Tires to tryout after Dunlop Q4

[infecto]

Bike: 07 ZX6R

I have been running Q4 tires all year. Maybe 8 track days. I have been happy with the Q4 but wondering if I should be trying out any different tires. I am only running ~2:20 laps at thunderhill and I get about 3-4 days out of the rear. The rears always start wearing more aggressively on the left side and I have to replace.

Just looking for some thoughts if my pace is too slow and I could save a few bucks with a Q3+ or if there is another tire I should be trying out to benefit my riding in the long term?

 

[scratchpad]

Thunderhill is a mostly left turn track which is why the left side of the tire wears more. 3-4 days sounds good. Stick with them. You should be getting double that with the front at that pace.

If you want to try something stickier i have some excellent Dunlop takeoffs for sale.

 

[DannoXYZ]

Yeah, use Q3+. You're not even close to limit of either tyre.

As reference, there's guys doing 2:13 on Ninja 250s at TH and use one set of Q3+ tyres for entire season (80+ days). I think Jordan's in 2:09-11 range on Ninja 250. Rocco did 1:55 last year with 45bhp Ninja 400 on slicks, 1:57 on Q3+.

Biggest hindrance to improving I've seen for most people is going to sticky tyres too soon. Before learning the feel at limit and learning to control slides. It's much, much more difficult to learn on sticky tyres because the behavior at limit is so sudden and sharp. With more street-based tyres, you can slide them around entire corner and learn to control it. With sticky tyres, there's very little warning, they're sticking just fine one moment, then you're on your ass the next.

Best investment is spending more time and money on trackdays and getting in lots of practice. With a fixed amount to spend, you'll make faster improvements saving money on tyres and spending them on trackdays. Use the instructors provided to help you fine-tune your riding. Ernie helped me chop off 5s in a single session.

 

[infecto]

Thanks y'all. I was kinda thinking similar or at the very least try out the Q3+ just for fun to see what it feels like.

My laptimes have mostly been a struggle with pushing the braking zone. I coast for too long going into the corner. Corner speed is pretty happy.

Question about tire sizing if I could get some input. So this bike has been running 180/60. Dunlop Q3+ don't come in that size anymore from what I can tell. 180/55 and 190/50-55. I have watched some tire sizing videos including from Dave Moss but I still dont see the easy answer. I am guessing moving to the 180/55 would require some changes to bike setup but could I maybe negate it some other way?

 

[stangmx13]

Nothing "requires" changes. Ride the new tires, try to notice anything about riding that you dont like, and make adjustments based on that. The adjustment could be the bike or it could be your riding. If you dont notice anything "bad", dont make a change. Also, try not to make up an issue in your head because you read about it on the internet.

At your pace, it probably doesnt matter much if you chose a 180/55, 180/60, or 190/55 (avoid 190/50). You have so much more to learn about riding and feeling setup before any preference will be useful. Plus, theres no way your bike is optimized for any of these tire sizes.

Riding tip: Dont push the braking zones at first. Brake at the same location, just lighter and hold it for longer. Use that lighter longer brake pressure to eliminate your coasting. When you are comfortable with that, then try pushing markers and increase your max brake pressure some.

 

[infecto]

Thanks y'all. Will pick up a q3+ and report back.

 

[Gravisman]

Also for reference I can ride 8 days on Q4s on the same bike doing sub 2:10s the whole time. I know lots of people think I’m crazy with how far down I wear my tires, but i like feeling like I don’t always need brand new rubber. Enjoy experimenting; look forward to hearing your experience on Q3s.

 

[DannoXYZ]

Hell, I've seen instructors go out on bare tyres with cords showing. Then pull off some insane lap-times!!!

 

[afm199]

Bike: 07 ZX6R

I have been running Q4 tires all year. Maybe 8 track days. I have been happy with the Q4 but wondering if I should be trying out any different tires. I am only running ~2:20 laps at thunderhill and I get about 3-4 days out of the rear. The rears always start wearing more aggressively on the left side and I have to replace.

Just looking for some thoughts if my pace is too slow and I could save a few bucks with a Q3+ or if there is another tire I should be trying out to benefit my riding in the long term?

If this is a track bike, get slicks and flip the rears.

 

[East Bay Blake]

Just my $.02 but I was running Q4’s as well and was only getting one track day out of the rear tire. Fronts can get three. Torquey V4 will eat the shoulders of rear tires... I just switched to the Power Cup 2 and after 1 1/2 track days they look a LOT better than the Q4’s on the shoulders. And they’re cheaper too.

 

[89fj]

^^^you're faster too :teeth

 

[Saxon]

For me, focusing more on technique and learning has brought more satisfaction, fun and lower track times.

I ride a Ducati ST3s street and track. After upgrading the Michelin CT's to Q3 plus and now downgrading to Roadsport II for the rear. I honestly do not feel a difference after the initial breakin and learning its characteristic.

I have concluded that at my upper C group pace, I have not reached the upper limits tire performance yet.

Better for me to go to more track days and take advantage of the instructors plus some schools thrown in from time to time.

 

[FZ1MinesRdRipper]

Hell, I've seen instructors go out on bare tyres with cords showing. Then pull off some insane lap-times!!!

Yep...I was hauling the mail on this tire. It was still hooking up and driving forward...it was spinning up a little. When I pulled over and noticed it I mellowed out and cruised home. You can run dunlops hard all the way to just before the cords. I don't recommend anyone ride on such abused tires. The second picture is my bridgestone S21 after my brisk commute to work on highway 17...I roasted that tire on my FZ10. The picture has a new S21 & the torched one. I was pushing it hard and giving it very heavy throttle trying to make it slide and to see how much grip was left. It was still working, but I started seeing metal so I put some oem bridestone RS11's on off my buddies new 2020 R1...those fricken RS11's hook up damn good...try them. Of course I roasted those too. :afm199. I've been doing this to my tires for a longtime...plus I'm just a cheap bastard. So the moral of the story is I could run 2:20's on any sport touring tire with higher pressures and run them for years at trackdays running 2:20's. I don't run 2:20's though. :laughing So if I was the Op I would buy the cheapest tires I could find...I bought the S21's in the picture as a set for $60.00...okay this was a great deal, but a few years ago when I first tried the S21's I got a 200 rear & a front for $175.00 shipped to my front door. Okay...now let's here all the comments about tire safety...I know they're coming...bring it:rofl:thumbup