tire warmers

jewcati · Jul 1, 2013

I am getting some conflicting information, I just ordered a set of BT-003rs for my trackbike. They are a street/ track compound, NOT DOT race only.

some say you should use tire warmers with these, others say it is harmful, what do you guys think?

MrKO · Jul 1, 2013

My friend and I where just talking about the warm or not to warm. There is so much conflicting info out there on this

Gunny Fitz · Jul 1, 2013

Personally, and its only my own opinion, if you own tire warmers then I'd use them for any track riding everytime. I've been using them for years everytime I raced or did track days and to me they preserve the lifespan of your rubber a lot longer with the heat cycles and if anything provided me with the state of mind I was riding on preheated tires each damn time.
My three cents on the issue.

jewcati · Jul 1, 2013

That is what I thought too, but the more I read it seems that anything that is not DOT race tire (read not slicks), do not have heat cycles and get up to speed within one lap. I have also read that heat can actually reduce the life of these tires because of the Silica in them.

I am looking into getting warmers, but I don't want to waste my money if they are unnecessary unless I am running DOT race tires...which my skill level does not eve come close to requiring.

fireman1251 · Jul 1, 2013

Been procrastinating about getting warmers because I thought it'd be too much trouble.

Finally got them this year and the difference in tire wear is unbelievable! A lot less shredding and more even wear.

Not a scientific survey, but by observation I'd say you'll get almost double the track mileage out of your rubber.

jewcati · Jul 1, 2013

Are you running street compound...ie Pirelli Supercorsa SP?

fireman1251 said:
+1!

Been procrastinating about getting warmers because I thought it'd be too much trouble.

Finally got them this year and the difference in tire wear is unbelievable! A lot less shredding and more even wear.

Not a scientific survey, but by observation I'd say you'll get almost double the track mileage out of your rubber.

EvoL · Jul 1, 2013

jewcati said:
That is what I thought too, but the more I read it seems that anything that is not DOT race tire (read not slicks), do not have heat cycles and get up to speed within one lap. I have also read that heat can actually reduce the life of these tires because of the Silica in them.

I am looking into getting warmers, but I don't want to waste my money if they are unnecessary unless I am running DOT race tires...which my skill level does not eve come close to requiring.

More grip never hurts. I would use the warmers if I had them on any tire. Why not is the question, they don't hurt them.

fireman1251 · Jul 1, 2013

jewcati said:
That is what I thought too, but the more I read it seems that anything that is not DOT race tire (read not slicks), do not have heat cycles and get up to speed within one lap. I have also read that heat can actually reduce the life of these tires because of the Silica in them.

I am looking into getting warmers, but I don't want to waste my money if they are unnecessary unless I am running DOT race tires...which my skill level does not eve come close to requiring.

Modern day tires do indeed heat up very quickly but only on the surface. With warmers you'll get the core heat that keeps them from shredding

fireman1251 · Jul 1, 2013

jewcati said:
Are you running street compound...ie Pirelli Supercorsa SP?

No, Supercorsa SC1 up front and SC2 on the rear.

I go to the track every other week-end, put a new set on the bike and do my street riding on the scrubbed tires.

I typically get a good days worth of track riding plus about 2000 km of street out of a rear. Been selling scrubs to local kids also, for 100$ each, keeps the cost down.

jewcati · Jul 1, 2013

OK....I guess I'll take the dive...

quick question though...

what temp do you run them at and for how long? also, how long between sessions?

Do you check pressures aster warming but prior to the session?

fireman1251 · Jul 1, 2013

jewcati said:
OK....I guess I'll take the dive...

quick question though...

what temp do you run them at and for how long? also, how long between sessions?

Do you check pressures aster warming but prior to the session?

I got single temp Chickenhawks, they last longer than the fancy-pants digital ones and you'll have some beer money left

At our track we get about a session per hour and pressure should always be taken when hot.

Gunny Fitz · Jul 1, 2013

Jewcati. Dont sell yourself short like that by saying you don't rate race DOTs man. PM me your contact info and you and I will have a good chat on this, and more my friend.

gatti man · Jul 1, 2013

I use warmers. Its great to hit that first corner flat out and have confidence in your traction every time. But I also run slicks.

gatti man · Jul 1, 2013

jewcati said:
That is what I thought too, but the more I read it seems that anything that is not DOT race tire (read not slicks), do not have heat cycles and get up to speed within one lap. I have also read that heat can actually reduce the life of these tires because of the Silica in them.

I am looking into getting warmers, but I don't want to waste my money if they are unnecessary unless I am running DOT race tires...which my skill level does not eve come close to requiring.

Slicks are also cheaper and imo are better on the track than the supercorsas. I don't buy the whole " I'm not good enough to warrant slicks" thing. If you drag knee and are out of beginner then id say slicks are perfectly fine. Its extra confidence. I know people very fast on street tires, I also see them low side. Id rather have the extra grip.

jewcati · Jul 1, 2013

I just got a track bike so that I can try to push a bit, as I am not comfortable risking the pani on the track. I have not dragged a knee yet, but I know I am close.

I am only about 3 Track days in.

I figure I will run the street tires...with warmers now...and then run DOTs next

Frosty · Jul 1, 2013

It's all about keeping the heat cycles down. Using warmers effectively means your tires go through ONE heat cycle at a track day.

Warp Racer · Jul 2, 2013

fireman1251 said:
Modern day tires do indeed heat up very quickly but only on the surface. With warmers you'll get the core heat that keeps them from shredding

A superbike racer I know took out a Pani for a spin. No warmers or warmed up tires (caveat: it would seem) and this is the result....

fireman1251 · Jul 2, 2013

gatti man said:
Slicks are also cheaper and imo are better on the track than the supercorsas. I don't buy the whole " I'm not good enough to warrant slicks" thing. If you drag knee and are out of beginner then id say slicks are perfectly fine. Its extra confidence. I know people very fast on street tires, I also see them low side. Id rather have the extra grip.

Supercorsa SC's and Diablo Superbike are the same tire, same price except one has thread to make DOT regulation.

I use DOT's because I have only one bike, a dedicated track bike would of course be on slicks

gatti man · Jul 2, 2013

fireman1251 said:
Supercorsa SC's and Diablo Superbike are the same tire, same price except one has thread to make DOT regulation.

I use DOT's because I have only one bike, a dedicated track bike would of course be on slicks

Sorry I was speaking about supercorsa SP what comes stock on the bike vs the Dunlop slicks I use now.

jewcati · Jul 3, 2013

Alright, picked up a set of woodcraft warmers on your advice. Looking forward to trying them out

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