Responding to two different posts: 1. I don't remember which (D209 or D211) that I have for the front off hand, but I think the better of the two is the rear. As long as it grip as good as the Q2 with longer wear, I'll be tickled (I am nowhere near race pace so it's fine for my riding style). 2. I put warmers on my Q2's, on the LOW setting only just for peace of mind for the first two laps. High they would be way too greasy and the other poster would be correct. But, nothing wrong with putting them on low also helps with heat cycling. When you can buy Q2's for $200 a set, and grip as good as they do, it's a GREAT trackday tire.
Re: Q2s I see your argument there and it makes good sense. I run the Q2's on my liter bike at the track without warmers and I have NEVER even had the slightest give in the tire. As far as the Q2 being less than ideal tire for on the track. I have to disagree. They are a great price and have given me, the OP, and tnskydivr nothing but great results and we are all on literbikes running fast intermiediate to advanced pace at Barber.
Re: Q2s Jason Pridmore disagrees with your assessment of the Q2. I don't mean to sound defensive, but have two full seasons on the Q2 that disagree with your post about the Q2 as a street only tire. As far as longevity and a lower cc bike...I started this addiction on a Busa, no hope for me on a 600. Thanks for sharing...
Coincidentally I JUST got finished sending Greg a PM on a different forum about R6 gearing. I will ask him about those tires too.
In Lance's defense, when he said "purely street tire", he didnt mean that you can't use them on the track. He meant that they are designed/built for the street. Therefore they have the characteristics of a "street tire" in that they heat up fast (do not require warmers) and are not affected by heat cycles. "Race tires" do not heat up as fast, require warmers (at least if you want to go fast from the start) and are affected by heat cycles. That is not to say that you CAN'T use street tires on the track, nor that you CAN'T use race tires on the street. You CAN use any tire anywhere, but different tires require different maintenance (or none at all), have different charateristics and work/operate differently...not to mention that it simply isn't a good idea to use certain tires in certain situations. In general, using warmers on street tires is not a good idea because you can get them too hot and they will get greasy. But again, there are variables to every equation. Putting them on "low" (which is usually about 120deg on most warmers) isn't going to hurt anything. Will it help anything? In most cases, no...because at track days you shouldn't be bearing WFO into T1 or T2 to begin with...and street tires will typically be up to temp after 1-2 laps, if not sooner (depending on the tire, your pace, ambitent/track temp etc). .02
Since I have seen all three of you ride and progress, it is my opinion that at your pace continue with what you are doing
Yep, I'll stick with the Q2s this season and from the consensus..skip the warmers. That's almost another track weekend right there!
I think that's a good decision. You're still comfortable and confident in their performance, so I'd stick with what you know until that changes.
I'm not sure if the warmers (on warm, not hot) make any difference other than my peace of mind that I know they are warm when I head out. After the first 2 laps I don't think they matter much. But, how do you feel about warmers on the DOT SPEC GPA race tire (D209 and D211?)
Using the warmers on the low setting on the Q2 won't hurt anything. If it gives you that little bit of confidence, then go for it. But I would not put them on anything higher than "low". But definitely use them on the GPA's. They are a race tire and take longer to heat up. If you don't use warmers on them, you will HAVE to take it easy for a lap or two to get them warm. And if the track isn't hot, it may take even longer.
Thanks; I ran the Pirelli trackday slicks on high and intended to do same with the GPA's. That's the big difference between a "STREET" tire such as the Q2, and a "RACE" tire like the GPA. They are so close, AT MY SKILL LEVEL, in performance that the price point makes the Q2 a GREAT trackday tire for anyone up to you guys running in A in the low 1:40's and 1:30's..
Don't quote me on this, but I believe you aren't required to use warmers on those Pirelli Track Day Slicks either. I think that is one of the selling points of them, they heat up fast like street tires and arent affected by heat cycles. I could be wrong on that though, I have never used them. But I do know they are not an all-out race tire, like the GPA's.
I thought I'd give them a try. While they lasted waay longer than the Q2, I don't think the rear gripped as well; I had a OCRAP moment coming out of the chicane that didn't give me much confidence on the rear.
As my riding coach mentor says "You are riding NOT to crash which is holding you back" - 100% correct assessment
Absolutely. If you are scared of crashing, you will NEVER be fast...that is a fact. I have many fears on the track, but they are fears of not performing, mechanical failures, blowing a launch, etc. I have absolutely no fear of crashing...none whatsoever. I am not saying that is a good thing, I am just being honest. Last year I lowsided in T1 at Roebling Road (anybody that has been there can tell you that is NOT the place you want to go down). According to my GPS, I was going 112mph when I went down. I picked my bike up, cleaned it off, checked it out real good and immediately went out the next session and went a full second faster. Crashing is part of this sport, that is why I always preach to NEVER skimp on gear. If it is available, wear it. Even more than what is required. IMO, nobody should roll onto the track without back AND full chest protection, plus the armoured shorts that protect your hips/thighs/assbone etc. .02
Off topic but Absolutely correct. Crashed 2X in 2010 and still pucker up a Charlotte's web...and I KNOW it's holding me back. It's not that I'm scared (ok, maybe I am ; but I have a healthy dose of respect for it. You can see by my screen name that I jump out of perfectly good airplanes for fun (and I'm in that pic I'm using for my username). I've been doing it for 20 years, have over 2500 jumps and I STILL get nervous on the ride up. And that's one of the reasons I think I'm still around. So, while I want to get better, I am willing to take it in little pieces; I just don't give up too easily. If it was just me it might be a different story.