Agree or disagree...

[OreoGaborio]

[Putting warmers on] 30-45 minutes before a race is the norm for Dunlop, Michelin and Pirelli DOT race tires. Michelin's prefer to leave the warmers on them all day long. Come in from the track and turn them back on. Dunlop's just require you to come back in from a practice or race and just throw the warmers on, but don't plug them in, unless you next race is a couple hours away, and then only about 15 minutes prior.

In the cold and damp, Michelin's suck. They don't keep the temp in and slide all over the place. Dunlop is a much better tire in both dry and damp conditions. Pirelli is better than Michelin's, but not as good as the D209 Dunlop.

All this so the first warm up lap is a comfortable one.

On a side note, I also recommend buying a shock warmer. Gets the shock up to operating temp before you go out and then keeps it at operating temp all day long. Prevents what most people consider low slides due to "cold" tires or "cold" track, when in fact the rear shock isn't at operating temp and it's the lack of rear suspension that causes those low slides.

... spoiled Cali racers

[brewmaster]

For Michelins, Sto at from motorace said to put the warmers on 30 minutes before your practice/race at the highest temp setting. After you get back into the pits he said to NOT put the warmers back on. Let the tyres cool as fast as possible then repeat for your next race. Sto said that cooking the tyres does not increase the life of the tyres.

I am not a polymer engineer, but from what I remember from my required polymer science classes this could be true. They are using a cocktail of elastomers, plasticizers and such... surely designed for a set temperature range. This temperature range is where the desired combination (hopefully) of traction, durability and what I will call "predictability" occur. While all that is going on many chemical reactions are also occuring. Some will change the dynamaics and properties of this balance, both temporarily and permanently. The endothermic reactions will be increased at higher temps, thus increasing these changes. Therefore it is completely within possibility Sto's advice is completely correct.

All that being said what the F_ck do I know, I just make beer

p.s. - here comes the heat cycling arguments.....

[SBT Deb]

If you are using Chcickenhawk tire warmers it takes a tire typically 115 minutes to properly come to temp. On a cooler day remeber things like wind and temp out side will effect the warmers and the tires. On a cool day you put warmers on but the wind is hitting the rim which cools the tire as you are trying to heat the tire. Sto is right to say to take them off and not put them back on however if you have every other race put them back on so they do not go through a heat cycle unnecessarily. Also remember that the more heat cycles the tire goes through the greasier and harder the tire will get. That does not improve traction or grip. But it might increase the chance of a nice low side. I will be putting up tire warmer info on my vendor area next week. Stay tuned.
Deb

Also as a reminder anyone needing warmers let me know. WE have rental programs as well as available for purchase.

[Paul_E_D]

Eh, I think it comes down to preference. I can go pretty damn hard on a tire that hasn't seen a warmer. I think riders cause crashes, not tires!!!

That guy's analysis is HIS opinion and should be taken as such. Of course, it's wise to take more stock in someone's opinion if they are fast and successful in racing, but even then, make your own decisions.

[SBT Deb]

Paul if you over heat the tire OR the tire goes through to many Heat cycles you can crash because of the condition of the tire. Not that I am debating that riders cause crashes. How ever we see it at the track especially with new guys. As far as preference the tire warmer works in a very specific way. No matter what brand of warmer you use you can over heat the tire, cause more wear than is necessary, and ultimately retire the tire earlier than had you taken better care of it.

Sto's point is don't leave tire warmers on any more than you need to.

[TTD]

For racing, I appreciated my tire warmers.

Not because I could not warm up my tire on the warm up lap... but because I wanted to go FULL SPEED on my warm up lap.

For me, that warm-up lap was to get ME warmed up ... Not the bike or tires!

I always did full speed on my warmup laps all the way to the exit of 12.

As for using warmers... I went with the 30 minute rule.

If I was back on track in less than 30 minutes, the warmers went back on the tires and turned on.

If longer than 30 minutes, then I'd put the warmers on the tires, but not turn them on until it was 30 minutes away.

[brewmaster]

here is the Chicken Hawk Article

[OreoGaborio]

Originally posted by Paul_E_D
That guy's analysis is HIS opinion and should be taken as such. Of course, it's wise to take more stock in someone's opinion if they are fast and successful in racing, but even then, make your own decisions.

that was my main thought... I basially told him that it's his opinion, not necessarily fact (rather uneloquently i'll admit ) and he came back and basically said "fine, it's my opinion... 'Now if you are getting top 5 finishes against Pro's (AMA regulars) then you're a better racer than I, and I will bow down to your point of view.'"

I was just like "wudever dude" and made my point clearer w/o the attitude i had at the moment of my first response to him. he agreed that it's more dependant of the circumstances.

[Karaya One]

Beware of the guy selling tire warmers telling you how much you need them and can't race without them.

[Paul_E_D]

I know in Canada warmers are (ironically) out of fashion. You're considered a prima dona for using them at the club level.

I'm not debating that they have no merit. I use them, and I feel a little more confident on my out lap with warm tires, but I'm aware that I could live without them.

[Karaya One]

They do have merit. BUT - they are now magically powered to do everything you ever wanted tires to do.

Now - you try dealing with the angry racers who roasted their new Michelin's and now they don't hook up AT ALL.

That's a great call. Happened last week. Gotta love warmers....

[Paul_E_D]

BTW, Pete. 15 minutes doesn't get my tires very warm. I have used an infra red thermometer to check. 30 minutes seems like the minimum to see 160 degree rubber.

[OreoGaborio]

cool... thanks Paul. I only got warmers cuz i got a great deal on em, but if i'm gonna use em I might as well use em properly. I was under the impression that 15 minutes was enough.

So what do you guys think about the shock warmer?

[a13x]

Originally posted by 35racer

As for using warmers... I went with the 30 minute rule.

If I was back on track in less than 30 minutes, the warmers went back on the tires and turned on.

If longer than 30 minutes, then I'd put the warmers on the tires, but not turn them on until it was 30 minutes away.

+1