DOT tires no warmers?

[noodles44]

Anybody have anything to say about running DOT race tires for track days only with no warmers? Okay to do this? A bad idea and I'll hurt myself and my pretty bike? I'd like to try a set of DOTs, but will not be buying warmers anytime soon, I don't want the hassle in the garage and don't mind taking it easy for the first couple of laps each session. I'm wondering if they will get up to temp okay, and if they will be able to handle the heat cycles, or any other factors. I run a moderate intermediate pace on stock suspension adjusted for my weight. This is a general question, I don't care which track day or tire vendor you support.

[The Magician]

regular street tires would be sufficient for track days only... running race DOT's is not a good idea. They will get heat cycled and harden. They will suck in the rain.

THey can get up to temp fairly quickly, but if you are planning on one set of tires for street and track use, you should stick with a standard superbike tire. I've seen "fast" trackday guys running diablo supercorsas, pilot powers, etc.

[Kurlon]

I'd say you'll be fine as long as you give yourself a lap or two to warm up with the tires at the start of each session. I ran LAPS on Dunlop slicks without warmers at the end of the season. Two laps to bring them up to temp, then HAMMA TIME!

[noodles44]

Sure street tires can get it done, but I'm thinking more grip is more better-er! They will be used for track days only (and dry ones at that), no street miles. So would the heat cycles from track day duty still be too much?

[Jim]

what kurlon sez

[noodles44]

Nice! I want to make a HAMMA TIME too!

[Mr. Kurtz]

DOT's will be fine for trackdays, just take it easy the first two laps or so(without warmers). At least a few of the tire companies offer trackday oriented versions of their DOT race tires, like the Dragon Supercorsa Trackday Pro or the Bridgestone BT003RS.

[TheIglu]

DOT's will be fine for trackdays, just take it easy the first two laps or so(without warmers). At least a few of the tire companies offer trackday oriented versions of their DOT race tires, like the Dragon Supercorsa Trackday Pro or the Bridgestone BT003RS.

Or, run sport oriented street tire until you can afford warmers. Ending up on your ass on pit out sucks.

[OreoGaborio]

regular street tires would be sufficient for track days only... running race DOT's is not a good idea. They will get heat cycled and harden. They will suck in the rain.

THey can get up to temp fairly quickly, but if you are planning on one set of tires for street and track use, you should stick with a standard superbike tire. I've seen "fast" trackday guys running diablo supercorsas, pilot powers, etc.

I run my race DOT's at track days & even on the street all the time... no warmers, no issues.

Heat cycles being an issue is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

The only things I really agree with you on is that street tires would be sufficient and DOT's suck in the rain.... but even then, if you learn how to let them slide around, they're effin FUUUUUUN!

[PPS26]

Heat cycles being an issue is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

The only thing I really agree with you on is that street tires would be sufficient and DOT's suck in the rain.... but even then, if you learn how to let them slide around, they're effin FUUUUUUN!

agreed 100%, my first practice at barber was without warmers, 2 smooth laps and your good to go

[The Magician]

I run my race DOT's at track days & even on the street all the time... no warmers, no issues.

Heat cycles being an issue is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

The only things I really agree with you on is that street tires would be sufficient and DOT's suck in the rain.... but even then, if you learn how to let them slide around, they're effin FUUUUUUN!

I've had a front tire slide out on me once which was enough to convince me not to run them on the street anymore. tires were still fairly new too.

Depends when you ride too... riding in cold weather with cold roads, the tires will take forever to warm up on the street. DOT's, ok for summer.. not so much fall/winter maybe even spring in my book.

[OreoGaborio]

Been riding around with Diablo Supercorsa take-offs on my Tuono for the last few weeks with no issues... But I'm also riding according to the conditions, meaning I don't treat them like street tires in the first couple of miles.

[The Magician]

Been riding around with Diablo Supercorsa take-offs on my Tuono for the last few weeks with no issues... But I'm also riding according to the conditions, meaning I don't treat them like street tires in the first couple of miles.

Fair enough. I have ridden DOTs a few times on the street. Even rode a bike with slicks. Just one front end slide got me though so i went back to regular compounds.

[OreoGaborio]

Yeah I hear ya. They're definitley not as forgiving when cold & can definitely step out if you don't give them a little time to warm up, even if it's just a few degrees.

If I was just a track day junkie (which I used to be) I'd just run a supersport street tire like the Pilot Power 2ct, Dragon Supercorsa, Diablo Corsa III, or something along those lines (which I did).

[Kurlon]

Hell, old Pilot Power Roads do just fine at NHMS for a moderate pace trackday.

[scottieducati]

The reason DOT race compound tires are not as subject to heat cycling has to do with the rubber compounds used today (more and more are silica based like high end street tires), however your best bet is going with a top of the line street tire, which will have 90% of the grip of a DOT race tire, will warm up quicker, will not suffer from heat cycling at all, and will last and stick till you are at the tread indicators. The DCIII was a popular tire for us last year, and we will have multiple options this year including the DCIII replacement, the ContiRaceAttack Street and other hypersport street tires from multiple brands. Just about whatever you might fancy. Let me know if we can help. If you are running anything shy of the fast-end of the advanced group pace, a high-end street tire will serve your needs much, much better than a DOT race tire designed to work above 150 degrees (carcass temp).

[noodles44]

All good points, and info. Thanks you!

[Dieseldan]

DUDE u r SOOOOOOOOO FAST!

[noodles44]

DUDE u r SOOOOOOOOO FAST!

That's what she said?

[Dieseldan]

hahahhaa

[TTD]

There's definitely lots of options and what works for one person might not work for another.

I pretty much echo what Oreo said, meaning I never had a problem with the race compounds on the street... but you have to be aware of the conditions and ride accordingly.

For me, I only push it on the track, so I tend to go with whatever is going to work best for me there. (if I was doing a lot of cold/wet street riding, this might change)

Anyway - I've been running both the Pirelli Dragon supercorsa and Diablo Supercorsas for a while now and haven't used warmers with either. (both of which are considered race compounds)

As mentioned by others though, I always do a full warmup lap (roughly 50% pace), then an 80% lap, then go for it.

Keep in mind that a warmup lap is not like a cool down lap... even though the lap time may be the same.

On my warm up laps, I'm trying to flex the carcass more and more with each corner by steadily increasing lean angles and throttle/brake inputs. My goal is to generate some heat without cold tearing.

These two laps are also a great time to get your body/mind back into the game... not to mention working on "feeling" what your bike and tires are doing.

Is it time to ride yet!?!?!