence when them on.
 
carlpretzel said:
Bridgestone has a 200-65-17 rear now that at least visually appear to be the same height as the pirelli. I am by no means fast or even moderately slow. I ate an SC3 rear quickly. What tire pressures are you running? I run what Pirelli says right of the warmers 26psi. You are getting much more life out of a tire then me. I run the TC on the lower side 2 or 3 which probably doesn't help.
Click to expand...

I'm also running around 26psi hot off the warmers. As mentioned by others, tire wear is extremely dependent on the track surface, layout, weather, rider, and bike setup. My example track of NCM is extremely gentle on tires. At Jennings GP an SC3 is completely shot in about the same 1.5 day timeframe you're getting out of them.
 

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