Tyre heat cycling

Steven31371 · Jun 5, 2022

So I put a set of SuperCorsa SC2 front and SC3 rear….but was reading that they may heat cycle out, now I’m concerned about doing test runs on the street abs using up all the heat cycles in them before I ever get to the track….is that an issue?

maybe I should be running SP’s instead?

Taz · Jun 5, 2022

I would be concerned about keeping heat in the tires on the street, and for that reason I would run any tire that require warmers at the track only.

RickD996 · Jun 5, 2022

Personally, I wouldn't use Supercorsa SC tyres on the street.

RickD996 · Jun 5, 2022

Definitely use the SP.

Paul G · Jun 5, 2022

Yep, agree unless you want to be on the news trying to keep them hot

Generally most people overestimate tires for the street (or get sucked in by the marketing) and go for the sportier end of the spectrum regardless, thinking sport = sticky = better. The reality is that if you are not getting the heat into the tires i.e. you are not "on it" doing hill runs then most people are better off with a tire designed for a more general application. In Pirelli world that means maybe going to a Rosso range for regular street use which will heat up a lot faster, be grippier and handle the wet much better than a SC or even a SP, of course should you decide to explore its limits then they will get greasy and start complaining earlier than the sporty versions. This is the same reason why newbies on track should avoid slicks and stick with DOT tires until they have the pace to keep the heat in them

MaverickiB · Jun 5, 2022

I watched a dude slap SCs on his R1 thinking running DOT slicks was gonna make him hook up better and dominate highway pull races.

He was going maybe 15mph leaving the neighborhood when the rear kicked out and he highsided into a parked car. Didn't rev the bike out or anything, just the normal amount of throttle he gave on street tires was enough to kick the cold slick out.

Not to fear monger too much, I have seen dudes forget to pack their warmers and "just do more warm up laps before pushing it bro," without crashing. But watching their bikes get squirrelly during slow pace first session warm ups made my butt pucker and I wasn't even the one on their bike.

Paul G · Jun 5, 2022

The general idea without warmers is to pin it then mash the brakes on every straight, a warm up lap is only slow on the turns

Vbreeze · Jun 5, 2022

SC2 front and SC3 rear? Is it crazy hot where you are?
I'm not the tire expert by any means, but I got recommended SC1's by my tire whisperer (very talented Pirelli rep) at the track this week when it was 33C (94F). btw, I'm not running a WSBK pace, though I saw guys doing 1'55" (pretty damn fast) with SC1s same day.
Also - the right amount of air is a really big deal. Critical. Changes everything.
+ 3 on don't run slicks on the street ever, & I don't do runs with street tires at the track anymore because of the same issue. You cook the resin out of them. Even though they can perform pretty well, after 1 track day, they are trash, unable to become sticky again the same way after such high heat.

Steven31371 said:
So I put a set of SuperCorsa SC2 front and SC3 rear….but was reading that they may heat cycle out, now I’m concerned about doing test runs on the street abs using up all the heat cycles in them before I ever get to the track….is that an issue?

maybe I should be running SP’s instead?

Paul G said:
The general idea without warmers is to pin it then mash the brakes on every straight, a warm up lap is only slow on the turns

But GRADUALLY right? Don't slam brakes and trail into a curve first lap not even with tire-warmers.

Paul G · Jun 5, 2022

Haha, if you do you will get to examine the mechanical "grip" from about 5cm away!

Paul G · Jun 5, 2022

Its pretty hard to lose traction in a straight line and same with braking, the idea is to get that heat into the tire by loading it up as much as possible while upright. It was a tip given to me by one of our local Superbike legends, pin and mash as hard as you can when they're cold.

SuperDomestique · Jun 5, 2022

Heat cycling may be a myth…

RODOLFO · Jun 5, 2022

pirelli supercorsa TD

are now marked sc2 front sc3 rear

well, that is what cota pirelli tire vendor tells me

and i Can assure you, they warm up pretty quick on the streets and track (been on 4 sets last 2 years)

and grip better than SP, specially on track

The rear last me 2.5miles, use 1 front to 2 rears

just my 2 cents, from experience

Steven31371 · Jun 5, 2022

For clarity I have these:

not the track slicks

Steven31371 · Jun 5, 2022

Vbreeze said:
SC2 front and SC3 rear? Is it crazy hot where you are?
I'm not the tire expert by any means, but I got recommended SC1's by my tire whisperer (very talented Pirelli rep) at the track this week when it was 33C (94F). btw, I'm not running a WSBK pace, though I saw guys doing 1'55" (pretty damn fast) with SC1s same day.
Also - the right amount of air is a really big deal. Critical. Changes everything.
+ 3 on don't run slicks on the street ever, & I don't do runs with street tires at the track anymore because of the same issue. You cook the resin out of them. Even though they can perform pretty well, after 1 track day, they are trash, unable to become sticky again the same way after such high heat.

But GRADUALLY right? Don't slam brakes and trail into a curve first lap not even with tire-warmers.

SC2 front, SC3 rear is a nod to my weight, there are some disadvantages to my size and weight….faster tire wear, slower straight line too speed……

but their are some advantages too, more corner grip, less lean angle to get the same turning result….tires heat up much faster than a rider carrying 100 pounds less weight.

JohnSmith · Jun 6, 2022

Heat Cycling pertains to race compound tires - tires that require warmers. These are tires that were formally marketed at TD tires that do not require warmers, so not really an issue. It is confusing...

When you switch to race compound tires w/ warmers the point is to heat tires, do a session, then immediately get back on warmers. Keeping them hot all day - no hot then cold then hot ... etc

this does depend on pace

Paul G · Jun 6, 2022

There's a lot of theory about tires, until you are on track and getting direct feedback in terms of wear and grip most of it is meaningless. Pick the tire for your pace and work on getting the pressure right, any track oriented road tire from the major manufacturers is going to give enough performance until you are into the A group.

RODOLFO · Jun 6, 2022

Paul and Karlkani are is right

until you are in A group

and even there, does tires are great

i use the street track, with no problem

Tyre heat cycling

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