Some track day prep questions

Ducati Forum

Help Support Ducati Forum:

Doucha said:
When the air temperature is 25+, then front SC2 rear sc1. If it is 28-30 then front SC3
Click to expand...

So you use the soft tyre on the rear and change the front based on air temperature, but always a harder tyre on the front than the rear? Is this your usual way of using these tyres or something specific to Brno?
 
spooky said:
So you use the soft tyre on the rear and change the front based on air temperature, but always a harder tyre on the front than the rear? Is this your usual way of using these tyres or something specific to Brno?
Click to expand...
it's my experience with regard to grip and tire durability In general
 
Doucha said:
it's my experience with regard to grip and tire durability
Click to expand...

I've been reading up on this and it seems that people often say they get better wear from the rear using a softer tyre for warmer temperatures? I seem to remember Pirelli saying something along those lines?

Edit: I found the Pirelli text that I was thinking of and it confirms a different basis for choosing the front vs the rear. I remember being surprised when I first read this and I was equally surprised when I read it again... memory issues. ;) The compound choices you mention are explained by that Pirelli explanation of the different compounds and the reasons for choosing each compound for the front vs the rear. Your choices seem to be as Pirelli would advise. Probably not a coincidence. 🤣

Interesting stuff.
 
Last edited:
spooky said:
I've been reading up on this and it seems that people often say they get better wear from the rear using a softer tyre for warmer temperatures? I seem to remember Pirelli saying something along those lines?

Edit: I found the Pirelli text that I was thinking of and it confirms a different basis for choosing the front vs the rear. I remember being surprised when I first read this and I was equally surprised when I read it again... memory issues. ;) The compound choices you mention are explained by that Pirelli explanation of the different compounds and the reasons for choosing each compound for the front vs the rear. Your choices seem to be as Pirelli would advise. Probably not a coincidence. 🤣

Interesting stuff.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I read the same and had the same experience. Iirc, asphalt tends to have more surface abrasiveness in cooler temps (as it contracts), and less abrasiveness in warmer temps (as it expands), so:

Cooler temp - softer front, harder rear
Warmer temp - harder front, softer rear
 
craig bush said:
Agreed. I read the same and had the same experience. Iirc, asphalt tends to have more surface abrasiveness in cooler temps (as it contracts), and less abrasiveness in warmer temps (as it expands), so:

Cooler temp - softer front, harder rear
Warmer temp - harder front, softer rear
Click to expand...

Thanks for that - it’s interesting stuff to learn and it’s the opposite to what I would have guessed. Every day’s a school day!
 
AlanSmith7 said:
I hope now you complete your track day. Please share your experience with us.
Click to expand...

I’ll certainly update once I’ve done it. The first is booked with RSE at Brno for the first week of June but I might try to get some others in before that with tuition. There’s one at the end of June at Brno that at least one chap from here is going to and I’d like to get to that as well if I’m able to do so. Can’t wait… bloody winter!
 
spooky said:
I guess I’ll know how often I’ll want to do track days after I’ve done my first one. 🤣

I want to get something else to ride on the road so if I enjoy the first track day then maybe I’ll leave the SP2 set up for that.
Click to expand...

Your 1st couple of track days should be in a class with other new track riders, you can pretty much run what you brung in those classes because you aren’t going to be pushing hard, you’ll be learning the fundamentals that will ultimately keep you safer and progress as a track rider faster.

Regarding tires, the Pirelli SC1 and SC2 have treated me really well on my learning curve, they have good track life, really really good track grip for the DOT approved tire, and between track days you can go for a quick fun run on them on the street without having to put the tire warmers on to avoid death and dismemberment like true track tire.

Get a good tire pressure gauge, and a portable air compressor to adjust your tire pressures throughout the day at the track.

Bring a sturdy chair, and lots of fluids and light snacks like fruit.

Have fun, don’t get out ahead of your skis
 
Steven31371 said:
Your 1st couple of track days should be in a class with other new track riders, you can pretty much run what you brung in those classes because you aren’t going to be pushing hard, you’ll be learning the fundamentals that will ultimately keep you safer and progress as a track rider faster.

Regarding tires, the Pirelli SC1 and SC2 have treated me really well on my learning curve, they have good track life, really really good track grip for the DOT approved tire, and between track days you can go for a quick fun run on them on the street without having to put the tire warmers on to avoid death and dismemberment like true track tire.

Get a good tire pressure gauge, and a portable air compressor to adjust your tire pressures throughout the day at the track.

Bring a sturdy chair, and lots of fluids and light snacks like fruit.

Have fun, don’t get out ahead of your skis
Click to expand...

Thanks, and it’s interesting to read your comments on the SC tyres. I’ve got new Supercorsa SP V4 on the new wheels at the moment and I’ll start with them but, I’ll be interested in trying the SC and some of the comments here and elsewhere have been encouraging.

I’ve got a battery-powered air pump that should be fine for the time being and I’ve bought a new tyre pressure gauge.
 
Those SC’s might be the best all around tire on the market, they have magic in em, cause they do everything well, a jack of all trades but master of none, while performing at a high level both on the street and at the track, with tire warmers or without. Sensitive to pressure changes but all performance tires are, that’s why you check them every session, which is easy to get into the rythm of
 
Setting starting tyre pressures with tyre warmers used would presumably mean you start off closer to the right pressure?

What pressures do you run in the SC?
 
spooky said:
Setting starting tyre pressures with tyre warmers used would presumably mean you start off closer to the right pressure?

What pressures do you run in the SC?
Click to expand...

