Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
I've never used tyre warmers, but that said I only ride in really nice conditions, I don't fancy losing my bike or life through no fault of my own!
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
I have used both Supercorsas and PowerOnes on the track and I prefer the Diablo's. In my opinion, although I do own them and have used them, using such street legal race tyres does not require tyre warmers. I have gone out later in sessions fresh from warmers to avoid being held and haven't noticed a great deal of difference bar the fact that the warmers inspired more confidence on the first few laps. This type of rubber rapidly finds a working temperature and if you aren't racing I really can't see the point unless you want to maximise your track time, get your money's worth and go banzai from the off.
Regarding the elements, like I said, last week at a greasy Doni I started the session on a worn front (a Pilot Power 2CT - a great road performance tyre). Even if it were fresh, it wouldn't have inspired the confidence that I felt on the Pilot 4. I agree with Harry, I avoid wet track days - but that's easier said than done when you aren't resident in Spain.
I would also add that contemporary road tyres are incredible - remember they are derived and developed directly from race technology/data - most riders don't realise what they are capable of and certainly wouldn't come close to exploiting them. Give a lay rider a set of track tyres or god forbid slicks and a set of tyre warmers and they wouldn't have a clue how to maximise their potential.
Regarding the elements, like I said, last week at a greasy Doni I started the session on a worn front (a Pilot Power 2CT - a great road performance tyre). Even if it were fresh, it wouldn't have inspired the confidence that I felt on the Pilot 4. I agree with Harry, I avoid wet track days - but that's easier said than done when you aren't resident in Spain.
I would also add that contemporary road tyres are incredible - remember they are derived and developed directly from race technology/data - most riders don't realise what they are capable of and certainly wouldn't come close to exploiting them. Give a lay rider a set of track tyres or god forbid slicks and a set of tyre warmers and they wouldn't have a clue how to maximise their potential.
I agree with everything there!
Nice post, the Kr108's are way advanced beyond my potential but I buy them because I can afford them and they feel superb, you play around with the pressures and actually feel a big difference which I find amazing for a mere mortal as myself. Top spec road tyres I agree are superb now, a testament to the guys that develop them.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
I agree with everything there!
What psi do you run in the heat of Almeria?
The 108's are low, between 1.4-1.7 bar, is that 20 ish psi upwards I think? At the lower end they feel very very sticky!!
I should point out you are advised tyre warmers for them but I run higher pressures as it's normally hot then drop them..
What I will say to give perspective on everything, a young lad turned up(maybe 16 ish) last time I was there on what looked like to me an older 250 GP bike. He had a small crew with him and I was about to leave but just stayed as I saw him preparing to hit the track, all I can say is I laughed! There were guys with top spec tweaked R1's, S1000R's etc etc that thought they were quick and this young lad just looked on another planet, another universe!! He was flying around these guys, the corner speeds were ridiculous and it made me realise why waste money on pimping my bike when I'm so obviously slow as were all the other guys!
It hit home just what level GP racers are at and I have huge respect for every single one that's on the grid every week, they are unbelievably unbelievable!!!
What I will say to give perspective on everything, a young lad turned up(maybe 16 ish) last time I was there on what looked like to me an older 250 GP bike. He had a small crew with him and I was about to leave but just stayed as I saw him preparing to hit the track, all I can say is I laughed! There were guys with top spec tweaked R1's, S1000R's etc etc that thought they were quick and this young lad just looked on another planet, another universe!! He was flying around these guys, the corner speeds were ridiculous and it made me realise why waste money on pimping my bike when I'm so obviously slow as were all the other guys!
It hit home just what level GP racers are at and I have huge respect for every single one that's on the grid every week, they are unbelievably unbelievable!!!
