Colder track conditions??

[Ssketchy RC]

When I am out at T-Hill on a hot ass day I seem to trust in everything thing around me. I rail it as hard as I want and not even question whether the traction is there. My question is this... If the track is cold how do you aproach it? Can it be trusted as well as a hot day? I know you need to run a few laps before railing to get the tires up to temp but if the ambient and track temp is lower do they actually reach optimum riding temp? Any feedback would be great. Thanks.

[Trackho]

My Rennsports start cold-tearing---in general-there is slightly less traction when the track temp is still cold---I think the phenomna od cold tearing is related most to the Rennsports---they are supposed to get back to me to tell me what "I" did wrong--think its time to move to 208GPs or slicks

[Ssketchy RC]

I am running both Michelin Race H2's and still have a set of barelly used Michelin Pilot Races. I am just wondering because I am gonna run times on my next day and I don't know how accurate they will be since it will be in the beggining of Nov. and the race season is in the summer.

[MackeyStingray]

i had H2s and they had cold tearing up the wazoo. might have also due to my suspension setup being comepletely off. i have a set of 208GP and much much less tearing though i'm still balling up at the end of the tires.

[kneedrag]

Temperature is only going to physically vary your times by a second or so. It can cause several seconds due to lack of confidence obviously. I’ve actually set a personal best lap time at Willow Springs when the outside temp was between 24–28 degrees. (Imagine how cold it was doing 140mph on the front-straight!) It was only a little over a second quicker than when I raced and it was 105.

So to answer your question: Unless you’re at the limit of the tires, experience and confidence will dictate lap times and not track temp.

[EastBayDave]

FYI: H2's have a cold-tearing problem with big guys/high-hp bikes. At my last trackday a friend was destroying H2 rears several times due to cold-tear. The tire guys didn't have an answer...

I'm a Dunflop guy; & I've always lowered the pressure 1-2lbs. from my "normal" on very cold days to increase flex for faster warmup (especially on the street.) On the track I may only go 1 pound instead of two...

[budman]

I like Dave's approach and I'll drop a pound also...I also do 2-3 laps before really starting to rail. Kneedrag is right. The tire will be fine when it gets warmed up. 28 degrees! BRRRRR!

Just ease into it..You'll be fine!


:smoking

[Ssketchy RC]

Right on guys.. Thanks.

[mikeyjudkins]

So something like a 30psi front -29psi rear is not uncommon for cold days?

[morthrane]

29psi rear is what I've been recommended to run, as well as what PB claims, for a street rennsport. And I assume that's on a warm/hot day...

I'm guessing for that tire you're talking more like 27psi for a cold day, if not 28.

[Trackho]

I'm guessing for that tire you're talking more like 27psi for a cold day, if not 28. --I would try 28 mine still tore at 29

[Ssketchy RC]

So you lower it for a cold day? I thought it would be opposite.

[MackeyStingray]

whenever you lower psi, you get more heat (larger contact patch=more friction) in the tires.

air up and it'll have longer life but less grip.

[Ssketchy RC]

Right on. That's good to know.

[Ssketchy RC]

I know that's for sure. My boy runs Dunlop 207's on his F4 and the sides of the rear look chewed and hard. Does that lead to problems down the line?

[Holeshot]

Originally posted by Trackho
--I would try 28 mine still tore at 29

Actually go the other way I think. I raised mine to 30.5 rear and the tearing is all but gone. The temps were higher today, as well though.

[MackeyStingray]

It's not that simple. i was speaking generally. there's obviously a point where too low a pressure will work against you but a bit better than airing up from his std. pressure on a cold day/track no?