There’s a little bit of art mixed with the science there, you want the rears to be at about 26 psi warm and the fronts about 36 psi warm. So heat them up with the warmers and check the PSI just before you take them off and go on track. Adjust the PSI to 26/36 warm then go on track….as soon as you get off check the PSI again, if it’s still 26/36 perfect, but if the PSI is lower coming off track that means the tires are actually cooling on track, so over fill them by the same amount they are low just before you go on for the next session. If they are high coming off track then they are heating up more on track so fill them a bit lower just before you go on next session.

If you are riding them on the street without warmers set them to 25/35 cold
 
spooky said:
Setting starting tyre pressures with tyre warmers used would presumably mean you start off closer to the right pressure?

What pressures do you run in the SC?
Click to expand...

Here’s a good resource

twotyres.co.uk

Motorcycle Trackday Tyre Pressures - 2023 Guide

Tyre pressure chart and notes on the best motorcycle trackday tyre pressures to run, whether you're on slicks or road legal tyres.
twotyres.co.uk twotyres.co.uk

Target HOT pressure for SC SP v4 is F 33/R 30 psi per Pirelli. My target is a little lower since I’m only 150 lb fully kitted up and pace isn’t so fast. I aim for F 30-35/R 25-28. I‘ve set up a spreadsheet to accumulate a database of starting cold pressures relative to air temps and end of session hot pressure dial air pressures better at the track so I’m in the ball park faster. At the moment, I seem to always be a little too high on pressures on my first session.

Once you get settled at the track, stop by the tire changer and ask what pressures to start out with. Pressures depend on air/track temps and pace. Faster you go, the hotter the tires get.

Road tires even SC SP on the track will have have a window of optimal grip during a session usually in the middle-3/4 of a 20 min session. Ease into the session with at least a couple easy laps to get heat in the tire Then can start pushing. Once they start sliding, time to back off.

I‘d hold off on tire warmers for the first few trackdays. Keep it simple. You’ll have a lot going on and mentally it’s hard to juggle one more thing. You can also easily overcook tires especially road specific tires.
 
I was going to ask how people are obtaining accurate pressure readings because I’m always losing pressure when unscrewing either the pump or gauge… but then I found these

Lightning™ L2-Series Tire Air Chuck | Open Flow, 1/4" F-NPT (2 Pack)

Click or tap on the air chuck and move around to see 360 degree view. Open Flow Style IMPORTANT: this is an OPEN FLOW style air chuck. This means that air will flow freely through the chuck as soon as an air source is connected and turned on. There is no check valve inside this air chuck - air...
jacosuperiorproducts.com jacosuperiorproducts.com

I use this hand held pump and it works well.

Can anyone confirm if our tire fittings are 1/4” F-NPT? A pair would be nice for the pump and gauge.
13D896AC-B2CF-4D48-8F1C-662AF4B25479.jpeg
 
I use this hand held pump and it works well.

Can anyone confirm if our tire fittings are 1/4” F-NPT? A pair would be nice for the pump and gauge.
View attachment 48607
[/QUOTE]

Alkhater said:
I was going to ask how people are obtaining accurate pressure readings because I’m always losing pressure when unscrewing either the pump or gauge… but then I found these

Lightning™ L2-Series Tire Air Chuck | Open Flow, 1/4" F-NPT (2 Pack)

Click or tap on the air chuck and move around to see 360 degree view. Open Flow Style IMPORTANT: this is an OPEN FLOW style air chuck. This means that air will flow freely through the chuck as soon as an air source is connected and turned on. There is no check valve inside this air chuck - air...
jacosuperiorproducts.com jacosuperiorproducts.com
Click to expand...

What you hear hissing out is air in the hose and doesn’t affect the reading. The volume of air needed to take a reading is minuscule compared to what is in the tire. I guesstimate 5-10 ml out of a tire that hold more than 10 L. Key thing is that there’s no leaks when taking a reading.

Gauge doesn’t need to be fancy. $20 one should do. I just have a dial Accu Gage that I’ve had for 10 or so years.
 
[QUOTE/] What you hear hissing out is air in the hose and doesn’t affect the reading. The volume of air needed to take a reading is minuscule compared to what is in the tire. I guesstimate 5-10 ml out of a tire that hold more than 10 L. Key thing is that there’s no leaks when taking a reading.

Gauge doesn’t need to be fancy. $20 one should do. I just have a dial Accu Gage that I’ve had for 10 or so years.
[/QUOTE]

Are you using a screw on type pump/gauge?

I'm pretty sure it's not air escaping from the hose, it's the needle in the valve slowly being let out during the 5 seconds or more while i'm trying to unscrew the damn thing.

I'm also pretty sure it affects the tire pressure.
 
Are you using a screw on type pump/gauge?

I'm pretty sure it's not air escaping from the hose, it's the needle in the valve slowly being let out during the 5 seconds or more while i'm trying to unscrew the damn thing.

I'm also pretty sure it affects the tire pressure.
 

Similar threads

V4Al
Securing to a trailer/van, and just track use in general
2 3
Replies
56
Views
887
CSV4
C
E
Track Day Hand Numbness
Replies
12
Views
330
SuperDomestique
SuperDomestique
C
V4 base for track or better not
2
Replies
26
Views
910
cruzin2
C
BP PanigaleV4S
California Superbike School - NCM Motorsports Park
Replies
17
Views
578
spooky
S
Vbreeze
MUGELLO TRACK DAYS - Info & group days
2 3
Replies
47
Views
4K
Vbreeze
Vbreeze

Register CTA

Register on Ducati Forum! This sidebar will go away, and you will see fewer ads.

Recent Discussions

Back
Top